Lawrence, KS
Census place 2038900 · pop 96,051
Home of the University of Kansas and burned in the 1863 Lawrence Massacre by Quantrill's Confederate raiders.
Source ↗Sales & income are statewide.
The breakdown — worst first
U.S. median 67.2% · worse than most cities
43.6% own their home · Share of occupied homes that are owner-occupied.
U.S. median 152/100k · worse than most cities
467 violent crimes per 100k · Violent crimes (murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) per 100,000 residents.
U.S. median 0.43 · worse than most cities
Gini 0.48 (0 = equal, 1 = unequal) · Gini index of household income (0 = equal, 1 = unequal).
U.S. median 964/100k · worse than most cities
2188 property crimes per 100k · Burglary, theft, motor-vehicle theft and arson per 100,000 residents.
U.S. median 12.1% · worse than most cities
17.4% live in poverty · Share of residents living below the federal poverty line.
U.S. median +2.4% · worse than most cities
-0.3% population change (5yr) · 5-year population change — are people moving in, or fleeing?
U.S. median 17.4% · worse than most cities
18.4% of adults · Adults reporting frequent poor mental health (14+ days a month).
U.S. median $67,857 · worse than most cities
$65,009 median household income · Median household income — a proxy for local economic health.
U.S. median 0.99% · worse than most cities
1.25% of home value paid in property tax · Median real-estate taxes paid as a share of home value.
U.S. median $214,900 · worse than most cities
$292,700 median home value · Median home value — how expensive it is to buy in. Higher = less affordable.
U.S. median 90.0% · better than most cities
91.6% of homes have broadband · Share of households with a broadband internet subscription.
U.S. median 14.6% · better than most cities
12.3% of adults · Share of adults who currently smoke.
U.S. median 9.3% · better than most cities
8.5% of adults · Adults 18–64 without health insurance.
U.S. median 77/100 · better than most cities
80/100 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 36.5% · better than most cities
31.5% of adults · Share of adults with obesity (BMI ≥ 30).
U.S. median 24 min · better than most cities
20 min average one-way commute · Average one-way commute to work, in minutes.
U.S. median 26.5% · better than most cities
19.7% of adults · Adults with no leisure-time physical activity.
U.S. median 3.6% · better than most cities
2.9% 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 $1,756/mo · better than most cities
$1,286/mo typical rent · Typical monthly rent (Zillow Observed Rent Index, all home types).
U.S. median 24.3% · better than most cities
55.8% have a bachelor's degree or higher · Share of adults 25+ with a bachelor's degree or higher.
Not measured for Lawrence: 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 Lawrence, KS a good place to live?
- By the numbers, Lawrence scores 51/100 — a D (Meh) on Shcity, which ranks U.S. cities on public data across 20 metrics like crime, cost, jobs and health. Its strongest area is bachelor's degree or higher and its weakest is homeownership. 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 Lawrence, KS?
- Lawrence reports 467 violent crimes per 100k and 2188 property crimes per 100k — worse than most U.S. cities on violent crime.
- Is Lawrence, KS expensive to live in?
- Lawrence has a median home value of $292,700 and typical rent around $1,286/mo — pricier than most U.S. cities.
- What's the biggest downside of living in Lawrence, KS?
- Its weakest measured area is homeownership (43.6%) — 7/100, worse than most U.S. cities.
- What is Lawrence, KS best at?
- Its strongest measured area is bachelor's degree or higher (55.8%) — 87/100, better than most U.S. cities. Fun fact: Home of the University of Kansas and burned in the 1863 Lawrence Massacre by Quantrill's Confederate raiders.
Sources: U.S. Census (ACS), CDC PLACES, FBI Crime Data Explorer, BLS, EPA AirData, FEMA National Risk Index, and Zillow.