Independence, KS
Census place 2033875 · pop 8,422
Sales & income are statewide.
The breakdown — worst first
U.S. median 964/100k · worse than most cities
3691 property crimes per 100k · Burglary, theft, motor-vehicle theft and arson per 100,000 residents.
U.S. median 152/100k · worse than most cities
619 violent crimes per 100k · Violent crimes (murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) per 100,000 residents.
U.S. median $67,857 · worse than most cities
$51,069 median household income · Median household income — a proxy for local economic health.
U.S. median +2.4% · worse than most cities
-3.2% population change (5yr) · 5-year population change — are people moving in, or fleeing?
U.S. median 0.99% · worse than most cities
1.83% of home value paid in property tax · Median real-estate taxes paid as a share of home value.
U.S. median 12.1% · worse than most cities
18.4% live in poverty · Share of residents living below the federal poverty line.
U.S. median 14.6% · worse than most cities
16.5% of adults · Share of adults who currently smoke.
U.S. median 36.5% · worse than most cities
38.1% of adults · Share of adults with obesity (BMI ≥ 30).
U.S. median 90.0% · worse than most cities
89.1% of homes have broadband · Share of households with a broadband internet subscription.
U.S. median 26.5% · worse than most cities
27.7% of adults · Adults with no leisure-time physical activity.
U.S. median 9.3% · worse than most cities
10.0% of adults · Adults 18–64 without health insurance.
U.S. median 24.3% · worse than most cities
28.7% have a bachelor's degree or higher · Share of adults 25+ with a bachelor's degree or higher.
U.S. median 17.4% · worse than most cities
17.3% of adults · Adults reporting frequent poor mental health (14+ days a month).
U.S. median 3.6% · better than most cities
3.5% unemployment · Share of the labor force out of work. Published by county, not city — every city in the county shares this figure.
U.S. median 67.2% · better than most cities
69.6% own their home · Share of occupied homes that are owner-occupied.
U.S. median 77/100 · better than most cities
75/100 FEMA risk (higher = riskier) · FEMA National Risk Index — wildfire, flood, earthquake, heat and more. Published by county, not city — every city in the county shares this figure.
U.S. median 0.43 · better than most cities
Gini 0.41 (0 = equal, 1 = unequal) · Gini index of household income (0 = equal, 1 = unequal).
U.S. median 24 min · better than most cities
17 min average one-way commute · Average one-way commute to work, in minutes.
U.S. median $214,900 · better than most cities
$88,800 median home value · Median home value — how expensive it is to buy in. Higher = less affordable.
U.S. median $1,756/mo · better than most cities
$700/mo typical rent · Typical monthly rent (Zillow Observed Rent Index, all home types).
Not measured for Independence: Air, Bad air. Not every public source covers every city — EPA air monitors and Zillow rent only reach some places, and national crime data is still being added.
Frequently asked
- Is Independence, KS a good place to live?
- By the numbers, Independence scores 47/100 — a D− (Rough) on Shcity, which ranks U.S. cities on public data across 20 metrics like crime, cost, jobs and health. Its strongest area is rent and its weakest is property crime rate. Kansas overall ranks #20 of 50 states. Whether it's "good" depends on what you value — re-weight the factors to score it your way.
- How safe is Independence, KS?
- Independence reports 619 violent crimes per 100k and 3691 property crimes per 100k — worse than most U.S. cities on violent crime.
- Is Independence, KS expensive to live in?
- Independence has a median home value of $88,800 and typical rent around $700/mo — more affordable than most U.S. cities.
- What's the biggest downside of living in Independence, KS?
- Its weakest measured area is property crime rate (3691/100k) — 6/100, worse than most U.S. cities.
- What is Independence, KS best at?
- Its strongest measured area is rent ($700/mo) — 100/100, better than most U.S. cities.
Sources: U.S. Census (ACS), CDC PLACES, FBI Crime Data Explorer, BLS, EPA AirData, FEMA National Risk Index, and Zillow.