CountyScore

Stanton County

Kansas · KS

#86 in Kansas
63.5
County Score

County Report Card

About Stanton County, Kansas

Stanton County meets national livability standard

Stanton's composite score of 59.7 exceeds the national median of 50.0, placing it in the 60th percentile nationally. While above average, it trails many peer counties, reflecting a trade-off between affordability and tax burden.

Below Kansas state average

At 59.7, Stanton falls notably below Kansas's state average of 66.0, ranking it among the weaker performers statewide. The county's overall score is pulled down by its tax structure despite strong cost advantages.

Outstanding housing affordability

Stanton's cost score of 87.4 is exceptional, with median home values of just $64,200 and rent at $691 per month. The county offers some of the region's lowest housing costs, maximizing resident wealth accumulation.

Significantly higher tax burden

Stanton's tax score of just 32.8 reflects an effective tax rate of 2.470%, the highest among these counties and well above peers. This elevated tax burden substantially offsets housing affordability, reducing overall livability score despite strong cost fundamentals.

For those who can weather taxes

Stanton County suits families and workers with above-average incomes ($70,361 median) willing to accept higher taxes for exceptional housing affordability. It's best for those whose financial situation allows them to absorb the tax burden while capturing the housing value.

Score breakdown

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

Tax32.8Cost87.4SafetyComing SoonHealth64.7SchoolsComing SoonIncome29.3Risk90.4WaterComing Soon
🏛32.8
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠87.4
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼29.3
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤64.7
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡90.4
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 Stanton County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Pinal County
Arizona
63.5
Median income: $77,588
Rockdale County
Georgia
63.5
Median income: $72,349
Logan County
Illinois
63.5
Median income: $64,188
Perry County
Illinois
63.5
Median income: $59,286
Lyon County
Kansas
63.5
Median income: $59,078

Deep Dives

Stanton County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Stanton County

via TaxByCounty

Stanton's rate among nation's highest

Stanton County's 2.470% effective rate ranks among the highest in the U.S., towering 0.846 percentage points above the national median of 1.624%. Even so, annual taxes of $1,586 fall well below the national median of $2,690 because homes here are valued at only $64,200—less than 23% of the national average.

By far Kansas's highest rate

At 2.470%, Stanton County's effective rate far exceeds Kansas's state average of 1.549%, making it the statewide outlier for property tax burden. This 0.921-point premium means a typical home carries substantially higher tax pressure than its Kansas neighbors.

Dramatically higher than all peers

Stanton's 2.470% rate towers over every comparison county—nearly a full percentage point above Sumner (1.705%) and Stevens (1.798%), the next-highest in this group. Despite the steep rate, absolute taxes of $1,586 remain modest because median home values ($64,200) are the lowest examined.

What $64,200 home costs yearly

A median-valued home in Stanton County generates approximately $1,586 in annual property taxes at the current 2.470% rate—the highest effective rate of any county analyzed. With a mortgage, expect around $1,908 annually; without one, roughly $1,336.

Challenge inflated valuations aggressively

Stanton County's unusually high rate makes assessment accuracy critical—even a small overvaluation translates to outsized tax burden. Homeowners should actively contest assessments that exceed recent market sales, potentially recovering meaningful annual savings.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Stanton County

via CostByCounty

Stanton achieves excellent affordability

Stanton County's 11.8% rent-to-income ratio beats both the national average and Kansas's 14.7% state average, signaling strong housing accessibility. The median household income of $70,361 ranks among the highest in this eight-county cluster, further easing housing burden.

Among Kansas's most affordable markets

At 11.8%, Stanton's rent-to-income ratio sits 2.9 percentage points below Kansas's 14.7% state average, placing it in the state's top affordability tier. The median rent of $691 undercuts the state average by $96, proving housing accessibility.

Strong income backs low rents

Stanton's $691 median rent sits between Sheridan ($663) and Sherman ($852), but the $70,361 median household income edges out most peers in the region. This income advantage, combined with modest rents, makes Stanton one of the region's best deals.

Lowest owner costs in the region

At just $571 monthly, Stanton's median owner cost ranks lowest across these eight counties, while median rent of $691 remains modest. Combined with the county's strongest income profile, Stanton residents enjoy the cushiest housing economics in this cluster.

Best-balanced affordability picture

Stanton County combines excellent incomes, low rents, and the lowest homeownership costs in the region, creating an unbeatable affordability equation. If you're relocating to northwest Kansas, Stanton offers the region's strongest overall housing value.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Stanton County

via IncomeByCounty

Stanton County nearly matches national income

Stanton County's median household income of $70,361 trails the national median of $74,755 by only $4,394, positioning it among the strongest-earning Kansas counties. The per capita income of $35,970 indicates Stanton's wealth is distributed across multiple earners per household.

Stanton ranks second among Kansas counties

Stanton County's $70,361 median household income exceeds Kansas's state average of $64,428 by nearly $6,000, reflecting above-average economic opportunity. The county stands among Kansas's highest-income rural areas, driven by energy and agricultural sectors.

Stanton ties for regional income leadership

Stanton County's $70,361 median household income essentially ties with Sheridan County's $70,000 as the highest in the eight-county group. This combined strength in northwest Kansas reflects shared economic engines in agriculture and oil and gas development.

Outstanding affordability in Stanton

Stanton County's rent-to-income ratio of 11.8% ranks among the region's most favorable, with median home values of just $64,200—the lowest among the eight counties. This combination allows most Stanton households to own homes outright or with minimal mortgage burden.

Stanton offers pathways to financial security

With $70,000+ incomes and exceptional housing affordability, Stanton County households possess rare capacity to invest and build wealth. Pursue employer retirement plans, consider real estate investments, and explore energy and agricultural sector opportunities unique to northwest Kansas.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Stanton County

via HealthByCounty

Stanton lives longer but feels sicker

Stanton County's 78.9-year life expectancy exceeds the U.S. average of 76.4 years by nearly 2.5 years, yet its 20.8% poor or fair health rate is the worst among all eight counties and more than double the national average. This paradox suggests Stanton's population ages well but experiences significant chronic disease and quality-of-life challenges.

Long lives, heavy health burdens

At 78.9 years, Stanton edges out Kansas' 75.4-year average, but its 20.8% poor or fair health rate ranks as among the state's highest. With 14.9% uninsured—the second-highest in this dataset—Stanton residents lack both coverage and likely adequate chronic disease management.

Longevity without health satisfaction

Stanton's 78.9-year life expectancy is second only to Smith's 79.0 years, yet its 20.8% poor or fair health rate is the region's worst—a striking contrast. Limited provider data makes detailed access assessment difficult, but the combination of high uninsured rates and poor health self-assessment suggests systemic barriers to quality care.

Data gaps obscure critical access issues

Stanton County lacks reported primary care and mental health provider data, making direct assessment of healthcare infrastructure impossible. With 14.9% uninsured—the second-highest rate in this group—and 20.8% reporting poor or fair health, coverage and access gaps clearly exist but are not fully quantified.

Seek coverage and health assessment now

Stanton's high uninsured rate and health distress signal urgent need for action. Visit Healthcare.gov or contact a community health center immediately to explore coverage, get chronic disease screening, and connect with available providers.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Stanton County

via RiskByCounty

Stanton ranks among America's safest counties

At 9.64, Stanton County's composite risk score places it among the nation's lowest natural disaster exposures—far below the national average and nearly 20 points beneath Kansas's mean of 29.89. Residents enjoy exceptional protection from major hazards.

Third-safest county in Kansas

Stanton County's 9.64 score ranks it among the very safest areas in Kansas, with only a tiny handful of counties scoring lower. This remote western location provides remarkable insulation from natural disaster risk.

Among the safest in the region

Neighboring Sheridan and Grant counties share Stanton's exceptionally low risk profile, creating a pocket of remarkable safety across southwest Kansas. Stanton fits squarely within this region's minimal-hazard pattern.

Wildfire presents Stanton's only modest concern

Wildfire risk reaches just 30.44—Stanton's highest hazard but still well below problematic levels. Tornado and flood risks remain minimal at 16.22 and 1.24 respectively.

Basic homeowners coverage provides ample protection

Stanton's exceptional low-risk profile means standard homeowners insurance typically suffices for most residents. Annual policy reviews ensure continued adequate coverage as needs change.

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.