Demographics
As of the 2020 Census, Pawnee County, Kansas, had a population of 6,253. The median age was 43.7 years, with 51% male and 49% female residents. Racially, the population was 89% White, 4% Black or African American, 1% Native American, 0.5% Asian, and 3% identifying with two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents accounted for 8% of the population.
Elections
Pawnee County, Kansas, had 4,397 registered voters as of 2022, with Republicans comprising about 73%, Democrats 17%, and unaffiliated/other 10%. Major elections include presidential, congressional, state, and local races, with the county voting about 75% Republican in the 2020 presidential election. There are 9 polling locations, overseen by the Pawnee County Clerk’s office. Key issues include agriculture, rural healthcare, and school funding. Voting methods include advance in-person and mail ballots. Election administration adheres to Kansas law, with no major voter fraud incidents reported. Local party committees coordinate candidate support and voter outreach.
County Crime & Safety
Pawnee County, KS, maintains relatively low crime rates compared to national averages. In 2022, the property crime rate was approximately 10.4 incidents per 1,000 residents, while violent crime was about 1.2 per 1,000. Local law enforcement agencies report around 100 total criminal incidents annually, with theft and burglary being the most frequent offenses. The sheriff’s office emphasizes community engagement, and crime reporting systems are accessible online and by phone, contributing to the county’s strong focus on public safety.
Education, Employment and Housing
Pawnee County, KS, has 7 public schools, including Larned High School, serving about 1,000 students district-wide. Around 88% of adults hold a high school diploma, while 16% possess a bachelor’s degree or higher. Average district test scores are near the state median. Educational programs focus on vocational training and advanced placement (AP) options. School safety incidents are below the state average, with active safety drills and resource officers on site. Adult education classes are offered by Barton Community College. Overall, schools in Pawnee County maintain solid academic performance and prioritize student security.
As of 2023, Pawnee County, KS, reports an unemployment rate of approximately 2.7%. The largest employment sectors are health care and social assistance (22%), education (15%), and retail trade (12%). Major occupations include office/administrative (18%), management (12%), and production (11%). About 83% of residents work within the county, with an average commute time of 13.7 minutes. Agriculture also plays a significant role in local employment.
Pawnee County, KS has a homeownership rate of about 73%, with median home values around $90,000 (2022). Renters make up 27%, with median gross rent approximately $610 per month. Single-family detached homes dominate the landscape, especially in towns like Larned. Property values have remained stable, with slight annual increases of 1-2%. Neighborhoods are largely quiet and residential. The property tax rate averages 1.5%, meaning taxes on a $90,000 home would be roughly $1,350 per year. Housing costs remain affordable compared to state and national averages.
Popular names
- Anthony Hopkins
- Brandon Selsor
- David Ward
- David Welch
- Lucas Giles
- Timothy Smith
- Angela Haremza
- Brenda Barker
- Bryce Gevara
- Chad Rees
- Christine Miller
- Cindi Underwood
- David Moore
- Donna Stejskal
- Edward Youngers
- Eldred Lewis
- Elvida Grover
- Eric Fox
- Erica Eldridge
- Grant Mausolf
- Jason Brown
- Jeremiah Slattery
- Jesse Heath
- Joe Garcia
- John Drews
- Kaitlin Walker
- Kevin Fox
- Kimberly Smith
- Kristin Yeager
- Kurt Allen
- Kurt Anderson
- Larry Mohler
- Mark Johnson
- Mary Smith
- Mckenzie Galliart
- Melissa Leehan
- Michael Seeman
- Michael Solko
- Nathan Laviolette
- Nicholas Yeager
- Ralph Martin
- Richard Roberts
- Sarah Manea
- Shanna Bowen
- Shauna Webster
- Tammi Hawkins
- Tamsin Shull
- Aaron Cobb
- Aaron Pelton
- Aaron Ward
- Abigail Brown
- Adam Nafisa
- Adam Stubbs
- Alice Clapsaddle
- Alysa Erway
- Amanda Davis
- Amber Wilder
- Amie Henbest
- Amy Brewer
- Amy Elmore
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
- Ellsworth
- Finney
- Ford
- Franklin
- Geary
- Gove
- Graham
- Grant
- Gray
- Greeley
- Greenwood
- Hamilton
- Harper
- Harvey
- Haskell
- Hodgeman
- Jackson
- Jefferson
- Jewell
- Johnson
- Kearny
- Kingman
- Kiowa
- Labette
- Lane