County Crime & Safety
Ellsworth County, KS, maintains a relatively low crime rate compared to national averages. According to the latest data, the county reported around 60 total crimes in 2022, with a violent crime rate of 1.2 incidents per 1,000 residents and a property crime rate of 8.3 per 1,000. The Ellsworth County Sheriff’s Office actively participates in crime reporting and public safety initiatives, fostering community trust. Most reported offenses are property-related, and the area is generally considered safe, with crime trending downward in recent years.
Elections
As of 2024, Ellsworth County, KS, has approximately 3,250 registered voters, mainly Republican (about 72%), with Democrats (22%) and unaffiliated voters (6%). The county holds primary, general, and local elections, with 4 main polling locations, including Ellsworth High School. In 2022, Republican candidates typically secured over 70% of the vote. Key issues include property taxes and rural health care. The County Clerk’s office administers elections per Kansas statutes. Voter turnout averages 65% in general elections. Two main parties, Republican and Democratic, are active.
Demographics
As of the 2020 Census, Ellsworth County, KS had a population of 6,376. The median age was 44.9 years, with 21.3% under 18 and 22.3% aged 65 or older. The gender distribution was approximately 52% male and 48% female. Racially, the county was 90.2% White, 3.4% Black or African American, 1.2% Native American, 0.5% Asian, and 3.4% two or more races; 6.9% identified as Hispanic or Latino.
Education, Employment and Housing
Ellsworth County, KS, has three public schools, including Ellsworth Junior-Senior High School, serving grades 7–12. The county’s high school graduation rate is about 93%, while 18% of adults hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. Schools maintain a favorable student-teacher ratio of 12:1 and have an overall score of 7/10 on GreatSchools. Safety measures are prioritized, with low incident rates reported. Educational programs include vocational training and dual-credit options through partnerships with local colleges, and adult education is available via Great Plains Technology Center.
As of 2022, Ellsworth County, KS had an employment rate of approximately 58%. The leading industries are Agriculture (22%), Health Care & Social Assistance (14%), and Manufacturing (13%). Major occupation types include Management (11%), Office & Administrative Support (10%), and Production (9%). About 73% of workers commute by car, with an average commute time of 18 minutes. Most residents work within the county, but around 30% commute to neighboring counties such as Saline and Rice for employment.
Ellsworth County, KS, has a homeownership rate of about 75%, with median home values around $100,000 as of 2022. Median gross rent is approximately $650 monthly. Housing stock includes single-family homes, some duplexes, and older Victorian and ranch styles. Communities like Ellsworth and Kanopolis feature quiet neighborhoods. The housing market is stable, with modest appreciation over the past five years. Property taxes average 1.49% of home value, making annual taxes about $1,490 on a $100,000 home. The area offers affordability and a tight-knit small-town atmosphere.
Popular names
- Jesse Garcia
- Charles Phillips
- Marie Joseph
- Trichia Andreson
- Allison Koch
- Allison Mikulecky
- Brandi Stroede
- Brian Florian
- Carl Arensman
- Debby Boettcher
- Don Browning
- Dustin Perkins
- Edward Kyler
- Frank Hass
- Gary Muhlenkort
- Gary Urbanek
- Grant Gwinner
- Gregory Tripp
- Harold Waymaster
- Jacob Stroede
- James Homolka
- Jared Schultz
- Jessica Stroede
- Kay Vanek
- Kayanne Meitler
- Larry Wacker
- Laura Rathbun
- Linda Kohls
- Louria Mehl
- Mildred Stefek
- Olivia Goff
- Orlinda Hass
- Peter Charowhas
- Ralph Smith
- Robert Lewis
- Stephanie Urbanek
- Stuart Harmon
- Tammy Kruse
- Theresa Kasper
- Valenta Thille
- William Fleming
- Aaron Johnson
- Abby Ray
- Adam Burbank
- Adam Kirkbride
- Ailene Bowie
- Aimee Hamilton
- Alan Betz
- Alan Olds
- Alan Whitley
- Albert Oller
- Alexis Penny
- Ali Kothari
- Alice Whitmer
- Alicia Wallert
- Alisha Stroede
- Allan White
- Alma Deutsch
- Amanda Dahlke
- Amanda Florian
Other Counties in Kansas
- Allen
- Anderson
- Atchison
- Barber
- Barton
- Bourbon
- Brown
- Butler
- Chase
- Chautauqua
- Cherokee
- Cheyenne
- Clark
- Clay
- Cloud
- Coffey
- Comanche
- Cowley
- Crawford
- Decatur
- Dickinson
- Doniphan
- Douglas
- Edwards
- Elk
- Ellis
- Finney
- Ford
- Franklin
- Geary
- Gove
- Graham
- Grant
- Gray
- Greeley
- Greenwood
- Hamilton
- Harper
- Harvey
- Haskell
- Hodgeman
- Jackson
- Jefferson
- Jewell
- Johnson
- Kearny
- Kingman
- Kiowa
- Labette
- Lane