CountyScore

Sheridan County

Kansas · KS

#11 in Kansas
71.7
County Score

County Report Card

About Sheridan County, Kansas

Sheridan County outpaces national norms

Sheridan's composite score of 68.3 significantly exceeds the national median of 50.0, placing it in the 73rd percentile nationally. This county ranks among the better-performing regions across the United States, offering above-average livability.

Among Kansas's strongest performers

At 68.3, Sheridan surpasses the Kansas state average of 66.0, making it one of the state's top-performing counties. Its above-average statewide ranking reflects strong fundamentals in affordability and cost structure.

Exceptional affordability and value

Sheridan's cost score of 85.1 is outstanding, with median rent just $663 per month and homes averaging $152,000. The county pairs this affordability with a reasonable 1.534% effective tax rate, delivering genuine economic value.

Modest income growth potential

Median household income stands at $70,000 with an income score of 29.1, indicating limited high-wage job opportunities. Critical data on safety, health, schools, and environmental quality is not yet available to complete the picture.

Ideal for cost-conscious movers

Sheridan County appeals to families and workers seeking maximum purchasing power and minimal tax burden. It's perfect for those willing to accept moderate incomes in exchange for genuinely low housing costs and overall affordability.

Score breakdown

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

Tax59.1Cost85.1SafetyComing SoonHealth73.4SchoolsComing SoonIncome29.1Risk93.9WaterComing Soon
🏛59.1
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠85.1
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼29.1
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤73.4
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡93.9
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 Sheridan County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Yakutat City and Borough
Alaska
71.7
Median income: $80,625
Howard County
Arkansas
71.7
Median income: $44,492
Monroe County
Arkansas
71.7
Median income: $43,955
Montrose County
Colorado
71.7
Median income: $66,072
Lawrence County
Indiana
71.7
Median income: $65,551

Deep Dives

Sheridan County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Sheridan County

via TaxByCounty

Sheridan taxes track national average

Sheridan County's 1.534% effective rate aligns closely with the national median of 1.624%, placing it squarely in the middle of U.S. counties. Homeowners here pay $2,331 annually—$359 below the national median—because median home values ($152,000) are significantly lower than the national norm.

Slightly above Kansas average

At 1.534%, Sheridan's rate edges past Kansas's state average of 1.549%, but the median tax of $2,331 exceeds the state median of $1,943 due to higher property values. The county sits in the upper-middle range statewide for tax burden.

Mid-range among western counties

Sheridan's 1.534% rate falls between Stanton County's steep 2.470% and Sherman County's 1.572%, making it relatively moderate for the region. A median-valued home pays $2,331 in Sheridan versus $1,986 in nearby Sherman County—a $345 difference.

What $152,000 home costs yearly

A median-valued home in Sheridan County generates approximately $2,331 in annual property taxes at the current 1.534% rate. With a mortgage, plan for around $1,950 annually; without one, closer to $2,406.

Appeal if assessed value climbs

Sheridan County homeowners facing rising assessments should verify their valuations against comparable recent sales. Many property owners discover they can successfully appeal inflated assessments and recover hundreds in tax savings over time.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Sheridan County

via CostByCounty

Sheridan punches above affordability

Sheridan County's 11.4% rent-to-income ratio beats the national average and sits 3.3 percentage points below Kansas's state average of 14.7%. With a median household income of $70,000—only $4,700 below the national median—Sheridan offers genuinely affordable rental housing.

Among Kansas's most affordable counties

At 11.4%, Sheridan ranks well below the state average of 14.7%, placing it in the top tier of affordability across Kansas. The county's $663 median monthly rent significantly undercuts the state average of $787, making housing accessible.

Lower rent, higher income balance

Sheridan's $663 median rent matches well with Stafford County ($613) and Stanton County ($691), but Sheridan's $70,000 median household income edges out most nearby counties. This combination—modest rents paired with stronger earnings—creates the region's best affordability math.

Housing costs stay modest across tenure

Whether renting at $663 or owning at $761 per month, Sheridan residents spend roughly 11–13% of household income on housing, well below the recommended 30% threshold. The median home value of $152,000 remains accessible on the county's median income.

One of Kansas's best housing deals

Sheridan County delivers rare affordability in Kansas: rents and ownership costs stay low while incomes remain reasonable. If you're relocating to the Great Plains, Sheridan deserves serious consideration for budget-conscious families.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Sheridan County

via IncomeByCounty

Sheridan County closes the income gap

Sheridan County's median household income of $70,000 trails the national median of $74,755 by roughly $4,800, placing it closer to the U.S. average than most Kansas counties. The county's per capita income of $44,743 significantly outpaces the state average of $34,748, reflecting strong individual earnings.

Second-highest incomes in Kansas

Sheridan County ranks near the top of Kansas counties, earning $5,572 above the state's median household income of $64,428. This elevated position stems from robust agricultural and energy sectors that support higher-wage employment.

Sheridan leads the eight-county cluster

Sheridan County's $70,000 median household income matches or exceeds most adjacent counties, tying with Stanton County at $70,361 for the region's highest earnings. Only Shawnee County ($66,043) comes close among the comparison group.

Excellent housing affordability in Sheridan

Sheridan's rent-to-income ratio of 11.4% is among the lowest in the region, well below the 30% federal guideline for affordability. At median home values near $152,000 and household incomes of $70,000, Sheridan offers strong homebuying power.

Invest your Sheridan earnings wisely

Sheridan households earning $70,000 annually possess above-average capacity to invest after housing costs. Explore local investment opportunities in agriculture, energy enterprises, and diversified retirement accounts to compound wealth over time.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Sheridan County

via HealthByCounty

Sheridan faces significant life expectancy gap

At 72.4 years, Sheridan County's life expectancy is nearly 4 years below the U.S. average of 76.4 years—a substantial gap indicating serious underlying health challenges. The 12.9% poor or fair health rate is slightly better than the national average, suggesting acute mortality pressures rather than widespread chronic disease reporting.

Kansas' lowest life expectancy county

Sheridan's 72.4 years ranks it dead last in Kansas, trailing the state average of 75.4 by 3 full years. Its 7.5% uninsured rate is the best in this dataset, yet the county still struggles with the state's worst longevity outcomes.

Steep disadvantage versus regional peers

Sheridan's 72.4-year life expectancy lags even struggling neighbors like Stafford (74.2 years) and Sumner (74.0 years), placing it in acute health crisis territory. The county's 81 primary care providers per 100K is above regional average, but limited mental health data suggests access may mask quality or utilization barriers.

Provider access exists, outcomes lag

Sheridan has 81 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, competitive for rural Kansas, yet mental health provider data is unavailable—a potential blind spot in addressing behavioral health crises. With only 7.5% uninsured, coverage barriers likely aren't the primary driver; other factors like provider quality, health behaviors, or socioeconomic stress may explain the severe longevity gap.

Verify your health coverage now

Even with Sheridan's already-low uninsured rate, ensuring continuous coverage matters during health crises. Visit Healthcare.gov or contact Kansas' health department to confirm your plan is active and meets your needs.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Sheridan County

via RiskByCounty

Sheridan enjoys minimal national risk exposure

At 6.14, Sheridan County's composite risk score ranks among America's safest regions—far below both the national average and Kansas's state mean of 29.89. Residents here face substantially lower natural disaster exposure than most U.S. counties.

Second-safest county in Kansas

Sheridan County ranks among the very lowest-risk areas statewide, with only a handful of Kansas counties scoring lower than its 6.14 composite score. This places it in the top tier of safety within the state.

Consistent safety across the region

Neighboring counties like Gove and Logan maintain similarly low risk profiles, creating a relatively stable hazard zone across northwest Kansas. Sheridan's low score reflects the broader safety pattern of this sparsely populated region.

Wildfire presents modest risk here

Wildfire risk reaches 15.71—Sheridan's highest hazard exposure—but remains well below concerning thresholds. Tornado and flood risks stay minimal, with scores of 18.26 and 2.16 respectively.

Standard coverage handles most exposure

Sheridan's low overall risk means standard homeowners insurance typically provides adequate protection for most residents. However, those in fire-prone areas should confirm brush and structure fire coverage remains current.

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.