CountyScore

Pawnee County

Kansas · KS

#72 in Kansas
65.8
County Score

County Report Card

About Pawnee County, Kansas

Pawnee: Well Above National Median

Pawnee County's composite score of 63.3 significantly outpaces the national median of 50.0, placing it in the top third of U.S. counties by overall livability. This 27% advantage reflects a county that offers measurably better conditions than typical American communities across measured dimensions.

Slightly Below Kansas Average

With a score of 63.3, Pawnee ranks just below Kansas's statewide average of 66.0, placing it in the middle tier of the state's 105 counties. The narrow gap suggests Pawnee offers broadly representative Kansas livability, neither standout nor struggling regionally.

Affordability Is the Clear Win

Pawnee's cost score of 81.4 reflects genuinely affordable housing: median homes sell for $102,400 and rent averages just $806 per month. These figures rank among Kansas's most wallet-friendly, making the county attractive for budget-conscious families and retirees.

Income Levels Need Attention

The income score of 24.9 is Pawnee's weakest dimension, with a median household income of $63,625 lagging state expectations. Limited data on health, safety, and schools also prevents a fuller livability picture, though affordability partially offsets lower wage levels.

Built for Budget-First Families

Pawnee County suits families and retirees prioritizing low housing costs over high incomes—a classic trade-off county where dollars stretch further. If you work remotely or have fixed income, Pawnee's affordability advantage makes it a practical Kansas choice.

Score breakdown

5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.

Tax51.9Cost81.4SafetyComing SoonHealth71.6SchoolsComing SoonIncome24.9Risk68.4WaterComing Soon
🏛51.9
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠81.4
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼24.9
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤71.6
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡68.4
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncomeincomebycounty.com
Compare Pawnee County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Jefferson County
Arkansas
65.8
Median income: $48,552
Kent County
Delaware
65.8
Median income: $72,872
Citrus County
Florida
65.8
Median income: $55,355
Jefferson County
Georgia
65.8
Median income: $46,561
Polk County
Georgia
65.8
Median income: $55,308

Deep Dives

Pawnee County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Pawnee County

via TaxByCounty

Pawnee's rate tops national average

At 1.789%, Pawnee County's effective tax rate runs about 15% higher than the national median of 1.549%. This puts the county in roughly the 65th percentile nationally—meaning most American homeowners pay less in property taxes as a percentage of home value.

Middle of the pack in Kansas

Pawnee ranks in the upper-middle tier among Kansas counties, with an effective rate 0.24 percentage points above the state average of 1.549%. The county's median property tax of $1,832 sits $89 below the statewide median of $1,943.

Regional tax rates vary widely

Among nearby counties, Pawnee's 1.789% rate exceeds Phillips County (1.697%) but trails Pratt County (1.763%). Compared to Rawlins County's 1.661%, Pawnee residents shoulder notably higher effective rates for similar-valued homes.

What homeowners pay annually

A typical Pawnee County home valued at $102,400 generates about $1,832 in annual property taxes. With a mortgage, that figure rises to $1,991; without one, it drops to $1,457.

Review your assessment today

Many Kansas homeowners pay more than they should due to outdated assessments. If your property tax seems high relative to comparable homes, filing an appeal with your county assessor's office could reduce your burden—and the process is free.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Pawnee County

via CostByCounty

Pawnee rents stretch incomes further

Pawnee County residents spend 15.2% of their median household income on rent, slightly above Kansas's state average of 14.7% but well below the national affordability threshold of 30%. With a median household income of $63,625—about 15% lower than the national median of $74,755—housing costs here remain more manageable than in many U.S. counties.

Mid-range affordability within Kansas

Pawnee County ranks in the middle tier of Kansas counties for housing affordability, with rent-to-income ratios comparable to the state average. The county's $806 monthly rent slightly exceeds the state median of $787, reflecting modest demand in a rural market.

Slightly pricier than surrounding counties

Pawnee's rent of $806 tops nearby Phillips County ($621) and Republic County ($638), but trails Rawlins County ($823). Owner costs in Pawnee ($827/month) fall between Pratt County's $838 and Phillips County's $690, positioning the county as moderately priced in its region.

Rent and ownership costs are comparable

Renters in Pawnee County spend about $806 monthly while homeowners pay $827, a near-equal split that reflects balanced housing options. With median home values at $102,400, both rental and ownership pathways consume roughly 15% of household income.

Consider Pawnee for rural stability

If you're relocating to rural Kansas, Pawnee County offers stable, near-affordable housing with costs close to state norms. Compare it with neighboring Phillips County for lower rents or Pratt County for similar price points before deciding.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Pawnee County

via IncomeByCounty

Pawnee's income falls short nationally

Pawnee County's median household income of $63,625 trails the U.S. median of $74,755 by over $11,000 annually. This gap puts the county in the lower half of American income distribution, though not unusually so for rural Kansas. Understanding this context helps residents benchmark their earning power against national standards.

Slightly below Kansas average

At $63,625, Pawnee County's median household income sits just below Kansas's state average of $64,428, placing it in the middle tier of the state's 105 counties. The county's per capita income of $39,318 significantly outpaces the state average of $34,748, suggesting higher earnings concentration among fewer workers.

Competitive with surrounding counties

Pawnee County earns more than Phillips ($61,235) and Reno ($60,498) counties but less than Pottawatomie ($87,694) and Rawlins ($65,000). Among rural Kansas neighbors, Pawnee holds steady in the middle range, reflecting its mixed agricultural and small-business economy.

Housing remains comfortably affordable

With a rent-to-income ratio of 15.2%, Pawnee County residents spend well under the recommended 30% threshold for housing costs, indicating strong affordability. Median home values of $102,400 align closely with annual household earnings, making homeownership financially accessible for most families.

Build on Pawnee's income foundation

Pawnee County's solid per capita income and affordable housing create an ideal foundation for wealth building through savings and investment. Consider consulting a financial advisor about retirement accounts, home equity strategies, and diversifying income streams to close the national earnings gap.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Pawnee County

via HealthByCounty

Pawnee lives slightly longer than America

Pawnee County residents live to 75.6 years on average, edging out the U.S. life expectancy of 75.4 years. Just 15.1% report poor or fair health, suggesting relatively resilient well-being despite rural challenges.

Above-average health in rural Kansas

Pawnee County outperforms Kansas's state average life expectancy of 75.4 years and matches the state's uninsured rate at 10.0% versus the state average of 11.5%. This county is among Kansas's healthier rural communities.

Strong provider access sets Pawnee apart

Pawnee County boasts 96 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—far above rural averages—and 620 mental health providers per 100,000. This robust supply far exceeds neighboring Phillips County's 21 primary care providers and 210 mental health providers.

One in ten Pawnee residents uninsured

With a 10.0% uninsured rate, Pawnee County means roughly 1 in 10 residents lacks health coverage. Strong provider availability helps those with insurance access care quickly, but gaps remain for the uninsured.

Check your coverage options today

If you're among Pawnee County's uninsured, healthcare.gov and Kansas's Medicaid programs offer pathways to coverage. Contact your local health department or a navigator to explore plans that fit your budget.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Pawnee County

via RiskByCounty

Pawnee's risk profile: very low nationally

With a composite risk score of 31.62, Pawnee County sits slightly above the state average of 29.89 and well below the national baseline, earning a Very Low risk rating. This means residents face lower-than-typical exposure to major natural disasters compared to the broader U.S. landscape.

Mid-range hazard exposure in Kansas

Pawnee ranks in the middle tier of Kansas counties for overall disaster risk, positioned comfortably below high-risk counties but with notably elevated tornado and wildfire exposure. The county's 55.28 tornado score and 55.12 wildfire score are the primary drivers of its composite risk.

More exposed than Republic, less than Pratt

Pawnee's risk score of 31.62 falls between Republic County (18.92, one of Kansas's safest) and Pratt County (54.83, significantly higher). Compared to nearby Rawlins County at 4.83, Pawnee residents face notably greater tornado and wildfire risk.

Tornados and wildfires dominate the landscape

Tornadoes present the highest hazard exposure at 55.28, while wildfires rank a close second at 55.12—both notably above the county's overall composite score. Flooding risk is minimal at 20.71, and earthquakes are essentially non-threatening at 19.85.

Prepare for Kansas's classic spring storms

Pawnee residents should prioritize severe storm and tornado coverage in their homeowners insurance, with particular attention to wind damage protection. Create or refresh a tornado safety plan and ensure your property can withstand high winds; storm shelters or reinforced interior rooms are critical investments in tornado country.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS — informational only.