CountyScore

Sedgwick County

Kansas · KS

#97 in Kansas
61.3
County Score

County Report Card

About Sedgwick County, Kansas

Sedgwick ranks in 83rd percentile nationally

Sedgwick County's composite score of 65.8 is 16 points above the national median of 50.0, placing it in the 83rd percentile. This strong ranking reflects above-average livability compared to most U.S. counties.

Effectively tied with Kansas state average

Sedgwick County scores 65.8, just below the Kansas state average of 66.0, exemplifying a well-balanced county in the state's upper tier. It represents Kansas livability at its most consistent.

Lowest taxes and strong incomes lead the way

Sedgwick County achieves the lowest effective tax rate of 1.230% among these eight counties, with the second-highest income score at 27.6 and median household income of $67,675. This combination maximizes household financial power.

Housing costs are higher due to urban demand

Sedgwick County's cost score of 74.0 is the lowest among these eight counties, with median gross rent at $977 and median home values of $190,700. This reflects Wichita's urban presence and competitive real estate market.

Perfect for professionals prioritizing tax efficiency

Sedgwick County is ideal for working professionals and growing families who want strong incomes, minimal tax burden, and urban amenities. It appeals to those willing to pay more for housing in exchange for better jobs and community services.

Score breakdown

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

Tax67.7Cost74SafetyComing SoonHealth68.5SchoolsComing SoonIncome27.6Risk3.4WaterComing Soon
🏛67.7
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠74
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼27.6
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤68.5
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡3.4
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

El Dorado County
California
61.3
Median income: $106,190
Polk County
Florida
61.3
Median income: $63,644
Sarasota County
Florida
61.3
Median income: $80,633
Vermilion County
Illinois
61.3
Median income: $54,537
Andrews County
Texas
61.3
Median income: $76,902

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 County has Kansas's lowest rate

Sedgwick County's effective tax rate of 1.230% sits just above the national median of 1.1%, making it one of the nation's more tax-friendly counties. Despite a median home value of $190,700, homeowners pay only $2,345 annually—well below national medians.

Sedgwick ranks lowest in Kansas

At 1.230%, Sedgwick County has the lowest effective tax rate in Kansas, substantially below the state average of 1.549%. The median annual tax of $2,345 on homes worth $190,700 represents the state's most favorable ratio of tax to property value.

Most tax-friendly county in the region

Sedgwick County's 1.230% rate is the lowest in its region, undercutting Saline County (1.328%), Scott County (1.532%), Russell County (1.751%), and all other nearby counties. This gives Sedgwick homeowners a significant financial edge.

Lowest tax burden: $2,345 annually

Sedgwick County homeowners with a median-valued property of $190,700 pay approximately $2,345 per year in property taxes. Whether mortgaged ($2,467) or owned outright ($2,148), Sedgwick's effective rate delivers tax savings compared to neighbors.

Keep assessments accurate to preserve savings

With the state's lowest tax rate, protecting your favorable assessment status is important; even modest overvaluations can eliminate the county's tax advantage. Review your assessment notice annually to ensure your home's value aligns with comparable properties sold nearby.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Sedgwick County

via CostByCounty

Sedgwick rents climb in metro setting

Sedgwick County renters spend 17.3% of income on housing, exceeding both the Kansas state average of 14.7% and the national average of 14.6%. As home to Wichita, Kansas's largest metro, Sedgwick's $977 median rent reflects urban demand, though household income of $67,675 provides some buffer.

Sedgwick strained by metro growth

Sedgwick County ranks below average for Kansas affordability, with a 17.3% rent-to-income ratio and rents 24% above the state median of $787. The metro premium reflects Wichita's role as the region's job and services hub, driving costs upward faster than rural counties.

Sedgwick costs more than all peers

Sedgwick County's $977 median rent exceeds every rural county peer, substantially surpassing Rooks ($679), Rush ($700), and even mid-sized Saline ($915). Yet Sedgwick offers metro amenities, diverse employment, and a larger economic base than smaller alternatives.

Sedgwick metro strain on budgets

Households earning Sedgwick's $67,675 median spend approximately $11,724 annually on $977 rent, allocating 17.3% of income and leaving $55,951 for other needs. Homeowners face steeper burden, with $1,099 monthly costs consuming 19.5% of income and median home values at $190,700.

Sedgwick rewards metro job-seekers

Sedgwick County suits relocators seeking metro job markets and urban services willing to pay a premium—budget roughly $980 for rent or $191,000 for home purchase. Wichita's diverse employers and regional centrality justify housing costs, making Sedgwick ideal for career growth over pure affordability.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Sedgwick County

via IncomeByCounty

Sedgwick County Competitive with National Income

Sedgwick County's median household income of $67,675 closes within $7,080 of the national median of $74,755, a 9.5% gap reflecting solid economic performance. Per capita income of $36,699 exceeds the national average, indicating broad-based earning strength across the county's larger population. As Kansas's largest metro region, Sedgwick County (Wichita) drives state economic performance.

Kansas's Economic Engine Underperforming Nationally

Sedgwick County's median household income of $67,675 ranks above Kansas's state average of $64,428 and represents the strongest performance in this eight-county sample. Per capita income of $36,699 substantially exceeds the state average of $34,748, indicating concentrated earning power in the Wichita metro area. Despite being Kansas's largest economy, Sedgwick County still lags national norms by 9.5%.

Top-Tier Earnings in Regional Comparison

Sedgwick County's $67,675 median income virtually ties Scott County ($67,788) for highest earnings in this cohort, far exceeding rural peers. The median home value of $190,700 is the highest in the sample, reflecting Wichita's stronger housing market demand. Rent-to-income ratio of 17.3% remains affordable despite higher home values, showing that metro incomes have kept pace with housing appreciation.

Home Values Rising Faster Than Incomes

Sedgwick County's median home value of $190,700 represents the highest in this eight-county sample, requiring approximately 27-30% of gross income for mortgage, taxes, and insurance at the median income level. While still within traditional affordability ranges, the gap between home values and median income has widened relative to rural comparisons. First-time homebuyers here face tighter down-payment requirements than rural neighbors.

Balanced Growth Between Real Estate and Investments

Sedgwick County households at $67,675 should diversify wealth-building between home equity (through appreciation and mortgage paydown) and investment accounts. With housing consuming 27-30% of income, direct surplus income to tax-advantaged retirement accounts, employer matches, and diversified investments—aiming for 15% total savings rate. Metro-area advantages (higher wages, career mobility) mean prioritizing skill development and network-building to capture income growth opportunities.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Sedgwick County

via HealthByCounty

Sedgwick County slightly trails national health

At 74.8 years, Sedgwick County's life expectancy falls 1.6 years below the U.S. average of 76.4 years. With 15.4% reporting poor or fair health, the county sits modestly below national medians. As Kansas's largest county, Sedgwick's health profile influences statewide trends significantly.

Below-average health for Kansas

Sedgwick County's 74.8-year life expectancy slightly trails the state average of 75.4 years, placing it in the lower-middle tier statewide. The 15.4% poor/fair health rate sits just below the state median. As the most populous county, Sedgwick's outcomes shape Kansas's overall health reputation.

Mid-tier regional health outcomes

Sedgwick County's 74.8-year life expectancy ties Russell County and trails Rooks County (75.5 years) and Riley County (79.7 years). The 15.4% poor/fair health rate is the lowest among the larger counties (Saline, Sedgwick) but exceeds rural high-performers like Rooks. Sedgwick holds solid ground regionally despite its size.

Adequate providers, moderate coverage gaps

Sedgwick County has 89 primary care and 283 mental health providers per 100,000 residents—solid by state standards. At 12.3% uninsured, the county slightly exceeds the state average of 11.5%, indicating modest coverage gaps in this large urban-county setting. Overall infrastructure supports good care for those with insurance.

Don't fall through the cracks

Sedgwick County's 12.3% uninsured rate affects roughly one in eight residents, creating barriers to preventive care and chronic disease management. If you're uninsured or facing coverage changes, visit Healthcare.gov or contact the Kansas Department of Health and Environment to explore marketplace plans and Medicaid options. Coverage is available.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Sedgwick County

via RiskByCounty

Sedgwick County faces highest national risks

Sedgwick County scores 96.60 on the composite risk scale, ranking in the "Relatively High" category and substantially exceeding the national average. The county faces extreme exposure across flood (96.09), tornado (99.27), and wildfire (94.43) hazards.

Kansas's highest-risk county

At 96.60, Sedgwick County has the highest composite risk score in Kansas, more than triple the state average of 29.89. This singular elevation reflects the county's exceptional vulnerability to multiple catastrophic natural hazards.

Dramatically higher risk than neighbors

Sedgwick County's 96.60 score vastly exceeds all neighboring counties, including Saline County (66.16) and Seward County (42.30). The county stands alone in Kansas as a high-risk disaster zone.

Tornado, flood, and wildfire triple threat

Tornado risk reaches a near-maximum 99.27, flood risk hits 96.09, and wildfire risk scores 94.43—making Sedgwick County vulnerable to three catastrophic hazard types simultaneously. Even earthquake risk of 75.22 significantly exceeds most Kansas counties.

Comprehensive insurance is essential

Sedgwick County homeowners must carry robust wind and tornado coverage, comprehensive flood insurance, and wildfire protection—this is not optional given the county's extreme multi-hazard exposure. Consider a safe room or storm shelter installation and maintain detailed property inventory for all disaster types.

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.