Thomas
Kansas

What stands out

What stands out about Thomas County: the average commute is among the shortest in America (12 minutes), unemployment is in the bottom 3% of American counties (1.9%), and winter sunshine is in the top 8% of American counties (1.6 on the USDA scale). Within Kansas it ranks 1st of 43 counties for the average commute, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Thomas County, Kansas. 7,907 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 -98).

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 $72,417 a year, higher than 79% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $47,946. Unemployment runs 1.9%, lower than 97% of American counties. 6% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 12 minutes each way.

Kansas takes 5.5% of that median income in state income tax, about $3,953 a year.

Home

The median home costs $181K, cheaper than 71% of American counties, about 1.8 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $735 a month. Property tax is 1.41% of home value, roughly $2,331 a year on that median home, higher than 82% of American counties. 72% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.2 per 1,000 residents, lower than 85% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 9 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 77.8 years, longer than 74% of American counties. There are 4 active physicians in the county, about 5.1 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 3.0 of 5 stars. 9.5% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 2.75 where 3.0 is national grade level, lower than 77% of American counties. 94% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 66 points, among the most lopsided counties in the country. 67% 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 69 and lows near 39, colder than 57% of American counties. About 21 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 22 out of 100, safer than 78% of American counties; the county has had 12 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 147 Mbps down, slower than 72% 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.