Barber
Kansas

What stands out

Three things set Barber County apart from the other 3,142 counties: the median home price is in the bottom 2% of American counties ($91K), the home price against local income is in the bottom 2% of American counties (1.2 years of income), and the overdose death rate is in the bottom 4% of American counties (0 per 100,000). Within Kansas it ranks 3rd of 105 counties for the median home price, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Barber County, Kansas. 4,081 people live here with you, so most faces are familiar. The population shrank 1.3% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -26).

Kansas stopped taxing Social Security entirely in 2024 and consolidated its brackets, and property taxes fall heavily on homeowners because agricultural land is assessed on use value. Johnson County, in the Kansas City suburbs, has the state's best-rated schools and highest home prices. The state sits squarely in Tornado Alley.

Money

The typical household here brings in $53,774 a year, lower than 70% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $44,619. Unemployment runs 2.1%, lower than 94% of American counties. 3% of workers work from home.

Kansas takes 5.4% of that median income in state income tax, about $2,913 a year.

Home

The median home costs $91K, cheaper than 98% of American counties, about 1.2 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $698 a month. Property tax is 1.64% of home value, roughly $1,368 a year on that median home, higher than 90% of American counties. 81% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.6 per 1,000 residents, lower than 68% of American counties.

A child born here can expect to live 75.2 years, shorter than 57% of American counties. There are 3 active physicians in the county, about 7.4 per 10,000 people. 9.9% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 2.74 where 3.0 is national grade level, lower than 83% of American counties. 92% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 74 points, among the most lopsided counties in the country. 70% of eligible voters turned out. Under Kansas law you can carry a concealed handgun without a permit, abortion is protected by state law, and marijuana is illegal.

Weather and risk

The year averages 59°F, highs near 72 and lows near 46, warmer than 62% of American counties. About 31 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 32 out of 100, safer than 68% of American counties; the county has had 19 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 213 Mbps down, faster than 56% of American counties. There are 3 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.9 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people.