CountyScore

Sumner County

Kansas · KS

#87 in Kansas
63.3
County Score

County Report Card

About Sumner County, Kansas

Sumner County outpaces national norm

Sumner's composite score of 63.2 exceeds the national median of 50.0, placing it in the 65th percentile nationally. The county delivers above-average livability across the United States.

Slightly below Kansas average

At 63.2, Sumner trails Kansas's state average of 66.0 by a modest margin, ranking in the middle-lower tier statewide. The county maintains reasonable standing among Kansas peers but lags top performers.

Balanced affordability and tax rates

Sumner's cost score of 80.0 reflects median rent of $829 per month and homes averaging $118,700, providing genuine housing affordability. The 1.705% effective tax rate keeps overall costs manageable for residents.

Lower wages limit household income

With median household income of $60,348 and an income score of 22.8, Sumner offers limited local wage-earning potential. Data on safety, health, schools, and environmental factors is not yet available to round out the livability picture.

Suitable for modest-income families

Sumner County works well for retirees, remote workers, and families prioritizing affordable housing over high local incomes. It's a reasonable choice for those seeking a stable, cost-conscious Kansas community.

Score breakdown

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

Tax54.3Cost80SafetyComing SoonHealth67.6SchoolsComing SoonIncome22.8Risk51.2WaterComing Soon
🏛54.3
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠80
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼22.8
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤67.6
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡51.2
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 Sumner County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

New Castle County
Delaware
63.3
Median income: $89,901
Okeechobee County
Florida
63.3
Median income: $52,288
Troup County
Georgia
63.3
Median income: $54,905
Otsego County
New York
63.3
Median income: $67,086
Mahoning County
Ohio
63.3
Median income: $55,576

Deep Dives

Sumner County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Sumner County

via TaxByCounty

Sumner taxes above national median

Sumner County's 1.705% effective rate runs 0.081 points above the national median of 1.624%, placing it in the higher-tax segment nationally. Annual taxes of $2,024 fall $666 short of the national median of $2,690, but the county's rate remains steep relative to typical U.S. counties.

Above-average Kansas rate

At 1.705%, Sumner County's rate exceeds Kansas's state average of 1.549% by 0.156 points, ranking it in the upper tax tier statewide. The median annual tax of $2,024 exceeds the state median of $1,943, driven by both elevated rates and higher home values of $118,700.

Mid-range among western counties

Sumner's 1.705% rate falls between Stevens (1.798%) and Sheridan (1.534%), representing moderate-to-high tax burden for the region. A median-valued home pays $2,024 annually in Sumner—less expensive than Shawnee ($2,500) despite the higher rate, due to lower home values.

What $118,700 home costs yearly

A median-valued home in Sumner County generates approximately $2,024 in annual property taxes at the current 1.705% rate. With a mortgage, expect around $2,284 annually; without one, roughly $1,783.

Review assessments annually

Sumner County's above-average rate makes regular assessment monitoring worthwhile for homeowners seeking to minimize tax exposure. If your assessed value drifts above comparable recent sales in your neighborhood, file an appeal—the potential savings justify the effort.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Sumner County

via CostByCounty

Sumner's rents strain household budgets

Sumner County's 16.5% rent-to-income ratio exceeds Kansas's 14.7% state average and ranks above the national norm, indicating elevated housing burden. The median household income of $60,348 ranks lowest in this cluster, making the $829 median rent harder to absorb.

Above-average burden for Kansas

At 16.5%, Sumner's rent-to-income ratio runs 1.8 percentage points above the state average of 14.7%, placing it in the less-affordable tier of Kansas counties. The median rent of $829 exceeds the state average by $42, contributing to the higher burden.

Mid-range rents, lower incomes

Sumner's $829 median rent falls between Stevens ($930) and Sherman ($852), but the county's $60,348 median household income—lowest in this cluster—makes housing costs feel heavier. Compared to affordable neighbors like Stafford ($613) or Smith ($601), Sumner renters pay significantly more.

Housing absorbs substantial income share

Sumner residents spend 16.5% of their $60,348 median household income on rent, while owner costs of $889 push homebuyers even higher. The median home value of $118,700 strains the county's lower-income profile, leaving less financial flexibility for other needs.

Explore lower-cost Kansas alternatives

Sumner County's housing burden ranks among the region's highest relative to incomes; renters and buyers here face tighter budgets than neighbors. Consider relocating to Stafford, Smith, or Stanton counties, where lower rents and comparable incomes offer substantially better affordability.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Sumner County

via IncomeByCounty

Sumner County significantly below national median

Sumner County's median household income of $60,348 trails the national median of $74,755 by nearly $14,400, ranking in the lowest tier of U.S. counties. The per capita income of $32,318 is among the region's lowest, indicating constrained earning power across the population.

Lowest income among Kansas comparison counties

Sumner County's median household income of $60,348 falls $4,080 below Kansas's state average of $64,428, marking the lowest position among the eight-county sample. This gap reflects persistent economic challenges in south-central Kansas, where agricultural dependence and population loss limit growth.

Struggling economically in the region

Sumner County's $60,348 median household income ranks eighth and lowest among the eight-county group, slightly above only Smith County's $57,024. The county substantially trails Sheridan ($70,000) and Stanton ($70,361), indicating diverging economic trajectories across the sample.

Housing costs strain Sumner budgets

Sumner County's rent-to-income ratio of 16.5% reflects moderate housing burden, with median home values near $118,700 exceeding what many households earning $60,348 can comfortably afford. Renters face tighter margins than homeowners in Sumner's constrained housing market.

Strengthen financial foundations in Sumner

Sumner County households earning $60,348 must prioritize budgeting and emergency savings before wealth-building investments can take root. Engage with community financial counseling services, explore side income opportunities, and maximize any available employer retirement matches to build long-term security.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Sumner County

via HealthByCounty

Sumner faces significant health challenges

At 74.0 years, Sumner County's life expectancy lags the U.S. average of 76.4 years by 2.4 years. With an 18.0% poor or fair health rate—notably above the national average—Sumner residents report widespread daily health struggles.

Below-average life, mixed insurance coverage

Sumner's 74.0-year life expectancy ranks lowest in this dataset and trails Kansas' 75.4-year average by 1.4 years. Its 10.2% uninsured rate is slightly below the state's 11.5%, suggesting coverage gaps aren't the only driver of poor health outcomes.

Tied for worst longevity in region

Sumner's 74.0-year life expectancy ties with Stafford as the second-worst in this peer group, well behind Smith's 79.0-year leader and ahead only of Sheridan's 72.4. With just 27 primary care providers per 100K, Sumner residents struggle with access comparable to Stanton and Stafford.

Sparse primary care, stronger mental health access

Sumner's 27 primary care providers per 100,000 residents means residents must travel for routine care, likely delaying preventive treatment and chronic disease management. The 125 mental health providers per 100K offers robust behavioral health infrastructure, yet the county's low life expectancy and 18% poor or fair health rate suggest other barriers prevent utilization.

Ensure your coverage is active

With life expectancy and health satisfaction both lagging state averages, Sumner residents need consistent coverage and preventive care. Visit Healthcare.gov to verify your plan is active and explore local clinics offering preventive screening and chronic disease management.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Sumner County

via RiskByCounty

Sumner exceeds state average, approaches moderate risk

At 48.82, Sumner County's composite risk score substantially exceeds Kansas's mean of 29.89 and approaches moderate territory. The county sits in a higher-exposure bracket compared to most of its state and many national peers.

Second-highest risk county in Kansas

Sumner County's 48.82 score ranks it as the second-most-hazardous county in Kansas, trailing only Shawnee's extreme exposure. This places Sumner in a notably vulnerable position within the state.

Significantly riskier than surrounding counties

Neighboring Cowley, Butler, and Woodson counties all maintain substantially lower risk scores, making Sumner a regional hotspot for natural disaster exposure. The county stands apart as notably more vulnerable than its peers.

Tornado, flood, and wildfire dominate

Tornado risk peaks at 79.01, flood risk reaches 46.72, and wildfire hits 64.79—a trio of serious exposures that far outpace other hazards. These three hazards collectively define Sumner's elevated overall risk.

Multi-hazard coverage is crucial here

Sumner County residents need separate flood insurance and should ensure comprehensive wind/hail coverage given tornado scores of 79.01. Reviewing and upgrading homeowners policies isn't optional in this second-highest-risk county in Kansas.

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.