Butler
Kansas

What stands out

Three things set Butler County apart from the other 3,142 counties: high-school completion is in the top 11% of American counties (94%), the property tax rate is in the top 13% of American counties (1.55%), and the median household income is in the top 15% of American counties ($77,724). Within Kansas it ranks 24th of 105 counties for high-school completion.

Where you are

You live in Butler County, Kansas. 67,618 people live here with you. The population grew 0.5% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +249).

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 $77,724 a year, higher than 85% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $50,462. Unemployment runs 2.8%, lower than 73% of American counties. 7% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 23 minutes each way.

Kansas takes 5.5% of that median income in state income tax, about $4,250 a year.

Home

The median home costs $251K, pricier than 56% of American counties, about 1.9 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $944 a month. Property tax is 1.55% of home value, roughly $2,817 a year on that median home, higher than 87% of American counties. 78% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.3 per 1,000 residents, lower than 78% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 13 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 76.3 years, longer than 55% of American counties. There are 120 active physicians in the county, about 17.7 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 2.0 of 5 stars. 7.9% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 3.22 where 3.0 is national grade level, higher than 76% of American counties. 94% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 42 points, among the most lopsided counties in the country. 66% 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 58°F, highs near 69 and lows near 46, warmer than 58% of American counties. About 39 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 80 out of 100, riskier than 80% of American counties; the county has had 28 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 227 Mbps down, faster than 62% of American counties. There are 20 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.6 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 1 brewery.