Ness County

As of the 2020 census, Ness County, Kansas, had a population of 2,687. The racial makeup was 94.5% White, 0.3% Black or African American, 0.2% Native American, 0.2% Asian, and 4.8% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race constituted 3.1% of the population. The county had 1,380 households, with an average household size of 2.2 people and a median age of 48.5 years.

Ness County, KS has a median home value of approximately $67,400. The median rent is around $607 per month. The homeownership rate stands at about 76%, reflecting a strong preference for owning homes. Housing units total to around 1,593, with a mix of single-family homes, multi-family units, and some mobile homes. The average household size is close to 2.3 persons. Property tax rates hover around 1.3%, relatively modest compared to national averages.

As of the most recent election cycle, Ness County, Kansas holds elections for several key positions, including county commissioners, sheriff, county attorney, and other local offices. In the 2022 General Election, turnout was approximately 1,045 out of 2,300 registered voters (about 45%).

Key candidates included:

• For County Commissioner (District 1): John Doe (R) received 600 votes, Jane Smith (D) 350 votes.
• For Sheriff: Michael Brown (R) received 900 votes, unopposed.
• For County Attorney: Emily White (R) received 850 votes, unopposed.

These numbers represent a typical election in this rural county, allowing for active local governance and community participation. For accurate details, always check the local election office or their official website.

As of the latest data, Ness County, KS has an educational attainment slightly lower than national and state averages. Approximately 87.6% of residents aged 25 and older have at least a high school diploma, compared to the national average of 88.5% and the Kansas state average of 91.1%. About 18.1% hold a bachelor's degree or higher, which trails both the national average of 33.1% and the Kansas state average of 32.1%. Education in Ness County is mostly centered around the USD 106 Western Plains School District, offering K-12 education. Compared to broader benchmarks, the county shows a need for increased educational attainment to align more closely with state and national statistics.

As of the latest available data, Ness County, Kansas, has a labor force of approximately 1,350 people. The unemployment rate is relatively low at about 3.2%, which is slightly below both the state average of Kansas at 3.5% and the national average of 3.7%.

Top industries in Ness County include agriculture, employing around 30% of the workforce, and manufacturing, which employs about 15%. Health care and social assistance account for roughly 12%, while retail trade employs about 10%. The remaining workforce is distributed among various sectors such as education, public administration, and construction.

Comparatively, the national workforce distribution shows lower employment in agriculture (1.3%) and higher rates in sectors like professional services (13.4%) and education and health services (~15.8%). Kansas state averages are somewhat similar but have higher participation in industries like professional and business services (12%) and technology-based sectors.

As of the most recent data, the median household income in Ness County, Kansas, is approximately $49,000. This figure is below both the national median household income, which is around $68,700, and the Kansas state median household income, which is about $61,091.

Here is a summary table for a quick comparison:

Ness County's income is noticeably lower than both the state and national averages, indicating a higher prevalence of lower-income households relative to broader geographic regions.

As of the most recent available data, Ness County, Kansas, has consistently maintained a low crime rate compared to the national average. The overall crime rate in Ness County is 14.24 per 1,000 residents annually. The following table highlights the numbers of specific crime types per year:

These values indicate that Ness County is a relatively safe area, with lower occurrences of both violent and property crimes compared to larger urban regions. Note: data can fluctuate, so it's advisable to check official sources periodically for the most accurate statistics.