Bourbon County Public RecordsKansas

Bourbon County, Kansas, had about 11,000 residents with roughly 7,400 registered voters as of 2024. Elections include general, primary, and local, managed by the County Clerk’s office. In the 2020 presidential race, 72% voted Republican and 26% Democrat. Voting occurs at locations like the 4-H Building and Fulton Community Center. Key 2024 issues include property taxes and school funding. The county is overseen by a three-member commission, with active Democratic and Republican parties; unaffiliated voters comprise around 24% of the electorate.

Bourbon County, KS has about 8 public schools, including Fort Scott High School. The high school graduation rate is approximately 91%, but only around 18% of adults hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. School safety is reported as satisfactory, with few major incidents. The average GreatSchools score for the area is about 5/10. Educational programs include career and technical education and some Advanced Placement (AP) courses. Adult education opportunities are available through Fort Scott Community College, which serves around 1,800 students, offering GED and workforce training programs to local residents.

As of 2022, Bourbon County, KS had an employment-population ratio of about 54%, with a labor force participation rate around 56%. The largest industries are Health Care & Social Assistance (22%), Manufacturing (15%), and Retail Trade (13%). Most common occupations include Office & Administrative Support (13%) and Production (12%). About 80% of employed residents commute by car, with a mean travel time of 17 minutes; over 74% work within the county. The unemployment rate averaged 3.2% in 2022, reflecting a stable local job market.

Bourbon County, KS, features a homeownership rate around 70%, with median home values near $90,000 and median gross rents about $715 per month. The housing market remains stable, with prices increasing modestly—about 2-3% annually. Most homes are single-family houses, with some rental apartments in larger towns like Fort Scott. Neighborhoods vary from historic districts downtown to newer developments on the outskirts. Property taxes average 1.35% of assessed value, translating to roughly $1,200 yearly for a median-priced home. The region offers affordable living with a mix of rural and small-town atmosphere.

As of the 2020 Census, Bourbon County, KS had a population of approximately 14,360. The median age was about 40.3 years. Females constituted 50.6% of the population, while males made up 49.4%. Racially, the county was 90.2% White, 3.8% Black or African American, 2.7% identifying as two or more races, 0.6% Asian, and 2.4% Hispanic or Latino of any race.

Bourbon County, KS, generally reports lower crime rates compared to national averages. In 2022, the violent crime rate was approximately 2.3 incidents per 1,000 residents, while property crime stood at around 13.8 per 1,000 residents. The county sheriff’s office and local police actively report and monitor crime statistics, leading to a steady decline in offenses over recent years. Residents report feeling relatively safe, with most incidents involving theft or minor property crimes rather than violent offenses. Continuous community policing and public awareness programs contribute to maintaining Bourbon County’s safety record.