Kiowa
Kansas

What stands out

Against every county in America, Kiowa County is unusual in three ways: the school test score is in the top 2% of American counties (3.58 where 3.0 is grade level), the overdose death rate is in the bottom 4% of American counties (0 per 100,000), and the restaurant count per person is in the top 4% of American counties (1.6 per 1,000). Within Kansas it ranks 2nd of 99 counties for the school test score.

Where you are

You live in Kiowa County, Kansas. 2,445 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 -30).

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 $70,347 a year, higher than 75% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $39,478. Unemployment runs 2.2%, lower than 91% of American counties. 8% of workers work from home.

Kansas takes 5.5% of that median income in state income tax, about $3,838 a year.

Home

The median home costs $160K, cheaper than 80% of American counties, about 1.6 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $703 a month. Property tax is 1.33% of home value, roughly $1,622 a year on that median home, higher than 79% of American counties. 75% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.2 per 1,000 residents, lower than 85% of American counties.

A child born here can expect to live 75.7 years, shorter than 52% of American counties. There are 0 active physicians in the county, about 0.0 per 10,000 people; the nearest doctor is in another county. 12.0% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 3.68 where 3.0 is national grade level, higher than 98% of American counties. 89% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 71 points, among the most lopsided counties in the country. 62% 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 70 and lows near 43, warmer than 53% of American counties. About 31 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 23 out of 100, safer than 77% of American counties; the county has had 34 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 101 Mbps down, slower than 87% of American counties. There are 2 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 1.6 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people.