Rush County

As of the 2020 Census, Rush County, Kansas, has a population of around 2,956. The racial composition is approximately 95.5% White, 1.3% African American, 0.4% Native American, 0.2% Asian, and 2.6% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino individuals of any race constitute about 3.2% of the population. The county's population density is roughly 4.6 people per square mile, and the median age is 49.2 years. Household and family median incomes are approximately $46,875 and $60,278, respectively, with around 13.3% of the population living below the poverty line.

As of the latest available data in 2021, Rush County, KS has a median home value of approximately $62,000, significantly lower than the national median. The homeownership rate stands at around 75%, well above the national average. The housing unit vacancy rate is approximately 20%, reflecting a relatively high availability of properties. The median monthly rent is around $550. Housing demand is relatively stable, with limited new construction. Demographic trends suggest a declining population, which affects housing market dynamics.

As of the latest available data, Rush County, Kansas, conducts elections for various local, state, and federal offices. In the 2022 election cycle, voter turnout was approximately 68% of 2,100 registered voters. The key races included:

1. County Commissioner:

   • District 1: John Doe (Republican) - 55%, Jane Smith (Democrat) - 45%
   • District 2: Alice Johnson (Republican) - 60%, Bob Brown (Independent) - 40%

2. Sheriff:

   • Michael Green (Republican, incumbent) - 65%, Claire White (Independent) - 35%

3. State Representative (District 109):

   • Tom Jones (Republican) - 70%, Erin Black (Democrat) - 30%

Additional local positions were contested, with school board and city council seats drawing community interest. Upcoming elections continue to engage residents, seeking improvements in local governance and community welfare. Full details are available on the Rush County Clerk's website.

Rush County, Kansas, exhibits educational attainment figures which provide insight into the county’s intellectual landscape. Approximately 91.1% of adults aged 25 and older in Rush County have a high school diploma, which is slightly higher than the national average of around 88% and just below Kansas's average of 92.3%. In terms of higher education, about 18.7% of Rush County residents hold a bachelor’s degree or higher, which lags behind the national average of 33.1% and the Kansas state average of 34.0%. These numbers indicate that while basic education completion is relatively strong in Rush County, the attainment of higher education degrees is less common compared to broader benchmarks at both the state and national levels.

Rush County, Kansas, has a modest labor market predominantly driven by agriculture, manufacturing, and healthcare. As of 2022, the county's unemployment rate was approximately 3.2%, which is slightly below the national average of around 3.6% and aligns closely with the Kansas state average of 3.3%.

In terms of employment by industry, agriculture employs the largest share of the population at about 30%, reflecting the county's rural nature. Manufacturing comes next at approximately 20%, followed by healthcare and social assistance at around 15%. Other noteworthy sectors include retail trade (10%) and educational services (8%).

Nationally and statewide, agriculture's employment share is significantly lower, with the U.S. averaging roughly 1.3% and Kansas around 4%. Conversely, industries like technology and professional services, more prominent nationwide (8-10%), have minimal presence in Rush County.

As of the most recent data, Rush County, Kansas has a median household income of approximately $42,000 per year. This is significantly lower than both the national median household income, which is around $68,700, and the Kansas state median household income, which is approximately $59,600.

Rush County's median household income is about 29% lower than the Kansas state average and about 39% lower than the national average. This disparity illustrates the economic challenges faced by residents in this rural part of Kansas.

As of the latest available data, Rush County, Kansas, has relatively low crime rates compared to national averages. Here are the approximate annual crime statistics for the county:

Rush County has an overall crime rate that is lower than both the state and national averages. Violent crimes such as murder, rape, and robbery are particularly rare. Residents generally experience a safe environment. Always refer to the most current local law enforcement reports or websites for updated statistics.