Anderson County

As of the 2020 Census, Anderson County, Kansas had a population of 7,836. The median age was approximately 43.8 years. The racial composition was: 96.9% White, 0.7% Black or African American, 0.7% Native American, 0.2% Asian, 1.3% from other races, and 0.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race was 2.3% of the population. The median household income was around $51,747, with a poverty rate of 10.4%.

As of the latest data, Anderson County, KS, has a median home value of approximately $104,800. The median household income is about $51,927. The average rent for a 2-bedroom apartment is around $650 per month. The homeownership rate stands at 73.4%, and the vacancy rate is 11.6%. The housing market has seen a minor annual appreciation rate of 1.9%. The county has a mix of urban and rural housing, with a higher concentration of single-family homes.

Anderson County, located in Kansas, participates in various local, state, and federal elections. General elections are typically held on the first Tuesday in November of even-numbered years. Local elections, including those for county commissioners, sheriff, county attorney, and other offices, often have primary elections in August.

In the 2022 elections, for example, main candidates included:

• County Commissioner District 1: Rece Hedges (R) vs. write-in candidates
• County Commissioner District 2: Shannon Wicke (R) was unopposed
• County Sheriff: Vern Valentine (R) was unopposed

Voter turnout and precinct-specific results can be found on the Anderson County official website or at the Kansas Secretary of State’s office. Voter participation in local elections might hover around 30-60%, reflecting variable engagement levels. Key roles like county commissioners and the sheriff are critical as they influence local governance, law enforcement, and community projects.

Anderson County, KS, has a relatively modest educational attainment. As of the latest available data, approximately 87.8% of residents aged 25 and older have a high school diploma or higher, compared to the national average of around 88%. However, only about 14.7% hold a bachelor's degree or higher, which is below both the national average of 33.1% and the Kansas state average of 32.1%. The lower levels of higher education attainment in Anderson County suggest that it lags behind in terms of educational progress compared to wider state and national standards.

Sources:

• U.S. Census Bureau
• National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)

As of recent data, Anderson County, KS, had an unemployment rate at approximately 3.1%, which is slightly lower than the national average of around 3.5% and closely aligned with the Kansas state average of 3.2%.

Top industries in Anderson County include:

• Manufacturing: 18% of employment, markedly higher than the national average of around 8.5%.
• Healthcare and Social Assistance: 15%, slightly above the national average of 13.5%.
• Retail Trade: 12%, closely aligned with the national average of 11.5%.
• Education Services: 10%, which is comparable to the national figure of roughly 9.5%.
• Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing, and Hunting: 8%, significantly higher than the national average of about 1.3%.

These statistics reflect a strong local reliance on manufacturing and agriculture compared to broader national trends.

As of the latest data, the average household income in Anderson County, Kansas, is approximately $56,000. This falls below both the national average and the state average. The median household income in the United States is around $68,700, while the median in Kansas is about $62,000.

Anderson County's income levels are indicative of a more rural area, which often have lower average incomes compared to more urbanized regions in both state and national contexts.

As of the most recent data, Anderson County, KS, has a low overall crime rate compared to national averages. The annual crime rate per 1,000 residents is approximately 13.4. This includes both violent and property crimes.

The breakdown of specific crime types is as follows:

*All values represent incidents per 1,000 residents per year.

Overall, Anderson County has a lower than average crime rate, particularly in violent crimes, making it a relatively safe area for residents and visitors.