Pratt County

Kansas · KS

#85 in Kansas
63.5
County Score

County Report Card

About Pratt County, Kansas

Pratt Outperforms National Median

Pratt County's composite score of 63.5 surpasses the national median of 50.0 by 27%, ranking it in the top third of U.S. counties. This advantage reflects solid across-the-board performance on cost and tax dimensions that matter to working families.

Slightly Below Kansas Peers

Pratt's score of 63.5 falls marginally below Kansas's statewide average of 66.0, positioning it in the middle of the state's 105 counties. The narrow gap suggests Pratt delivers representative Kansas livability with no major standout advantages or shortfalls.

Strong Housing Affordability

Pratt's cost score of 81.1 reflects genuine affordability with median homes at $114,500 and rents of $810 monthly, placing it among Kansas's cheaper housing markets. This advantage extends purchasing power for families on modest incomes.

Income Levels Require Trade-Offs

An income score of 25.4 and median household income of $64,348 represent Pratt's weakest dimension, reflecting the county's rural employment base. Missing data on health, safety, and schools further limits the full livability picture.

Good Fit for Value-Seeking Families

Pratt County works best for families and retirees comfortable with smaller-town economics and lower wages in exchange for affordable housing. If you prioritize low living costs over income potential, Pratt delivers solid Kansas value.

Score breakdown

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

Tax52.7Cost81.1SafetyComing SoonHealth69.8SchoolsComing SoonIncome25.4Risk45.2WaterComing Soon
🏛52.7
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty
🏠81.1
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty
💼25.4
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
69.8
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
45.2
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Deep Dives

Pratt County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Pratt County

via TaxByCounty

Pratt's rate runs above national average

Pratt County's effective tax rate of 1.763% exceeds the national median of 1.549% by 214 basis points, placing it in the 62nd percentile nationwide. This means most American homeowners benefit from lower property tax rates than Pratt residents experience.

Among highest-taxed Kansas counties

At 1.763%, Pratt County ranks second-highest among these eight counties, trailing only Pawnee's 1.789%. The county's effective rate runs 0.214 percentage points above the Kansas state average of 1.549%, with a median property tax of $2,019.

Higher rates than most regional peers

Pratt's 1.763% rate exceeds Rawlins County (1.661%), Reno County (1.744%), and most others in the region. Only Pawnee County comes close, making Pratt one of the pricier places to own property in west-central Kansas.

What homeowners pay annually

A typical Pratt County home valued at $114,500 generates approximately $2,019 in annual property taxes. With a mortgage, that amount rises to $2,045; without one, it drops to $2,000.

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.

Cost of Living in Pratt County

via CostByCounty

Pratt balances incomes and housing costs

Pratt County residents spend 15.1% of their $64,348 median household income on rent, slightly above Kansas's state average of 14.7% but comfortably below the national 30% affordability threshold. Though household incomes trail the national median of $74,755 by 14%, housing remains reasonably accessible.

Middle-ground affordability in Kansas

Pratt County ranks in the moderate tier of Kansas counties for housing affordability, with a rent-to-income ratio just 0.4 points above the state average. Its $810 monthly rent slightly exceeds the state median of $787, reflecting typical rural Kansas pricing.

Highest owner costs in the region

Pratt County's $810 rent sits between Pawnee County ($806) and Rawlins County ($823), but its $838 monthly owner cost is the highest in the regional comparison. Median home values of $114,500 position Pratt as moderately valued for homebuyers.

Renters and owners pay similar amounts

Pratt County renters spend $810 monthly while homeowners invest $838, a minimal difference that reflects balanced housing options for both cohorts. With a median home value of $114,500, both pathways consume roughly 15% of household income.

Steady choice for moderate-income families

Pratt County offers predictable, middle-range housing costs for families earning around $64,000 annually, with both rental and ownership pathways equally viable. Compare it with lower-cost Phillips County or higher-income Pottawatomie County to find your fit.

Income & Jobs in Pratt County

via IncomeByCounty

Pratt trails national earning levels

Pratt County's median household income of $64,348 sits roughly $10,400 below the national median of $74,755, placing it in the lower-middle range nationwide. Like much of rural Kansas, the county faces income headwinds relative to more urbanized U.S. regions.

Slightly above Kansas middle

Pratt County's $64,348 median household income marginally exceeds Kansas's state average of $64,428, positioning it just above the middle of the state's income distribution. Per capita income of $33,584 falls below the state average of $34,748, suggesting wealth concentration among fewer households.

Competitive within south-central Kansas

Pratt County's $64,348 income exceeds Reno ($60,498) and Rice ($63,947) counties but trails Rawlins ($65,000) and Pawnee ($63,625) in the regional comparison. The county maintains steady middle-ground status within its economic peers.

Affordable housing supports budgets

Pratt County's rent-to-income ratio of 15.1% keeps housing costs well below the 30% threshold, leaving substantial room in household budgets for other expenses. Median home values of $114,500 align reasonably with annual household income, supporting accessible homeownership.

Start building financial security now

With comfortable housing affordability, Pratt County residents can dedicate savings toward emergency reserves and retirement accounts. Work with a local credit union or financial advisor to establish automatic savings plans and explore low-cost investment options tailored to your income level.

Health in Pratt County

via HealthByCounty

Pratt matches national life expectancy

Pratt County residents live to 75.7 years, essentially in line with the U.S. average of 75.4 years. However, 16.1% report poor or fair health, indicating wellness challenges despite average longevity.

Slight edge over Kansas average

Pratt County's 75.7-year life expectancy marginally exceeds Kansas's state average of 75.4 years, and its 11.1% uninsured rate closely tracks the state average of 11.5%. Health outcomes here mirror statewide patterns.

Solid primary care, limited mental health

Pratt County offers 87 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, above rural adequacy thresholds. Mental health providers number 110 per 100,000, below many neighbors and suggesting limited access for behavioral health needs.

Coverage gaps affect one in nine

With 11.1% uninsured, roughly 1 in 9 Pratt County residents lack health insurance. Those with coverage access primary care relatively easily, but mental health services require longer waits or travel outside the county.

Don't go without—enrollment is open now

Pratt County residents can sign up for marketplace coverage at healthcare.gov or apply for Kansas Medicaid online. Taking action now protects you from unexpected medical bills and connects you to local primary care.

Disaster Risk in Pratt County

via RiskByCounty

Pratt County faces relatively low national risk

Pratt County's composite risk score of 54.83 significantly exceeds Kansas's state average of 29.89, yet still qualifies as Relatively Low at the national level. The county stands above most Kansas counties but remains safer than many disaster-prone U.S. regions.

One of Kansas's higher-risk counties

Pratt ranks among the top disaster-exposed counties in Kansas, driven by tornado risk scoring 68.58 and wildfire risk at 80.60. These two hazards combine to create one of the state's more challenging disaster environments.

Significantly riskier than surrounding counties

Pratt's composite score of 54.83 is nearly 24 points higher than neighboring Pawnee County (31.62) and substantially above Rawlins County (4.83). The county faces notably greater tornado and wildfire exposure than most of its geographic neighbors.

Tornados and wildfires define the threat

Tornadoes present the most serious hazard at 68.58, followed closely by wildfires at 80.60—both well above the state average. Earthquake risk remains low at 23.54, and flooding is minimal at 15.17.

Storm shelters and fire preparedness are vital

Pratt County residents should invest in a reinforced storm shelter or safe room and ensure comprehensive tornado coverage in their homeowners insurance. Clear vegetation around your property and maintain fire-resistant landscaping, as wildfire risk here exceeds most Kansas counties.

ByCounty Network

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