Kearny
Kansas

What stands out

Three things set Kearny County apart from the other 3,142 counties: the overdose death rate is among the lowest in America (-999 per 100,000), unemployment is in the bottom 2% of American counties (1.9%), and winter sunshine is in the top 6% of American counties (1.7 on the USDA scale). Within Kansas it ranks 8th of 105 counties for the overdose death rate, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Kearny County, Kansas. 3,964 people live here with you, so most faces are familiar. The population shrank 1.1% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -68).

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 $68,750 a year, higher than 71% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $47,852. Unemployment runs 1.9%, lower than 98% of American counties. 11% of workers work from home.

Kansas takes 5.5% of that median income in state income tax, about $3,749 a year.

Home

The median home costs $193K, cheaper than 66% of American counties, about 2.0 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $1,380 a month. Property tax is 1.28% of home value, roughly $1,830 a year on that median home, higher than 76% of American counties. 68% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.8 per 1,000 residents, lower than 54% of American counties.

A child born here can expect to live 77.8 years, longer than 73% of American counties. There are 7 active physicians in the county, about 17.7 per 10,000 people. 15.0% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 3.14 where 3.0 is national grade level, higher than 69% of American counties. 80% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 62 points, among the most lopsided counties in the country. 59% 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 71 and lows near 41, warmer than 50% of American counties. About 20 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 28 out of 100, safer than 72% of American counties; the county has had 11 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 106 Mbps down, slower than 86% of American counties. There are 3 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.8 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people.