Osage
Kansas

What stands out

Against every county in America, Osage County is unusual in three ways: the property tax rate is in the top 11% of American counties (1.59%), the restaurant count per person is in the top 11% of American counties (1.2 per 1,000), and the average commute is in the top 15% of American counties (28 minutes). Within Kansas it ranks 54th of 105 counties for the property tax rate.

Where you are

You live in Osage County, Kansas. 15,787 people live here with you. The population grew 0.8% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +192).

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 $66,155 a year, higher than 65% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $38,780. Unemployment runs 2.8%, lower than 72% of American counties. 7% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 28 minutes each way.

Kansas takes 5.4% of that median income in state income tax, about $3,604 a year.

Home

The median home costs $211K, cheaper than 59% of American counties, about 1.8 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $741 a month. Property tax is 1.59% of home value, roughly $2,205 a year on that median home, higher than 89% of American counties. 79% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.3 per 1,000 residents, lower than 78% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 13 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 75.1 years, shorter than 59% of American counties. There are 5 active physicians in the county, about 3.2 per 10,000 people. 9.6% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 3.01 where 3.0 is national grade level, lower than 55% of American counties. 92% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 44 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 57°F, highs near 67 and lows near 46, warmer than 54% of American counties. About 34 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 36 out of 100, safer than 64% of American counties; the county has had 25 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 233 Mbps down, faster than 66% of American counties. There are 3 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 1.2 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people.