Wabaunsee County Public RecordsKansas

Wabaunsee County, KS, had about 4,500 registered voters in 2022. Eligible voters participate in local, state, and federal elections, including the 2020 presidential race where 74% voted Republican and 24% Democrat. The county offers multiple polling locations, mainly in Alma and Eskridge. The County Clerk administers elections, ensuring compliance and accessibility. Recent ballot issues have included local taxes and school funding. Party registration leans heavily Republican with only about 14% registered Democrats. Election turnout typically exceeds 65%. Both in-person and absentee voting options are available.

Wabaunsee County, KS, has a high school graduation rate of approximately 94%, and about 25% of adults hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. The county operates 3 public schools under USD 329, including one high school (Mission Valley High School). Schools consistently score above the state average on standardized tests. Adult education options are limited locally but accessible in nearby Manhattan. School safety is a priority, with less than 1 incident per 100 students reported annually. Programs include vocational training, agriculture, and technology education to prepare students for varied careers.

As of 2023, Wabaunsee County, KS had an employment rate of approximately 60%. Key industries include agriculture, forestry, fishing & hunting (14%), educational services, health care & social assistance (20%), and retail trade (11%). The most common occupations are management, business, science, and arts (31%), followed by sales and office (21%). The average commute time is 27 minutes, with 77% of workers driving alone. Around 68% of residents work outside the county, primarily commuting to Topeka and Manhattan for employment.

Wabaunsee County, KS has a homeownership rate of about 81%, with median home values around $166,000 (2022). The median monthly owner costs with a mortgage are approximately $1,270, while median gross rent is $813. Most housing consists of single-family detached homes, with limited multifamily options. Property values have shown modest annual appreciation of 3–4% in recent years. Notable communities include Alma, Maple Hill, and Eskridge, offering a rural lifestyle. The average effective property tax rate is about 1.41%, resulting in an estimated annual tax of roughly $2,340 for a median-valued home.

Wabaunsee County, KS, reports notably low crime rates compared to state and national averages. According to recent FBI Uniform Crime Reporting data, the county’s violent crime rate is approximately 1.2 incidents per 1,000 residents, substantially lower than the Kansas state average of 4.3. Property crime is also minimal at around 7.5 per 1,000 residents. The Wabaunsee County Sheriff's Office regularly updates crime statistics and encourages community reporting, contributing to high public safety and quick response times. Overall, Wabaunsee County is considered one of the safest areas in Kansas.

As of the 2020 Census, Wabaunsee County, Kansas, had a population of 6,877. The median age was about 43.4 years, with 49.3% male and 50.7% female residents. The racial makeup was predominantly White (94.7%), with smaller proportions of American Indian (0.9%), Black (0.5%), Asian (0.4%), and people of two or more races (2.7%). Hispanic or Latino individuals accounted for 2.6% of the population.