countyscore
48.3
County Score
Disaster Risk 68.4Cost of Living 65.8Health 60.7

County Report Card

About Pawnee County, Kansas

A Stable Heartland Anchor

Pawnee County holds a composite score of 47.1, sitting just below the national median of 50.0. This ranking suggests a quality of life comparable to many rural counties across the United States.

Matching the Kansas Average

The county's overall score is nearly identical to the Kansas state average of 49.5. It maintains a competitive position in Central Kansas through consistent performance across major categories.

Resilience and Health Excellence

The county excels in environmental safety with a Risk Score of 68.4. Residents also benefit from a strong Health Score of 60.7 and solid schools, which earn a 58.6 rating.

High Taxes and Water Concerns

An effective tax rate of 1.789% results in a low Tax Score of 5.3, signaling a significant burden on homeowners. Additionally, the Water Score of 33.6 indicates room for infrastructure improvement.

Ideal for Health-Conscious Buyers

Pawnee County suits families and retirees who value health services and environmental stability. With median home values at $102,400, it remains an accessible option for those entering the market.

204060801002.465.847.660.758.644.368.433.646.3Tax2.4Cost65.8Safety47.6Health60.7Schools58.6Income44.3Risk68.4Water33.6Weather46.348.3/100
This county
National avg
3 above average2 below average

Pawnee County DNA

Foverall

How Pawnee County compares to the national average across nine baseline dimensions

Pawnee County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Disaster Risk (68.4/100) but notably weak in Property Tax (2.4/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
2.4-49.6
Cost
65.8+17.799999999999997
Safety
47.6
Health
60.7+10.700000000000003
Schools
58.6
Income
44.3
Risk
68.4+21.400000000000006
Water
33.6-24.4
Weather
46.3-9.700000000000003
Sponsored

Think property taxes are too high in Pawnee County?

Many homeowners in Pawnee County pay more than they should. A professional appeal could save you hundreds per year.

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$93,000

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$795/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$93,000/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$31,800/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum1.5x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $63,517/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Data from Federal Reserve (FRED), U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, and CMS NPPES.

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncome & Jobsincomebycounty.comSafetycrimebycounty.comHealthhealthbycounty.comSchoolsschoolsbycounty.comDisaster Riskriskbycounty.comWater Qualitywaterbycounty.comWeather & Climateweatherbycounty.comSoil Qualitysoilbycounty.comLawn Carelawnbycounty.comFarmers Marketsmarketsbycounty.comView on Mapcountyscore.com/map
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Nearby counties

Edwards County
Kansas
50.1
Rush County
Kansas
41.8
Stafford County
Kansas
55.5
Hodgeman County
Kansas
56.2
Barton County
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Ness County
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60.3
Pratt County
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47.5
Kiowa County
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58.9

Deep Dives

Pawnee County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 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

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

Safety in Pawnee County

via CrimeByCounty

Pawnee County Outperforms National Safety Standards

Pawnee County reports a total crime rate of 1,176.9 per 100K, which is less than half the national average of 2,385.5. This strong performance earns the county a high safety score of 98.1 out of 100.

Staying Above the Kansas Safety Average

The county's safety score of 98.1 sits just above the Kansas state average of 98.0. Residents here experience a more secure environment than many of their peers across the state.

Comparing Crime Rates with Kansas Neighbors

At 1,176.9 incidents per 100K, Pawnee County has a higher crime rate than nearby Pottawatomie County, which sits at 934.0. However, it remains significantly safer than more populous regional neighbors.

Property Crimes Lead Local Incidents

Violent crime in Pawnee is 302.2 per 100K, while property crime is much higher at 874.7. Most incidents involve theft or burglary rather than physical confrontations.

Practical Steps for Pawnee Residents

With property crime as the main concern, simple upgrades like smart locks and outdoor lighting make a big difference. Staying alert and reporting suspicious activity helps maintain the county's high safety standing.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Pawnee County

via WeatherByCounty

Warmer than the national average

Pawnee County maintains an average annual temperature of 55.6°F, placing it above the national median for continental climates. Its semiarid conditions mean drier air and more direct sunlight than many coastal counties.

Exceeding the Kansas average temperature

With an annual average of 55.6°F, the county sits nearly a full degree above the Kansas state average of 54.8°F. It also receives 26.1 inches of precipitation annually, which is four inches less than the state benchmark.

A warm pocket in central Kansas

Pawnee is slightly warmer than its neighbor Pratt County to the south, which averages 55.2°F. It experiences 68 extreme heat days per year, two more than the 66 days recorded in neighboring Phillips County.

Intense summers and moderate winters

July brings a sweltering average of 79.3°F, while January stays relatively mild at 32.4°F. The county sees an average of 15.4 inches of snowfall each year, which is typical for the central plains.

Prepare for significant summer heat

Residents must plan for 68 days of temperatures over 90°F, making high-efficiency cooling systems a necessity. Outdoor activities are best scheduled for the winter months, when the average temperature remains a manageable 34.1°F.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Pawnee County

via SoilByCounty

Neutral Soils in Pawnee County

Pawnee County soils lean neutral with an average pH of 7.03, slightly higher than the national median of 6.5 and the Kansas average of 6.80. While formal taxonomic records are limited here, these neutral levels suggest a hospitable environment for most standard crops. This stability provides a solid foundation for the county's agricultural output.

A Silty Foundation for Farming

The soil composition features a balanced mix of 45.3% silt, 34.7% sand, and 20.0% clay. This high silt content offers a smooth texture that retains nutrients better than sandy soils while maintaining manageable workability. The moderate clay percentage helps prevent the soil from drying out too quickly during hot Kansas summers.

Reliable Water Storage Capacities

Organic matter sits at 1.87%, which is slightly below the state average of 2.22% and the national 2.0% benchmark. However, the available water capacity of 0.182 in/in beats the state average of 0.180, indicating the soil holds onto moisture effectively. Growers should focus on building organic matter to maximize the land's inherent storage potential.

Adapting to Local Hydrology

Specific drainage class data is limited for this region, though the soil score of 51.8 suggests moderate overall performance. The silt-heavy composition typically suggests decent natural drainage with some risk of surface crusting. Farmers and builders should monitor local water tables when planning significant land projects.

Flourishing in Zone 6b

Falling within USDA Hardiness Zone 6b, Pawnee County is well-suited for winter wheat, sorghum, and hardy perennials. The combination of neutral pH and reliable water capacity makes this an excellent spot for a home vegetable garden. Start your seeds early to take full advantage of the long growing season.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Pawnee County

via LawnByCounty

Navigating Pawnee County's Mid-Range Lawn Challenge

With a lawn difficulty score of 54.8, Pawnee County presents a slightly tougher environment than the Kansas average of 59.1. While it remains above the national median of 50.0, homeowners in this Zone 6b region must account for higher-than-average heat levels. Maintaining lush turf here requires a balance of heat-tolerant species and consistent care.

Beating the Heat and Low Rainfall

Pawnee County receives only 26.1 inches of annual precipitation, falling short of the 30-50 inches ideal for most lawns. Local grass must endure 68 extreme heat days per year, which is significantly higher than the state average of 58 days. With 4,115 growing degree days, the mowing season is intense and demands regular irrigation to prevent dormancy.

Neutral Soils with Moderate Drainage

The soil pH in Pawnee County sits at a near-perfect 7.03, aligning well with the ideal 6.0-7.0 range for nutrient uptake. The ground contains 20.0% clay and 34.7% sand, providing a stable foundation that isn't overly heavy. While drainage class data is limited, this texture generally offers decent aeration for developing root systems.

Managing Water During Dry Spells

Homeowners navigated 10 weeks of drought over the past year, though current conditions show no immediate D0 to D2+ alerts. To maintain resilience, deep and infrequent watering encourages roots to grow deeper into the soil. Mulching grass clippings back into the lawn helps retain essential moisture during those 68 annual scorchers.

Strategic Planting for Zone 6b

Tall fescue and buffalo grass are excellent choices for this climate, offering the best resistance to the local heat. Aim to seed after the last frost on April 16 or prepare for winter before the first frost hits around October 27. Starting your lawn project in early fall allows roots to establish before the summer heat returns.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Pawnee County's county score?
Pawnee County, Kansas has a composite county score of 48.3 out of 100 on CountyScore. This score is calculated from a weighted average of available data dimensions including property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools.
How does Pawnee County rank among counties in Kansas?
Pawnee County ranks #62 among all counties in Kansas on CountyScore's composite ranking. Rankings are based on available data dimensions and updated as new data is added.
What are property taxes like in Pawnee County, Kansas?
The median annual property tax in Pawnee County is $1,887, with an effective tax rate of 2.03%. This earns Pawnee County a tax score of 2.4/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Pawnee County?
The median household income in Pawnee County, Kansas is $63,517 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Pawnee County earns an income score of 44.3/100 on CountyScore.
Is Pawnee County, Kansas a good place to live?
Pawnee County scores 48.3/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #62 in Kansas. The best way to evaluate Pawnee County is to compare individual dimension scores — property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools — based on your personal priorities. Use CountyScore to compare Pawnee County with other counties side by side.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

ByCounty Network

Property TaxCost of LivingIncome & JobsSafetyHealthSchoolsDisaster RiskWater QualityWeather & ClimateSoil QualityLawn CareFarmers Markets

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