Education, Employment and Housing

Hamilton County, KS, has 2 public schools: Syracuse Elementary and Syracuse High School. Around 89% of residents have a high school diploma, while approximately 17% hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. The schools have an average rating of 6/10. School safety measures include controlled entrances and emergency protocols. Educational programs focus on STEM, extracurriculars, and vocational training. Adult education opportunities are available through community outreach and online courses. Overall, Hamilton County schools emphasize small class sizes and community involvement to boost educational outcomes.

As of 2022, Hamilton County, KS, reported an employment rate of about 61%, with 851 civilians in the labor force. Key industries include agriculture (32.6% of employment), educational services and health care (22.6%), and retail trade (9.2%). Major occupation types are management, business, science, and arts (33.9%), and natural resources, construction, and maintenance (23.8%). The average commute time is around 11.6 minutes, with over 78% of residents working within the county, primarily in Syracuse, the county seat.

Hamilton County, Kansas has a homeownership rate of about 66%, with a median home value around $73,000 (2022). Median gross rent is approximately $720. The market is stable, with slight value increases over recent years. Housing consists mostly of single-family homes, with some multi-family and rental units in Scott City and Syracuse, the county seat. Property tax rates average 1.43% of assessed value, with typical annual taxes near $1,000. Neighborhoods are rural and friendly, offering affordable living within small-town, agricultural settings.

Elections

Hamilton County, KS, had 1,438 registered voters as of 2022, with the majority Republican (approx. 74%), Democrats making up 19%, and unaffiliated 7%. The county holds general, primary, and local elections; in the 2020 presidential election, 81% voted Republican and 18% Democratic. Polling occurs primarily at the Hamilton County Courthouse in Syracuse. Recent election issues included mail-in ballot security and voter turnout. Elections are administered by the County Clerk’s office. The county’s political landscape is consistently Republican-dominated, with local races often uncontested.

County Crime & Safety

Hamilton County, KS, maintains a low crime rate compared to national averages. According to the latest FBI Uniform Crime Reporting (2022), the county reported only 6 property crimes and zero violent crimes per 1,000 residents. Law enforcement presence is strong, with prompt reporting and community engagement contributing to safety. Arrest records and statistics are regularly updated by the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office, enhancing transparency. Overall, Hamilton County is considered one of the safer rural areas in Kansas, with a crime rate roughly 60% lower than the state average.

Demographics

As of the 2020 Census, Hamilton County, Kansas, had a population of 2,518. The gender distribution was approximately 51% male and 49% female. The median age was 41.8 years, with 24% under 18 and 20% aged 65 or older. Racially, the county was 64% White, 2% Native American, and 1% African American, with those from other races comprising 24%. Hispanic or Latino individuals made up 36% of the total population.