These 10 counties are the poorest in Kansas, ranking says. See their median incomes

The poorest county in Kansas has a median income of $46,170, according to a recent report from financial website SmartAsset. The site named Chautauqua County the poorest in the state, with a median home value of $74,560.

SmartAsset used sources such as the U.S. Census Bureau, real estate site Zillow and the U.S. Internal Revenue Service to compile the ranking.

Comanche County had the lowest median home value among Kansas’ 10 poorest counties, at $67,189, but the area had a higher median income than several others on the list.

Elk County had the highest poverty level among the 10 poorest counties, at 16.2% compared to Kansas’ statewide poverty level of 11.7%, according to the Census Bureau.

The analysis named Johnson County the richest in Kansas, with a median income of $96,059. Sedgwick County was ranked the 17th wealthiest in the state.

Poorest counties in Kansas

Here’s how the 10 poorest counties in Kansas compare, according to SmartAsset:

1. Chautauqua County

• Median income: $46,170

• Investment income: $25,533

• Median home value: $74,560

• Poverty level: 15.5%

2. Elk County

• Median income: $45,660

• Investment income: $18,048

• Median home value: $72,455

• Poverty level: 16.2%

3. Jewell County

• Median income: $45,655

• Investment income: $14,271

• Median home value: $78,848

• Poverty level: 13.2%

4. Edwards County

• Median income: $49,679

• Investment income: $19,615

• Median home value: $67,255

• Poverty level: 12%

5. Republic County

• Median income: $50,268

• Investment income: $15,887

• Median home value: $89,737

• Poverty level: 11.2%

6. Decatur County

• Median income: $46,733

• Investment income: $21,345

• Median home value: $74,547

• Poverty level: 12.3%

7. Comanche County

• Median income: $49,333

• Investment income: $17,590

• Median home value: $67,189

• Poverty level: 10%

8. Greenwood County

• Median income: $46,783

• Investment income: $14,602

• Median home value: $74,103

• Poverty level: 15.3%

9. Smith County

• Median income: $48,051

• Investment income: $14,041

• Median home value: $80,279

• Poverty level: 12.1%

10. Woodson County

• Median income: $45,234

• Investment income: $16,281

• Median home value: $84,873

• Poverty level: 14.2%

Meredith Howard

Belleville News-Democrat

Meredith Howard is a service journalist with the Belleville News-Democrat. She is a Baylor University graduate and has previously freelanced with the Illinois Times and the Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting. Support my work with a digital subscription