CountyScore

Sherman County

Kansas · KS

#53 in Kansas
67.2
County Score

County Report Card

About Sherman County, Kansas

Sherman County sits above national median

Sherman's composite score of 64.8 exceeds the national median of 50.0, placing it in the 70th percentile nationally. The county demonstrates solid livability fundamentals that stack up favorably across the country.

Slightly below Kansas average

At 64.8, Sherman trails Kansas's state average of 66.0 by a small margin, ranking in the middle tier of Kansas counties. It maintains competitive standing statewide but lags a few stronger regional performers.

Affordable living and modest taxes

Sherman boasts a cost score of 79.8, with median rent at $852 per month and homes averaging $126,300. The county's 1.572% effective tax rate provides reasonable overall affordability.

Lower household incomes weigh down score

With median household income of $64,444 and an income score of 25.5, Sherman's wage levels are below regional peers. Data gaps in safety, health, schools, and environmental factors prevent a complete livability assessment.

Suited to value-seeking residents

Sherman County works best for retirees, remote workers, and families prioritizing low housing costs. It's a reasonable choice for those seeking rural or small-town Kansas living without expecting significant local income opportunities.

Score breakdown

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

Tax58Cost79.8SafetyComing SoonHealth66.2SchoolsComing SoonIncome25.5Risk88.9WaterComing Soon
🏛58
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠79.8
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼25.5
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤66.2
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡88.9
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 Sherman County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Baldwin County
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Aleutians East Borough
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67.2
Median income: $72,692
Southeast Fairbanks Census Area
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67.2
Median income: $74,223
Garland County
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67.2
Median income: $55,409
Berrien County
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67.2
Median income: $50,414

Deep Dives

Sherman County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Sherman County

via TaxByCounty

Sherman taxes well below national

Sherman County's 1.572% effective rate exceeds the national median of 1.624% only slightly, but annual taxes remain low at $1,986—$704 below the national median. The median home value of $126,300 is less than half the national median of $281,900, keeping overall tax bills modest.

Above-average Kansas rate

At 1.572%, Sherman County's effective rate ranks above Kansas's state average of 1.549%, placing it in the higher tier statewide. However, median annual taxes of $1,986 stay below the state average of $1,943 because homes are valued lower than typical Kansas properties.

Higher than Sheridan, lower than Stanton

Sherman's 1.572% rate sits between Sheridan County (1.534%) and Stanton County's outlier 2.470%, representing moderate tax pressure for the western region. A $126,300 home here costs $1,986 in taxes, compared to $2,331 in Sheridan—roughly $345 cheaper.

What $126,300 home costs yearly

A median-valued home in Sherman County generates approximately $1,986 in annual property taxes at the current 1.572% rate. With a mortgage, expect around $2,452 annually; without one, roughly $1,412.

Check your assessment regularly

Like all Kansas counties, Sherman homeowners benefit from periodic assessments review and appeal rights if valuations exceed market conditions. Staying informed about local property sales can reveal whether your assessment needs challenging.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Sherman County

via CostByCounty

Sherman's rents track near national norms

Sherman County's 15.9% rent-to-income ratio falls between the national average and the Kansas state average of 14.7%, indicating moderate housing burden. The county's median household income of $64,444 trails the national median by $10,311, which partly explains the slightly elevated ratio.

Middle ground for Kansas affordability

Sherman's 15.9% rent-to-income ratio ranks slightly above the state average of 14.7%, placing it in the middle range of Kansas counties. The median rent of $852 runs $65 above the state average, reflecting moderately priced housing for the region.

Modest rent in a rural cluster

Sherman's $852 median rent fits squarely within the northwest Kansas rental market, falling between Sheridan County ($663) and Shawnee County ($970). Among immediate neighbors, Sherman offers middle-ground pricing with slightly higher costs than Stanton ($691) but lower than Shawnee.

Owner costs marginally exceed rents

Monthly owner costs average $871 compared to $852 in rent, while the median home value of $126,300 reflects affordable homeownership for the $64,444 median household income. Housing consumes roughly 15–16% of income across both rental and ownership pathways.

Balanced affordability for rural Kansas

Sherman County offers steady, moderate housing costs without extreme premiums—suitable for those seeking rural living without sacrificing financial breathing room. If you're comfortable with small-town life, Sherman's balanced affordability makes relocation appealing.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Sherman County

via IncomeByCounty

Sherman County underperforms national income

Sherman County's median household income of $64,444 sits roughly $10,300 below the national median of $74,755. However, the county's per capita income of $46,410 is the highest among the eight-county group, suggesting concentrated wealth or fewer dependents per earner.

Sherman slightly above Kansas median

Sherman County's $64,444 household income edges just 16 dollars above Kansas's state median of $64,428, placing it squarely at the state average. This near-perfect alignment reflects Sherman's position as a representative rural Kansas economy.

Mid-range earner in the region

Sherman County's $64,444 median falls in the middle of the eight-county comparison, above Smith ($57,024) and Sumner ($60,348) but below Sheridan ($70,000) and Stanton ($70,361). The county's strong per capita income suggests fewer multi-earner households than neighboring counties.

Affordable housing supports Sherman families

Sherman's rent-to-income ratio of 15.9% indicates housing remains accessible, with median home values of $126,300 representing a strong value relative to median income. Most Sherman households can comfortably afford housing while maintaining emergency savings and discretionary spending.

Maximize savings on Sherman's incomes

Sherman County households averaging $64,444 should prioritize building emergency funds and retirement accounts given the importance of self-reliance in rural areas. Tax-advantaged savings vehicles and agricultural investment opportunities offer pathways to wealth accumulation.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Sherman County

via HealthByCounty

Sherman's longevity advantage masks health distress

Sherman County residents live to 77.3 years on average, besting the U.S. life expectancy of 76.4 years by roughly one year. However, its 19.1% poor or fair health rate—more than 3 points above the national average—reveals a population experiencing real daily health struggles despite overall longevity.

Above-average life, above-average struggles

At 77.3 years, Sherman outperforms the Kansas state average of 75.4 years, yet its 19.1% poor or fair health rate ranks among the state's worst. The county's 13.4% uninsured rate exceeds Kansas' 11.5% average, indicating coverage gaps compound existing health challenges.

Longevity leader with health paradox

Sherman's 77.3-year life expectancy leads peers like Stafford (74.2) and Sumner (74.0), yet its 19.1% poor or fair health rate ties with Stevens County's as the region's worst. With just 34 primary care providers per 100K, Sherman residents face access barriers that may explain the gap between longevity and daily health satisfaction.

Provider shortage drives daily care gaps

Sherman's 34 primary care providers per 100,000 residents is roughly half the regional average, forcing residents to travel for routine care and likely delaying preventive treatment. The 13.4% uninsured rate means nearly 1 in 7 residents lack coverage, and combined with scarce primary care, gaps in preventive and chronic disease management are acute.

Bridge coverage gaps this year

With 13.4% uninsured, Sherman residents need accessible, affordable options to close coverage gaps. Explore Kansas marketplace plans at Healthcare.gov or call 211 to find low-cost clinics and enrollment support in your county.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Sherman County

via RiskByCounty

Sherman ranks among America's safest counties

With a composite risk score of 11.16, Sherman County sits well below both national and Kansas averages (29.89), placing it firmly in the very low risk category. This western Kansas county experiences minimal natural disaster exposure compared to the broader U.S.

Near the safest in Kansas

Sherman County's 11.16 score places it among Kansas's lowest-risk counties, with only a small cluster of peers sharing similarly minimal hazard exposure. The county's remote western location contributes to this safety advantage.

Consistent safety across the High Plains

Surrounding counties like Gove and Wallace maintain comparable low-risk profiles, reflecting the High Plains's general insulation from major natural hazards. Sherman's score fits the region's pattern of minimal disaster exposure.

Tornado and wildfire are modest concerns

Tornado risk peaks at 32.57 and wildfire at 28.09—moderate scores that outpace other hazards but remain well below critical thresholds. Flooding and earthquakes present minimal risk here.

Basic homeowners insurance suffices

Sherman's low overall risk means standard homeowners coverage typically protects adequately against the county's modest exposures. An annual policy review ensures wind and hail coverage remains in place for tornado season.

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.