McPherson
Kansas

What stands out

Against every county in America, McPherson County is unusual in three ways: unemployment is in the bottom 3% of American counties (1.9%), the average commute is in the bottom 3% of American counties (14 minutes), and the overdose death rate is in the bottom 4% of American counties (0 per 100,000). Within Kansas it ranks 11th of 105 counties for unemployment, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in McPherson County, Kansas. 30,085 people live here with you. The population held steady at 0.1% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +91).

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 $71,250 a year, higher than 77% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $59,013. Unemployment runs 1.9%, lower than 97% of American counties. 6% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 14 minutes each way.

Kansas takes 5.5% of that median income in state income tax, about $3,888 a year.

Home

The median home costs $225K, cheaper than 53% of American counties, about 2.0 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $827 a month. Property tax is 1.44% of home value, roughly $2,600 a year on that median home, higher than 83% of American counties. 74% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.0 per 1,000 residents, lower than 91% of American counties.

A child born here can expect to live 77.7 years, longer than 72% of American counties. There are 33 active physicians in the county, about 11.0 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 2.0 of 5 stars. 9.3% 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 73% of American counties. 93% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 40 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 56°F, highs near 68 and lows near 45, warmer than 53% of American counties. About 37 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 66 out of 100, riskier than 67% of American counties; the county has had 19 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 217 Mbps down, faster than 58% of American counties. There are 3 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.9 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 3 museums.