RANK #526 / 996 NAT · #9 / 10 KS · POP 82,050
1YR FORECAST: +1.9%
5YR OUTLOOK: +23%
Leavenworth County, Kansas, stands out as the home of Fort Leavenworth, the oldest continuously active U.S. Army post west of the Mississippi River, a landmark that shapes the county's identity and history. Located in northeastern Kansas, it is part of the Kansas City metropolitan area, with the city of Leavenworth, its county seat, approximately 30-45 minutes from downtown Kansas City. The community offers a small-town atmosphere with access to urban amenities. The Missouri River forms its eastern border, providing natural scenery and opportunities for outdoor recreation like walking trails and parks.
Life in Leavenworth County offers affordability and a sense of community, attracting families and military personnel. Public schools in the county are generally well-regarded. Commute times within the county are typically around 20 minutes, with options for driving to Kansas City for work. The economy benefits from government institutions, including Fort Leavenworth and federal correctional facilities. Recent economic developments include investments in data centers and the energy sector, contributing to job growth and capital investment in the area.
Above national median (4.7x)
Below-average climate & terrain
Above national median (13x)
Housing is fairly valued at 6.3x relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Project Bluestem Hyperscale Data Center
Cloverleaf Infrastructure
|
$600M | Proposed |
|
Leavenworth Battery/Storage (300 MW)
Undisclosed
|
$300M | Planned |
|
Wolf Creek Energy Storage (199 MWac)
Undisclosed
|
$199M | Planned |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Leavenworth County scores 47/100 on the Boom Town Index, landing in the middle of the pack among 996 U.S. counties (#526). Median household income is $84,307 and job growth is running at +0.4%. The data points to a county with mixed signals — some positive indicators alongside areas that lag faster-growing peers.
By national standards, Leavenworth County is quite affordable. Homes here have a median value of $240,800, and the income-to-home-value ratio of 0.35 is well above the U.S. average — especially with median rent at just $1,102/month. Residents can generally buy a home without being cost-burdened.
Leavenworth County's population is growing — up +0.6% YoY — while the job market is roughly flat (employment change of +0.4%). Home values shifted +3.4% over the past year. In-migration is outpacing local hiring, which often points to remote workers or retirees driving the headcount.
In significant numbers — 5.44% of Leavenworth County's current population relocated from another state, well above the national norm. That level of in-migration usually signals a county where jobs, affordability, or quality of life are pulling people in from elsewhere.