Sherman
Kansas

What stands out

Three things set Sherman County apart from the other 3,142 counties: the share working from home is in the top 3% of American counties (19%), the overdose death rate is in the bottom 4% of American counties (0 per 100,000), and the school test score is in the top 4% of American counties (3.52 where 3.0 is grade level). Within Kansas it ranks 2nd of 105 counties for the share working from home.

Where you are

You live in Sherman County, Kansas. 5,940 people live here with you, so most faces are familiar. The population shrank 0.5% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -49).

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 $61,404 a year, higher than 53% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $44,344. Unemployment runs 2.3%, lower than 90% of American counties. 19% of workers work from home.

Kansas takes 5.4% of that median income in state income tax, about $3,339 a year.

Home

The median home costs $153K, cheaper than 83% of American counties, about 1.7 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $822 a month. Property tax is 1.44% of home value, roughly $1,785 a year on that median home, higher than 83% of American counties. 65% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.3 per 1,000 residents, lower than 79% of American counties.

A child born here can expect to live 78.5 years, longer than 80% of American counties. There are 5 active physicians in the county, about 8.4 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 2.0 of 5 stars. 11.4% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 3.46 where 3.0 is national grade level, higher than 96% of American counties. 90% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 69 points, among the most lopsided counties in the country. 61% 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 19 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 29 out of 100, safer than 71% of American counties; the county has had 9 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 135 Mbps down, slower than 76% of American counties. There is 1 airport in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 1.7 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people.