CountyScore

Sedgwick County

Colorado · CO

#14 in Colorado
76
County Score

County Report Card

About Sedgwick County, Colorado

Sedgwick Ranks Well Above National Norm

Sedgwick County's 77.3 composite score positions it well ahead of the national median of 50.0, marking it among the more livable American counties. The nearly 27-point advantage reflects strong fundamentals in measured dimensions.

Colorado's Affordability Champion

Sedgwick ranks above the Colorado state average of 71.8 and stands as one of the state's most budget-friendly counties overall. Its performance reflects exceptional value in both taxes and housing costs compared to state peers.

Unbeatable Housing Affordability

Sedgwick delivers an 83.4 cost score with the lowest median home value at $142,700 and rent at just $728/month among this group. The 89.0 tax score and 0.470% effective tax rate further cement its position as Colorado's most affordable county.

Income Levels Significantly Lag

The 17.9 income score reflects a median household income of just $52,833, the lowest in this county group. Safety, health, school quality, environmental risk, and water data remain unavailable, leaving broader livability questions unanswered.

Perfect for Budget-First Families

Sedgwick County is tailor-made for families and retirees prioritizing maximum affordability and minimal tax burden over higher wages. This county delivers exceptional value for those willing to accept lower incomes in exchange for rock-bottom living costs.

Score breakdown

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

Tax89Cost83.4SafetyComing SoonHealth66.7SchoolsComing SoonIncome17.9Risk93.5WaterComing Soon
🏛89
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠83.4
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼17.9
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤66.7
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡93.5
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 Sedgwick County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

San Miguel County
Colorado
76
Median income: $80,117
Camas County
Idaho
76
Median income: $55,536
Tipton County
Indiana
76
Median income: $78,309
Elliott County
Kentucky
76
Median income: $40,074
Meagher County
Montana
76
Median income: $56,215

Deep Dives

Sedgwick County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Sedgwick County

via TaxByCounty

Sedgwick's high rate, low dollar taxes

Sedgwick County's effective tax rate of 0.470% exceeds the Colorado state average of 0.393%, yet its median property tax of $671 falls 75% below the national median of $2,690. This paradox reflects the county's modest home values of just $142,700.

Above-average rate, low absolute taxes

Sedgwick County ranks in the top half of Colorado counties by effective rate at 0.470%, but residents pay only $671 in median annual taxes. This demonstrates how effective rates vary dramatically with property values across Colorado.

Highest rate among rural plains peers

Sedgwick County's 0.470% effective rate exceeds Washington County's 0.408% and Yuma County's 0.475%, positioning it squarely in the higher-tax range for Colorado's eastern plains. Yet all three counties impose modest absolute taxes due to lower home values.

Median annual tax: $671 per year

Sedgwick County's median home value of $142,700 translates to just $671 in annual property taxes. Homeowners with mortgages pay slightly more at $788, while those without pay $568—a difference of only $220 annually.

Challenge inflated assessments

Sedgwick County homeowners can appeal property assessments if they believe valuations exceed fair market rates. Given the modest tax burden, many may overlook appeals—but those with property value declines should verify their assessed values.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Sedgwick County

via CostByCounty

Sedgwick: Colorado's housing bargain

Sedgwick County offers the state's most affordable housing with a 16.5% rent-to-income ratio—the lowest among Colorado counties and well below the national norm. At just $728 monthly, median rent is 42% cheaper than Colorado's $1,253 average, making this northeast plains county a rare economic refuge.

Colorado's most affordable county

Sedgwick County's 16.5% rent-to-income ratio significantly undercuts Colorado's 20.2% state average, securing its position as the state's most housing-friendly county. The $728 median rent and $52,833 median income create a powerful affordability equation unavailable elsewhere in Colorado.

Plains prices dwarf mountain costs

Sedgwick's $728 rent is less than two-thirds what Washington County residents pay ($991) and a quarter of Summit County's $1,851, illustrating the vast plains-to-mountains price divide. Home values mirror this gap: Sedgwick's $142,700 median home value is the lowest in this eight-county set.

Housing takes the smallest bite here

Sedgwick renters spend just $728 monthly on a $52,833 household income, consuming only 16.5% of earnings for shelter—the tightest housing budget ratio in the region. Homeowners pay similarly at $792 monthly, making both paths accessible to households earning the county's modest median.

Stretch your budget farthest here

If affordability is your primary concern, Sedgwick County delivers the most housing for your dollar—$728 rent or a $142,700 home purchase on a $52,833 median income. Rural northeast Colorado life isn't for everyone, but for renters and buyers on tight budgets, no Colorado county offers better arithmetic.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Sedgwick County

via IncomeByCounty

Sedgwick trails national earning power

Sedgwick County's median household income of $52,833 falls significantly below the national median of $74,755, a gap of $21,922 that places this rural county among lower-earning U.S. communities. The per capita income of $34,866 also lags the national average, reflecting more limited economic opportunities.

Among Colorado's lowest earners

Sedgwick County ranks in the lower quartile of Colorado's 64 counties with a median household income of $52,833, trailing the state average of $74,792 by nearly $22,000. Its per capita income of $34,866 falls substantially short of Colorado's $43,584 state average.

Most economically challenged in region

Sedgwick's median household income of $52,833 significantly lags neighboring Washington County at $65,164 and Yuma County at $60,051, placing it as the lowest earner among nearby rural counties. The gap widens dramatically when compared to mountain counties like San Juan at $73,889.

Best affordability, limited earning power

Sedgwick's rent-to-income ratio of 16.5% represents the strongest housing affordability among these counties, with a median home value of just $142,700. However, the low median income of $52,833 suggests households may struggle with non-housing costs despite housing affordability.

Strategic wealth-building despite income gaps

Sedgwick households earning $52,833 benefit from exceptionally affordable housing that frees capital for saving and investing. Focus on building emergency reserves, exploring employer retirement benefits, and seeking income growth opportunities through education or career development.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Sedgwick County

via HealthByCounty

Sedgwick faces serious health crisis

Sedgwick County's life expectancy of 73.5 years falls 2.9 years short of the national average of 76.4 years, marking it as one of America's most challenging health communities. Nearly one in five residents—18.5%—report poor or fair health, substantially above the U.S. average of 13%.

Bottom tier in Colorado rankings

Sedgwick's 73.5-year life expectancy lags Colorado's state average of 78.2 years by 4.7 years, among the widest gaps in the state. With 18.5% in poor or fair health—well above Colorado's typical patterns—Sedgwick ranks among the state's most health-challenged counties.

Significant gap vs regional counties

Sedgwick's 73.5-year life expectancy contrasts starkly with nearby Yuma County (79.1 years) and Washington County (74.0 years). The county's 18.5% poor/fair health rate matches only Yuma, suggesting concentrated health challenges across Colorado's eastern plains.

Limited providers, moderate coverage

Sedgwick's 10.2% uninsured rate slightly exceeds Colorado's state average of 9.7%, leaving over 1 in 10 residents vulnerable. With just 43 primary care providers per 100,000 residents and no reported mental health provider data, access to healthcare remains stretched in this rural county.

Urgent: check your coverage status

With limited providers and higher uninsured rates, Sedgwick residents must prioritize health insurance enrollment immediately. Visit connectforhealthco.com or call 1-855-532-8276 to explore Medicaid, marketplace plans, and community health resources available to you.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Sedgwick County

via RiskByCounty

Sedgwick ranks among America's lowest-risk counties

Sedgwick County's composite score of 6.52 earns a Very Low rating and places it in the safest tier nationally. The county faces minimal exposure to most major natural hazards.

Colorado's lowest-risk county

Sedgwick's 6.52 score is the lowest in Colorado, representing just 16% of the state average of 40.67. No other Colorado county matches its low overall disaster exposure.

Safest county in the northeast plains

Sedgwick outranks all neighboring counties in safety, including Washington County (11.99) and Yuma County (36.80). Its risk profile is exceptionally favorable compared to the broader High Plains region.

Tornadoes pose the biggest local threat

While overall risk is very low, tornado exposure (23.35) is Sedgwick's highest individual hazard score. Wildfire (34.13) and earthquake (14.31) risks remain moderate; flooding is minimal at 3.88.

Standard homeowner's coverage should suffice

Sedgwick's very low risk profile means standard homeowner's insurance typically provides adequate protection. However, renters and homeowners in tornado-prone areas may want to review coverage for wind damage and consider a safe room or shelter plan.

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.