The Town Files

23 Small Towns in Kansas With the Fewest Tornadoes Since 1950

Ranked by tornadoes within 10 mi since 1950 among 67 towns of 500–10,000 people in Kansas. #1 is Garnett, KS (7 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950).

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Numbers match the ranking.

  1. 23Columbus, Kansas

    24 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Columbus is a city of 2,929 people in Cherokee County, Kansas. 24 tornadoes since 1950 (typical Kansas town: 26); the strongest was an F3 on May 4, 2003.

    2,929 people · Cherokee County · median home $94,100 · income $37,961 · Jan low 23°F · 7 in snow

    Full Columbus, Kansas profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Columbus by decade1'505'604'702'801'907'001'103'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  2. 22Hiawatha, Kansas

    24 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Hiawatha is a city of 3,280 people in Brown County, Kansas. 24 tornadoes since 1950 (typical Kansas town: 26); the strongest was an F3 on May 18, 1959.

    3,280 people · Brown County · median home $121,800 · income $68,750 · Jan low 15°F · 17 in snow

    Full Hiawatha, Kansas profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Hiawatha by decade4'506'601'702'805'902'003'101'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  3. 21Marysville, Kansas

    24 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Marysville is a city of 3,447 people in Marshall County, Kansas. 24 tornadoes since 1950 (typical Kansas town: 26); the strongest was an EF2 on May 27, 2013.

    3,447 people · Marshall County · median home $119,200 · income $55,386 · Jan low 15°F · 16 in snow

    Full Marysville, Kansas profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Marysville by decade5'502'601'701'804'902'003'106'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  4. 20Lyons, Kansas

    24 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Lyons is a city of 3,611 people in Rice County, Kansas. 24 tornadoes since 1950 (typical Kansas town: 26); the strongest was an F3 on June 4, 1955.

    3,611 people · Rice County · median home $104,800 · income $62,569 · Jan low 20°F · 12 in snow

    Full Lyons, Kansas profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Lyons by decade8'504'602'701'801'903'004'101'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  5. 19Larned, Kansas

    24 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Larned is a city of 3,769 people in Pawnee County, Kansas. 24 tornadoes since 1950 (typical Kansas town: 26); the strongest was an F4 on June 4, 1955.

    3,769 people · Pawnee County · median home $94,500 · income $55,648 · Jan low 21°F · 14 in snow

    Full Larned, Kansas profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Larned by decade10'501'602'70'803'903'005'10'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  6. 18Chanute, Kansas

    23 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Chanute is a city of 8,722 people in Neosho County, Kansas. 23 tornadoes since 1950 (typical Kansas town: 26); the strongest was an F2 on May 11, 1973.

    8,722 people · Neosho County · median home $78,000 · income $50,882 · Jan low 23°F · 10 in snow

    Full Chanute, Kansas profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Chanute by decade5'504'604'703'80'906'00'101'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  7. 17Wamego, Kansas

    22 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Wamego, Kansas
    Photo: NendoShisu (talk) 20:53, 16 March 2008 (UTC) (public domain, Wikimedia Commons)

    Wamego is a city of 4,841 people in Pottawatomie County, Kansas. 22 tornadoes since 1950 (typical Kansas town: 26); the strongest was an F4 on May 19, 1960.

    4,841 people · Pottawatomie County · median home $198,300 · income $78,809 · Jan low 18°F · 17 in snow

    Full Wamego, Kansas profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Wamego by decade'502'603'701'804'903'004'105'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  8. 16Colby, Kansas

    22 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Colby is a city of 5,570 people in Thomas County, Kansas. 22 tornadoes since 1950 (typical Kansas town: 26); the strongest was an F2 on May 12, 1995.

    5,570 people · Thomas County · median home $163,000 · income $63,494 · Jan low 15°F · 27 in snow

    Full Colby, Kansas profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Colby by decade3'502'601'703'805'903'002'103'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  9. 15Holton, Kansas

    21 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Holton is a city of 3,401 people in Jackson County, Kansas. 21 tornadoes since 1950 (typical Kansas town: 26); the strongest was an F4 on August 6, 1962.

    3,401 people · Jackson County · median home $142,800 · income $52,532 · Jan low 15°F · 13 in snow

    Full Holton, Kansas profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Holton by decade2'503'604'702'804'901'002'103'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  10. 14Wellington, Kansas

    21 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Wellington is a city of 7,715 people in Sumner County, Kansas. 21 tornadoes since 1950 (typical Kansas town: 26); the strongest was an F3 on May 13, 1965.

    7,715 people · Sumner County · median home $97,100 · income $50,333 · Jan low 22°F · 9 in snow

    Full Wellington, Kansas profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Wellington by decade4'504'602'70'806'902'002'101'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  11. 13Osage City, Kansas

    19 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Osage City is a city of 2,861 people in Osage County, Kansas. 19 tornadoes since 1950 (typical Kansas town: 26); the strongest was an F4 on June 8, 1974.

    2,861 people · Osage County · median home $155,800 · income $71,191 · Jan low 18°F · 10 in snow

    Full Osage City, Kansas profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Osage City by decade2'501'603'705'801'903'003'101'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  12. 12Louisburg, Kansas

    19 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Louisburg is a city of 4,969 people in Miami County, Kansas. 19 tornadoes since 1950 (typical Kansas town: 26); the strongest was an F3 on May 15, 1968.

    4,969 people · Miami County · median home $269,500 · income $68,824 · Jan low 19°F · 11 in snow

    Full Louisburg, Kansas profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Louisburg by decade'506'602'704'80'901'003'103'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  13. 11Independence, Kansas

    19 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Independence is a city of 8,548 people in Montgomery County, Kansas. 19 tornadoes since 1950 (typical Kansas town: 26); the strongest was an F3 on April 19, 2000.

    8,548 people · Montgomery County · median home $88,800 · income $51,069 · Jan low 23°F · 7 in snow

    Full Independence, Kansas profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Independence by decade6'501'601'701'801'905'001'103'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  14. 10Norton, Kansas

    17 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Norton is a city of 2,747 people in Norton County, Kansas. 17 tornadoes since 1950 (typical Kansas town: 26); the strongest was an EF3 on June 20, 2011.

    2,747 people · Norton County · median home $96,800 · income $53,125 · Jan low 14°F · 20 in snow

    Full Norton, Kansas profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Norton by decade1'503'601'70'804'901'006'101'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  15. 9Paola, Kansas

    17 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Paola is a city of 5,768 people in Miami County, Kansas. 17 tornadoes since 1950 (typical Kansas town: 26); the strongest was an EF2 on April 13, 2026.

    5,768 people · Miami County · median home $210,800 · income $74,662 · Jan low 19°F · 8 in snow

    Full Paola, Kansas profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Paola by decade3'503'602'702'801'90'003'103'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  16. 8Coffeyville, Kansas

    17 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Coffeyville is a city of 8,826 people in Montgomery County, Kansas. 17 tornadoes since 1950 (typical Kansas town: 26); the strongest was an F3 on March 15, 1982.

    8,826 people · Montgomery County · median home $60,800 · income $45,670 · Jan low 23°F · 8 in snow

    Full Coffeyville, Kansas profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Coffeyville by decade'502'60'708'802'902'002'101'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  17. 7Iola, Kansas

    16 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Iola is a city of 5,396 people in Allen County, Kansas. 16 tornadoes since 1950 (typical Kansas town: 26); the strongest was an F3 on July 20, 1956.

    5,396 people · Allen County · median home $78,300 · income $54,221 · Jan low 20°F · 7 in snow

    Full Iola, Kansas profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Iola by decade3'50'601'703'803'906'00'10'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  18. 6Hugoton, Kansas

    15 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Hugoton is a city of 3,747 people in Stevens County, Kansas. 15 tornadoes since 1950 (typical Kansas town: 26); the strongest was an F4 on May 5, 1993.

    3,747 people · Stevens County · median home $120,900 · income $62,773 · Jan low 20°F · 13 in snow

    Full Hugoton, Kansas profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Hugoton by decade2'502'602'70'805'904'00'10'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  19. 5Burlington, Kansas

    14 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Burlington is a city of 2,634 people in Coffey County, Kansas. 14 tornadoes since 1950 (typical Kansas town: 26); the strongest was an F4 on April 2, 1956.

    2,634 people · Coffey County · median home $149,300 · income $50,882 · Jan low 19°F · 8 in snow

    Full Burlington, Kansas profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Burlington by decade3'502'601'703'801'902'00'102'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  20. 4Fort Scott, Kansas

    13 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Fort Scott is a city of 7,552 people in Bourbon County, Kansas. 13 tornadoes since 1950 (typical Kansas town: 26); the strongest was an F2 on April 3, 1963.

    7,552 people · Bourbon County · median home $100,500 · income $52,159 · Jan low 22°F · 8 in snow

    Full Fort Scott, Kansas profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Fort Scott by decade5'504'60'70'80'903'001'10'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  21. 3Lindsborg, Kansas

    12 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Lindsborg is a city of 3,776 people in McPherson County, Kansas. 12 tornadoes since 1950 (typical Kansas town: 26); the strongest was an F3 on May 24, 1990.

    3,776 people · McPherson County · median home $188,000 · income $81,250 · Jan low 19°F · 14 in snow

    Full Lindsborg, Kansas profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Lindsborg by decade3'50'604'70'803'90'002'10'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  22. 2Osawatomie, Kansas

    10 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Osawatomie is a city of 4,255 people in Miami County, Kansas. 10 tornadoes since 1950 (typical Kansas town: 26); the strongest was an F2 on May 11, 1978.

    4,255 people · Miami County · median home $155,100 · income $66,991 · Jan low 19°F · 8 in snow

    Full Osawatomie, Kansas profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Osawatomie by decade1'502'602'702'801'90'002'10'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  23. 1Garnett, Kansas

    7 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Garnett is a city of 3,242 people in Anderson County, Kansas. 7 tornadoes since 1950 (typical Kansas town: 26); the strongest was an F4 on April 12, 1964.

    3,242 people · Anderson County · median home $149,100 · income $65,230 · Jan low 20°F · 13 in snow

    Full Garnett, Kansas profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Garnett by decade1'502'601'701'80'901'001'10'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

More Kansas rankings

Same ranking, other places

Methodology. We ranked 67 towns of 500–10,000 people in Kansas (2020 Census population). Only towns better than 60% of their peers on this measure qualify, so lists can be shorter than 25. Sources: