countyscore
56.4
County Score
Safety 85.1Cost of Living 79.8Disaster Risk 77

County Report Card

About Stafford County, Kansas

Exceeding the National Baseline

Stafford County scores a 56.4 on the composite index, outperforming the national median of 50.0. This suggests the county offers a better-than-average balance of cost and safety for its residents.

Strong Standing in Kansas

The county's 56.4 score sits comfortably above the state average of 49.5. It maintains a competitive profile within the state, particularly in terms of affordability and personal security.

Superior Safety and Low Costs

Safety is the county's primary strength, earning a score of 85.1, followed closely by a cost score of 79.8. Rent is remarkably affordable here, with a median gross rent of only $613 per month.

Taxation and Water Infrastructure Gaps

The county struggles with tax burden (10.5) and water quality (17.8). These scores reflect a 1.556% effective tax rate and a need for modernization in local water utility services.

Perfect for Frugal, Security-Minded Residents

Stafford County is ideal for budget-conscious individuals who prioritize living in a safe, low-crime environment. It attracts those looking for median home values under $100,000 without sacrificing community security.

2040608010010.579.885.141.853.850.37717.846.3Tax10.5Cost79.8Safety85.1Health41.8Schools53.8Income50.3Risk77Water17.8Weather46.356.4/100
This county
National avg
3 above average2 below average

Stafford County DNA

Foverall

How Stafford County compares to the national average across 9 dimensions

Stafford County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Cost of Living (79.8/100) but notably weak in Property Tax (10.5/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
10.5-41.5
Cost
79.8+31.799999999999997
Safety
85.1+30.099999999999994
Health
41.8-8.200000000000003
Schools
53.8
Income
50.3
Risk
77+30
Water
17.8-40.2
Weather
46.3-9.700000000000003
Sponsored

Think property taxes are too high in Stafford County?

Many homeowners in Stafford County pay more than they should. A professional appeal could save you hundreds per year.

Check My Assessment

Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$96,700

National median: $174,650

Median Rent

$613/mo

National median: $854/mo

Income Needed (home)

$96,700/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$24,520/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum1.5x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $63,786/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

74.9

per 100K

Data from Federal Reserve (FRED), U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, and CMS NPPES.

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncome & Jobsincomebycounty.comSafetycrimebycounty.comHealthhealthbycounty.comSchoolsschoolsbycounty.comDisaster Riskriskbycounty.comWater Qualitywaterbycounty.comWeather & Climateweatherbycounty.comSoil Qualitysoilbycounty.comLawn Carelawnbycounty.comFarmers Marketsmarketsbycounty.comView on Mapcountyscore.com/map
Compare Stafford County with Izard County →Share on X

Counties with similar scores

Izard County
Arkansas
Median income: $47,728
56.4
Douglas County
Minnesota
Median income: $77,264
56.4
Itasca County
Minnesota
Median income: $66,380
56.4
Currituck County
North Carolina
Median income: $91,548
56.4
Transylvania County
North Carolina
Median income: $64,523
56.4
Bailey County
Texas
Median income: $70,625
56.4
Buckingham County
Virginia
Median income: $59,199
56.4
Perry County
Arkansas
Median income: $60,078
56.3

Nearby counties

Pratt County
Kansas
46.8
Barton County
Kansas
42.2
Pawnee County
Kansas
47.1
Edwards County
Kansas
50.4
Rice County
Kansas
54.7
Reno County
Kansas
34.7
Kiowa County
Kansas
59
Rush County
Kansas
42.7

Deep Dives

Stafford County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 11 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Stafford County

via TaxByCounty

Stafford taxes well below national

Stafford County's 1.556% effective rate sits slightly below the national median of 1.624%, while annual taxes of $1,505 run $1,185 below the national median of $2,690. With median home values of $96,700—just 34% of the national average—Stafford represents genuinely affordable property ownership.

Just above Kansas average

At 1.556%, Stafford's rate edges above the Kansas state average of 1.549%, placing it in the mid-range statewide. The median annual tax of $1,505 falls well short of the state median of $1,943 because homes command lower values than the Kansas norm.

Lower than most western peers

Stafford's 1.556% rate tracks closely with Sheridan (1.534%) and remains well below Stanton's outlier 2.470% and Stevens's 1.798%. A median-valued home costs $1,505 in taxes here—cheaper than Sheridan ($2,331), Sherman ($1,986), and all higher-valued counties.

What $96,700 home costs yearly

A median-valued home in Stafford County generates approximately $1,505 in annual property taxes at the current 1.556% rate. With a mortgage, expect around $1,778 annually; without one, roughly $1,300.

Know your appeal window

Even in Stafford's low-tax environment, overassessed properties exist and deserve challenge. Kansas law permits homeowners to appeal assessments through established channels—worth exploring if your property's valuation hasn't tracked recent comparable sales.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Stafford County

via CostByCounty

Stafford delivers strong affordability

Stafford County's 11.5% rent-to-income ratio beats both the national average and Kansas's 14.7% state average, placing it among the state's most affordable counties. The median household income of $63,786 combines with modest rents to create accessible housing.

Top-tier affordability across Kansas

At 11.5%, Stafford's rent-to-income ratio ranks in Kansas's best tier, falling 3.2 percentage points below the state average of 14.7%. The median rent of $613 runs $174 below the state average, underscoring Stafford's housing value.

Competitive pricing in rural Kansas

Stafford's $613 median rent edges out Smith County ($601) as the region's second-lowest, and substantially undercuts Shawnee County's $970. Owner costs at $740 monthly align with other affordable rural counties, making Stafford competitive across tenure types.

Budget-friendly across both pathways

Stafford renters spend 11.5% of income on housing, while homeowners spend roughly 13.9% on owner costs averaging $740 per month. The median home value of $96,700 remains deeply affordable on the $63,786 median household income.

Excellent value for rural relocation

Stafford County ranks among Kansas's best affordability plays: low rents, moderate ownership costs, and reasonable incomes leave healthy financial flexibility. Consider Stafford if you're relocating to rural Kansas and value maximum purchasing power.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Stafford County

via IncomeByCounty

Stafford County trails the national average

Stafford County's median household income of $63,786 falls about $10,970 short of the national median of $74,755. The county's per capita income of $34,864 slightly exceeds Kansas's state average of $34,748, though household earnings remain below both national and state benchmarks.

Slightly below Kansas median income

Stafford County's median household income of $63,786 sits modestly below Kansas's state average of $64,428 by just $642. This near-parity with state benchmarks places Stafford in the middle tier of Kansas county incomes.

Lower-middle earner in the region

Stafford County's $63,786 median household income ranks sixth among the eight-county comparison group, outearning only Smith ($57,024) and Sumner ($60,348). The county trails Sheridan ($70,000) and Stanton ($70,361) by a meaningful margin.

Excellent affordability index in Stafford

Stafford County's rent-to-income ratio of 11.5% is among the lowest in the region, with median home values near $96,700—offering exceptional affordability. Households earning the county median can comfortably manage housing while building savings.

Leverage Stafford's affordable living

Stafford County households benefit from low housing costs, creating room in the budget for retirement savings and investments despite moderate incomes. Consider automatic transfers to savings accounts and explore employer-sponsored plans to capitalize on the county's affordability advantage.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Stafford County

via CrimeByCounty

Stafford County Safety Excellence

Stafford County features a remarkable safety score of 99.5. Its total crime rate of 345.4 per 100K is drastically lower than the national average of 2,385.5, making it one of the safest spots in the country.

Better Than the State Average

Stafford's safety score of 99.5 beats the Kansas average of 98.0. Furthermore, its total crime rate is less than a third of the state average of 1,282.2 per 100K.

Consistency Across the Region

With four reporting agencies, Stafford County provides reliable data that confirms its status as a low-crime area. It compares favorably to even the safest neighboring counties in central Kansas.

Analyzing Low Crime Rates

The county reports a violent crime rate of 98.7 and a property crime rate of 246.7 per 100K. These figures indicate that serious criminal incidents are highly infrequent for residents.

Protecting Your Assets

While crime is low, locking vehicles and garages prevents the few property crimes that do occur. Stafford residents benefit most from proactive community awareness and simple home security habits.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Schools in Stafford County

via SchoolsByCounty

A Multi-District Rural Network

Stafford County manages six public schools across three different districts, serving a total of 776 students. The landscape is split evenly with three elementary schools and three high schools.

High Funding with Room for Growth

Per-pupil expenditure is strong at $10,258, which is higher than the state average of $9,009. However, the 83.7% graduation rate currently trails both the state benchmark and the national average of 87.0%.

Three Districts Serving Rural Communities

St John-Hudson is the largest district with 345 students, followed by Stafford and Macksville. This county does not have any charter schools, focusing its resources on these three established public districts.

Classic Rural Classroom Experiences

All six schools are located in rural locales, creating an average school size of 129 students. St John Elementary is the largest at 206 students, while the Stafford Middle/High School is the smallest with just 95 students.

Personalized Education in Stafford County

For families who value small class sizes and high per-pupil spending, Stafford County offers a unique rural appeal. Moving here means joining a community where teachers and students know each other by name.

Full schools analysis on SchoolsByCounty

Disaster Risk in Stafford County

via RiskByCounty

Stafford presents minimal national risk profile

With a composite risk score of 23.06, Stafford County ranks below both the national average and Kansas's state mean of 29.89. Despite one notable wildfire exposure, the county overall carries low natural disaster risk.

Lower-risk county by state measure

Stafford's 23.06 score positions it safely in Kansas's lower-risk cohort, though its wildfire vulnerability distinguishes it from the absolute safest counties. The county ranks in the safer half statewide.

Wildfire risk distinguishes Stafford locally

While neighboring Pratt and Kiowa counties maintain lower wildfire scores, Stafford's 81.11 wildfire risk stands notably higher—making it a regional outlier for this specific hazard. Other risk types align with surrounding areas.

Wildfire dominates Stafford's hazard profile

Wildfire risk shoots to 81.11, making it Stafford's defining natural disaster exposure and substantially outpacing tornado (38.84) and other hazards. This concentration demands focused fire-season preparation.

Wildfire coverage deserves special attention

Review your homeowners policy specifically for fire and brush coverage given Stafford's elevated wildfire score of 81.11. Defensible space around your home and current gutters become particularly valuable protection investments here.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

Water Quality in Stafford County

via WaterByCounty

Drinking water grade remains at F

Stafford County is currently rated Grade F despite having only 4 health violations over five years. Its violation rate of 154.9 per 100K residents is actually lower than the state average of 313.4, suggesting specific severity or timing issues with those violations. Compliance with the Safe Drinking Water Act remains a key area for improvement.

No watershed health assessments available

Local water bodies in Stafford County are not yet covered in the federal §303(d) assessment reporting. As a result, the ATTAINS database shows no data on impaired waters or top pollution causes for this area. Federal oversight of these specific watersheds has not yet been documented.

Active tracking of organic compounds

A single monitoring site has recorded 486 measurements over the last five years, providing a narrow but consistent stream of data. Testing focuses heavily on organics, pesticides, and metals, reflecting a specific concern for chemical runoff. This monitoring footprint offers a concentrated look at local water chemistry.

Rattlesnake Creek flows at 21% of mean

The USGS gauge on Rattlesnake Creek near Zenith reports a discharge of just 8 cfs. This current flow is only 21% of the long-term mean, indicating severe low-water conditions in the drainage area. Such reduced flows can increase the concentration of any existing contaminants in the water.

Low flows require extra caution

The Grade F rating combined with exceptionally low flow in Rattlesnake Creek suggests that residents should be highly vigilant about water quality. Low streamflow can lead to higher concentrations of the pesticides and metals currently being monitored. Consider professional water testing if you rely on shallow wells or local surface water sources.

Full water quality analysis on WaterByCounty

Weather & Climate in Stafford County

via WeatherByCounty

Warmer Conditions in Central Kansas

Stafford County is warmer than the national median, posting an annual average temperature of 56.4°F. This area experiences a blend of continental and semi-arid weather patterns.

Exceeding the State Temperature Average

Stafford's 56.4°F annual average is nearly two degrees higher than the Kansas state average of 54.8°F. Precipitation is slightly lower than the state norm, coming in at 28.7 inches.

More Heat Days Than Neighbors

With 77 extreme heat days, Stafford is much hotter in the summer than Smith County to the north. However, it stays slightly drier than eastern neighbors, receiving 28.7 inches of rain.

A Long Season of Heat

Summers are intense with a July average of 80.6°F and 77 days reaching above 90°F. Winters are relatively mild for Kansas, averaging 34.2°F with 18.1 inches of snow.

Prioritize High-Efficiency Air Conditioning

With 77 days of extreme heat, your cooling system will work overtime during the long 78.4°F summer season. Keep winter supplies ready for the 18.1 inches of snow that typically falls.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Stafford County

via SoilByCounty

Neutral and Sandy Stafford County Soils

Stafford County possesses an average pH of 6.55, which is almost identical to the national median of 6.5. This creates an ideal chemical environment where most plants can easily access soil nutrients. However, the overall soil score of 42.0 is lower than the state average due to its sandy nature.

High Sand Content for Fast Drainage

The soil is dominated by 62.4% sand, with only 12.7% clay and 25.0% silt. This high sand percentage means the soil is very loose and easy to work but dries out quickly. It lacks the natural structural stability found in the silt-heavy soils of eastern Kansas.

Low Organic Matter and Water Retention

Organic matter is quite low at 1.40%, well below the state average of 2.22%. The available water capacity of 0.136 in/in is also significantly lower than the state benchmark. Growers here must manage moisture carefully to compensate for the soil's limited storage capacity.

Rapid Infiltration and Minimal Ponding

The sandy profile suggests very rapid drainage, meaning water moves through the root zone quickly. While this prevents drowning plants during heavy rains, it also means nutrients can leach away more easily. Careful irrigation and fertilization timing are essential for maintaining plant health.

Specialized Growing in Zone 6b

In Hardiness Zone 6b, the sandy soil is perfect for specialty crops like watermelons or sweet potatoes that prefer loose earth. Gardeners should use heavy mulching to keep the ground cool and retain what little water the soil holds. Start with drought-tolerant varieties for the best gardening experience.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Stafford County

via LawnByCounty

Average Growing Ease in Stafford County

Stafford County matches the state average with a lawn difficulty score of 59.2. Located in Hardiness Zone 6b, it offers a more moderate environment than the far western counties but still faces Kansas heat. This score puts it well above the national median of 50.0 for lawn care ease.

Extreme Heat Demands Smart Irrigation

The county endures 77 extreme heat days annually, far exceeding the state average of 58. While 28.7 inches of rain is nearly ideal, the high 4,366 growing degree days mean turf grows fast and needs lots of energy. Mowing schedules must be aggressive in early spring to keep up with this rapid growth.

High Sand Content Leads to Fast Drainage

The soil here is uniquely sandy at 62.4%, with only 12.7% clay content. While the pH is a near-perfect 6.55, the sandy texture means water drains away very quickly. You will need to water more frequently than your neighbors in clay-heavy counties to keep the root zone moist.

Strong Resilience to Recent Dry Spells

Stafford County is currently 0.0% abnormally dry, showing excellent resilience compared to the rest of the state. Despite 10 weeks of drought in the past year, the area is currently in good shape for the growing season. Because your soil is 62% sand, stay vigilant during future dry weeks as your lawn will dehydrate faster.

Start Growing in Stafford's Warm Climate

With a long growing season beginning April 18 and ending October 21, you have ample time for turf establishment. Bermuda grass and heat-tolerant fescues are excellent choices for the 77 days of intense summer heat. Start your seeding in early September to take advantage of the 6b climate profile.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Stafford County's county score?
Stafford County, Kansas has a composite county score of 56.4 out of 100 on CountyScore. This score is calculated from a weighted average of available data dimensions including property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools.
How does Stafford County rank among counties in Kansas?
Stafford County ranks #29 among all counties in Kansas on CountyScore's composite ranking. Rankings are based on available data dimensions and updated as new data is added.
What are property taxes like in Stafford County, Kansas?
The median annual property tax in Stafford County is $1,505, with an effective tax rate of 1.56%. This earns Stafford County a tax score of 10.5/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Stafford County?
The median household income in Stafford County, Kansas is $63,786 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Stafford County earns an income score of 50.3/100 on CountyScore.
Is Stafford County, Kansas a good place to live?
Stafford County scores 56.4/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #29 in Kansas. The best way to evaluate Stafford County is to compare individual dimension scores — property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools — based on your personal priorities. Use CountyScore to compare Stafford County with other counties side by side.
By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & Data Editor

ByCounty Network

Property TaxCost of LivingIncome & JobsSafetyHealthSchoolsDisaster RiskWater QualityWeather & ClimateSoil QualityLawn CareFarmers Markets

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