Lyon County Public RecordsKansas

Lyon County, KS, has about 19,000 registered voters as of 2024. Elections include federal, state, county, and local races, with recent turnouts around 60% in presidential years. In 2022, Republicans won most county offices, with the GOP maintaining a 2:1 registration advantage over Democrats. Polling locations include the Lyon County Courthouse and multiple sites in Emporia. Issues often center on education funding, agriculture, and property taxes. Elections are managed by the Lyon County Clerk’s Office, ensuring compliance and transparency, with early voting and absentee options available to all eligible voters.

Lyon County, KS, hosts about 18 public schools, including Emporia High School, serving around 1,200 students. Emporia State University offers higher education, contributing to a 28% bachelor's degree attainment rate among adults. The public school district reports an average graduation rate of 88% and a student-teacher ratio of 14:1. School safety is a focus, with recent surveys showing 92% of students feel safe. Educational programs include Advanced Placement and dual-credit options. Adult education centers and GED programs are also available to support lifelong learning.

As of 2023, Lyon County, KS, has an employment rate of approximately 59.4%. Key industries include educational services (27.6%), manufacturing (18.2%), and health care (13.4%). The largest occupation groups are production (18%), education, training, and library (16%), and office/administrative support (13%). About 72% of workers commute by car, with an average commute time of 15.5 minutes. Emporia, the county seat, is the primary employment hub, attracting workers from throughout Lyon County and nearby areas.

Lyon County, KS has a homeownership rate of about 62%, with median home values around $120,000 and median gross rents near $800/month (2022). The county features a mix of single-family homes, duplexes, and some apartments, primarily concentrated in Emporia and surrounding small towns. Neighborhoods vary from historic districts to newer subdivisions. Property values have risen approximately 5% year-over-year. Local property tax rates average 1.47% of assessed value. The area is affordable compared to national averages, attracting both homeowners and renters with relatively stable market trends.

As of the 2020 Census, Lyon County, Kansas had a population of approximately 32,179. The median age was 33.5 years. About 50.4% were male and 49.6% female. Racially, the population was 74.2% White, 3.1% Black or African American, 1.5% Asian, 1.3% Native American, and 14.6% from other races; 27.1% identified as Hispanic or Latino of any race.

Lyon County, KS, maintains a relatively low crime rate compared to national averages. In 2022, the county reported a total of 350 criminal offenses, including 28 violent crimes and 322 property crimes, according to the Kansas Bureau of Investigation. The violent crime rate (about 1.8 per 1,000 residents) remains below the state average. Local law enforcement emphasizes community policing, resulting in high reporting rates and quick response times. Overall, Lyon County is considered a safe community, but residents are encouraged to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities to maintain low crime levels.