Fort Scott, KS

Kansas

Fort Scott is a small city in Kansas with a population of 7,551. Residents earn $60,799 per year, which is 19% below the national average.

3.2 /5.0
B Good
7,551 Population 1,353/sq mi density
$60,799 Median Income $31,273 per capita
$89,400 Home Value $124,431 Zillow
$796 Median Rent
57°F Avg Temperature
823 Violent Crime/100K 4,622 property/100K
B
Overall
3.2 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.1 / 5.0
$60,799 median income, 2.4% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$89,400 home value, $796/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
823 violent crimes/100K (117% above avg)
C+
Education
2.7 / 5.0
21.7% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $60,799
19% lower than US avg
Home Value $89,400
68% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 823/100K
117% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 21.7%
36% lower than US avg
Median Rent $796
32% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 38.1%
19% higher than US avg
Unemployment 2.4%
33% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 6.9%
44% lower than US avg

How Fort Scott Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population7,551
Median Age39.2 yrs
Density1,353/mi²
Male / Female46% / 55%
Largest GroupWhite 91%

Economy

A
Median Income$60,799
Per Capita$31,273
Unemployment2.4%
Poverty6.9%
County GDP$749M
Commute16 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$89,400
Rent$796
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$124,431

Crime

F
Violent823/100K
Property4,622/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault696/100K
Burglary1,203/100K

Health

Obesity38.1%
UninsuredN/A
Depression23.2%
Heart Disease6.2%

Climate

Avg Temp57°F
AQI39 (Good)
Rain44.5 in/yr
Elevation849 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+21.7%
High School+91.2%
School Score5.80

Community

2024 VoteR 76% / D 22%
Commute16 min
EV Stations3
Libraries2

Is Fort Scott a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Fort Scott receives an overall livability score of 3.2 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, a low poverty rate. Areas to be aware of include elevated crime rates. Fort Scott offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Fort Scott is $60,799, 19% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.4%. Only 6.9% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 16 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Fort Scott is $89,400, 68% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $796 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 1.5x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

With 823 violent crimes per 100,000 residents, public safety is a notable concern — this is significantly above the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 4,622 per 100,000, 136% above the national average.

Education

21.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 91.2% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.8/10.

Climate & Weather

Fort Scott enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 57°F. Winters average 32°F in January while summers reach 80°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 44.5 inches, including 8.4 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39.

Fort Scott has a population of 7,551 with a density of 1,353 people per square mile. The median age is 39.2 years, 1% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (90.5%), with 2.2% Hispanic, 2.9% Black.

Population

7,551
Total Population
1,353
People / sq mi
39.2yrs
Median Age
1% above US avg
5.6mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 45.5%
Female 54.5%

Race & Ethnicity

Fort Scott vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only97.8%
25% above US avg
Spanish2.2%
84% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Fort Scott vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Fort Scott is $60,799, which is 19% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 2.4% (below the 3.6% US average). 6.9% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 16 minutes.

Income: Fort Scott vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$60,799
19% below US avg
Per Capita Income$31,273
Avg Weekly Wage$824
IRS Avg AGI$53,044

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment2.4%
33% below US avg
Poverty Rate6.9%
44% below US avg
Establishments (County)406
County GDP$749M

Business (County)

Restaurants39
Healthcare40
Retail54
Manufacturing18

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$3,640
4% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate4.07%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time15.5 min
Work from Home13.3%

Walkability

The median home value in Fort Scott is $89,400, 68% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $796 (32% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $124,431.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$89,400
68% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$124,431

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$796
32% below US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$702
1 Bedroom$753
2 Bedrooms$947
3 Bedrooms$1,223
4 Bedrooms$1,397

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied65.1%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,640
4% above US avg
Effective Rate4.07%
In Fort Scott, 38.1% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 23.2% report depression. 30.1% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Fort Scott vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity38.1%
19% above US avg
Diabetes10.7%
Heart Disease6.2%
High Blood Pressure34.1%
Asthma10.9%
COPD7.8%
Stroke3.3%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking17.2%
Physical Inactivity30.1%
Depression23.2%
Mental Distress18.9%
Physical Distress13.9%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate91.3%
Checkup Rate75.5%
Premature Death11,705/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.2/10
Exercise Access53.1%
Healthcare Facilities40
Fort Scott has a violent crime rate of 823 per 100,000 residents, 117% above the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 4,622 per 100,000 (136% above US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

Crime Rates: Fort Scott vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Total Violent823.1/100K
117% above US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape114.0/100K
Robbery12.7/100K
Assault696.5/100K

Property Crime

Total Property4,622.0/100K
136% above US avg
Burglary1,203.0/100K
Theft3,216.4/100K
Vehicle Theft202.6/100K
Arson25.3/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)1

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Fort Scott has an average annual temperature of 57°F (14°C). Winters average 32°F in January while summers reach 80°F in July. Annual precipitation is 44.5 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39.

Temperature

32°F Jan (0°C) 80°F Jul (27°C)
Annual Average57.0°F
6% above US avg
January Average32°F (0°C)
July Average80°F (27°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall44.5 inches
17% above US avg
Snowfall8.4 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median39.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation849 ft (259 m)
Area5.6 sq mi (14.5 km²)
Population Density1,353/sq mi
Coordinates37.8280°N, 94.7041°W
County FIPS20011
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent. 21.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (36% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 54.2-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 76.1%
D 22%

Winner: Republican by 54.2 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+21.7%
36% below US avg
High School+91.2%
School Test Score5.80
C+ Education Grade (2.7/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 6Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent
Population Density1,353/sq mi
Total Area5.6 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations3
Alt Fuel Stations3
Public Libraries2
Healthcare Facilities40
Restaurants39
Retail Stores54

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)1
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute15.5 min
Work from Home13.3%

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