Washington
Kansas

What stands out

Three things set Washington County apart from the other 3,142 counties: unemployment is in the bottom 4% of American counties (2.0%), the overdose death rate is in the bottom 4% of American counties (0 per 100,000), and home internet speed is in the bottom 5% of American counties (69 Mbps). Within Kansas it ranks 17th of 105 counties for unemployment, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Washington County, Kansas. 5,529 people live here with you, so most faces are familiar. The population held steady at 0.2% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +21).

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 $59,432 a year, lower than 53% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $39,377. Unemployment runs 2.0%, lower than 96% of American counties. 6% of workers work from home.

Kansas takes 5.4% of that median income in state income tax, about $3,229 a year.

Home

The median home costs $168K, cheaper than 77% of American counties, about 1.4 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $563 a month. Property tax is 1.42% of home value, roughly $1,509 a year on that median home, higher than 82% of American counties. 77% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.2 per 1,000 residents, lower than 82% of American counties.

A child born here can expect to live 80.5 years, longer than 93% of American counties. There are 4 active physicians in the county, about 7.2 per 10,000 people. 11.3% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 3.29 where 3.0 is national grade level, higher than 69% 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. 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 54°F, highs near 65 and lows near 43, colder than 56% of American counties. About 27 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 30 out of 100, safer than 70% of American counties; the county has had 20 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 69 Mbps down, slower than 95% of American counties. There is 1 airport in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 1.5 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 1 brewery.