CountyScore

Russell County

Kansas · KS

#50 in Kansas
67.5
County Score

County Report Card

About Russell County, Kansas

Russell outperforms 77th percentile nationally

Russell County's composite score of 63.7 is 27 points above the national median of 50.0, placing it in strong company nationwide. This ranking indicates livability well above the typical U.S. county.

Below Kansas average but solid rural option

Russell County scores 63.7, below the Kansas state average of 66.0, but remains in the state's upper-middle tier. It represents a livable option within rural Kansas.

Affordable housing and moderate taxes shine

Russell County scores 83.0 in cost, with median home values of $106,400 and median gross rent of $722 per month. Its effective tax rate of 1.751% is also reasonable, supporting a stable cost of living.

Income growth is the county's weakest link

Russell County's income score of 18.6 is the lowest among these eight counties, with median household income of just $53,902. This represents a meaningful income gap relative to state and national benchmarks.

Best for modest-income families seeking stability

Russell County suits individuals and families with lower incomes who benefit most from its affordable housing and stable tax environment. It appeals to those prioritizing cost of living over employment opportunities or income growth prospects.

Score breakdown

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

Tax53Cost83SafetyComing SoonHealth71.1SchoolsComing SoonIncome18.6Risk87.5WaterComing Soon
🏛53
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠83
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼18.6
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤71.1
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡87.5
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 Russell County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

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Suwannee County
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Appling County
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Median income: $43,728
Baldwin County
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Median income: $55,413

Deep Dives

Russell County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Russell County

via TaxByCounty

Russell County taxes exceed national norms

Russell County's effective tax rate of 1.751% sits well above the national median of 1.1%, placing it among higher-taxed counties nationwide. The median annual tax of $1,863 reflects the county's substantial local revenue needs.

Russell ranks 3rd in Kansas tax rates

At 1.751%, Russell County's effective rate is the third-highest in Kansas, behind Rush County (1.897%) and Rooks County (1.770%), and above the state average of 1.549%. The median home value of $106,400 generates $1,863 in annual tax revenue per household.

Steeper taxes than most nearby counties

Russell County's 1.751% rate exceeds Scott County (1.532%), Saline County (1.328%), and Sedgwick County (1.230%), matching the regional pattern of higher taxes in central Kansas. Only Rooks and Rush counties impose heavier burdens nearby.

Median tax of $1,863 on $106,400 home

Russell County homeowners with a median-valued property of $106,400 pay approximately $1,863 annually in property taxes. That figure climbs to $2,615 when adjustments for mortgages and escrow are included.

Check your assessment for overvaluation

Russell County's elevated effective rate makes a property assessment review worthwhile—even small reductions can save hundreds over time. Request your county assessor's comparison of your home to recent sales of similar properties in your neighborhood.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Russell County

via CostByCounty

Russell stretches incomes tighter

Russell County renters spend 16.1% of income on housing, exceeding both the Kansas state average of 14.7% and the national average of 14.6%. The strain reflects Russell's relatively lower household income of $53,902—the lowest among peer counties—paired with $722 median rents.

Russell faces affordability headwinds

Russell County ranks below average for Kansas affordability, with a 16.1% rent-to-income ratio and median rents of $722—slightly above the state average of $787. The gap narrows further when considering that Russell households earn significantly less than the Kansas median.

Russell costs more with less income

Russell County residents earn roughly $8,000 less annually than Rooks and Rush County households, yet pay rents within a few dollars of those counties. This income-cost mismatch makes Russell the least affordable of its rural peers despite modest absolute rents.

Russell housing takes heavy toll

A household earning Russell's median $53,902 spends about $8,688 annually on $722 rent, consuming 16.1% of income and leaving just $45,214 for all other expenses. Homeowners face even steeper pressure, with $822 monthly costs consuming 18.3% of income and median home values at $106,400.

Russell requires strategic planning

If you're considering Russell County, dual incomes or remote work at above-median wages become critical for comfortable housing affordability. The county offers rural character and lower absolute costs, but budget carefully—rents approach $750 and homes run $100,000+.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Russell County

via IncomeByCounty

Russell County Significantly Below National Income

Russell County's median household income of $53,902 lags the national median of $74,755 by $20,853—a 27.9% shortfall that ranks it among the nation's lower-income counties. Per capita income of $32,255 also falls below national and state norms, indicating broadly lower earning power across the county. This rural county faces economic headwinds common to sparsely populated agricultural regions across America.

Lowest Income County in Kansas Sample

Russell County's median household income of $53,902 ranks last among the eight counties profiled here and sits $10,526 below Kansas's state average of $64,428. The county's per capita income of $32,255 also falls well below the state's $34,748, indicating limited economic opportunity throughout the region. Russell County faces genuine affordability and opportunity challenges that require targeted policy and investment.

Lowest Earnings, but Affordable Housing Helps

Russell County's $53,902 median income is the lowest in this cohort, trailing Rooks County ($61,596) by $7,694 and Rush County by $6,386. However, the median home value of $106,400 and rent-to-income ratio of 16.1% remain manageable, actually more affordable than higher-income Riley County. This suggests Russell County households stretch incomes further through low housing costs.

Housing Affordable but Overall Budgets Tight

Russell County's 16.1% rent-to-income ratio is well below the 30% affordability threshold, and the $106,400 median home value is accessible to median-income buyers. Yet the household income of $53,902 limits discretionary spending on healthcare, education, childcare, and savings relative to national peers. Families here face trade-offs: affordable housing offsets low overall earnings but leaves little margin for emergencies or investment.

Focus on Stable Employment and Skill Development

Russell County households earning $53,902 should prioritize stable employment first, then build emergency savings of 6-12 months given limited financial cushion. Every dollar saved grows through compound interest over decades—even small contributions to retirement accounts (Roth IRA, workplace plans) build meaningful long-term wealth. Invest in job training, certifications, or education that raise earning power; moving from $53,900 to $65,000 income dramatically improves lifetime financial security.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Russell County

via HealthByCounty

Russell County near national health norms

At 74.8 years, Russell County's life expectancy falls 1.6 years below the U.S. average of 76.4 years. With 15.9% reporting poor or fair health, the county sits just below national medians. While not an outlier, these figures suggest room for targeted health improvement.

Below-average health in Kansas

Russell County's 74.8-year life expectancy trails the state average of 75.4 years, placing it in the lower-middle tier of Kansas counties. The 15.9% poor/fair health rate exceeds the state median, indicating broader health challenges. However, the county avoids the extreme disparities seen in nearby Rush County.

Mid-tier performance in region

Russell County's 74.8-year life expectancy surpasses Rush County (69.0 years) but trails Rooks County (75.5 years) and Riley County (79.7 years). The 15.9% poor/fair health rate sits between Rooks's stronger performance (13.5%) and Rush's weaker outcomes (16.2%). The county occupies a middle position regionally.

Limited primary care, minimal mental health

Russell County has 45 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, below state average and regional leaders. Mental health provider supply is extremely limited at 15 per 100,000, creating care gaps for residents with depression, anxiety, or behavioral health needs. At 9.1% uninsured—below the state average—more residents have coverage, yet provider shortages limit its value.

Strengthen your health security

Russell County's 9.1% uninsured rate is among the state's lowest, but gaps remain for vulnerable residents. If you lack coverage, visit Healthcare.gov to explore marketplace plans, or contact the Kansas Department of Health and Environment to confirm Medicaid eligibility. Having insurance opens doors to preventive care and mental health support.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Russell County

via RiskByCounty

Russell County maintains low national risk

Russell County scores 12.53 on the composite risk scale, placing it in the "Very Low" category well below the national average. This favorable standing reflects managed exposure to the state's common hazards.

Well below Kansas average risk

Russell County's 12.53 score is less than half the Kansas state average of 29.89, ranking it among the state's safest counties. This advantage provides residents with notably lower disaster risk compared to most state peers.

Similar safety to nearby Rush County

Russell County's 12.53 score closely mirrors Rush County (4.96) and Rooks County (14.34) to create a relatively safe central Kansas corridor. All three counties offer below-average risk compared to state metrics.

Wildfire and tornado manageable threats

Wildfire risk of 58.91 and tornado risk of 45.96 represent Russell County's primary hazards, though both remain below state maximums. Flood risk at 9.92 is minimal, contributing to the county's overall low composite score.

Standard coverage with wildfire consideration

Homeowners should maintain standard wind, hail, and tornado coverage as baseline protection in Russell County. Adding a wildfire rider to homeowner's insurance provides additional peace of mind given the 58.91 wildfire risk, though overall exposure remains manageable.

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.