This rural Kansas county was named one of the best places to retire in the country

A county in Kansas got a spot on one company’s list of 50 best counties to retire in the United States, and it’s just a short trip from Wichita.

Using 2022 data from Niche, the publication Stacker came up with the best counties for retirement based on cost of living, entertainment, weather and more. While Sedgwick County didn’t make the list, Greenwood County did.

So where is Greenwood County? How far away is it from Wichita? Here are a few quick facts about the fifth largest county in Kansas by area.

What to know about Greenwood County

Greenwood County, ranked 33rd best U.S. county to retire, has a population of 5,870, according to 2023 data from the U.S. Census Bureau. That same data shows the median household income for a resident is $58,276, below the median income for the entire state of Kansas, which is $72,639. The census reports that Greenwood County has a poverty rate of 14.3%.

“[The] county is highlighted by rolling hills and tall grass prairie. The cost of living and the crime rate is low, while sunny days are above the national average,” the Stacker article reads.

Greenwood County has 15 townships, including the city of Eureka, which has a population of 2,264 as of 2023, according to the census. Eureka is located in the Flint Hills about an hour drive from Wichita.

Things to do in Eureka, Kansas

Maybe you’re not thinking about retirement quite yet, but if you are looking for a Kansas day trip, Eureka may be a fun place for a change of pace.

Eureka Lake provides opportunities for fishermen, as do two other lakes nearby — Fall River Reservoir and Toronto Reservoir, the city of Eureka’s website says.

Visitors can also visit the Eureka Lake waterfall 5 miles north of the city. If you’re looking for more outdoor adventures, the Teter Rock formation is also near Eureka.

The city has also several activities available like pickleball, golf, disc golf and yoga. If you’re a rodeo lover, you might want to visit the city in August to attend the big Eureka Pro Rodeo.

This story was originally published January 23, 2025 at 12:52 PM.

Lindsay Smith

The Wichita Eagle

Lindsay Smith is a suburban news reporter for the Wichita Eagle, covering the communities of Andover, Bel Aire, Derby, Haysville and Kechi. She has been on The Eagle staff since 2022 and was the service journalism reporter for three years. She has a degree in communications with an emphasis in journalism from Wichita State, where she was editor-in-chief of the student newspaper, The Sunflower, for two years. You can reach her via email at lsmith@wichitaeagle.com.