Education, Employment and Housing

Stafford County, KS has three public schools, including Stafford High School. The high school graduation rate is about 87%, while approximately 14% of adults hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. School safety ranks above the state average, with low incident rates. Standardized test scores are near the Kansas average. The district offers programs in career and technical education (CTE) and dual-credit college courses. Adult education options are limited but available through nearby community colleges. Overall, Stafford County schools emphasize close-knit learning environments and safe, personalized education.

As of 2023, Stafford County, KS has an unemployment rate of approximately 2.5%. The largest employment sectors are agriculture, forestry, fishing, and hunting (28%), followed by education, health care, and social assistance (22%), and retail trade (11%). Major occupation types include management, business, science, and arts (33%), and sales and office occupations (22%). Around 85% of workers commute by car, with an average commute time of 17 minutes. Most residents are employed locally, but about 15% commute to neighboring counties for work.

Stafford County, KS, has a homeownership rate of approximately 76%, with median home values around $66,500 as of 2022. Rental options are limited, with median gross rent near $650 monthly. Housing types predominantly include single-family homes, many built before 1970, set within quiet neighborhoods in towns like Stafford and St. John. The housing market remains stable, with slow annual appreciation of 1-2%. Property taxes are relatively low, averaging about 1.4% of assessed home value, resulting in annual taxes near $900 for median homes. The area offers affordable living with a rural community atmosphere.

County Crime & Safety

Stafford County, KS, maintains a relatively low crime rate compared to national averages. In 2022, the county reported approximately 50 total crimes, including 5 violent crimes and 45 property crimes, according to KBI statistics. The violent crime rate stands at around 1.2 incidents per 1,000 residents, while property crime is about 11 per 1,000. Arrest rates and crime clearance are high due to proactive local law enforcement. Residents report feeling safe, with fewer than 10% expressing concerns about frequent crime in recent community surveys. Crime statistics are regularly updated and available through annual law enforcement reports.

Demographics

As of the 2020 Census, Stafford County, Kansas, had a population of 4,072. The median age was 46.5 years, with 22.8% under 18 and 23% aged 65 or older. Gender distribution was nearly even, with 49.4% male and 50.6% female. Racially, the county was 93% White, 1.3% Black or African American, 0.7% Native American, 0.3% Asian, and 3.8% from two or more races, with 6.3% identifying as Hispanic or Latino of any race.

Elections

Stafford County, KS, has approximately 2,000 registered voters. Elections include federal, state, county, and municipal races, with the Stafford County Clerk overseeing administration. In the 2020 presidential election, about 75% turnout was recorded, with Republican candidates typically receiving over 80% of votes; Democrats and Independents make up a minority. Polling locations include Stafford County Courthouse and city halls in St. John and Stafford. Key issues include property taxes and rural infrastructure. Voter registration is primarily Republican (about 70%), followed by Democrat (20%) and unaffiliated (10%), reflecting local political preferences.