1st Advantage MortgageIn Douglas County, Kansas, the typical household earns $69,746 a year and the typical rent is $1,099. A loan makes sense only if its total cost beats your alternatives and the payment fits your budget. Check the lender's Kansas license first.
On this page
- Douglas County by the numbers
- Paychecks and income spread in Douglas County
- Rent, home values and ownership in Douglas County
- Jobs and commutes in Douglas County
- How Douglas County compares with nearby counties
- The communities that make up Douglas County
- Budget math at the Douglas County median
- Douglas County households compared
- What the numbers mean for Douglas County borrowers
- Licensing and complaints for Douglas County
- Steps before you apply in Douglas County
- More guides for Douglas County
- Frequently asked questions
Douglas County by the numbers
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Douglas County's population at 120,302; only 4 of Kansas's 105 county-level areas are larger. Packed into 456 square miles, that is close to 264 residents for every square mile of land. For statistical purposes it belongs to the Lawrence, KS metro area, as delineated by the Office of Management and Budget in July 2023. Lawrence is the biggest of its 4 Census places, at roughly 96,051 people (80% of the county total).
Paychecks and income spread in Douglas County
Douglas County households have a median income of $69,746 (ACS 2020 to 2024), which ranks 32nd of 105 in Kansas.
| Household income | Douglas County | vs Kansas |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 24.7% | +2.9 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 40.0% | -2.3 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 24.9% | -1.6 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 10.5% | +0.9 pts |
Some 25% of households here live on less than $35,000 a year; 35% have six-figure incomes. 14.7% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 11.3%). The Gini index of income inequality is 0.463 (0 is perfect equality). If your income is irregular, as it often is with tips, gig work or seasonal jobs, plan around your leaner months rather than the Douglas County median.
Rent, home values and ownership in Douglas County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $1,099 in Douglas County versus $1,060 statewide. By the Census definition, 52% of Douglas County renters are cost-burdened. With a median value of $309,400, a typical Douglas County house costs 4.4 times what the median household earns in a year. 50% of Douglas County households own their home and 50% rent. Median construction year: 1988.
| Housing | Douglas County | Kansas statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $1,099/mo | $1,060/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $309,400 | $217,200 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 50% | 67% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 52% | 43% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 21% | 22% | n/a |
Renters cannot borrow against a house, which narrows the choice to unsecured loans, cards and help from creditors; compare total cost, not just the payment. Rent pressure is real here, so run any payment through the debt-to-income calculator before you apply.
Jobs and commutes in Douglas County
Education and health care employs 30% of working residents, the largest share; professional and administrative services is next with 12%. Education and health care stands out: 30% of workers here, versus 25% statewide. Averaged over the five survey years, 4.2% of the labor force was out of work and looking. 10% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 16% work from home. Households without a car make up 7.5% of the total (5.1% statewide).
| Where residents work | Douglas County | Difference from Kansas |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 30.4% | +5.5 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 12.0% | +2.0 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 10.9% | +3.4 pts |
| Retail trade | 10.7% | +0.1 pts |
| Manufacturing | 7.5% | -5.0 pts |
| Finance, insurance and real estate | 5.8% | -0.7 pts |
Shorter commutes usually mean lower vehicle costs, which can leave more room for a payment, or for paying a loan off early.
How Douglas County compares with nearby counties
Distances run center to center, from Franklin County at 23 miles out to Osage County at 28. Income ranges from $67,104 in Shawnee County to $109,208 in Johnson County; 5 of these neighbors top Douglas County's median.
| County | Miles | Median household income | Median rent | Homeownership |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Douglas County | - | $69,746 | $1,099/mo | 50% |
| Franklin County, KS | 23 mi | $77,207 | $1,042/mo | 72% |
| Jefferson County, KS | 24 mi | $81,278 | $835/mo | 86% |
| Leavenworth County, KS | 24 mi | $89,218 | $1,219/mo | 69% |
| Johnson County, KS | 25 mi | $109,208 | $1,434/mo | 69% |
| Shawnee County, KS | 27 mi | $67,104 | $1,000/mo | 67% |
| Osage County, KS | 28 mi | $74,467 | $785/mo | 82% |
The communities that make up Douglas County
Here are the 4 most populous of the county's 4 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 90% of Douglas County residents live in one of the 4. Among places of 500 or more people, median income runs from $65,009 in Lawrence to $118,184 in Eudora. Median rent ranges from $858 in Baldwin City to $1,222 in Eudora. This guide covers each of the 4 places and the rural areas around them.
| Name | Kind | Pop. | Income | Rent | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lawrence | city | 96,051 | $65,009 | $1,091 | 5 mi |
| Eudora | city | 6,119 | $118,184 | $1,222 | 11 mi |
| Baldwin City | city | 4,911 | $72,941 | $858 | 10 mi |
| Lecompton | city | 736 | $68,977 | $925 | 11 mi |
Budget math at the Douglas County median
How much room does a median Douglas County budget have? Take median income, subtract median rent, and check what is left under a few common debt-to-income limits.
- Start: $5,812 gross per month ($69,746 / 12)
- Rent at the median, $1,099, takes 19% of that
- With a 35% ceiling, about $935 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
- 45% debt-to-income limit: $1,516 left for all other debt payments
Subtract what you already pay on other debts. A new payment should fit in what remains, with some to spare.
Douglas County households compared
College graduates make up 53% of the adult population. 8.2% of residents have no health coverage.
| People and households | Douglas County | Kansas | Median county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 31.6 | 37.4 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 53.2% | 35.6% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 4.4% | 8.0% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 8.2% | 8.8% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 7.5% | 5.1% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 15.6% | 11.8% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 14.7% | 11.3% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 4.2% | 3.9% | 4.4% |
| One-way commute | Share of Douglas County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 41.3% |
| 15 to 29 min | 30.2% |
| 30 to 44 min | 18.2% |
| 45 to 59 min | 7.2% |
| 60+ min | 3.0% |
What the numbers mean for Douglas County borrowers
Based on the Douglas County data above, these borrowing questions are most likely to matter locally.
- Renters under pressure. When 52% pay 30% or more for rent, the smallest loan that solves the problem is the right size.
- Combining balances. It helps when total cost falls and the cards stay paid down (consolidation).
- Credit reports. Pull free reports at AnnualCreditReport.com and dispute errors before applying.
Licensing and complaints for Douglas County
Douglas County borrowers fall under statewide rules, enforced by the Kansas Office of the State Bank Commissioner. Banks and credit unions have their own regulators, and the CFPB takes complaints about any lender. The Kansas guide covers state rules in more detail.
Steps before you apply in Douglas County
Before you apply, wherever you live in Douglas County:
- Know the exact dollar figure you need before talking to a lender.
- Line up offers side by side: APR, fees in dollars, total cost.
- Look the lender up with the state regulator first.
- Read the final agreement; it must match the offer.
More guides for Douglas County
For statewide rules and data, see the Kansas guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is Douglas County a high-income county?
Its $69,746 median ranks 32nd of 105 Kansas counties and compares with $65,681 for the median U.S. county.
How much is rent in Douglas County?
Median gross rent, utilities included, is $1,099 a month; 52% of renters spend 30% or more of income on it.
Which towns does the Douglas County guide cover?
Every community in the county, unincorporated areas included. The largest of its 4 Census places: Lawrence, Eudora, Baldwin City, Lecompton.
Is the fit check different in Douglas County?
No. It is identical everywhere, and it never looks at your neighborhood.
Who regulates personal lenders for Douglas County residents?
The Kansas Office of the State Bank Commissioner licenses consumer lenders in Kansas; the CFPB takes complaints about any lender, and the FTC wants to hear about fee-first offers.