1st Advantage MortgageThe median Chase County household earns $56,484, and 8% of residents live below the poverty line. Your income, debts and credit decide what you qualify for. Get offers in writing, compare the total repaid, and never pay a fee up front.
On this page
- Chase County, KS: the basics
- Housing costs in Chase County
- Income in Chase County compared with Kansas
- How Chase County residents earn a living
- The communities that make up Chase County
- How Chase County compares with nearby counties
- A Chase County household budget, worked through
- Chase County households compared
- Reading the Chase County data as a borrower
- Steps before you apply in Chase County
- Checking a lender's license in Kansas
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
Chase County, KS: the basics
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Chase County's population at 2,561; only 90 of Kansas's 105 county-level areas are larger. Land area is 773 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 3 per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Chase County is not part of any metropolitan area. Of the 5 Census places inside Chase County, Cottonwood Falls leads by population with about 1,041; 5 of the 5 are incorporated. Because Chase County is small, the survey's margins of error are wide; treat the numbers as approximate.
Housing costs in Chase County
A typical Chase County rental runs $825 a month including utilities, which is 22% below Kansas. 21% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 6% spend half or more. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $109,700, about 1.9 times the median household income. 73% of Chase County households own their home and 27% rent.
| Measure | Chase County | Kansas | Median U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $825/mo | $1,060/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $109,700 | $217,200 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 73% | 67% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 21% | 43% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 19% | 22% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 7.9% | 4.0% | n/a |
Owners with equity have a second option. Weigh a secured line against an unsecured loan by risk as well as cost before you choose (how they compare).
Income in Chase County compared with Kansas
The median household income in Chase County is $56,484; statewide it is $74,275, so Chase County runs 24% below Kansas as a whole. In the state ranking that is 91st of 105.
| Yearly household income | Chase County | Gap to Kansas |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 25.7% | +4.0 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 49.5% | +7.2 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 19.5% | -6.9 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 5.2% | -4.3 pts |
About 26% of households earn under $35,000, while 25% clear $100,000. The poverty rate is 8.4%, 3 points lower than the state's 11.3%. For a borrower in Chase County, the county median is only context: a lender looks at the income you can document, so pay stubs, benefit letters or tax returns matter more than any average.
How Chase County residents earn a living
By the Census industry count, 27% of employed Chase County residents work in education and health care and 17% in manufacturing. Agriculture, forestry and mining stands out: 11% of workers here, versus 3% statewide. ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 0.9% in Chase County. About 78% drive to work alone and 7% have trips of 45 minutes or more. Only 4.9% of homes here go without a vehicle.
| Sector | Chase County | Compared with Kansas |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 26.8% | +1.9 pts |
| Manufacturing | 16.9% | +4.4 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 10.7% | +7.6 pts |
| Retail trade | 7.5% | -3.1 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 7.0% | -0.5 pts |
| Construction | 6.4% | 0.0 pts |
Shorter commutes usually mean lower vehicle costs, which can leave more room for a payment, or for paying a loan off early.
The communities that make up Chase County
The table lists the 5 largest of 5 Census places in Chase County, by population. Together all 5 hold about 1,646 people, so roughly 36% of residents live outside any named place. None of the 5 has its own city guide, so this page covers all of them.
| Name | Kind | Pop. | Income | Rent | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cottonwood Falls | city | 1,041 | $50,750 | $838 | 6 mi |
| Strong City | city | 488 | $42,500 | $493 | 7 mi |
| Elmdale | city | 61 | n/a | n/a | 6 mi |
| Matfield Green | city | 48 | $33,750 | $950 | 10 mi |
| Cedar Point | city | 8 | n/a | n/a | 13 mi |
How Chase County compares with nearby counties
Distances run center to center, from Lyon County at 26 miles out to Coffey County at 47. Income ranges from $58,686 in Morris County to $81,610 in Butler County; all six of these neighbors top Chase County's median.
| Nearby county | Center to center | Household income | Gross rent | Owner-occupied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chase County | - | $56,484 | $825/mo | 73% |
| Lyon County, KS | 26 mi | $59,912 | $817/mo | 58% |
| Morris County, KS | 27 mi | $58,686 | $724/mo | 80% |
| Marion County, KS | 28 mi | $64,695 | $727/mo | 81% |
| Greenwood County, KS | 35 mi | $60,042 | $715/mo | 80% |
| Butler County, KS | 39 mi | $81,610 | $956/mo | 78% |
| Coffey County, KS | 47 mi | $70,346 | $836/mo | 76% |
A Chase County household budget, worked through
Lenders compare monthly debt payments with gross monthly income, the debt-to-income ratio. For a Chase County household at the medians it works out like this; treat it as an illustration only.
- Median income divided by twelve: $4,707 before taxes
- Rent at the median, $825, takes 18% of that
- $822: what a 35% ratio leaves once rent is paid
- At 45%, room after rent is $1,293 a month
Car, student loan and card payments come out of that room first. Try your own numbers in the calculator.
Chase County households compared
Degree holders: 30% of adults over 25. About 7% go without health insurance.
| Chase County | Kansas | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 45.5 | 37.4 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 30.2% | 35.6% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 7.8% | 8.0% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 7.3% | 8.8% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 4.9% | 5.1% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 8.4% | 11.8% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 8.4% | 11.3% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 0.9% | 3.9% | 4.4% |
| Trip time | Share |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 40.5% |
| 15 to 29 min | 34.2% |
| 30 to 44 min | 18.7% |
| 45 to 59 min | 3.0% |
| 60+ min | 3.6% |
Reading the Chase County data as a borrower
Based on the Chase County data above, these borrowing questions are most likely to matter locally.
- Older households. A 45.5 median age means fixed-income borrowing is common; a fixed payment and short term limit risk.
- Consolidating cards in Chase County. Compare the total repaid, not the monthly figure (how).
- Fraud. Gift cards, wire transfers or fees to unlock a loan mean walk away (report it).
Steps before you apply in Chase County
A short checklist for Chase County borrowers:
- Know the exact dollar figure you need before talking to a lender.
- Prequalify with soft pulls where offered, then compare in writing.
- Look the lender up with the state regulator first.
- Read the final agreement; it must match the offer.
Checking a lender's license in Kansas
Chase County borrowers fall under statewide rules, enforced by the Kansas Office of the State Bank Commissioner. Problems with a lender can also go to the CFPB. Statewide data and rules: Kansas guide.
Related local guides
For statewide rules and data, see the Kansas guide.
Frequently asked questions
What does a typical Chase County household make?
About $56,484 a year at the median (ACS 2020-24), 24% below the Kansas median.
Is Chase County expensive for renters?
Median rent is $825 against $1,060 statewide, and 21% of renter households are cost-burdened.
Which towns does the Chase County guide cover?
Every community in the county, unincorporated areas included. The largest of its 5 Census places: Cottonwood Falls, Strong City, Elmdale, Matfield Green, Cedar Point.
Will a Chase County address affect my match?
Beyond confirming Kansas as your state, no. Your answers about amount, credit, income and payments are all that count.
Is there a Chase County office that licenses lenders?
No, licensing is statewide. In Kansas it is the Kansas Office of the State Bank Commissioner.