In Cheyenne County, Kansas, the typical household earns $55,429 a year and the typical rent is $656. 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
- Cheyenne County, KS: the basics
- Cheyenne County housing compared with Kansas
- Income in Cheyenne County compared with Kansas
- The Cheyenne County job picture
- Cheyenne County and the counties next door
- The communities that make up Cheyenne County
- What a median Cheyenne County budget can carry
- Who lives in Cheyenne County, in numbers
- What the numbers mean for Cheyenne County borrowers
- Who licenses lenders for Cheyenne County residents
- A Cheyenne County borrower's checklist
- More guides for Cheyenne County
- Frequently asked questions
Cheyenne County, KS: the basics
Cheyenne County is home to about 2,628 people, according to the Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey, which makes it the 89th most populous of 105 county-level areas in Kansas. It covers 1,020 square miles of land, or about 3 people per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Cheyenne County is not part of any metropolitan area. Of the 2 Census places inside Cheyenne County, St. Francis leads by population with about 1,229; 2 of the 2 are incorporated. Because Cheyenne County is small, the survey's margins of error are wide; treat the numbers as approximate.
Cheyenne County housing compared with Kansas
Renters in Cheyenne County pay a median of $656 a month, 38% below the Kansas figure of $1,060. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 29% of renter households here. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $125,900, about 2.3 times the median household income. Owners occupy 78% of homes.
| Cost | Cheyenne County | Kansas figure | Median county, U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $656/mo | $1,060/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $125,900 | $217,200 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 78% | 67% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 29% | 43% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 32% | 22% | n/a |
Because most Cheyenne County households own, home repairs are a frequent reason to borrow. An unsecured personal loan leaves the house out of the deal, while a HELOC uses it as collateral.
Income in Cheyenne County compared with Kansas
Cheyenne County households have a median income of $55,429 (ACS 2020 to 2024), which ranks 95th of 105 in Kansas.
| Income band | Share in Cheyenne County | Difference from Kansas |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 29.9% | +8.2 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 47.0% | +4.8 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 16.4% | -10.1 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 6.7% | -2.9 pts |
About 30% of households earn under $35,000, while 23% clear $100,000. Census counts 17.0% of Cheyenne County residents in poverty, against 11.3% across Kansas. A household earning below the $55,429 median should test any payment carefully; one earning above it should still pick the shortest term it can manage.
The Cheyenne County job picture
By the Census industry count, 24% of employed Cheyenne County residents work in agriculture, forestry and mining and 23% in education and health care. Agriculture, forestry and mining stands out: 24% of workers here, versus 3% statewide. ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 2.5% in Cheyenne County. 9% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 18% work from home.
| Top industries | Cheyenne County share | +/- vs Kansas |
|---|---|---|
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 24.3% | +21.2 pts |
| Education and health care | 23.3% | -1.6 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 6.6% | -0.9 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 6.3% | +0.7 pts |
| Retail trade | 6.0% | -4.6 pts |
| Construction | 5.7% | -0.7 pts |
A lender verifies what your own job pays. The county's industry mix tells you about the local economy, not about your application.
Cheyenne County and the counties next door
Dundy County is closest, 27 miles from center to center; the sixth, Thomas County, is 45 miles off. 5 of the six report a higher median household income than Cheyenne County; Thomas County is highest at $71,325 and Hitchcock County lowest at $51,567. The list crosses into Colorado, Nebraska, where different lending rules and regulators apply.
| County | Distance | Median income | Median rent | Owners |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cheyenne County | - | $55,429 | $656/mo | 78% |
| Dundy County, NE | 27 mi | $58,922 | $656/mo | 74% |
| Sherman County, KS | 30 mi | $61,750 | $913/mo | 66% |
| Rawlins County, KS | 35 mi | $67,742 | $817/mo | 71% |
| Yuma County, CO | 40 mi | $60,545 | $942/mo | 69% |
| Hitchcock County, NE | 45 mi | $51,567 | $714/mo | 79% |
| Thomas County, KS | 45 mi | $71,325 | $752/mo | 75% |
The communities that make up Cheyenne County
2 Census places fall mainly inside Cheyenne County; the 2 biggest are below. They account for 1,862 residents, leaving about 29% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Live in one of these Cheyenne County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Town or CDP | Type | People | Median household income | Median gross rent | Miles from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. Francis | city | 1,229 | $49,643 | $657 | 4 mi |
| Bird City | city | 633 | $70,208 | $634 | 11 mi |
What a median Cheyenne County budget can carry
Lenders compare monthly debt payments with gross monthly income, the debt-to-income ratio. For a Cheyenne County household at the medians it works out like this; treat it as an illustration only.
- Monthly gross at the median, Cheyenne County: $4,619
- Less median rent of $656, which is 14% of it
- $961: what a 35% ratio leaves once rent is paid
- $1,423: what a 45% ratio leaves once rent is paid
Two-income households and single earners in Cheyenne County land in very different places on this math, so run it for your own budget.
Who lives in Cheyenne County, in numbers
College graduates make up 22% of the adult population. About 13% go without health insurance.
| Residents | Cheyenne County | Kansas | Middle U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 40.6 | 37.4 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 22.0% | 35.6% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 10.8% | 8.0% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 12.6% | 8.8% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 2.9% | 5.1% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 18.5% | 11.8% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 17.0% | 11.3% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 2.5% | 3.9% | 4.4% |
| Minutes to work | Cheyenne County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 67.5% |
| 15 to 29 min | 12.9% |
| 30 to 44 min | 10.4% |
| 45 to 59 min | 6.9% |
| 60+ min | 2.4% |
What the numbers mean for Cheyenne County borrowers
A few patterns in the Cheyenne County data, and the practical point behind each:
- Hospital bills in Cheyenne County. For the 13% of residents without coverage, the provider's charity-care program comes before any loan (details).
- Consolidating cards in Cheyenne County. Compare the total repaid, not the monthly figure (how).
- Advance-fee offers. No legitimate lender asks a Cheyenne County borrower to pay first (scam signs).
Who licenses lenders for Cheyenne County residents
Consumer lenders serving Cheyenne County are licensed by the state, not the county; in Kansas that is the Kansas Office of the State Bank Commissioner. Banks and credit unions have their own regulators, and the CFPB takes complaints about any lender. Statewide data and rules: Kansas guide.
A Cheyenne County borrower's checklist
Quick steps for Cheyenne County:
- Borrow the amount the job needs; extra cash adds interest.
- Ask each lender for the APR and all fees in writing.
- Confirm the lender is licensed in Kansas.
- Confirm the first due date before setting up autopay.
More guides for Cheyenne County
For statewide rules and data, see the Kansas guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median household income in Cheyenne County?
$55,429 a year in the 2020 to 2024 Census survey, versus $74,275 for Kansas. It ranks 95th of 105 in the state.
How does Cheyenne County rent compare with Kansas?
$656 locally versus $1,060 for the state, 38% below.
I own my home in Cheyenne County. Personal loan or HELOC?
A HELOC uses the house as collateral; a personal loan usually does not. With 78% of homes owner-occupied here, many readers can compare both in writing.
What are the biggest places in Cheyenne County?
By population: St. Francis, Bird City. The county has 2 Census places in all.
Does my county matter to the questionnaire?
Only your state does. Whether you live in Cheyenne County or elsewhere in Kansas, the same rules apply.