CountyScore

Rush County

Kansas · KS

#56 in Kansas
67
County Score

County Report Card

About Rush County, Kansas

Rush ranks in 81st percentile nationally

Rush County's composite score of 64.6 is 29 points higher than the national median of 50.0, placing it firmly in the upper-livability tier. This strong ranking indicates Rush County is a desirable place to live compared to most U.S. counties.

Lower-middle performance within Kansas

Rush County's score of 64.6 sits below the Kansas state average of 66.0, reflecting competitive but not leading livability within the state. It remains in the stronger half of Kansas counties overall.

Exceptional housing affordability tops the list

Rush County's cost score of 86.9 is the highest among these eight counties, with median gross rent at $700 and median home values just $79,300. This affordability is a major asset for budget-conscious buyers and renters.

Income remains modest, taxes are the highest

Rush County's income score of 22.7 reflects median household income of $60,288, below state and national norms. Its effective tax rate of 1.897% is the highest among these eight counties, eating into modest household earnings.

Right for affordability seekers with stable income

Rush County appeals to people—particularly retirees and remote workers—who prioritize rock-bottom housing costs and a quiet rural lifestyle. It works best for those whose income isn't dependent on local job growth and who value simplicity over urban conveniences.

Score breakdown

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

Tax48.9Cost86.9SafetyComing SoonHealth63.8SchoolsComing SoonIncome22.7Risk95.1WaterComing Soon
🏛48.9
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠86.9
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼22.7
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤63.8
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡95.1
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 Rush County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Plumas County
California
67
Median income: $64,946
Kootenai County
Idaho
67
Median income: $77,034
Schuyler County
Illinois
67
Median income: $66,059
Johnson County
Indiana
67
Median income: $87,227
Kearny County
Kansas
67
Median income: $74,135

Deep Dives

Rush County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Rush County

via TaxByCounty

Rush County leads nation in tax rates

Rush County's effective tax rate of 1.897% is among the highest in the United States, far exceeding the national median of 1.1%. This rate reflects how aggressively the county taxes property relative to its value, affecting homeowners across all price points.

Kansas's highest effective tax rate

Rush County holds the distinction of Kansas's highest effective property tax rate at 1.897%, well above the state average of 1.549%. The median annual tax of $1,504 on homes valued at $79,300 underscores the county's relentless tax collection relative to modest property values.

Far steeper than neighboring counties

Rush County's 1.897% rate dramatically outpaces nearby Rooks County (1.770%), Russell County (1.751%), and Scott County (1.532%). Homeowners moving between Rush and its neighbors face a noticeably different tax burden.

Pay $1,504 yearly on $79,300 median home

The median Rush County homeowner pays approximately $1,504 in annual property taxes on a home valued at $79,300. This translates to roughly $1,919 per year once mortgage-related adjustments are factored in.

Assessment review is essential here

In a county with the nation's highest effective rates, ensuring your assessment is accurate becomes crucial to your household budget. Contact your county assessor to request a reassessment if you believe your home is overvalued relative to comparable sales.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Rush County

via CostByCounty

Rush County housing proves attainable

Rush County renters allocate just 13.9% of household income to rent, matching Kansas's state average of 14.7% and holding steady with the national average of 14.6%. With median rents of $700 and household income of $60,288, Rush offers genuine affordability for working families.

Rush ranks solidly affordable statewide

Rush County's 13.9% rent-to-income ratio positions it in the top tier of Kansas affordability, with rents running 11% below the state median of $787. This consistency across income and cost metrics makes Rush reliably habitable for renters and buyers alike.

Rush competes with Rooks for value

Rush County's $700 median rent nearly matches Rooks County's $679, making both counties dramatically more affordable than Riley County's $1,065. Rush residents earn slightly more than Rooks residents, reinforcing the region's affordability edge over college-town competitors.

Rush housing consumes modest share

A household earning Rush's $60,288 median income spends approximately $8,400 annually on $700 rent, preserving $51,888 for all other costs. Homeowners see similar relief, with $597 monthly owner costs consuming just 11.9% of income and median home values at $79,300.

Rush welcomes cost-conscious relocators

Rush County delivers rural affordability with stable incomes and genuine community infrastructure—ideal if you seek low housing costs without total isolation. Budget roughly $700 for rent or $79,000 for home purchase, and enjoy the financial flexibility rural Kansas provides.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Rush County

via IncomeByCounty

Rush County Income Trails but Per Capita Shines

Rush County's median household income of $60,288 falls $14,467 below the national median of $74,755, following the rural Kansas pattern. Yet Rush County's per capita income of $45,168 significantly exceeds both the state average ($34,748) and national norms, suggesting concentrated wealth among fewer households. This divergence indicates that some Rush County residents earn substantially more than the median, pulling up per capita averages.

Below State Average but High Per Capita Earners

Rush County's $60,288 median household income ranks below Kansas's $64,428 average, yet its per capita income of $45,168 stands 30% above the state's $34,748. This uncommon pattern suggests Rush County has a smaller working-age population or fewer households relative to high earners, possibly reflecting agricultural operations and older demographics. The county occupies a mid-tier position statewide despite income concentration at the upper end.

Exceptional Per Capita Wealth Among Peers

Rush County's per capita income of $45,168 dramatically exceeds neighboring Russell County ($32,255) and Rooks County ($34,675), signaling higher individual earning power. The median home value of $79,300 remains affordable, and the rent-to-income ratio of 13.9% is among the region's best. This combination suggests Rush County households, particularly earners, have strong purchasing power relative to housing costs.

Housing Easily Affordable, Income Volatile

At 13.9% rent-to-income ratio and $79,300 median home value, Rush County offers excellent housing affordability relative to the $60,288 median income. Agricultural dependence likely creates significant income volatility across seasons and commodity prices, requiring careful budgeting and reserves. Families here should prioritize variable-income strategies and maintain larger emergency funds to weather downturns.

High Earners Should Maximize Tax-Advantaged Savings

Rush County's elevated per capita income suggests substantial earnings among some households; these earners should maximize 401(k) contributions and consider SEP-IRAs or Solo 401(k)s if self-employed. Agricultural operators should work with tax professionals on depreciation strategies and commodity hedging to smooth volatile income. With housing costs manageable at 13.9% of income, direct surplus cash flow into diversified investments to build generational wealth.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Rush County

via HealthByCounty

Rush County faces serious health gaps

At 69.0 years, Rush County's life expectancy is 7.4 years below the national average of 76.4 years—among the lowest in Kansas. One in six residents (16.2%) report poor or fair health, mirroring national averages but trailing healthier counties. This significant gap reflects deeper structural healthcare and lifestyle challenges.

Lowest life expectancy in Kansas

Rush County ranks last statewide with a 69.0-year life expectancy, trailing Kansas's 75.4-year average by 6.4 years. This gap represents one of the widest disparities in the state and demands urgent attention. The county faces unique health barriers requiring targeted community-level interventions.

Severe disadvantage versus nearby counties

Rush County residents live 10.7 years less than Riley County (79.7 years) and roughly 6 years less than Rooks County (75.5 years). Even Russell County (74.8 years) outpaces Rush by nearly 6 years—a dramatic disparity over just a few counties. This gap points to concentrated barriers in primary care, mental health, and prevention.

Severe provider shortage limits care

Rush County has just 34 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, less than half the state average. Mental health provider data is unavailable, but regional indicators suggest severe shortages in specialty care. At 11.5% uninsured, the county matches the state rate, yet limited provider capacity means uninsured residents have few options.

Coverage is the first step

Rush County's life expectancy crisis demands action starting with insurance coverage. If you're uninsured, visit Healthcare.gov or contact the Kansas Department of Health and Environment immediately—Medicaid expansion and marketplace subsidies may apply to you. Coverage alone won't close the health gap, but it's an essential foundation.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Rush County

via RiskByCounty

Rush County ranks among safest nationally

Rush County's composite risk score of 4.96 places it in the "Very Low" category and well below the national average. This exceptional safety profile reflects minimal exposure across nearly all natural hazard categories.

Kansas's lowest-risk county

At 4.96, Rush County's composite risk score is the lowest among all Kansas counties and represents just 17% of the state average of 29.89. This makes Rush County one of the nation's safest locations for natural disaster exposure.

Significantly safer than surrounding counties

Rush County's 4.96 score is substantially lower than Russell County (12.53), Rooks County (14.34), and all other nearby counties. Its exceptional safety profile stands out across central Kansas.

Minimal hazard exposure overall

Even Rush County's highest individual risk—wildfire at 42.53—remains below-average for Kansas. Tornado (31.46) and flood (6.27) risks are both very low, creating an exceptionally safe county-wide environment.

Basic homeowner's insurance sufficient

Standard homeowner's insurance adequately protects properties in Rush County given the minimal natural disaster exposure. Focus on maintaining standard wind and hail coverage as a reasonable precaution, though catastrophic risk remains extremely low.

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.