countyscore
52.5
County Score
Disaster Risk 85.4Schools 84.2Health 82.9

County Report Card

About Wabaunsee County, Kansas

Above Average National Standing

Wabaunsee County earns a 52.3 composite score, placing it above the national median of 50.0. It offers a balanced profile that captures the best of the American heartland.

Beating the Kansas State Average

The county’s score of 52.3 puts it ahead of the 49.5 state average. It ranks as a solid middle-to-high performer among the 105 counties in Kansas.

Premier Education and Health Services

The county shines with a School Score of 84.2 and a Health Score of 82.9. Residents also benefit from a high Risk Score of 85.4, indicating very low exposure to natural disasters.

Water Quality and Public Safety

The Water Score is a significant low point at 8.9, suggesting infrastructure or quality needs attention. The Safety Score of 23.6 also indicates higher than average local crime metrics.

Great for Health-Conscious Families

Families who prioritize top-rated schools and excellent health outcomes will find Wabaunsee County highly attractive. It offers a stable environment with a median household income of $70,536.

2040608010019.853.123.682.984.276.885.48.953.3Tax19.8Cost53.1Safety23.6Health82.9Schools84.2Income76.8Risk85.4Water8.9Weather53.352.5/100
This county
National avg
4 above average3 below average

Wabaunsee County DNA

Foverall

How Wabaunsee County compares to the national average across nine baseline dimensions

Wabaunsee County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Disaster Risk (85.4/100) but notably weak in Water Quality (8.9/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
19.8-32.2
Cost
53.1
Safety
23.6-31.4
Health
82.9+32.900000000000006
Schools
84.2+30.200000000000003
Income
76.8+25.799999999999997
Risk
85.4+38.400000000000006
Water
8.9-49.1
Weather
53.3
Sponsored

Think property taxes are too high in Wabaunsee County?

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

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$177,300

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$780/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$177,300/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$31,200/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum2.3x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $76,908/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

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
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Nearby counties

Pottawatomie County
Kansas
56.4
Shawnee County
Kansas
30
Morris County
Kansas
51.5
Geary County
Kansas
27.2
Riley County
Kansas
34.7
Osage County
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51.5
Lyon County
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40
Jackson County
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56.7

Deep Dives

Wabaunsee County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Wabaunsee County

via TaxByCounty

Wabaunsee County offers lowest rates

At 1.274%, Wabaunsee County has one of the lowest effective tax rates in the nation, significantly outpacing the national median of 1.55%. Homeowners pay a median of $2,270 annually—well below the national median of $2,690.

Among Kansas's most tax-friendly

Wabaunsee County's 1.274% effective rate is the lowest in this group and well below Kansas's 1.549% average. At the median tax of $2,270, residents pay more than the statewide median of $1,943 due to higher home values, but the rate itself is a major advantage.

Most affordable in the comparison set

Wabaunsee County's 1.274% rate is the lowest among all eight counties in this analysis, beating Thomas County (1.321%) and all others. This makes it the most tax-efficient option for homeowners in the region.

Reasonable taxes on higher-value homes

The median home in Wabaunsee County is valued at $178,200, with annual taxes of $2,270. That's approximately $189 per month—a solid value given the county's low rate and stronger property values.

Appeal could lower your bill further

Even with Wabaunsee's favorable rates, overassessments happen regularly and go unchallenged. A property tax appeal could potentially reduce your assessed value and unlock additional savings on an already reasonable tax burden.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Wabaunsee County

via IncomeByCounty

Wabaunsee Stays Within National Range

Wabaunsee County's median household income of $70,536 sits about $4,200 below the U.S. median of $74,755, placing it slightly below the national middle. For a rural county in the Flint Hills region, this income level remains respectable and stable.

Above Average Across Kansas

Wabaunsee County's median income of $70,536 exceeds Kansas's state average of $64,428 by roughly 9%, ranking it in the upper third of Kansas counties. The county's per capita income of $33,885 is slightly below the state average, reflecting a more uneven income distribution than top-earning counties.

Thriving Among Central Kansas Peers

Wabaunsee County's $70,536 median income positions it well against neighboring Shawnee and Pottawatomie counties, with stronger earning power than many central Kansas communities. The county combines rural stability with proximity to the Topeka metropolitan area.

Housing Costs Stretch Budgets Slightly

At 13.1%, Wabaunsee County's rent-to-income ratio edges above the comfort zone, meaning housing consumes a notably larger share of income than in neighboring Thomas or Trego counties. The median home value of $178,200 requires careful financial planning on local incomes.

Prioritize Debt Reduction and Savings

With housing costs taking a larger slice of the budget, Wabaunsee County families should focus on aggressive debt paydown and building emergency funds before pursuing other investments. Even modest monthly savings compound into meaningful security over time.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Wabaunsee County

via CrimeByCounty

Security Trends in Wabaunsee County

Wabaunsee County earns a safety score of 96.9, reflecting a generally secure environment for its residents. Its total crime rate of 1,935.9 per 100,000 residents stays comfortably below the national average of 2,385.5.

Wabaunsee vs. the Kansas Benchmark

Compared to the Kansas average total crime rate of 1,282.2, Wabaunsee sees slightly more reported activity. Its safety score sits just under the statewide benchmark of 98.0 for 2022.

Regional Comparisons in the Flint Hills

The county's crime rate of 1,935.9 is higher than that of nearby Washington County at 687.3 and Woodson County at 606.2. It functions as a busier corridor between major Kansas hubs.

Understanding Local Crime Categories

Property crime accounts for 1,632.5 incidents per 100,000 people, while violent crime remains lower at 303.4. These numbers suggest that while theft is a local concern, the threat of violence is below the national norm.

Monitoring Your Wabaunsee Property

Staying informed about local property trends is key to maintaining Wabaunsee’s safety. Using smart cameras can help residents monitor their homes and deter potential property-related incidents.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Wabaunsee County

via WeatherByCounty

A lush landscape in Wabaunsee County

Wabaunsee County maintains a 53.8°F average temperature, aligning closely with the national median. Its 36.9 inches of annual precipitation sits well above the national average, reflecting its lush Flint Hills location.

Wetter than the typical Kansas county

The county’s annual temperature is nearly identical to the Kansas average of 54.8°F. However, it is significantly wetter than the state average, receiving 6.6 more inches of precipitation than typical Kansas counties.

Temperate weather compared to western Kansas

Wabaunsee is wetter than Washington County to its northwest, benefiting from nearly 5 extra inches of rain. It experiences far fewer extreme heat days than western counties like Trego.

Mild summers and standard plains winters

The county enjoys a relatively low number of extreme heat days, with only 33 days hitting 90°F or higher. Winters are standard for the region, averaging 17.1 inches of snow and a January low of 28.0°F.

Managing moisture and winter chills

High annual precipitation makes moisture management and drainage planning a priority for local homeowners. While heat is less frequent than out west, winter insulation is vital for the 30.9°F average winter temperatures.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Wabaunsee County

via SoilByCounty

Balanced Acidity in the Flint Hills

Wabaunsee County boasts an average pH of 6.62, sitting almost perfectly on the national median of 6.5. This near-neutral acidity is ideal for a wide range of agricultural and horticultural uses. While taxonomic data is sparse, the chemical profile suggests a highly versatile growing medium.

Rich Silt and Clay Mix

The soil contains a heavy 57.9% silt and 27.2% clay, with a low 15.0% sand content. This dense composition provides excellent structure and nutrient-holding capacity for local pastures. The high clay content means the soil can be heavy to work but holds onto nutrients tightly.

Exceptional Organic Matter Levels

Fertility is a strong point here, with organic matter at 2.79%, far exceeding the Kansas average of 2.22%. The available water capacity of 0.193 in/in also ranks well above the state baseline. These numbers explain why the county earns a high overall soil score of 71.5.

Planning for Local Runoff

Detailed drainage and hydrologic group data are not available for this county's primary soil profiles. Given the high clay and silt percentages, water likely moves slower through the soil than in sandier western counties. Gardeners should watch for areas of standing water after heavy storms.

Lush Potential in Zone 6b

Falling within hardiness zone 6b, Wabaunsee County supports lush vegetable gardens and diverse fruit trees. The high organic matter makes this a dream location for organic gardening and high-yield produce. Get your shovel ready for some of the best growing conditions in the state.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Wabaunsee County

via LawnByCounty

Ideal Growing Conditions in Wabaunsee County

With an impressive score of 75.5, Wabaunsee County offers some of the easiest lawn care conditions in the state. This rating far exceeds the national median of 50.0, benefiting from the favorable climate of hardiness zone 6b.

Optimal Rainfall and Milder Summers

The county enjoys 36.9 inches of annual precipitation, which falls perfectly within the ideal range for lush lawns. With only 33 extreme heat days, turf here avoids much of the scorching stress seen in western Kansas.

Productive Soils with Perfect pH

A soil pH of 6.62 is nearly perfect for lawn health, sitting right in the sweet spot for nutrient availability. The soil contains 27.2% clay, which helps retain moisture and fertilizers more effectively than sandy alternatives.

Managing Seasonal Moisture Shifts

Despite 15 weeks of drought over the past year, the county is currently clear of abnormally dry conditions. Residents can maximize this recovery by aerating in the fall to ensure future rains reach the root zone.

Your Guide to Wabaunsee Greenery

Tall Fescue is a top performer for zone 6b, offering year-round color and durability. Time your planting to follow the April 16th spring frost for the best establishment before the summer heat arrives.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Wabaunsee County's county score?
Wabaunsee County, Kansas has a composite county score of 52.5 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 Wabaunsee County rank among counties in Kansas?
Wabaunsee County ranks #46 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 Wabaunsee County, Kansas?
The median annual property tax in Wabaunsee County is $2,276, with an effective tax rate of 1.28%. This earns Wabaunsee County a tax score of 19.8/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Wabaunsee County?
The median household income in Wabaunsee County, Kansas is $76,908 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Wabaunsee County earns an income score of 76.8/100 on CountyScore.
Is Wabaunsee County, Kansas a good place to live?
Wabaunsee County scores 52.5/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #46 in Kansas. The best way to evaluate Wabaunsee 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 Wabaunsee County with other counties side by side.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, 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.