Smith County, Kansas, is in the geographic center of the contiguous United States. The communities of Smith Center, Kensington, Lebanon, Gaylord, and Athol offer rural, small town living with several churches and community activities. State-of-the-art fiber optics provide reliable and strong connectivity. The area is home to eight in-home daycares and the Bright Beginnings Child Development Center. The county seat, Smith Center, is home to the county’s critical access hospital, completed in 2018, which includes a physical therapy facility, 11 medical practitioners, and a rural health clinic. Three chiropractors and two fitness centers allow residents to keep fit and well. Smith County residents value educational excellence and two public school systems provide pre-Kindergarten to high school education. Nearby post-secondary educational opportunities include a community college, a vocational technical school, and Fort Hays State University.



Crop and livestock farms scattered throughout the countryside are the core of the county’s economy along with several growing manufacturing and processing facilities. The beautiful Solomon River runs through the southwest corner of the county and the rest of the county is crisscrossed with creeks running into rivers both to the north and to the south. Rolling hills and wooded bottoms provide for beautiful, walk-in hunting and fishing opportunities (as allowed by participating property owners). The landscape includes many majestic Cottonwood trees, which is the state tree of Kansas. Residents can also enjoy of the rich diversity of wildlife, birds, and plants, including deer, turkey and even the occasional elk. In the northwest part of the county, you can visit the cabin constructed in 1872 by Dr. Brewster Higley on the bank of the West Beaver Creek. There Dr. Higley wrote a poem titled “The Western Home,” which was set to music by Dan Kelley; the song “Home on the Range” is the State Song of Kansas.

Smith County, Kansas, located at the geographic center of the contiguous United States, offers small-town living with strong community ties, excellent educational opportunities, and modern amenities like state-of-the-art fiber optics. The county's economy is rooted in agriculture, with crop and livestock farms, alongside growing manufacturing facilities. The scenic landscape, featuring the Solomon River, rolling hills, and majestic Cottonwood trees, provides abundant outdoor activities, including hunting and fishing. Smith County is also home to historical sites, like the cabin where the Kansas State Song "Home on the Range" was written.

Smith County

Smith County, Kansas, is in the geographic center of the contiguous United States. The communities of Smith Center, Kensington, Lebanon, Gaylord, and Athol offer rural, small town living with several churches and community activities. State-of-the-art fiber optics provide reliable and strong connectivity. The area is home to eight in-home daycares and the Bright Beginnings Child Development Center. The county seat, Smith Center, is home to the county’s critical access hospital, completed in 2018, which includes a physical therapy facility, 11 medical practitioners, and a rural health clinic. Three chiropractors and two fitness centers allow residents to keep fit and well. Smith County residents value educational excellence and two public school systems provide pre-Kindergarten to high school education. Nearby post-secondary educational opportunities include a community college, a vocational technical school, and Fort Hays State University.

Crop and livestock farms scattered throughout the countryside are the core of the county’s economy along with several growing manufacturing and processing facilities. The beautiful Solomon River runs through the southwest corner of the county and the rest of the county is crisscrossed with creeks running into rivers both to the north and to the south. Rolling hills and wooded bottoms provide for beautiful, walk-in hunting and fishing opportunities (as allowed by participating property owners). The landscape includes many majestic Cottonwood trees, which is the state tree of Kansas. Residents can also enjoy of the rich diversity of wildlife, birds, and plants, including deer, turkey and even the occasional elk. In the northwest part of the county, you can visit the cabin constructed in 1872 by Dr. Brewster Higley on the bank of the West Beaver Creek. There Dr. Higley wrote a poem titled “The Western Home,” which was set to music by Dan Kelley; the song “Home on the Range” is the state song of Kansas. 

Move to Smith County

100% Kansas State income tax credit for 5 years (if eligible)

Up to $3,000 a year for five years to help pay off student loan debt (if eligible) 

6 month family pass to the Tribe Fitness Center or Gardner Wellness Center 

Smith Center City Pool Pass (open mid-May to mid-August only)

$100 Smith Center Golf Ticket Booklet (up to 10 free rounds; can be used for golf cart rental as well)

One-time use of the Old Mill indoor event space at Wagner Park

Smith County Memorial Hospital Hometown Café meal vouchers

Up to $40 in tickets for general public bus transportation

$100 family pass to USD 237 sports events

Can someone give me more resources on housing? There are no rentals or buying options in Smith County, please help.

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Can someone give me more resources on housing? There are no rentals or buying options in Smith County, please help.

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