Kiowa County is located in southeastern Colorado on the High Plains, east of Colorado Springs and south of the Arkansas River valley region. Established in 1889 and named for the Kiowa people, the county developed around late-19th-century homesteading and agriculture tied to rail-era settlement patterns on the plains. It is one of Colorado’s smallest counties by population, with roughly 1,300 residents in the 2020 U.S. Census, and is characterized by a strongly rural settlement pattern with small towns separated by large areas of open land. The landscape consists primarily of level to gently rolling prairie, with a semi-arid climate that supports dryland farming and livestock production. Local economic activity centers on agriculture, public services, and small-scale local businesses. The county seat and largest community is Eads, which serves as the primary hub for government, schools, and community institutions.

Kiowa County Local Demographic Profile

Kiowa County is a sparsely populated county in southeastern Colorado on the High Plains, with Eads as the county seat. For local government and planning resources, visit the Kiowa County official website.

Population Size

According to the U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts for Kiowa County, Colorado, the county’s population size is reported in the latest available Census and annual estimate tables shown on that profile page.

Age & Gender

Age distribution and gender composition for Kiowa County are published by the U.S. Census Bureau in the county profile at QuickFacts (Kiowa County, Colorado), including:

  • Median age
  • Percent of population under 18
  • Percent of population 65 and over
  • Female and male shares of the population

Racial & Ethnic Composition

Racial and ethnic composition (including major race categories and Hispanic/Latino ethnicity) is reported for Kiowa County in the U.S. Census Bureau’s QuickFacts county profile. This profile summarizes county-level shares by race and ethnicity using decennial Census and American Community Survey (ACS) data.

Household & Housing Data

Household and housing indicators for Kiowa County are available through the U.S. Census Bureau’s QuickFacts (Kiowa County, Colorado), including commonly used planning metrics such as:

  • Number of households and average household size
  • Owner-occupied housing rate
  • Total housing units
  • Median value of owner-occupied housing units
  • Median gross rent
  • Persons per household and related household characteristics

Data tables and methodology for the underlying ACS measures are maintained by the American Community Survey (ACS) program.

Email Usage

Kiowa County, Colorado is a sparsely populated rural county on the High Plains, where long distances and low population density can limit provider competition and last‑mile infrastructure, shaping how residents access digital communication such as email. Direct county-level email-usage rates are not routinely published; broadband and device access serve as proxies.

Digital access indicators for households (computer availability and broadband subscriptions) are available from the U.S. Census Bureau data portal (ACS tables on “Computer and Internet Use”). County age structure, reported in the ACS (ACS DP05 demographic profile), is relevant because email adoption tends to be lower among older age groups than among working-age adults and students. Gender composition is also reported in DP05; it is generally a secondary factor compared with age and connectivity constraints.

Connectivity limitations are commonly reflected in rural service availability and technology mix reported by the FCC National Broadband Map, which can indicate gaps in high-speed coverage and reliance on fixed wireless or satellite in remote areas.

Mobile Phone Usage

Kiowa County is in southeastern Colorado on the High Plains, centered on the towns of Eads (county seat), Haswell, and Sheridan Lake. It is one of Colorado’s least-populated counties, with very low population density and large travel distances between settlements. The county’s flat-to-gently rolling prairie terrain generally favors radio propagation, but sparse settlement patterns and limited backhaul options tend to reduce the economic incentives for dense cell-site deployment, which can affect both mobile coverage and service quality. Basic demographic and geographic context is available via Census.gov QuickFacts for Kiowa County, Colorado.

Key distinction: network availability vs. adoption

  • Network availability describes where carriers report service (coverage footprints and technology generation such as LTE or 5G).
  • Adoption describes whether residents and households actually subscribe to mobile service or rely on mobile for internet access.

County-level coverage can be mapped and compared, but county-specific mobile subscription and device-type adoption are often only available at broader geographies (state or national), creating important measurement limits noted below.

Mobile penetration and access indicators (adoption)

What is available at county scale

  • County-level, carrier-specific mobile subscription counts are not typically published in a way that enables a complete “mobile penetration rate” (subscriptions per 100 people) for a single county. As a result, definitive countywide mobile penetration figures for Kiowa County are not reliably available from standard public datasets.
  • Household internet subscription indicators (including categories that may reflect mobile/cellular data plans) are available from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey (ACS), but interpretation at very small-county scale can be constrained by sampling variability and data suppression in some tables.

Closest public proxies for adoption

  • ACS household internet subscription types can be used to understand how many households report internet and which subscription types they use (e.g., broadband such as cable/fiber/DSL, satellite, and in some ACS tables “cellular data plan”). These are accessible through data.census.gov (search ACS tables for “Internet Subscription” and filter to Kiowa County, Colorado).
    Limitation: ACS estimates for very small populations can have large margins of error and may not support fine distinctions among connection types year-to-year.
  • Statewide or regional adoption context is available from the Colorado Broadband Office and statewide ACS profiles, but these do not directly measure Kiowa County mobile subscription rates.

Mobile internet usage patterns and connectivity (network availability)

4G/LTE availability

  • LTE is generally the baseline mobile broadband technology across rural Colorado, including plains counties, but precise availability and quality vary by carrier and by location (towns versus highways versus sparsely inhabited areas).
  • The most authoritative public, location-specific source for reported provider availability is the FCC’s Broadband Data Collection (BDC). The FCC provides map-based views and downloadable datasets via the FCC National Broadband Map.
    Use for Kiowa County: The map can be filtered to the county and to “Mobile Broadband” to view reported LTE/5G coverage by provider.
    Limitation: Availability is provider-reported and modeled; it does not directly represent experienced performance indoors, in vehicles, or at cell-edge.

5G availability

  • 5G deployment in sparsely populated counties tends to be concentrated near population centers and major transportation corridors rather than uniformly across all land area. For Kiowa County, the presence and extent of 5G varies by carrier and is best verified using FCC BDC map layers rather than generalized statewide statements.
  • The FCC map allows technology filtering (LTE vs 5G variants where provided) and provides the clearest public record of carrier-reported 5G availability in the county via the FCC National Broadband Map.
    Limitation: The FCC map is a coverage/availability view, not a measurement of actual 5G usage by residents.

Typical rural usage characteristics (where county-specific usage data is limited)

  • In rural counties with low density, mobile broadband often serves as a complementary connection (voice and data on the move) and, in some households, a primary or backup internet source where wired broadband options are limited. This pattern is measurable at broader geographies through ACS and state broadband reporting, but county-specific “mobile as primary home internet” rates may not be stable in ACS for very small counties.

Common device types (smartphones vs. other devices)

  • County-level device-type breakdowns (smartphone vs. basic phone vs. hotspot device) are not typically published in standard federal datasets for a single county.
  • Nationally and statewide, the dominant personal device for mobile internet access is the smartphone, with additional access via tablets, laptops tethered to phones, and dedicated hotspots. Applying that distribution specifically to Kiowa County would exceed what county-level public data can support.
    Limitation: Without a representative county survey or carrier/device telemetry released publicly, definitive device-type shares for Kiowa County cannot be stated.

Demographic and geographic factors influencing mobile usage and connectivity

Geography, settlement pattern, and travel corridors (availability and experience)

  • Very low population density increases per-subscriber infrastructure costs, influencing how many towers are deployed and how much capacity is available per square mile. Kiowa County’s low density is documented in population and land-area statistics on Census.gov QuickFacts.
  • Large distances between towns mean users often traverse areas where signal may transition between strong coverage near communities and weaker coverage across open rangeland.
  • Flat prairie terrain can support longer line-of-sight propagation than mountainous terrain, but coverage still depends on tower locations, spectrum bands used, and backhaul availability.

Socioeconomic factors (adoption)

  • Household adoption of mobile service and mobile internet is commonly associated with income, age structure, and availability of fixed broadband alternatives. These variables can be quantified for Kiowa County through ACS demographic and income tables on data.census.gov.
    Limitation: These measures indicate correlates of adoption but do not directly report mobile subscription rates.

Fixed broadband availability as a driver of mobile reliance (adoption behavior)

  • In counties where wired broadband choices are limited, households more frequently report reliance on satellite or cellular-based options. Fixed-broadband availability and programmatic context for Colorado are summarized by the Colorado Broadband Office.
    Limitation: State summaries do not quantify Kiowa County’s mobile reliance without referencing county-level ACS subscription-type tables (which may have large margins of error).

Practical, data-backed sources for Kiowa County

Data limitations specific to this topic at county scale

  • Mobile penetration rates and device-type shares are not consistently published for individual counties in Colorado through standard public statistical products.
  • FCC coverage is availability, not adoption, and is based on provider-submitted models rather than direct measurement of user experience.
  • ACS can indicate household subscription types, but for very small counties the estimates can carry high uncertainty and are not equivalent to carrier subscription counts or smartphone ownership rates.

Social Media Trends

Kiowa County is a sparsely populated county in southeastern Colorado, with communities such as Eads (the county seat) and a largely rural economy tied to agriculture and local services. Low population density and longer travel distances to services tend to elevate the importance of mobile connectivity for communication, local information, and community coordination, while also making broadband availability and device affordability more influential than in Colorado’s Front Range metros.

User statistics (penetration and active use)

  • Direct, county-specific social media penetration figures are not routinely published in major public datasets; most reliable measures are available at the national level and, less consistently, at state/metro levels.
  • National benchmark (U.S., adults): about 7 in 10 U.S. adults use social media (roughly ~70%), based on Pew Research Center’s Social Media Fact Sheet. This is the most commonly cited baseline for adult social platform use in U.S. counties lacking local survey data.
  • Connectivity context affecting usage levels: Rural areas typically have lower home broadband adoption than urban/suburban areas, which can shift social use toward smartphones and away from high-bandwidth activities. See Pew Research Center’s Internet/Broadband Fact Sheet for national rural–urban patterns.

Age group trends

  • Highest use: adults 18–29 show the highest social media adoption across major surveys.
  • Middle tiers: 30–49 and 50–64 maintain broad participation but with more platform-specific differences.
  • Lowest use: 65+ uses social media at substantially lower rates than younger groups, though usage has increased over time.
  • Source for age-pattern direction and relative ranking: Pew Research Center social media demographics.

Gender breakdown

  • Across U.S. adults, overall social media use is often similar by gender, but platform composition differs:
    • Visual and social-connection platforms (notably Pinterest) skew more female.
    • Some discussion- and video-centric spaces can skew more male depending on platform.
  • Source: platform-by-platform gender distributions in Pew Research Center’s demographic breakdowns.

Most-used platforms (percentages where available)

County-level platform market shares are not typically published; the most reliable “percent using” figures are national. Commonly used platforms among U.S. adults include:

  • YouTube (highest reach among major platforms)
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • TikTok
  • LinkedIn
  • X (formerly Twitter)
  • WhatsApp
  • Source for current platform usage percentages and trendlines: Pew Research Center platform usage estimates.

Behavioral trends (engagement patterns and preferences)

  • Rural information utility: In rural counties, social media use frequently emphasizes practical community information (school and event updates, local weather impacts, road conditions, local commerce), often organized through Facebook Pages/Groups and community forums; national surveys show Facebook remains a key “community network” platform even as younger users diversify to TikTok/Instagram/YouTube.
  • Video-centric engagement: Engagement is increasingly video-led (short-form and long-form), consistent with YouTube’s broad reach and TikTok’s high time-spent patterns; national evidence for video platform reach is summarized by Pew Research Center.
  • Messaging as a primary layer: Social interaction often shifts from public posting to private or small-group messaging (e.g., Messenger/WhatsApp-style behaviors), especially for coordinating family and community logistics; this aligns with broader national reporting on social media use and communication behaviors (see Pew’s consolidated measures in the Social Media Fact Sheet).
  • Older vs. younger platform preference:
    • Older adults tend to concentrate on Facebook and YouTube for news, community, and entertainment.
    • Younger adults show heavier use of Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat (where measured) alongside YouTube, with more creator-driven discovery and short-form video consumption.
    • Source: age-by-platform distributions in Pew Research Center.

Family & Associates Records

Kiowa County family and associate-related public records primarily include vital records (birth and death) and court records that document family relationships (marriage dissolution, adoption, guardianship, name changes). In Colorado, certified birth and death certificates are state-controlled through Colorado Vital Records, with county public health agencies often acting as local points of contact; Kiowa County access information is typically routed through the Kiowa County, Colorado official website and county public health services pages. Adoption records are generally maintained under the Colorado courts and are not public; access is restricted by statute and court order.

Public databases for family-related information are limited. Recorded documents (such as some marriage-related filings, liens, and other instruments that may evidence family associations) are maintained by the county clerk and recorder; contact and office access details are posted through the county’s official site. Court case access is available through the Colorado Judicial Branch’s online portal (Colorado Judicial Branch) via statewide systems rather than a county-only database.

In-person access commonly occurs at the clerk and recorder and at the county courthouse clerk for public case files, subject to sealing rules. Privacy restrictions frequently apply to birth certificates, adoption matters, sealed cases, and records involving minors; identification and eligibility requirements are standard for certified vital records.

Marriage & Divorce Records

Types of records available

Marriage-related records

  • Marriage license and marriage certificate: Issued at the county level and used to document that a marriage was authorized and later returned/recorded after the ceremony. In Colorado, these are commonly maintained as the marriage license application plus the returned/recorded license (certificate portion).
  • Marriage license application packet (supporting documents): May include identifying details provided by the applicants and administrative notations made by the issuing office.

Divorce- and annulment-related records

  • Divorce decree (dissolution of marriage decree): A court order ending a marriage, maintained in the case file of the district court.
  • Annulment decree (declaration of invalidity of marriage): A court order declaring a marriage invalid, maintained in the case file of the district court.
  • Related court filings: Petitions/complaints, summons, separation agreements, parenting plans, child support orders, and other pleadings/orders associated with the case.

Where records are filed and how they can be accessed

Marriage records (Kiowa County)

  • Filed/recorded with: Kiowa County Clerk and Recorder (the county office that issues and records marriage licenses).
  • Access:
    • In-person requests through the Clerk and Recorder’s office are the standard access point for certified copies and record searches.
    • Mail requests are commonly accepted by county recording offices for certified copies, subject to office procedures, identification requirements, and fees.
    • Some counties provide limited information or request instructions online through the county’s official website.
    • Kiowa County government information is typically published through the county’s official site: https://www.kiowacountyco.net/.

Divorce and annulment records (Kiowa County)

  • Filed/maintained with: Colorado Judicial Branch, District Court for Kiowa County (divorce and annulment are district-court matters in Colorado).
  • Access:
    • Court case files may be accessed through the clerk of the district court, subject to court rules on public access and restricted information.
    • Register of actions/docket information and available documents may be viewable through the Colorado Judicial Branch systems or at the courthouse terminals, depending on the type of case and confidentiality restrictions. Colorado Judicial Branch: https://www.courts.state.co.us/.
    • Certified copies of decrees are obtained from the court clerk and typically require case identifying information and payment of copying/certification fees.

State-level vital records (context for marriage/divorce verification)

  • Colorado maintains state vital records functions through the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE), Vital Records: https://cdphe.colorado.gov/vitalrecords. County-issued marriage records and court divorce records remain the primary original sources for certified documentation, while the state may provide verification and certain records/services as authorized by law and policy.

Typical information included in these records

Marriage license/certificate records

Common data elements include:

  • Full legal names of both parties
  • Dates of birth and places of birth
  • Current addresses and/or counties of residence
  • Date the license was issued and the date of marriage (solemnization or self-solemnization date)
  • Place of marriage (city/county/state)
  • Officiant information, or indication of self-solemnization (Colorado allows self-solemnization)
  • Signatures of the parties and officiant (when applicable)
  • Recording details (license number, filing/recording date, registrar/clerk notations)

Divorce decree (dissolution) records

A decree commonly includes:

  • Court caption and case number
  • Names of the parties and date of the decree
  • Findings regarding the dissolution and jurisdictional statements
  • Orders on division of property and debts
  • Orders on maintenance (spousal support), when applicable
  • Orders on parental responsibilities/parenting time, decision-making, and child support, when applicable
  • Incorporation of separation agreements or parenting plans (by reference or attachment)

Annulment (declaration of invalidity) records

An annulment decree commonly includes:

  • Court caption and case number
  • Names of the parties and date of the decree
  • The legal basis for declaring the marriage invalid under Colorado law
  • Related orders addressing property, support, and children, when applicable

Privacy and legal restrictions

Marriage records

  • Marriage licenses/certificates are generally treated as public records held by the county recording office, but access to certified copies and identity verification requirements can vary by office practice and state policy.
  • Requests may be subject to fees, identification requirements, and limits on the format of release (plain copy vs. certified copy).

Divorce and annulment court records

  • Colorado court records are generally presumed public, but restricted information is protected by court rules and statutes. Common restrictions include:
    • Confidential treatment of Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and certain personal identifiers
    • Protection of addresses and contact information in specific case types or where protected by court order
    • Sealed or suppressed documents by court order (for example, particular filings, exhibits, or information involving minors or safety concerns)
  • Some case materials may be available only at the courthouse or only in redacted form. Certified copies of decrees are provided through the court clerk consistent with applicable rules.

Identity theft and redaction policies

  • Colorado courts and agencies apply rules requiring redaction or omission of sensitive identifiers in publicly accessible filings and records, and documents may be provided with sensitive fields removed or obscured under applicable policies.

Education, Employment and Housing

Kiowa County is a sparsely populated county in far southeastern Colorado on the High Plains, with its county seat at Eads. The county is predominantly rural and agriculture-oriented, with small communities separated by long driving distances and a housing stock dominated by detached single-family homes and farm/ranch properties. The population base is older than the state average and relatively small, which affects school enrollment, labor market depth, and housing turnover.

Education Indicators

Public schools (count and names)

Kiowa County’s public education is primarily served by Kiowa County School District RE-1 (Eads area). Public school facilities are typically organized as a single campus system (elementary/middle/high) rather than many separate schools due to low enrollment. School name details vary by directory and year; the most consistent district-level reference is Kiowa County School District RE-1 (Eads). District and school listings are available through the Colorado Department of Education directory via the state agency site (Colorado Department of Education).

Data note: A precise, current “number of public schools” and the current school-by-school names are not consistently reported in a single countywide source; the district is the reliable unit of identification for this county.

Student–teacher ratios and graduation rates

  • Student–teacher ratio: In very small rural districts like Kiowa County RE-1, ratios commonly run below state averages due to small class sizes, but year-specific ratios should be taken from district or state accountability profiles rather than generalized county averages.
  • Graduation rate: Colorado publishes district graduation outcomes through state accountability reporting. For Kiowa County, year-to-year graduation percentages can fluctuate materially because cohorts are small, so single-year figures can be volatile. Official graduation rates are reported through Colorado’s district performance reporting (Colorado school and district accountability).

Data note: County-level “student–teacher ratio” and “graduation rate” are not consistently published as stable standalone county indicators; district reporting is the standard proxy.

Adult educational attainment

Adult educational attainment in Kiowa County is lower than Colorado statewide for bachelor’s degree attainment, consistent with many rural High Plains counties, and a large share of adults hold a high school diploma (or equivalent) as the highest credential. The most recent standardized county estimates are available through the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey (ACS), typically as 5‑year estimates for small counties:

Data note: The ACS 5‑year series is the most reliable source for Kiowa County due to small sample sizes; exact percentages should be cited from the latest 5‑year release in data.census.gov.

Notable programs (STEM, vocational training, AP)

In small rural districts, advanced offerings are often delivered via a mix of:

  • Concurrent enrollment/dual credit partnerships with community colleges (common statewide).
  • Career and Technical Education (CTE) pathways oriented toward local labor needs (agriculture mechanics, business, health support, skilled trades), where available.
  • Advanced Placement (AP) availability may be limited by staffing and enrollment; some districts use online/hybrid coursework or shared services to broaden access.

Program availability is documented through district course catalogs and Colorado’s broader CTE and concurrent enrollment frameworks (state context: Colorado concurrent enrollment overview).

Data note: County-specific inventories of AP/CTE/STEM offerings are not consistently published as a single consolidated dataset; district documentation is the primary source.

School safety measures and counseling resources

Colorado public schools generally operate under district safety plans that can include controlled entry, visitor management procedures, drills aligned with state guidance, and coordination with local law enforcement/emergency management. Counseling services in small districts are often provided by a limited number of staff who cover multiple grade bands, supplemented by regional behavioral health resources. State-level context on school safety planning and supports is available through the state education agency (Colorado Safe Schools resources).

Data note: Specific staffing counts (counselors, psychologists, SROs) are typically published in district staffing profiles rather than as countywide summaries.

Employment and Economic Conditions

Unemployment rate (most recent year available)

County unemployment rates are published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (LAUS) and state labor market offices. For Kiowa County, monthly and annual averages can be retrieved via:

Data note: The “most recent year” and annual average unemployment rate should be taken directly from LAUS; small labor force size can cause noticeable month-to-month variation.

Major industries and employment sectors

Kiowa County’s economy is anchored by:

  • Agriculture (crop and livestock production and related services), reflecting High Plains land use patterns.
  • Local government and public education (county, municipal, and school district employment), often among the largest stable employers in rural counties.
  • Health care and social assistance (clinics, nursing/assisted living where present, and related services).
  • Retail trade and basic services that support local households and farming operations.

Industry composition and employment estimates are available through the Census Bureau and BEA regional data products:

Common occupations and workforce breakdown

Occupational patterns typically include:

  • Management and office/administrative roles tied to local government, schools, and small businesses.
  • Farming, fishing, and forestry occupations and construction/maintenance roles supporting agricultural operations and rural infrastructure.
  • Transportation and material moving (farm-related hauling, local distribution).
  • Sales and service occupations in small-town retail and personal services.
  • Health care support and practitioner roles at local facilities.

The standard source for county workforce occupation shares is ACS (tables by occupation) in data.census.gov.

Commuting patterns and mean commute times

Commuting in Kiowa County is characterized by:

  • High reliance on driving alone due to rural distances and limited transit.
  • A mix of very short commutes for residents employed in Eads or nearby towns and longer commutes for those working in other counties.

Mean travel time to work is available through ACS commuting tables (ACS commute time and mode data).

Data note: For very small counties, mean commute time can shift year-to-year; the latest ACS 5‑year estimate is the most stable measure.

Local employment versus out-of-county work

Kiowa County has limited local job density relative to land area, so a notable share of residents work:

  • Within the county in public services, agriculture, and local retail/health services, and
  • Out of county for specialized services, larger employers, or regional hubs (common in rural southeastern Colorado).

Commuting flow patterns (where workers live vs. work) are available through:

Housing and Real Estate

Homeownership rate and rental share

Kiowa County’s housing is predominantly owner-occupied, typical of rural agricultural counties with a high share of detached homes and longstanding family properties. The most recent homeownership and tenure shares are reported in ACS housing tenure tables via data.census.gov.

Data note: Exact owner/renter percentages should be cited from the latest ACS 5‑year estimates due to small population.

Median property values and recent trends

Median home value levels in Kiowa County are generally well below Colorado’s statewide median, reflecting rural demand, limited inventory turnover, and fewer high-cost subdivisions. Recent trends tend to show modest appreciation compared with metropolitan Front Range counties, with higher sensitivity to interest rates and thin sales volume. Median value estimates are available through ACS; transaction-based indices are often sparse for low-volume markets:

Data note: Sales volumes can be too low for robust month-to-month price indices; ACS median value is the most consistent county-level proxy.

Typical rent prices

Rents are typically lower than Colorado metro areas but can be constrained by limited rental supply, especially units in good condition. The most consistent countywide rent measures are:

Types of housing

Housing stock is dominated by:

  • Detached single-family homes in Eads and other small settlements.
  • Farm/ranch housing and rural lots dispersed across the county.
  • A limited number of small multifamily properties (duplexes/small apartment buildings), with relatively low apartment density.

These distributions are summarized in ACS structure type tables (ACS housing structure type).

Neighborhood characteristics (proximity to schools or amenities)

Residential patterns are oriented around:

  • Eads as the primary service center, where proximity to the school campus, county services, and basic retail is greatest.
  • Rural residences where amenities require longer drives; access is primarily via state highways and county roads.

Data note: “Neighborhood” metrics used in large metros (walkability indices, subdivision-level price segmentation) are less applicable; community context is better captured by town vs. rural location.

Property tax overview (average rate and typical homeowner cost)

Property taxes in Colorado are based on assessed value and local mill levies; effective rates vary by taxing districts (county, school district, fire, and other special districts). County-level tax burden indicators are available through:

Data note: A single “average rate” and “typical homeowner cost” require the county’s effective mill levy and typical assessed values for the relevant year; these vary by property type and location. The most defensible summary uses DOR publications and county assessor reports rather than generalized statewide averages.