Jefferson
Kansas

What stands out

Three things set Jefferson County apart from the other 3,142 counties: homeownership is in the top 3% of American counties (85%), high-school completion is in the top 4% of American counties (96%), and violent crime is in the bottom 10% of American counties (3.1 per 1,000). Within Kansas it ranks 1st of 105 counties for homeownership.

Where you are

You live in Jefferson County, Kansas. 18,387 people live here with you. The population held steady at 0.1% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +7).

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 $74,562 a year, higher than 81% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $51,468. Unemployment runs 2.7%, lower than 77% of American counties. 8% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 26 minutes each way.

Kansas takes 5.5% of that median income in state income tax, about $4,073 a year.

Home

The median home costs $290K, pricier than 67% of American counties, about 2.1 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $772 a month. Property tax is 1.30% of home value, roughly $2,515 a year on that median home, higher than 77% of American counties. 85% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.1 per 1,000 residents, lower than 90% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 16 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 78.2 years, longer than 77% of American counties. There are 11 active physicians in the county, about 6.0 per 10,000 people. 8.6% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 3.05 where 3.0 is national grade level, higher than 62% of American counties. 96% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 32 points. 67% 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 56°F, highs near 66 and lows near 45, colder than 51% of American counties. About 32 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 35 out of 100, safer than 64% of American counties; the county has had 19 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 105 Mbps down, slower than 86% of American counties. There are 5 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.6 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people.