1st Advantage MortgageIn Chautauqua County, Kansas, the typical household earns $56,438 a year and the typical rent is $708. Those figures describe the county, not you: compare at least three written offers by APR and total cost, and confirm the lender's license before you apply.
On this page
- Chautauqua County by the numbers
- Work, industries and travel time in Chautauqua County
- How much Chautauqua County households make
- Rent, home values and ownership in Chautauqua County
- Towns and communities in Chautauqua County
- Chautauqua County and the counties next door
- What a median Chautauqua County budget can carry
- More Chautauqua County figures
- Local borrowing considerations for Chautauqua County
- A Chautauqua County borrower's checklist
- Lender oversight for Chautauqua County
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
Chautauqua County by the numbers
Chautauqua County is home to about 3,370 people, according to the Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey, which makes it the 78th most populous of 105 county-level areas in Kansas. It covers 639 square miles of land, or about 5 people per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Chautauqua County is not part of any metropolitan area. The Census Bureau counts 6 places in the county (6 incorporated, 0 census-designated); the largest is Sedan, with about 1,050 residents, or 31% of the county. Because Chautauqua County is small, the survey's margins of error are wide; treat the numbers as approximate.
Work, industries and travel time in Chautauqua County
The biggest employer of Chautauqua County residents, by industry, is education and health care at 32% of workers, followed by agriculture, forestry and mining (13%). The sharpest difference from the state is in agriculture, forestry and mining, at 13% locally and 3% for Kansas. Averaged over the five survey years, 3.6% of the labor force was out of work and looking. About 77% drive to work alone and 14% have trips of 45 minutes or more. Only 4.0% of homes here go without a vehicle.
| Industry (employed residents 16+) | Chautauqua County | Gap to Kansas |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 32.0% | +7.1 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 13.3% | +10.2 pts |
| Manufacturing | 11.6% | -0.8 pts |
| Construction | 8.4% | +2.0 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 8.0% | +0.5 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 7.4% | +1.8 pts |
Shorter commutes usually mean lower vehicle costs, which can leave more room for a payment, or for paying a loan off early.
How much Chautauqua County households make
The median household income in Chautauqua County is $56,438; statewide it is $74,275, so Chautauqua County runs 24% below Kansas as a whole. In the state ranking that is 92nd of 105.
| Households earning | Chautauqua County | +/- vs Kansas |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 26.8% | +5.1 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 50.1% | +7.8 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 18.4% | -8.1 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 4.8% | -4.8 pts |
Some 27% of households here live on less than $35,000 a year; 23% have six-figure incomes. Census counts 14.9% of Chautauqua County residents in poverty, against 11.3% across Kansas. Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.460 here. Income from any regular source can count, including Social Security, pensions and disability benefits, as long as you can document it.
Rent, home values and ownership in Chautauqua County
Renters in Chautauqua County pay a median of $708 a month, 33% below the Kansas figure of $1,060. By the Census definition, 30% of Chautauqua County renters are cost-burdened. Home values center on $65,500, or 1.2 years of median income. Owners occupy 82% of homes. The median home was built in 1961, so roofs, wiring and heating systems are a common source of repair bills.
| Measure | Chautauqua County | Kansas | Median U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $708/mo | $1,060/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $65,500 | $217,200 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 82% | 67% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 30% | 43% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 28% | 22% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 16.6% | 4.0% | n/a |
In an owner-heavy county like Chautauqua County, many borrowers can also choose a home equity loan or line of credit. Those can price lower but put the house on the line, so compare the two in writing; our personal loan vs. HELOC guide walks through it.
Towns and communities in Chautauqua County
The table lists the 6 largest of 6 Census places in Chautauqua County, by population. Together all 6 hold about 1,980 people, so roughly 41% of residents live outside any named place. This guide covers each of the 6 places and the rural areas around them.
| Name | Kind | Pop. | Income | Rent | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sedan | city | 1,050 | $46,827 | $775 | 4 mi |
| Cedar Vale | city | 529 | $44,816 | $571 | 15 mi |
| Peru | city | 139 | $39,615 | n/a | 10 mi |
| Niotaze | city | 99 | $73,047 | n/a | 14 mi |
| Chautauqua | city | 91 | n/a | n/a | 10 mi |
| Elgin | city | 72 | n/a | n/a | 11 mi |
Chautauqua County and the counties next door
The six counties whose centers lie closest to Chautauqua County's, from 21 to 39 miles away. Income ranges from $55,697 in Montgomery County to $64,609 in Elk County; 5 of these neighbors top Chautauqua County's median. The list crosses into Oklahoma, where different lending rules and regulators apply.
| County | Miles | Median household income | Median rent | Homeownership |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chautauqua County | - | $56,438 | $708/mo | 82% |
| Elk County, KS | 21 mi | $64,609 | $552/mo | 79% |
| Montgomery County, KS | 28 mi | $55,697 | $761/mo | 73% |
| Cowley County, KS | 33 mi | $57,878 | $809/mo | 68% |
| Washington County, OK | 36 mi | $60,162 | $907/mo | 72% |
| Osage County, OK | 38 mi | $62,847 | $777/mo | 78% |
| Wilson County, KS | 39 mi | $60,677 | $736/mo | 78% |
What a median Chautauqua County budget can carry
Here is the Chautauqua County median household run through a simple DTI check. Your numbers will differ.
- Start: $4,703 gross per month ($56,438 / 12)
- 15% goes to median rent ($708)
- Under a 40% cap, $1,881 total minus rent leaves $1,173
If your rent is above $708, the room shrinks dollar for dollar.
More Chautauqua County figures
Degree holders: 19% of adults over 25. The uninsured rate is 11.4%, against 8.8% for Kansas.
| People and households | Chautauqua County | Kansas | Median county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 45.2 | 37.4 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 18.6% | 35.6% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 9.8% | 8.0% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 11.4% | 8.8% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 4.0% | 5.1% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 3.9% | 11.8% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 14.9% | 11.3% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 3.6% | 3.9% | 4.4% |
| Travel time to work | Workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 43.2% |
| 15 to 29 min | 24.2% |
| 30 to 44 min | 19.0% |
| 45 to 59 min | 5.9% |
| 60+ min | 7.7% |
Local borrowing considerations for Chautauqua County
The county's numbers point to a few situations that come up often for Chautauqua County borrowers.
- Health costs. With 11% of the county uninsured, an interest-free hospital payment plan usually beats a loan (medical bills).
- Repairs on manufactured housing. With 17% of homes here, compare a personal loan with any dealer or park repair program.
- Retirees. At a median age of 45.2, many borrowers here rely on award letters as proof of income; favor no prepayment penalty.
A Chautauqua County borrower's checklist
Before you apply, wherever you live in Chautauqua County:
- Get a written quote for whatever you are paying for in Chautauqua County.
- Line up offers side by side: APR, fees in dollars, total cost.
- Only work with lenders licensed for Kansas borrowers.
- Confirm the first due date before setting up autopay.
Lender oversight for Chautauqua County
Chautauqua County borrowers fall under statewide rules, enforced by the Kansas Office of the State Bank Commissioner. Federal complaints: consumerfinance.gov. More on Kansas: Kansas personal loans.
Nearby and statewide guides
For statewide rules and data, see the Kansas guide.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Chautauqua County earn?
The median is $56,438; 23% earn $100,000 or more and 27% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
What do renters pay in Chautauqua County?
$708 a month at the median, about 15% of median household income.
Should Chautauqua County homeowners use home equity instead?
Maybe, but weigh the risk: 82% of Chautauqua County homes are owner-occupied, and a home-equity loan or line is secured by the house while a personal loan usually is not.
What are the biggest places in Chautauqua County?
By population: Sedan, Cedar Vale, Peru, Niotaze, Chautauqua. The county has 6 Census places in all.
Does my county matter to the questionnaire?
Only your state does. Whether you live in Chautauqua County or elsewhere in Kansas, the same rules apply.