CountyScore

Stevens County

Kansas · KS

#101 in Kansas
61.1
County Score

County Report Card

About Stevens County, Kansas

Stevens County ranks above national median

Stevens's composite score of 62.3 exceeds the national median of 50.0, placing it in the 65th percentile nationally. The county offers solid livability fundamentals that compete respectably with regions across the country.

Below Kansas average but stable

At 62.3, Stevens trails Kansas's state average of 66.0, ranking in the lower-middle tier of Kansas counties. The county maintains basic competitiveness while lagging stronger regional performers.

Reasonable housing costs overall

Stevens's cost score of 79.8 reflects median rent of $930 per month and median home values of $124,500, offering decent affordability. These factors provide accessible housing for middle-income households.

Higher taxes and modest incomes

Stevens carries the highest effective tax rate in this group at 1.798% paired with median household income of $61,909 and an income score of 23.8. Data on safety, health, schools, and environmental quality remains unavailable for fuller assessment.

Practical choice for modest budgets

Stevens County appeals to families and workers comfortable with moderate incomes and somewhat higher tax burdens. It works best for those seeking a stable, adequately affordable Kansas community without premium livability expectations.

Score breakdown

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

Tax51.7Cost79.8SafetyComing SoonHealth58.2SchoolsComing SoonIncome23.8Risk60WaterComing Soon
🏛51.7
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠79.8
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼23.8
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤58.2
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡60
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 Stevens County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Seminole County
Florida
61.1
Median income: $83,030
Ford County
Kansas
61.1
Median income: $70,495
Seward County
Kansas
61.1
Median income: $62,269
Frederick County
Maryland
61.1
Median income: $120,458
Saginaw County
Michigan
61.1
Median income: $58,347

Deep Dives

Stevens County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Stevens County

via TaxByCounty

Stevens taxes above national median

Stevens County's 1.798% effective rate exceeds the national median of 1.624% by 0.174 points, pushing it into the higher-tax tier nationally. Annual taxes of $2,239 fall below the national median of $2,690, but the county's 1.798% rate remains notably steep relative to peers nationwide.

Well above Kansas average

At 1.798%, Stevens County's rate substantially exceeds Kansas's state average of 1.549%, placing it among the highest-burden counties statewide. The median annual tax of $2,239 surpasses the state median of $1,943, combining higher rates with higher home values.

Second-highest rate in group

Stevens's 1.798% rate yields only to Stanton County's outlier 2.470%, ranking it second-steepest among all comparison counties. A median-valued home here pays $2,239 in taxes annually—more than Sheridan ($2,331) due to similar rates and comparable home values.

What $124,500 home costs yearly

A median-valued home in Stevens County generates approximately $2,239 in annual property taxes at the current 1.798% rate. With a mortgage, plan for around $3,395 annually; without one, closer to $994.

Prioritize assessment verification

Stevens County's elevated tax rate amplifies the impact of overassessment; even modest valuation errors compound into significant annual costs. Homeowners should prioritize verifying assessed values match current market conditions and file appeals promptly if discrepancies emerge.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Stevens County

via CostByCounty

Stevens's rents squeeze budgets hardest

Stevens County's 18.0% rent-to-income ratio ranks highest among these eight counties and exceeds both the national average and Kansas's 14.7% state average. The combination of $930 monthly rent and a $61,909 median household income creates the region's tightest housing burden.

Among Kansas's least affordable counties

At 18.0%, Stevens's rent-to-income ratio significantly exceeds the state average of 14.7%, placing it among Kansas's least affordable counties. The median rent of $930 runs $143 above the state average, reflecting higher regional housing costs.

Rents rival Shawnee's expensive market

Stevens's $930 median rent trails only Shawnee County's $970, making it the second-priciest rental market in this eight-county cluster. Combined with Stevens's lower median income of $61,909, renters here face steeper affordability challenges than most peers.

Housing costs consume largest share

Stevens residents spend 18% of their $61,909 median household income on rent alone—well above the recommended 30% threshold when combined with other housing expenses. Owner costs of $776 and a median home value of $124,500 create comparable burdens for homebuyers.

Consider more affordable alternatives

Stevens County's high rent-to-income ratio makes housing less accessible than nearby alternatives like Stanton, Stafford, or Smith counties. If affordability drives your relocation, explore neighboring counties where rents run $200–$300 lower monthly.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Stevens County

via IncomeByCounty

Stevens lags national income by $13,000

Stevens County's median household income of $61,909 falls nearly $13,000 below the national median of $74,755, placing it in the lower quartile of U.S. counties. The per capita income of $31,270 is the lowest among the eight-county group, reflecting limited earning opportunities.

Below Kansas state income average

Stevens County's median household income of $61,909 trails Kansas's state average of $64,428 by $2,519, positioning it among the lower-income counties statewide. This gap reflects economic challenges and population decline in southwest Kansas.

Second-lowest income in the region

Stevens County's $61,909 median household income ranks seventh among the eight counties, outearning only Smith County ($57,024). The county trails Stafford ($63,786), Sumner ($60,348), and Sherman ($64,444), indicating pronounced local economic stress.

Highest rent burden in the region

Stevens County's rent-to-income ratio of 18.0% is the highest among the eight-county group, approaching the 30% federal affordability threshold. With median home values near $124,500 and household incomes averaging $61,909, housing costs consume a larger share of Stevens budgets than peer counties.

Build stability on Stevens County incomes

Stevens County households face tighter budgets, with housing costs consuming 18% of income, leaving limited room for savings. Prioritize building emergency funds through automatic transfers and explore employer benefits, while seeking higher-wage employment or additional income sources.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Stevens County

via HealthByCounty

Stevens matches national life span, struggles daily

Stevens County's 75.4-year life expectancy matches the U.S. average exactly, yet its 20.6% poor or fair health rate ties with Stanton's as the highest in this dataset and is more than double the national average. This disconnect reveals a population managing age but battling significant chronic disease.

Highest uninsured rate in Kansas study

Stevens' 75.4-year life expectancy equals the Kansas state average, but its 19.0% uninsured rate towers above Kansas' 11.5% average and is the highest among these eight counties. This lack of coverage directly correlates with the county's elevated poor or fair health reports.

Worst coverage crisis in the region

Stevens' 19.0% uninsured rate dramatically exceeds all regional peers; the next-highest is Stanton at 14.9%. Combined with the county's 20.6% poor or fair health rate—tied for worst—Stevens faces a convergence of coverage and health crises requiring urgent intervention.

Coverage crisis compounds access barriers

With 19.0% uninsured, roughly 1 in 5 Stevens residents lack coverage, and the county's 19 primary care providers per 100K is the region's lowest, creating a double barrier to care. The 79 mental health providers per 100K provides some behavioral health capacity, but coverage gaps likely prevent many residents from accessing services.

Make coverage your priority today

Stevens County's crisis demands immediate action: with 19% uninsured, finding coverage is urgent. Visit Healthcare.gov now or call 211 for free enrollment help and to learn about low-cost plans and community health center services.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Stevens County

via RiskByCounty

Stevens leans toward low national risk

Stevens County's composite risk score of 40.04 slightly exceeds Kansas's state average of 29.89 but remains below many U.S. counties, earning a very low risk rating. Most residents face manageable natural disaster exposure.

Mid-range county within Kansas

At 40.04, Stevens County ranks in the middle tier of Kansas counties—safer than a few peers but less secure than most of the state. Wildfire and tornado vulnerabilities distinguish it locally.

Slightly elevated risk compared to neighbors

While adjacent Grant and Seward counties maintain lower composite scores, Stevens's 40.04 represents a notable step up in overall exposure. Wildfire and earthquake risks drive this distinction.

Wildfire and tornado require attention

Wildfire risk reaches 74.59 and tornado risk 41.03—Stevens's two major exposures that significantly outpace other hazards. Earthquake risk also runs higher here at 28.69 compared to neighboring counties.

Confirm wildfire and wind coverage

With wildfire at 74.59 and tornado at 41.03, Stevens County residents should verify robust fire and wind/hail coverage in their homeowners policies. Defensible space around structures offers additional wildfire protection.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

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