INCOME AND POVERTY
-IN PRATT COUNTY, KS-
The impact of income on health is significant.
Poverty and Income
Insufficient financial resources can contribute to and result from poor health.
People and families with limited incomes face higher risks of health issues. This can create a harmful cycle that keeps low-income communities stuck. The expenses related to medical visits, medications, and travel to health facilities can pose insurmountable obstacles for families with low incomes. In contrast, families with higher incomes can afford healthy foods and cover the costs of healthcare services and transportation more easily.
Total Households in Pratt County
3,580
Households in Kansas 1,175,294
Median Household Income in Pratt County
$61,685
$68,295 Median Household Income in Kansas
Sources: US Census Bureau ACS 5-year 2018-2022
Total Families
2,149
Total Families in Kansas 740,407
Married - Couple Families
1,576
Married - Couple Families in Kansas 574,286
Nonfamily Households
1,431
Nonfamily Households in Kansas 434,887
Sources: US Census Bureau ACS 5-year 2018-2022
Wealth Disparities in Income
Individuals and families with restricted incomes are more susceptible to health challenges, leading to a detrimental cycle that traps low-income communities. The financial burden associated with medical appointments, medications, and transportation to healthcare facilities can present overwhelming barriers for economically disadvantaged families. Conversely, higher-income families have the means to purchase nutritious foods and manage healthcare expenses and transportation costs more effortlessly. In Pratt County, the median household income averages at $61,685, falling $7,240 below the state average.
Median Household Income $61,685
Median Household Income in Kansas $68,925
Mean Household Income
$79,910
Mean Household Income in Kansas $93,221
Median Family Income $79,096
Median Household Income in Kansas $89,712
Mean Household Income
$102,054
Mean Household Income in Kansas $113,962
Median Non Family Household Income
$41,289
Median Non Family Household Income in Kansas $39,735
Mean Non Family Household Income
$44,830
Mean Non Family Household Income in Kansas $54,058
Housing expenses significantly impact health.
A home should be a sanctuary of safety, security, and comfort, not a source of anxiety, pressure, or uncertainty. The financial burden of inadequate housing can hinder the ability of individuals to make positive choices, such as maintaining a healthy diet or seeking medical care when needed. Additionally, unexpected disruptions, like the sudden loss of one's home, can serve as a catalyst for a cascade of adverse effects on health, leading to job loss, loss of health coverage, dropping out of school, or exacerbating mental health issues.
In Pratt County 30% of the population are currently renting property within the county, of which are spending 35% or more of their income solely to housing expenses. While 70% of the population are spending less than 20% of their income on housing expenses due to owning their own home.
Rented Homes
Housing Expenses Exceed 30% of Income.
35%
Housing Expenses exceed 35% of Income in Kansas
Owner Occupied Homes
Housing Expenses Costs Less than 20% of Income.
20%
Housing Expenses Costs Less than 20% of Income in Kansas
Poverty in Pratt County
Poverty serves as both a catalyst and a consequence of poor health. It heightens the likelihood of health issues, which in turn perpetuates the cycle of poverty within communities. For those living in poverty, the financial burden of medical expenses, prescriptions, and transportation to access healthcare can be overwhelming. On the contrary, families with higher incomes have greater access to nutritious foods and can afford healthcare services and transportation.
In analyzing poverty across Pratt County, 11.6% of the population live below the poverty level. 1,005 individuals across a variety of different racial and ethnic groups in Pratt County are living below the poverty level. Black or African Americans make up the largest proportion of individuals within their own racial group residing below the poverty line in Pratt County, accounting for 60.1% or 101 out of the 168 Black or African American residents. In Pratt County, the most significant cluster of individuals below the poverty line comprises 790 White Americans out of a total of 7,841 individuals in that racial category.