Cowley
Kansas

What stands out

Against every county in America, Cowley County is unusual in three ways: the median home price is in the bottom 8% of American counties ($128K), the property tax rate is in the top 9% of American counties (1.69%), and the home price against local income is in the bottom 9% of American counties (1.4 years of income). Within Kansas it ranks 35th of 105 counties for the median home price, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Cowley County, Kansas. 34,661 people live here with you. The population shrank 0.8% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -201).

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 $55,726 a year, lower than 65% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $49,217. Unemployment runs 3.0%, lower than 67% of American counties. 4% of workers work from home.

Kansas takes 5.4% of that median income in state income tax, about $3,022 a year.

Home

The median home costs $128K, cheaper than 92% of American counties, about 1.4 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $794 a month. Property tax is 1.69% of home value, roughly $1,761 a year on that median home, higher than 91% of American counties. 71% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 4.0 per 1,000 residents, higher than 55% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 12 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 74.3 years, shorter than 67% of American counties. There are 23 active physicians in the county, about 6.6 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 4.0 of 5 stars. 10.5% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 2.70 where 3.0 is national grade level, lower than 78% of American counties. 92% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 38 points. 54% 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 70 and lows near 47, warmer than 62% of American counties. About 47 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 75 out of 100, riskier than 75% of American counties; the county has had 26 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 168 Mbps down, slower than 64% of American counties. There are 6 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.6 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people.