CountyScore

Seward County

Kansas · KS

#100 in Kansas
61.1
County Score

County Report Card

About Seward County, Kansas

Seward ranks in 76th percentile nationally

Seward County's composite score of 62.7 is 25 points above the national median of 50.0, placing it in the 76th percentile nationwide. This solid ranking reflects livability above the typical U.S. county.

Below state average among these eight counties

Seward County scores 62.7, below the Kansas state average of 66.0, making it the lowest performer among this group of eight. It remains livable but trails most of its peers.

Cost and income offer modest stability

Seward County's cost score of 78.3 reflects affordable housing with median gross rent of $924 and median home values of $134,000. Its income score of 24.0 and median household income of $62,269 provide moderate earning power.

Highest tax burden in this group of eight

Seward County's tax score of 54.9 is the lowest among these eight counties, with an effective tax rate of 1.684% that cuts into household income. This represents the county's primary livability weakness relative to peers.

Suitable for budget-conscious families seeking balance

Seward County appeals to families and workers with moderate incomes who value affordable housing over cutting-edge amenities or lowest taxes. It works best for those seeking a rural or semi-rural setting with reasonable housing costs and stable employment.

Score breakdown

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

Tax54.9Cost78.3SafetyComing SoonHealth58SchoolsComing SoonIncome24Risk57.7WaterComing Soon
🏛54.9
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠78.3
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼24
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤58
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡57.7
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 Seward County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Seminole County
Florida
61.1
Median income: $83,030
Ford County
Kansas
61.1
Median income: $70,495
Stevens County
Kansas
61.1
Median income: $61,909
Frederick County
Maryland
61.1
Median income: $120,458
Saginaw County
Michigan
61.1
Median income: $58,347

Deep Dives

Seward County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Seward County

via TaxByCounty

Seward County taxes above national average

Seward County's effective tax rate of 1.684% exceeds the national median of 1.1%, ranking the county among higher-taxed areas nationwide. The median annual tax of $2,257 on homes valued at $134,000 reflects substantial local tax collection.

Seward ranks 4th in Kansas tax rates

At 1.684%, Seward County's effective rate is the fourth-highest in Kansas, surpassed only by Rush County (1.897%), Rooks County (1.770%), and Russell County (1.751%), and above the state average of 1.549%. The median tax of $2,257 reflects the county's relatively aggressive tax posture.

Notably higher taxes than most peers

Seward County's 1.684% rate substantially exceeds Scott County (1.532%), Saline County (1.328%), and Sedgwick County (1.230%), placing it among the region's pricier tax environments. The burden falls squarely in the upper tier of Kansas counties.

Median tax of $2,257 on $134,000 home

Seward County homeowners with a median-valued property of $134,000 pay approximately $2,257 annually in property taxes. That figure climbs to $2,469 when mortgage-related adjustments and escrow are factored in.

Appeal if you suspect overassessment

In a high-tax county, an overestimated property value can significantly drain your household budget—making a formal assessment appeal worthwhile. Request your assessor to provide comparable sales data for homes similar to yours in your school district or township.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Seward County

via CostByCounty

Seward rents strain local incomes most

Seward County renters spend 17.8% of income on housing, exceeding both the Kansas state average of 14.7% and the national average of 14.6%. With median rents of $924 and household income of $62,269, Seward faces the tightest affordability margin among all peer counties surveyed.

Seward least affordable of peers

Seward County ranks as the least affordable county in this peer group, with a 17.8% rent-to-income ratio and median rents 17% above the state average of $787. This combination of above-average rents and below-average incomes creates the steepest housing burden in the region.

Seward costs most, earns less

Seward County's $924 rents exceed all rural peers except Sedgwick's metro rate, yet household income trails Scott County by $5,500 and Rooks by $1,300. This unfavorable income-cost ratio makes Seward the region's most challenging affordability case.

Seward housing consumes largest share

A household earning Seward's $62,269 median spends approximately $11,088 annually on $924 rent, consuming 17.8% of income and leaving just $51,181 for all other expenses. Homeowners see modest relief, with $883 monthly costs consuming 17.0% of income, though median home values reach $134,000.

Seward demands strong financial footing

Seward County requires careful relocation planning—budget roughly $920 for rent or $134,000 for home purchase, and prioritize dual incomes or above-median wages. The county's relatively high costs paired with lower regional incomes make it less forgiving than surrounding alternatives.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Seward County

via IncomeByCounty

Seward County Below National Income Standards

Seward County's median household income of $62,269 trails the national median of $74,755 by $12,486—a 16.7% gap placing it below half of U.S. counties. Per capita income of $29,053 significantly lags both national and state averages, indicating limited individual earning power. Despite modest household income, Seward County faces broader income challenges common to rural agricultural and rural industrial regions.

Below Kansas Average but Moderate Performance

Seward County's median household income of $62,269 ranks below Kansas's state average of $64,428 by $2,159, placing it in the lower-middle tier statewide. Per capita income of $29,053 falls well below the state average of $34,748, suggesting limited individual earning opportunities or higher unemployment. Seward County occupies the lower-to-middle range among Kansas counties economically.

Moderate Income with Higher Housing Burden

Seward County's $62,269 median income sits between rural peers like Rush County ($60,288) and Saline County ($63,316), creating middling performance. However, the rent-to-income ratio of 17.8% is the highest in this sample, indicating housing costs consume more income here than in most neighbors. The median home value of $134,000 is moderate, suggesting rent pressures rather than home-buying costs drive the ratio upward.

Rent-to-Income Ratio Signals Affordability Strain

Seward County's rent-to-income ratio of 17.8% is the highest in this eight-county comparison, indicating renters dedicate more of limited income to housing here. The $134,000 median home value is manageable, but combined with below-average per capita income, housing remains a significant household budget constraint. Families earning below the $62,269 median face genuine affordability challenges, particularly in rental markets.

Prioritize Income Growth and Emergency Savings

Seward County households at $62,269 with the nation's lowest per capita income sample should prioritize stable employment and skill development to increase earning power. Build emergency savings of 6-12 months immediately, given tight housing ratios and low per capita income suggesting vulnerability. Even modest investments in tax-advantaged accounts ($100-200/month) compound significantly over decades; start immediately regardless of income level to build long-term wealth and security.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Seward County

via HealthByCounty

Seward County's paradox: long life, poor health

At 77.2 years, Seward County's life expectancy exceeds the U.S. average of 76.4 years, yet 23.3% report poor or fair health—the region's worst rate. This striking gap suggests residents live longer but experience significant daily health burdens. A 18.2% uninsured rate—among the nation's highest—likely explains this contradiction.

Longest life, worst health reports

Seward County's 77.2-year life expectancy ranks among Kansas's best, exceeding the state average of 75.4 years by 1.8 years. Yet 23.3% poor/fair health far exceeds the state median, and the 18.2% uninsured rate is the second-worst in Kansas. This paradox signals a county where length of life masks daily health struggles.

Worst self-reported health in region

Seward County's 23.3% poor/fair health rate dramatically exceeds all regional peers, notably Scott County (18.9%), Saline County (16.2%), and Rooks County (13.5%). Despite a respectable 77.2-year life expectancy, residents report the worst day-to-day health of any nearby county. This pattern reflects concentrated socioeconomic stress and coverage barriers.

Few providers, severe coverage crisis

Seward County has just 32 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—among the state's lowest—and 109 mental health providers. At 18.2% uninsured, nearly one in five residents lack coverage, making provider scarcity even more consequential. This combination of sparse supply and widespread uninsurance creates acute access barriers.

Coverage is urgent in Seward

Seward County's 18.2% uninsured rate is a health crisis, second-worst in Kansas and affecting nearly one in five residents. If you're uninsured, visit Healthcare.gov or contact the Kansas Department of Health and Environment today—subsidies and Medicaid eligibility can cover most families. Your health and financial security depend on it.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Seward County

via RiskByCounty

Seward County below national average risk

Seward County scores 42.30 on the composite risk scale, placing it in the "Very Low" category and below the national average. This favorable profile reflects managed exposure despite some elevated individual hazard scores.

Below-average risk for Kansas

Seward County's 42.30 score exceeds the Kansas state average of 29.89, positioning it in the moderate range for Kansas counties. However, it remains substantially safer than the highest-risk counties like Sedgwick (96.60) and Saline (66.16).

Moderate risk in southwestern Kansas

Seward County's 42.30 score is higher than neighboring Scott County (46.44), placing it in the moderate-risk band of southwestern Kansas. It reflects the region's transitional hazard profile between very-low-risk central counties and higher-risk areas eastward.

Wildfire and tornado lead hazards

Wildfire risk of 88.39 and tornado risk of 68.99 represent Seward County's primary threats, both substantial hazards requiring preparation. Earthquake risk at 41.09 is elevated compared to most Kansas counties, adding a secondary concern.

Prioritize wildfire and tornado coverage

Homeowners should ensure comprehensive wildfire protection and wind/tornado coverage in their insurance, given the county's 88.39 wildfire and 68.99 tornado risks. Consider earthquake insurance as a supplemental policy given the 41.09 earthquake risk, unusual for Kansas but meaningful in Seward County.

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.