Elections
Rush County, KS, had 2,059 registered voters in the November 2020 general election, predominantly Republican (about 70%), with Democrats and unaffiliated making up the rest. Election types include general, primary, and local contests, held at central polling locations such as the Courthouse in La Crosse and local town halls. In 2020, Donald Trump received 85% of the county’s votes. The County Clerk administers elections. Recent issues include local school funding and road infrastructure. Major parties are Republican and Democratic. Voter turnout regularly exceeds 70%.
Education, Employment and Housing
Rush County, KS has three public schools serving its small population, including La Crosse High School. Educational attainment is moderate: around 90% of adults have a high school diploma, but only 16% hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. Schools generally score around the state average, with GreatSchools ratings between 5 and 7. Adult education options are limited, but some GED and vocational programs are available locally. School safety incidents are rare, and programs include FFA, athletics, and basic STEM.
As of 2022, Rush County, KS had an employment rate of approximately 57%, with around 1,200 employed residents. Leading industries include health care and social assistance (18%), agriculture, forestry, fishing, and hunting (15%), and educational services (12%). The most common occupations are management (22%) and office/administrative support (14%). About 78% of workers commute by car, with an average travel time of 14 minutes. Major employment locations include La Crosse and neighboring counties, with roughly 30% working outside the county.
Rush County, KS, has a homeownership rate of about 78%, with median home values around $65,000 (2022). The median monthly rent is approximately $600. Property values have seen modest growth of 2-3% annually in recent years. Housing stock is mainly single-family homes; apartments are limited. Neighborhoods are typically quiet and rural, centered in towns like La Crosse and Otis. Property tax rates average 1.4% of home value. The area offers affordable living but limited rental options overall.
County Crime & Safety
Rush County, KS, maintains a low crime rate compared to national averages. According to recent statistics, the county reported around 6 property crimes and 1 violent crime per 1,000 residents in 2023. There were no reported murders, while burglaries and thefts remain infrequent. Law enforcement agencies promptly handle crime reporting and community safety programs are in place. Residents generally experience a safe environment, with the overall crime rate being significantly lower than the Kansas state average.
Demographics
As of 2023, Rush County, Kansas has a population of approximately 2,900 residents. The median age is about 48 years, reflecting an aging population. Gender distribution is nearly even, with 50.2% male and 49.8% female. Racially, the county is predominantly White (over 95%), with small minorities including Hispanic or Latino (around 3%), and less than 1% each for African American, Native American, and Asian. The county’s population has been gradually declining over recent years.
Popular names
- Ted Grindstaff
- Brian Seltman
- Jacob Fulk
- Shauna Logan
- Carl Legleiter
- Edwin Bieker
- Erik Thielenhaus
- Eugene Holopirek
- Gloria Anders
- Gordon Wimer
- James Bourassa
- Jamie Herrman
- Jennie Jennings
- Jesse Hays
- John Besperat
- John Georg
- Joshua Jecha
- Justin Jecha
- Kalyn Regnier
- Katherine Keil
- Kevin Wiltse
- Lee Haberman
- Leon Folkerts
- Leslie Newell
- Lori Werth
- Matthew Moeder
- Megan Tammen
- Michael Showalter
- Mitchel Conner
- Nathan Tuzicka
- Patricia Oborny
- Randy Tammen
- Rebecca Seltman
- Sean Peters
- Susan Urban
- Tracy Grumbein
- Travis North
- Will Keller
- Adam Showalter
- Adelaide Mills
- Agnes Gehring
- Agreem North
- Alan Moran
- Alex Freidenberger
- Alex Herrman
- Alexis Schaffer
- Alisa Moeder
- Allen Showalter
- Alverna Schaffer
- Alyce Allen
- Amanda Sizemore
- Amber Irvin
- Amber Schwanke
- Amber Stackenwalt
- Andrew Basgall
- Andrew Biernacki
- Andrew Johnson
- Andrew Moran
- Angela Horn
- Angela Roller
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