Morton
Kansas

What stands out

Against every county in America, Morton County is unusual in three ways: the home price against local income is in the bottom 2% of American counties (1.2 years of income), the median home price is in the bottom 3% of American counties ($102K), and the overdose death rate is in the bottom 4% of American counties (0 per 100,000). Within Kansas it ranks 22nd of 105 counties for the home price against local income, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Morton County, Kansas. 2,688 people live here with you, so most faces are familiar. The population shrank 0.8% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -12).

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 $57,943 a year, lower than 58% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $43,418. Unemployment runs 2.7%, lower than 77% of American counties. 9% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 15 minutes each way.

Kansas takes 5.4% of that median income in state income tax, about $3,146 a year.

Home

The median home costs $102K, cheaper than 97% of American counties, about 1.2 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $661 a month. Property tax is 1.88% of home value, roughly $1,802 a year on that median home, higher than 95% of American counties. 73% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.5 per 1,000 residents, lower than 71% of American counties.

A child born here can expect to live 71.3 years, shorter than 91% of American counties. There is 1 active physician in the county, about 3.7 per 10,000 people. 13.6% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 2.96 where 3.0 is national grade level, lower than 56% of American counties. 88% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 74 points, among the most lopsided counties in the country. 64% 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 57°F, highs near 72 and lows near 42, warmer than 55% of American counties. About 18 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 13 out of 100, safer than 87% of American counties; the county has had 8 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 100 Mbps down, slower than 87% of American counties. There is 1 airport in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 1.2 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people.