Best counties to live in Kansas

Written by:
April 8, 2024
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Best counties to live in Kansas

More counties in the United States experienced population growth in the last year, according to the latest Census data, even as pandemic-related moving trends begin to normalize.

Counties in the South continued to experience growth, particularly in Florida, where 96% of its 67 counties gained new residents. Polk County, Florida, a suburb of Orlando, added the most, with 26,000 people moving there in 2023.

Meanwhile, counties in the Midwest and Northeast continued to lose population, but at slower rates than the year before. Some of the biggest losses were in counties home to large cities, including Cook County, Illinois (home of Chicago) and the boroughs of Brooklyn and Queens in New York.

Many counties are experiencing growth due to their job opportunities, education, or relatively affordable housing costs. Others are favored for their historic or well-designed downtowns or access to cultural opportunities.

Stacker compiled a list of the best counties to live in Kansas using rankings from Niche. Niche ranks counties by various factors including public schools, educational attainment, cost of living, and housing.

Keep reading to see if your county made the list.

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Sabrina Janelle Gordon // Shutterstock

#30. Cowley County, Kansas

- Overall Rank: 1,081
- Population: 34,661
- Median household income: $55,726
- Median home value: $104,000 (71% own)
- Median rent: $776 (29% rent)
- Top public schools: Dexter Elementary School (grade B+), Dexter High School (grade B+), Udall Middle School (grade B+)
- Top private schools: Ark City Christian Academy (grade C+), Sacred Heart Catholic School (grade unavailable), Trinity Lutheran School (grade unavailable)
- Top places: Winfield (grade B+), Arkansas City (grade B), Walnut Township (grade A)

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#29. Washington County, Kansas

- Overall Rank: 1,052
- Population: 5,529
- Median household income: $59,432
- Median home value: $106,100 (77% own)
- Median rent: $540 (23% rent)
- Top public schools: Hanover Elementary School (grade B+), Linn Elementary School (grade B+), Washington County High School (grade B)
- Top private schools: St. John's Catholic School (grade unavailable), Linn Lutheran School (grade unavailable)
- Top places: Haddam Township (grade A), Linn Township (grade A minus), Sherman Township (grade A minus)

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#28. Barton County, Kansas

- Overall Rank: 1,039
- Population: 25,477
- Median household income: $54,634
- Median home value: $113,200 (67% own)
- Median rent: $738 (33% rent)
- Top public schools: Central Plains High School - Claflin (grade B+), Lincoln Elementary School (grade B+), Hoisington High School (grade B)
- Top private schools: Holy Family School (grade unavailable), St. Joseph Elementary School (grade unavailable), Central Kansas Christian Academy (grade unavailable)
- Top places: Hoisington (grade B), Great Bend (grade B), Cheyenne Township (grade A)

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#27. Clay County, Kansas

- Overall Rank: 1,019
- Population: 8,088
- Median household income: $57,765
- Median home value: $136,600 (71% own)
- Median rent: $750 (29% rent)
- Top public schools: Wakefield High School (grade A minus), Clay Center Community High School (grade B+), Lincoln Elementary School (grade B+)
- Top private schools:
- Top places: Clay Center (grade B), Blaine Township (grade A+), Clay Center Township (grade A)

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#26. Labette County, Kansas

- Overall Rank: 965
- Population: 20,096
- Median household income: $56,143
- Median home value: $94,600 (75% own)
- Median rent: $723 (25% rent)
- Top public schools: Oswego Junior/Senior High School (grade A minus), Edna Elementary School (grade A minus), Meadowview Elementary School (grade B+)
- Top private schools: St. Patrick Catholic School (grade unavailable)
- Top places: Parsons (grade B), Richland Township (grade B), Fairview Township (grade B)

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#25. Morris County, Kansas

- Overall Rank: 961
- Population: 5,385
- Median household income: $52,866
- Median home value: $111,700 (82% own)
- Median rent: $706 (18% rent)
- Top public schools: Council Grove Elementary School (grade B minus), Council Grove Junior/Senior High School (grade B minus), White City Elementary School (grade C+)
- Top private schools:
- Top places: 2 Township (grade A minus), Council Grove (grade B+), Dwight Township (grade B+)

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#24. Brown County, Kansas

- Overall Rank: 867
- Population: 9,486
- Median household income: $55,876
- Median home value: $108,700 (73% own)
- Median rent: $662 (27% rent)
- Top public schools: Hiawatha Middle School (grade B), Hiawatha Senior High School (grade B), Everest Middle School (grade B)
- Top private schools:
- Top places: Hiawatha (grade A minus), Morrill (grade A minus), Morrill Township (grade B+)

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#23. Ellsworth County, Kansas

- Overall Rank: 841
- Population: 6,374
- Median household income: $59,844
- Median home value: $109,400 (81% own)
- Median rent: $675 (19% rent)
- Top public schools: Central Plains Elementary School - Holyrood (grade A minus), Kanopolis Middle School (grade B+), Wilson Junior/Senior High School (grade B)
- Top private schools:
- Top places: Ellsworth (grade B), Holyrood (grade A minus), Empire Township (grade A minus)

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#22. Rice County, Kansas

- Overall Rank: 806
- Population: 9,441
- Median household income: $58,523
- Median home value: $87,700 (76% own)
- Median rent: $711 (24% rent)
- Top public schools: Sterling Junior/Senior High School (grade A minus), Sterling Grade School (grade A minus), Lyons High School (grade B minus)
- Top private schools:
- Top places: Lyons (grade B), Sterling Township (grade A), Valley Township (grade A)

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#21. Marshall County, Kansas

- Overall Rank: 801
- Population: 10,014
- Median household income: $64,306
- Median home value: $112,300 (82% own)
- Median rent: $671 (18% rent)
- Top public schools: Valley Heights Elementary School (grade A minus), Frankfort Elementary School (grade B+), Marysville Junior/Senior High School (grade B+)
- Top private schools: St. Gregory Catholic School (grade unavailable), Good Shepherd Lutheran School (grade unavailable)
- Top places: Marysville (grade A minus), Waterville Township (grade B+), Waterville (grade B+)

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#20. Dickinson County, Kansas

- Overall Rank: 704
- Population: 18,492
- Median household income: $62,971
- Median home value: $137,000 (75% own)
- Median rent: $755 (25% rent)
- Top public schools: Chapman High School (grade A), Blue Ridge Elementary School (grade A minus), Hope Elementary School (grade B+)
- Top private schools: St. Andrew's Elementary School (grade unavailable), Abilene Baptist Academy (grade unavailable)
- Top places: Abilene (grade B+), Garfield Township (grade B+), Chapman (grade B+)

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#19. Pratt County, Kansas

- Overall Rank: 685
- Population: 9,175
- Median household income: $61,685
- Median home value: $111,100 (70% own)
- Median rent: $763 (30% rent)
- Top public schools: Southwest Elementary School (grade B+), Liberty Middle School (grade B), Skyline High School (grade B)
- Top private schools: Sacred Heart School (grade unavailable)
- Top places: Pratt (grade B+), 6 Township (grade B+), 12 Township (grade B+)

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Sabrina Janelle Gordon // Shutterstock

#18. Butler County, Kansas

- Overall Rank: 635
- Population: 67,618
- Median household income: $77,724
- Median home value: $181,700 (78% own)
- Median rent: $963 (22% rent)
- Top public schools: Robert M. Martin Elementary School (grade A), Andover Middle School (grade A), Andover Central Middle School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Berean Academy (grade B+), St. James Catholic School (grade unavailable), Andover KinderCare - Kansas (grade unavailable)
- Top places: Andover (grade A), Rose Hill (grade B+), El Dorado (grade B)

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#17. Geary County, Kansas

- Overall Rank: 552
- Population: 36,247
- Median household income: $57,992
- Median home value: $162,400 (43% own)
- Median rent: $1,132 (57% rent)
- Top public schools: Fort Riley Middle School (grade A), Spring Valley Elementary School (grade A minus), Milford Elementary School (grade A minus)
- Top private schools: St. Francis Xavier Catholic School (grade B+), Apostolic Academy (grade unavailable), Forsyth Child Development Center (grade unavailable)
- Top places: Grandview Plaza (grade B+), Junction City (grade B), Lyon Township (grade A)

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#16. McPherson County, Kansas

- Overall Rank: 537
- Population: 30,085
- Median household income: $71,250
- Median home value: $180,900 (74% own)
- Median rent: $871 (26% rent)
- Top public schools: Soderstrom Elementary School (grade B+), Moundridge Middle School (grade B), Windom Elementary School (grade B)
- Top private schools: Elyria Christian School (grade C+), St. Joseph Elementary School (grade unavailable)
- Top places: Lindsborg (grade A), McPherson (grade B+), King City Township (grade A minus)

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#15. Marion County, Kansas

- Overall Rank: 505
- Population: 11,867
- Median household income: $60,011
- Median home value: $114,700 (81% own)
- Median rent: $680 (19% rent)
- Top public schools: Goessel Elementary School (grade A minus), Hillsboro Middle/High School (grade A minus), Hillsboro Elementary School (grade B+)
- Top private schools:
- Top places: Hillsboro (grade A), Centre Township (grade A), Blaine Township (grade A)

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#14. Saline County, Kansas

- Overall Rank: 490
- Population: 54,160
- Median household income: $59,887
- Median home value: $161,900 (67% own)
- Median rent: $869 (33% rent)
- Top public schools: Southeast Saline High School (grade A minus), Stewart Elementary School (grade B), Southeast Saline Elementary School (grade B)
- Top private schools: Sacred Heart Junior/Senior High School (grade C+), St. Mary Queen of the Universe Grade School (grade unavailable)
- Top places: Salina (grade B+), Assaria (grade A minus), Smoky Hill Township (grade A minus)

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#13. Lyon County, Kansas

- Overall Rank: 471
- Population: 32,182
- Median household income: $56,415
- Median home value: $136,100 (58% own)
- Median rent: $763 (42% rent)
- Top public schools: Olpe Junior/Senior High School (grade B+), Emporia High School (grade B), Timmerman Elementary School (grade B)
- Top private schools: Sacred Heart School (grade unavailable), Emporia Christian School (grade unavailable)
- Top places: Emporia (grade A minus), Center Township (grade A minus), Olpe (grade A minus)

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#12. Mitchell County, Kansas

- Overall Rank: 439
- Population: 5,829
- Median household income: $63,008
- Median home value: $100,700 (76% own)
- Median rent: $668 (24% rent)
- Top public schools: Tipton Community School (grade A minus), Lakeside Elementary School (grade B+), Beloit Junior/Senior High School (grade B)
- Top private schools: Tipton Catholic High School (grade A minus), St John's Catholic School (grade B+), St John's Catholic Middle/High School (grade B minus)
- Top places: Beloit (grade B+), Pittsburg Township (grade A minus), Beloit Township (grade B+)

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#11. Crawford County, Kansas

- Overall Rank: 414
- Population: 39,012
- Median household income: $49,779
- Median home value: $114,100 (59% own)
- Median rent: $821 (41% rent)
- Top public schools: Girard Middle School (grade B+), R.V. Haderlein Elementary School (grade B+), Frontenac High School (grade B)
- Top private schools: St. Mary's Colgan Catholic Schools High School (grade B), St. Mary's Colgan School (grade C), Countryside Christian School (grade unavailable)
- Top places: Pittsburg (grade B+), Frontenac (grade B), Girard (grade B minus)

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#10. Harvey County, Kansas

- Overall Rank: 398
- Population: 33,959
- Median household income: $70,685
- Median home value: $160,100 (71% own)
- Median rent: $857 (29% rent)
- Top public schools: Hesston Elementary School (grade A minus), Hesston High School (grade A minus), Hesston Middle School (grade A minus)
- Top private schools: St. Mary Catholic School (grade unavailable), Newton Bible Christian School (grade unavailable), Prairie View Special Purpose School (grade unavailable)
- Top places: Hesston (grade A+), North Newton (grade A), Newton (grade B+)

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#9. Nemaha County, Kansas

- Overall Rank: 357
- Population: 10,219
- Median household income: $72,788
- Median home value: $174,500 (77% own)
- Median rent: $780 (23% rent)
- Top public schools: Centralia Elementary School (grade A minus), Sabetha Elementary School (grade A minus), Sabetha Middle School (grade A minus)
- Top private schools: Sts. Peter & Paul School (grade unavailable)
- Top places: Sabetha (grade A minus), Washington Township (grade A), Bern (grade A minus)

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#8. Ellis County, Kansas

- Overall Rank: 323
- Population: 28,921
- Median household income: $59,665
- Median home value: $199,100 (61% own)
- Median rent: $864 (39% rent)
- Top public schools: Kathryn O'Loughlin McCarthy Elementary School (grade A minus), Hays Middle School (grade B+), Washington Elementary School (grade B+)
- Top private schools: Thomas More Prep-Marian High School (grade B+), Holy Family Elementary School (grade unavailable), St. Mary's School (grade unavailable)
- Top places: Hays (grade B+), Buckeye Township (grade A minus), Big Creek Township (grade A minus)

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#7. Leavenworth County, Kansas

- Overall Rank: 256
- Population: 82,050
- Median household income: $84,307
- Median home value: $240,800 (68% own)
- Median rent: $1,102 (32% rent)
- Top public schools: Patton Junior High School (grade A), Bradley Elementary School (grade A), Eisenhower Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Xavier Catholic School (grade unavailable), St. Paul Lutheran School (grade unavailable), Guidepost Montessori at Leavenworth (grade unavailable)
- Top places: Lansing (grade A minus), Basehor (grade A minus), Leavenworth (grade A minus)

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#6. Pottawatomie County, Kansas

- Overall Rank: 187
- Population: 25,482
- Median household income: $85,241
- Median home value: $221,600 (80% own)
- Median rent: $1,009 (20% rent)
- Top public schools: Rock Creek Middle School (grade A), St. George Elementary School (grade A minus), St. Marys Junior/Senior High School (grade A minus)
- Top private schools: Flint Hills Christian School (grade B minus), Hope Lutheran Early Learning Center (grade unavailable)
- Top places: Wamego (grade A minus), St. Marys (grade A minus), Blue Township (grade A)

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#5. Shawnee County, Kansas

- Overall Rank: 173
- Population: 178,625
- Median household income: $63,463
- Median home value: $159,900 (67% own)
- Median rent: $942 (33% rent)
- Top public schools: Silver Lake Elementary School (grade A), Jay Shideler Elementary School (grade A minus), Farley Elementary School (grade A minus)
- Top private schools: Hayden Catholic High School (grade A minus), Cair Paravel Latin School (grade A minus), Heritage Christian School (grade B)
- Top places: Topeka (grade B+), Mission Township (grade A), Auburn Township (grade A minus)

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#4. Sedgwick County, Kansas

- Overall Rank: 151
- Population: 522,700
- Median household income: $65,372
- Median home value: $175,700 (63% own)
- Median rent: $937 (37% rent)
- Top public schools: Wheatland Elementary School (grade A), Abilene Elementary School (grade A), Cheney Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Wichita Collegiate School (grade A+), The Independent School (grade A+), Trinity Academy (grade A minus)
- Top places: College Hill (grade A+), Courtland (grade A+), Forest Hills (grade A)

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#3. Riley County, Kansas

- Overall Rank: 91
- Population: 72,105
- Median household income: $56,327
- Median home value: $231,000 (44% own)
- Median rent: $1,016 (56% rent)
- Top public schools: Manhattan High School (grade A), Amanda Arnold Elementary School (grade A), Susan B. Anthony Middle School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Manhattan Catholic School (grade unavailable), Kansas State University Center for Child Development (grade unavailable), Creche - Grand Mere Village (grade unavailable)
- Top places: Manhattan (grade A+), Grant Township (grade A+), Ogden Township (grade A)

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#2. Douglas County, Kansas

- Overall Rank: 44
- Population: 119,094
- Median household income: $66,153
- Median home value: $259,500 (50% own)
- Median rent: $1,041 (50% rent)
- Top public schools: Langston Hughes Elementary School (grade A), Quail Run Elementary School (grade A minus), Lawrence Free State High School (grade A minus)
- Top private schools: Bishop Seabury Academy (grade A+), Veritas Christian School (grade B+), Corpus Christi Catholic School (grade unavailable)
- Top places: Lawrence (grade A+), Baldwin City (grade A), Eudora (grade A minus)

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#1. Johnson County, Kansas

- Overall Rank: 14
- Population: 610,742
- Median household income: $103,644
- Median home value: $343,300 (69% own)
- Median rent: $1,312 (31% rent)
- Top public schools: Blue Valley North High School (grade A+), Blue Valley High School (grade A+), Blue Valley West High School (grade A+)
- Top private schools: Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy (grade A), Saint Thomas Aquinas High School (grade A), Maranatha Academy (grade A)
- Top places: Beverly Estates (grade A+), Nall Hills (grade A+), Leawood (grade A+)

This story features data reporting and writing by Elena Cox and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 50 states.

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