Rawlins
Kansas

What stands out

What stands out about Rawlins County: the school test score is among the highest in America (3.76 where 3.0 is grade level), unemployment is among the lowest in America (1.8%), and population growth is among the fastest shrinking in America (-2.4% a year). Within Kansas it ranks 1st of 99 counties for the school test score.

Where you are

You live in Rawlins County, Kansas. 2,544 people live here with you, so most faces are familiar. The population shrank 2.4% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -40).

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 $61,827 a year, higher than 54% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $49,112. Unemployment runs 1.8%, lower than almost every county in America. 13% of workers work from home.

Kansas takes 5.4% of that median income in state income tax, about $3,363 a year.

Home

The median home costs $134K, cheaper than 90% of American counties, about 1.4 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $902 a month. Property tax is 1.47% of home value, roughly $1,596 a year on that median home, higher than 84% of American counties. 69% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.5 per 1,000 residents, lower than 70% of American counties.

A child born here can expect to live 78.0 years, longer than 75% of American counties. There is 1 active physician in the county, about 3.9 per 10,000 people. 10.7% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 3.70 where 3.0 is national grade level, higher than almost every county in America. 95% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 70 points, among the most lopsided counties in the country. 78% 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 54°F, highs near 68 and lows near 39, colder than 58% of American counties. About 22 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 19 out of 100, safer than 81% of American counties; the county has had 10 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 109 Mbps down, slower than 85% of American counties. There are 3 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 1.6 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people.