Is Fort Scott Safe, Pros and cons of living in Fort Scott

Is it Safe to Live in Fort Scott?

Fort Scott presents a generally safe environment for its residents, with crime rates that are below the national average. The overall crime rate is approximately 7% lower than the national average (as reported by AreaVibes). Specifically, violent crimes are reported at a rate 19% lower than the national average, and property crimes are 4% lower than the national average (as reported by AreaVibes).

While the city is considered safe, your chance of being a victim of crime can vary by neighborhood. The likelihood of becoming a victim of any crime in Fort Scott is about 1 in 51 (as reported by AreaVibes). However, residents often consider the west part of the city to be the safest, with chances of victimization ranging from 1 in 17 in the north to 1 in 35 in the west (as reported by CrimeGrade.org).

Housing Costs and Availability

Fort Scott offers a more affordable housing market compared to the national average. The median home price in Fort Scott is approximately $100,500 (as reported by Data USA). This is significantly lower than the national median home value, which stands at $332,700 (as reported by Data USA).

Renters in Fort Scott can expect to pay a median gross rent of $755 per month (as reported by Point2Homes). The median home value has seen an increase, rising from $89,400 to $100,500 between 2023 and 2024, marking a 12.4% increase (as reported by Data USA). The homeownership rate in Fort Scott is around 66.4%, which is slightly higher than the national average (as reported by Data USA).

Median Home Price

The median listing home price in Fort Scott, KS, is $170,000 (as reported by Realtor.com®). Other sources indicate a median home price around $118,486 (as reported by Localhomeprices.com), and some data points to a median home value of $82,300 (as reported by Kurby AI). These figures suggest a range, but all indicate a market that is more affordable than many other areas.

Rental Market Trends

The average rent in Fort Scott, KS, is reported to be $499 per month (as reported by Zillow). This is substantially lower than the national average rent of $1,910 (as reported by Zillow). Houses in Fort Scott rent between $499 and $695, with an average rent of $499 (as reported by Trulia). In the past year, rent in Fort Scott has decreased by $41 (as reported by Trulia).

Job Market and Economy

The economy of Fort Scott employs approximately 3,374 residents (as reported by Data USA). The largest industries in the city include Manufacturing, Retail Trade, and Educational Services (as reported by Data USA). The highest-paying industries are Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services, followed by Health Care & Social Assistance and Public Administration (as reported by Data USA).

Employment in Fort Scott saw a decline of approximately 5.06% from 2023 to 2024 (as reported by Data USA). The unemployment rate in Fort Scott is currently around 6.3% (as reported by Point2Homes). However, another source indicates an employment rate of 97.67%, which translates to an unemployment rate of 2.33% (as reported by BestNeighborhood.org).

Major Employers

Key employment sectors in Fort Scott include Manufacturing, which employs 964 individuals, followed by Retail Trade with 370 employees, and Educational Services with 347 employees (as reported by Data USA). Other significant employers are in Health Care and Social Services, and Accommodation and Food Services (as reported by ZoomProspector).

Salaries and Wages

The average salary in Fort Scott, KS, is reported to be around $40,000 per year, with an average hourly pay of $19.0 (as reported by Zippia). However, other sources indicate a median annual household income of $63,244 (as reported by ZoomProspector) and a median income of $52,159 (as reported by Point2Homes). The median hourly wage is listed as $14.76 (as reported by Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce).

Cost of Living

Fort Scott offers a cost of living that is significantly lower than the national average. The overall cost of living is approximately 22.4% lower than the national average (as reported by Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce). This affordability extends to various aspects of daily life, making it an attractive option for those looking to manage expenses.

Food costs in Fort Scott are also more affordable than the national average (as reported by ERI Economic Research Institute). The cost of living index suggests that Fort Scott is 22% less expensive than the national average and 9% less expensive than the average city in Kansas (as reported by ERI Economic Research Institute).

Climate and Weather

Fort Scott experiences a humid subtropical climate, characterized by hot, humid summers and cool winters (as reported by Wikipedia). The average annual temperature in Fort Scott is approximately 57°F (as reported by Wikipedia).

Summers are warm to hot, with July being the hottest month, averaging a high of 90°F and a low of 70°F (as reported by myPerfectWeather). Winters are cool, with January being the coldest month, averaging a high of 42°F and a low of 22°F (as reported by myPerfectWeather). The city experiences an average of 83.3 days of precipitation per year (as reported by Wikipedia).

Average Temperatures

Throughout the year, temperatures in Fort Scott typically range from 26°F to 90°F, rarely dropping below 10°F or exceeding 98°F (as reported by myPerfectWeather). The hot season lasts from June to September, with daily high temperatures averaging above 81°F (as reported by myPerfectWeather). Conversely, the cold season runs from November to February, with daily high temperatures below 53°F (as reported by myPerfectWeather).

Rainfall and Snowfall

Fort Scott receives an annual precipitation of about 45 inches (as reported by myPerfectWeather). May is typically the wettest month, with an average rainfall of 6 inches (as reported by myPerfectWeather). Annual snowfall averages around 8.4 inches (as reported by Wikipedia).

Education and Demographics

Fort Scott has a population of approximately 7,555 residents (as reported by Niche). The racial makeup of the city is predominantly Caucasian, at 90%, followed by African American at 2.6%, and 0.2% with Asian roots (as reported by Point2Homes). A significant portion, 98.8%, of the population are U.S.-born citizens (as reported by Point2Homes).

The median age in Fort Scott was 41 in 2024 (as reported by Data Commons). Young professionals and retirees are common demographics in Fort Scott, and residents tend to be conservative (as reported by Niche).

School Ratings

Information regarding specific school ratings for Fort Scott is not readily available in the provided search results. However, Fort Scott Community College is mentioned as an educational institution in the area (as reported by Data USA).

Population and Age Distribution

The population of Fort Scott is approximately 7,555 (as reported by Niche). The median age is 41 years (as reported by Data Commons). Households led by residents aged 25 to 44 have a median income of $61,546, while those with someone aged 45 to 64 earn $58,077 (as reported by Point2Homes).