Shawnee County

Kansas · KS

#98 in Kansas
61.2
County Score

County Report Card

About Shawnee County, Kansas

Shawnee County beats the national average

With a composite score of 63.8, Shawnee County ranks well above the national median of 50.0, placing it in the 64th percentile nationally. This means Shawnee offers livability comparable to two-thirds of all U.S. counties, making it a solid choice for those seeking stability and affordability.

Just below Kansas average

Shawnee's score of 63.8 falls slightly below Kansas's state average of 66.0, ranking it in the middle of the pack statewide. The county holds its own among peer Kansas counties but trails a few stronger performers in the state.

Affordable housing and reasonable taxes

Shawnee excels in cost of living, with a score of 75.2 and median rent of just $970 per month paired with homes averaging $170,400. The county maintains a competitive effective tax rate of 1.467%, keeping overall cost of living manageable for residents.

Income levels lag behind peers

With a median household income of $66,043 and an income score of just 26.5, Shawnee's earning potential trails other Kansas counties. Data on safety, health, schools, and environmental factors is not yet available, limiting a fuller assessment of livability.

Right for budget-conscious families

Shawnee County suits families and retirees prioritizing affordability and reasonable taxes over high incomes. It's a practical choice for those seeking a stable, modest-cost Kansas community without premium wage expectations.

Score breakdown

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

Tax61Cost75.2SafetyComing SoonHealth70.7SchoolsComing SoonIncome26.5Risk12WaterComing Soon
🏛61
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty
🏠75.2
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty
💼26.5
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
70.7
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
12
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Deep Dives

Shawnee County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Shawnee County

via TaxByCounty

Shawnee taxes below national median

At 1.467%, Shawnee County's effective tax rate sits well below the national median of 1.624%, placing it in the lower half of U.S. counties. The typical homeowner here pays $2,500 annually—$190 less than the national median of $2,690—despite a median home value of $170,400.

Below-average Kansas rate

Shawnee ranks middle-of-the-road statewide, with its 1.467% rate running slightly below Kansas's state average of 1.549%. At $2,500 in median annual property tax, the county exceeds the state median of $1,943 because homes here command higher values.

Lower than western county peers

Shawnee's 1.467% rate undercuts nearby Sherman County (1.572%) and Stanton County (2.470%), though it edges above Stafford County (1.556%). For context, a typical $170,400 home in Shawnee costs $2,500 in taxes—about $400 less than the same home would cost in Stanton County.

What $170,400 home costs yearly

A median-valued home in Shawnee County generates roughly $2,500 in annual property taxes at the current 1.467% rate. If you have a mortgage, expect about $2,562 annually; without one, roughly $2,406.

Your assessment might be wrong

Many Kansas homeowners pay more than they should because their properties are overassessed. If your property taxes have spiked or your home's assessed value doesn't match recent sales in your area, you may be eligible to appeal—potentially saving hundreds annually.

Cost of Living in Shawnee County

via CostByCounty

Shawnee rents strain more than average

At 17.6%, Shawnee County's rent-to-income ratio runs 3 percentage points higher than the national norm, meaning renters here dedicate a larger share of earnings to housing. The county's median household income of $66,043 also falls about $8,700 below the national median of $74,755, making housing costs feel steeper.

Above average for Kansas affordability

Shawnee's 17.6% rent-to-income ratio ranks it worse than Kansas's 14.7% state average, placing it in the middle-to-higher range of housing burden across the state. With a median rent of $970 per month, Shawnee exceeds Kansas's $787 state average by nearly $200.

Pricier than surrounding counties

Shawnee's $970 median monthly rent stands significantly higher than nearby Stafford County ($613) and Stanton County ($691), making it one of the region's pricier rental markets. Even compared to Sherman County at $852, Shawnee renters pay roughly $120 more each month for comparable housing.

Homeownership costs rival rents here

Monthly owner costs of $1,030 nearly match the median rent of $970, while the median home value sits at $170,400. Together, these figures show renters and homeowners alike spend roughly 15–17% of the $66,043 median household income on housing.

Consider the rent premium you'll pay

If affordability drives your relocation decision, Shawnee County rents exceed nearby alternatives by hundreds of dollars monthly. Explore Stanton, Stafford, or Smith counties for significantly lower rental burdens while maintaining comparable job markets and services.

Income & Jobs in Shawnee County

via IncomeByCounty

Shawnee trails the nation on household income

Shawnee County's median household income of $66,043 falls about $8,700 short of the national median of $74,755. This gap places Shawnee in the lower half of U.S. counties, though the county's per capita income of $37,072 exceeds Kansas's state average of $34,748.

Above-average earner among Kansas counties

Shawnee ranks comfortably above Kansas's median household income of $64,428, earning roughly $1,600 more per household. The county's economic foundation supports this position, with educational institutions and state government employment anchoring the local economy.

Strongest incomes in the region

Shawnee County outearns most nearby counties, with only Sheridan County ($70,000) and Stanton County ($70,361) posting higher median household incomes. Among the eight-county region, Shawnee's $66,043 median ranks third and reflects the economic pull of Topeka, the state capital.

Rent remains manageable for most households

At 17.6% of median household income, Shawnee's rent-to-income ratio sits at the higher end of affordability but remains within the federal 30% guideline. With median home values around $170,400, homeownership is within reach for dual-income households earning near the county median.

Build long-term wealth in Shawnee

With median incomes in the mid-$60,000s, Shawnee households have room to invest after covering housing and essentials. Consider automatic savings plans, employer 401(k) matches, and local credit union resources to grow retirement savings and build equity in affordable Shawnee homes.

Health in Shawnee County

via HealthByCounty

Shawnee's life expectancy trails the nation

At 75.0 years, Shawnee County residents live nearly 2 years less than the U.S. average of 76.4 years. The county's 15.4% poor or fair health rate matches the national trend, suggesting broadly typical health outcomes for a mid-sized Kansas county.

Below-average health in Kansas rankings

Shawnee County's 75.0-year life expectancy ranks it slightly below Kansas' 75.4-year state average. With an uninsured rate of 10.1%, the county performs better than Kansas' 11.5% average, indicating more residents have coverage than the typical Kansan.

Mixed health profile among peers

Shawnee outpaces rural neighbors Stafford (74.2 years) and Sumner (74.0 years) in life expectancy but trails Smith County (79.0 years), the region's longevity leader. The county's mental health provider density of 389 per 100,000 is robust for the region, though primary care access at 73 per 100K is moderate.

Healthcare access meets basic needs

With 73 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, Shawnee offers reasonable access to routine care, and 389 mental health providers per 100K ensure behavioral health services are available. The 10.1% uninsured rate means roughly 1 in 10 residents lack coverage, leaving gaps in preventive and emergency care.

Check your coverage options today

If you're among Shawnee's uninsured, Kansas has open enrollment and marketplace plans that fit various budgets. Visit Healthcare.gov or contact a local navigator to explore coverage that works for your family.

Disaster Risk in Shawnee County

via RiskByCounty

Shawnee stands well above national risk average

With a composite risk score of 88.04, Shawnee County ranks as Relatively Moderate—significantly higher than the national average and well above Kansas's mean of 29.89. This elevated risk profile means residents face measurable exposure to multiple hazard types, particularly tornadoes and flooding.

Highest-risk county in Kansas by far

Shawnee County's composite risk score of 88.04 towers over every other Kansas county, making it the state's clear outlier for natural disaster exposure. No other Kansas county comes close to this risk level, reflecting Shawnee's unique combination of hazard vulnerabilities.

Risk concentrates dramatically here

Adjacent counties like Jackson and Jefferson carry substantially lower risk scores, with Shawnee's 88.04 dwarfing neighboring areas. This concentration means Shawnee residents face notably steeper natural disaster exposure than their immediate regional counterparts.

Tornadoes and flooding dominate threats

Tornado risk hits 95.87 and flood risk reaches 89.98—both extreme scores that demand serious preparation. These two hazards dwarf Shawnee's other exposures and represent your most urgent planning considerations.

Comprehensive coverage is essential here

Standard homeowners insurance doesn't cover tornado or flood damage, so Shawnee residents should prioritize separate flood insurance and ensure wind/hail coverage for tornado season. With risks this high, a conversation with your insurance agent isn't optional—it's essential planning.

ByCounty Network

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS — informational only.