Hunt & Live

Republic County, KS

4,642 residents · 717 sq mi · 6.5/sq mi · 100% rural

Climate
53°F
29.2" rain/yr
Water
humid
Aridity index 1.16
Hardiness
Zone 7b
Winter low ~6.7°F

About Republic County

Republic County is a county located in the state of Kansas, south from the Nebraska state line. Its county seat and largest city is Belleville. As of the 2020 census, the county population was 4,674. The county was named after the Republican River.

71
Prepper Suitability
worsebetter
National rank: #465 of 3,109
Locator map
Location within the continental US

Prepper Assessment

Living in this area offers a predominantly rural lifestyle, characterized by a low population density of 6.5 people per square mile. The climate is classified as humid, with an annual mean temperature of 53.0°F and about 29.2 inches of rainfall per year, which supports a growing season suitable for various crops. However, the summer highs can reach 89.7°F, and winter lows can drop to 16.7°F, which may limit certain agricultural activities and require careful planning for seasonal changes.

The county faces several natural hazards, with hail (FEMA rank 92) and ice storms (rank 85) being significant concerns, potentially impacting crops and infrastructure. The area also experiences strong winds (rank 74) and drought (rank 51), which can challenge self-sufficiency efforts. Additionally, the violence percentile is at 58, indicating a moderate level of concerns, and only half of households have broadband subscription, which may affect access to information and resources.

This location may be ideal for individuals or families seeking a quiet, rural lifestyle with low housing costs, as the median home price is around $71,000. Those who thrive here will likely have experience in agriculture and be prepared for the challenges posed by weather-related hazards. However, individuals reliant on modern technology or those seeking a vibrant community may find the county's remoteness and limited broadband access to be significant drawbacks.

AI-generated analysis based on county data (climate, hazards, density, housing, economy). For general orientation only.

Key Facts

Top 14% nationally
National prepper rank: #433 of 3,109.
#40 of 105 in KS
Ranked #40 of 105 counties statewide for prepper suitability.
Dominant hazard: hail
FEMA ranks hail risk at 92/100 here — the leading natural threat.
Sparse population
6.5 people per square mile — well below the CONUS average.
Climate profile
Classified as humid with a 53.0°F annual mean and 29.2" of annual precipitation. USDA hardiness zone 7b.
Housing & taxes
Median home value $71,000.

Score Breakdown

Violence
54
percentile (lower = safer)
Disasters
19
percentile (lower = safer)
Density
13
percentile (lower = emptier)
Overall FEMA Risk
18.9
NRI composite (0-100)

Natural Hazard Profile (FEMA NRI)

Cold Wave 17
Drought 51
Earthquake 15
Hail 92
Heat Wave 32
Riverine Flood 15
Ice Storm 85
Landslide 9
Lightning 25
Strong Wind 74
Tornado 41
Wildfire 42
Winter Weather 48

Monthly Climate (1991–2020 normals)

Average temperature
JFMAMJ JASOND
Monthly precipitation (inches)
JFMAMJ JASOND
Summer high
89.7°F
Winter low
16.7°F
Heating degree days
5,616
Cooling degree days
1,282

Housing & Economy

Median home value
$71,000
Median HH income
$54,531
Price to income
1.3×
Property tax rate
1.79%
~$1,270/yr median

Community Profile

Median age
47.5
Homeownership
72.4%
Poverty rate
10.1%
Unemployment
0.6%

Connectivity

Broadband households
50.2%
No internet access
21.3%

Explore Republic County Further

Similar Counties

Data sources. Prepper scores are national percentile ranks of firearm fatalities (County Health Rankings 2024 / CDC WONDER), FEMA National Risk Index 2023 composite disaster score, and population density (ACS 2022 + TIGER 2022 land area). Climate from NOAA nClimDiv 1991–2020 normals. Hardiness zone is estimated from climate data and may differ from the official USDA PHZM. Demographics and housing from Census ACS 5-year 2022. All scores are for comparison purposes only and do not constitute advice about where to live.