CountyScore

Rawlins County

Kansas · KS

#28 in Kansas
69.6
County Score

County Report Card

About Rawlins County, Kansas

Rawlins Significantly Above National Norm

Rawlins County's composite score of 65.7 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 31%, placing it in the upper third of American counties by livability. This consistent advantage reflects balanced performance across available measurement dimensions.

Nearly Meets Kansas State Average

Rawlins's score of 65.7 sits just marginally below Kansas's average of 66.0, ranking it solidly within the state's middle-to-upper tier among 105 counties. This near-parity reflects competitive, representative Kansas livability.

Excellent Affordability and Low Taxes

Rawlins excels with a cost score of 83.3 and tax score of 55.6, backed by median homes at $99,400 and an effective tax rate of 1.66%. These metrics rank among Kansas's most attractive for budget-conscious residents.

Modest Income Levels Persist

An income score of 25.8 and median household income of $65,000 represent Rawlins's limiting factor, typical of rural Great Plains economies. Limited school, health, and safety data prevent comprehensive livability assessment.

Smart for Cost-First Relocations

Rawlins County appeals to remote workers, retirees, and families seeking maximum affordability with solid Kansas-level livability. The combination of low taxes and affordable housing makes Rawlins practical for those prioritizing financial efficiency.

Score breakdown

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

Tax55.6Cost83.3SafetyComing SoonHealth71.3SchoolsComing SoonIncome25.8Risk95.2WaterComing Soon
🏛55.6
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠83.3
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼25.8
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤71.3
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡95.2
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Explore this county

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

Counties with similar scores

Ketchikan Gateway Borough
Alaska
69.6
Median income: $89,155
Lawrence County
Arkansas
69.6
Median income: $44,164
Logan County
Colorado
69.6
Median income: $55,074
Jasper County
Georgia
69.6
Median income: $59,574
Pickens County
Georgia
69.6
Median income: $75,293

Deep Dives

Rawlins County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Rawlins County

via TaxByCounty

Rawlins slightly exceeds national median

Rawlins County's effective tax rate of 1.661% runs 112 basis points above the national median of 1.549%, placing the county in the 55th percentile nationwide. This means roughly half of American homeowners pay less in property taxes as a percentage of home value.

Below state average, mid-tier ranking

At 1.661%, Rawlins County sits 0.112 percentage points below the Kansas state average of 1.549%, putting it in the lower-tax half of the state. The county's median property tax of $1,651 runs $292 below the statewide median of $1,943.

Moderate rates among regional peers

Rawlins's 1.661% rate falls between Phillips County (1.697%) and Reno County (1.744%), offering a middle-ground tax environment. Compared to higher-rate counties like Pawnee (1.789%) and Pratt (1.763%), Rawlins provides moderate relief.

What homeowners pay annually

A typical Rawlins County home valued at $99,400 generates roughly $1,651 in annual property taxes. With a mortgage, that figure rises to $1,864; without one, it drops to $1,426.

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 Rawlins County

via CostByCounty

Rawlins rents exceed state norms slightly

Rawlins County residents spend 15.2% of their $65,000 median household income on rent, matching Pawnee County and exceeding Kansas's state average of 14.7%. Though household incomes lag the national median of $74,755, rental costs remain within reasonable affordability limits.

Slightly above-average affordability strain

Rawlins County ranks in the less-affordable tier of Kansas counties, with a 15.2% rent-to-income ratio that exceeds the state average by half a percentage point. Its $823 monthly rent is among the highest in the state's rural markets.

Highest rent in the comparison set

Rawlins County's $823 rent tops all neighboring counties, from Pawnee ($806) to Pottawatomie ($1,011), making it the priciest rural option in this region. However, its owner costs of $680 are among the most affordable, signaling a renter-heavy market.

Renting costs more than homeownership

Rawlins County renters pay $823 monthly while homeowners invest just $680, a notable $143 gap that favors ownership with median home values of $99,400. This gap suggests that building equity through homeownership offers better value than renting.

Homebuyers find Rawlins more attractive

If you're considering Rawlins County, prioritize homeownership over renting to maximize affordability and build equity at $680 monthly costs. Renters may find better value in neighboring Phillips or Pawnee counties.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Rawlins County

via IncomeByCounty

Rawlins income below national level

Rawlins County's median household income of $65,000 trails the U.S. median of $74,755 by roughly $9,700, though it performs better than many rural Kansas peers. The gap reflects the economic realities of northwestern plains agriculture and limited urban centers.

Slightly above Kansas average

At $65,000, Rawlins County marginally exceeds Kansas's state median of $64,428, placing it in the upper-middle tier of the state's 105 counties. Per capita income of $34,231 slightly trails the state average of $34,748, suggesting fairly typical wealth distribution.

Slightly above regional peers

Rawlins County's $65,000 income edges out Pawnee ($63,625), Rice ($63,947), and Reno ($60,498) but falls short of Pottawatomie ($87,694). Among northwestern Kansas counties, Rawlins ranks in the solid middle range.

Housing costs highly manageable

With a rent-to-income ratio of 15.2%, Rawlins County residents allocate less than one-sixth of household income to housing, well below national recommendations. Median home values of $99,400 align closely with annual earnings, ensuring homeownership remains financially accessible.

Transform affordability into savings

Rawlins County's strong housing affordability creates genuine opportunity for household savings and wealth accumulation. Prioritize building a 3-6 month emergency fund, then channel savings into employer retirement plans or Individual Retirement Accounts to build long-term security.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Rawlins County

via HealthByCounty

Rawlins edges ahead on longevity

Rawlins County residents live to 77.5 years, 2.1 years longer than the U.S. average of 75.4 years. Yet 16.7% report poor or fair health, suggesting chronic conditions persist despite longer lifespans.

Above-state-average life expectancy

Rawlins County's 77.5-year life expectancy outpaces Kansas's state average of 75.4 years by over 2 years, and its 10.5% uninsured rate falls below the state average of 11.5%. Health coverage is better than typical for rural Kansas.

Provider access remains limited

Rawlins County has 39 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, well below most neighbors and insufficient for rural adequacy. Mental health provider data is unavailable, though local availability is likely sparse in this remote county.

One in ten residents uninsured

At 10.5% uninsured, Rawlins County residents fare slightly better than state average on coverage. The shortage of local primary care providers means even insured residents often travel significant distances for routine checkups or preventive care.

Secure coverage for remote healthcare needs

Rawlins County residents can explore marketplace plans at healthcare.gov or apply for Kansas Medicaid to ensure coverage for travel to distant care centers. Having insurance in place makes out-of-county visits more affordable.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Rawlins County

via RiskByCounty

Rawlins County: Kansas's safest county

With an exceptionally low composite risk score of 4.83, Rawlins County is dramatically safer than Kansas's state average of 29.89 and ranks among the lowest-risk counties in the entire nation. The county experiences minimal exposure to major natural disasters.

Distinctly safer than nearly all peers

Rawlins County ranks at the very bottom of Kansas's natural disaster risk hierarchy, with all hazard scores well below state norms. The county's minimal composite risk reflects consistently low exposure across tornadoes, floods, wildfires, and earthquakes.

Dramatically safer than neighboring counties

Rawlins's composite score of 4.83 is lower than any neighboring county, including Republic (18.92), Phillips (40.52), and Pawnee (31.62). The county represents one of Kansas's safest geographical zones for natural disaster risk.

Even major risks are quite modest here

Wildfire presents the highest relative hazard at 36.77, though this remains far below state and national norms for this peril. Tornado risk at 28.82 and flood risk at 7.03 are both exceptionally low for Kansas.

Standard coverage suffices for Rawlins

Rawlins County residents can rely on basic homeowners insurance without specialized storm or wildfire riders, as natural disaster risk is minimal. Maintain routine property maintenance and standard emergency preparedness, but intensive disaster mitigation is unnecessary here.

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.