Seward
Kansas

What stands out

Three things set Seward County apart from the other 3,142 counties: high-school completion is among the lowest in America (70%), winter sunshine is in the top 6% of American counties (1.7 on the USDA scale), and population growth is in the bottom 6% of American counties (-1.3% a year). Within Kansas it ranks 1st of 105 counties for high-school completion, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Seward County, Kansas. 21,942 people live here with you. The population shrank 1.3% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -504).

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 $57,131 a year, lower than 61% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $52,156. Unemployment runs 2.6%, lower than 81% of American counties. 3% of workers work from home.

Kansas takes 5.4% of that median income in state income tax, about $3,101 a year.

Home

The median home costs $146K, cheaper than 86% of American counties, about 1.8 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $872 a month. Property tax is 1.75% of home value, roughly $2,206 a year on that median home, higher than 93% of American counties. 65% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.7 per 1,000 residents, lower than 60% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 9 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 77.5 years, longer than 69% of American counties. There are 17 active physicians in the county, about 7.7 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 1.0 of 5 stars. 16.8% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 2.50 where 3.0 is national grade level, lower than 91% of American counties. 70% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 30 points. 48% 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 56% of American counties. About 21 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 62 out of 100, riskier than 62% of American counties; the county has had 12 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 153 Mbps down, slower than 70% of American counties. There is 1 airport in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.9 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people.