Rooks
Kansas

What stands out

Three things set Rooks County apart from the other 3,142 counties: the home price against local income is among the most affordable in America (1.1 years of income), the overdose death rate is in the bottom 4% of American counties (0 per 100,000), and the property tax rate is in the top 5% of American counties (1.85%). Within Kansas it ranks 11th of 105 counties for the home price against local income, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Rooks County, Kansas. 4,925 people live here with you, so most faces are familiar. The population shrank 0.7% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -16).

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 $60,821 a year, higher than 51% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $44,590. Unemployment runs 2.6%, lower than 79% of American counties. 6% of workers work from home.

Kansas takes 5.4% of that median income in state income tax, about $3,306 a year.

Home

The median home costs $124K, cheaper than 92% of American counties, about 1.1 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $739 a month. Property tax is 1.85% of home value, roughly $1,629 a year on that median home, higher than 95% 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 84% of American counties.

A child born here can expect to live 76.2 years, longer than 54% of American counties. There are 4 active physicians in the county, about 8.1 per 10,000 people. 12.0% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 2.94 where 3.0 is national grade level, lower than 74% of American counties. 93% 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. 70% 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 55°F, highs near 69 and lows near 41, colder than 53% of American counties. About 22 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 37 out of 100, safer than 63% of American counties; the county has had 19 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 181 Mbps down, slower than 58% of American counties. There are 2 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 1.2 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people.