1st Advantage MortgageElk County households have a median income of $64,609 and median rent of $552 a month (ACS 2020 to 2024). Whatever your own numbers, compare written offers on APR, fees and total cost, and verify the lender is licensed in Kansas before sharing details.
On this page
- Elk County at a glance
- Household income in Elk County
- Housing costs in Elk County
- Jobs and commutes in Elk County
- Towns and communities in Elk County
- Elk County next to its neighbors
- More Elk County figures
- Local borrowing considerations for Elk County
- Debt-to-income at Elk County's medians
- Checklist for Elk County applicants
- Licensing and complaints for Elk County
- More guides for Elk County
- Frequently asked questions
Elk County at a glance
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Elk County's population at 2,453; only 93 of Kansas's 105 county-level areas are larger. Land area is 644 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 4 per square mile. No metropolitan area includes Elk County in the 2023 federal delineation, so its numbers stand on their own rather than as part of a metro. Howard is the biggest of its 5 Census places, at roughly 516 people (21% of the county total). With so few households sampled, Elk County estimates can move a lot between releases.
Household income in Elk County
Elk County households have a median income of $64,609 (ACS 2020 to 2024), which ranks 50th of 105 in Kansas.
| Household income | Elk County | vs Kansas |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 27.0% | +5.3 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 46.3% | +4.1 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 22.9% | -3.5 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 3.7% | -5.9 pts |
About 27% of households earn under $35,000, while 27% clear $100,000. Census counts 10.4% of Elk County residents in poverty, against 11.3% across Kansas. Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.395 here. For a borrower in Elk 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.
Housing costs in Elk County
Renters in Elk County pay a median of $552 a month, 48% below the Kansas figure of $1,060. By the Census definition, 45% of Elk County renters are cost-burdened. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $68,500, about 1.1 times the median household income. Owners occupy 79% of homes. Half the housing stock was built before 1956.
| Home costs | Elk County | Kansas | U.S. middle county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $552/mo | $1,060/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $68,500 | $217,200 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 79% | 67% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 45% | 43% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 20% | 22% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 10.8% | 4.0% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 33% | 9% | n/a |
In an owner-heavy county like Elk 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.
Jobs and commutes in Elk County
The biggest employer of Elk County residents, by industry, is education and health care at 26% of workers, followed by agriculture, forestry and mining (15%). Agriculture, forestry and mining stands out: 15% of workers here, versus 3% statewide. ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 2.0% in Elk County. Long commutes are common here: 29% of workers spend 45 minutes or longer getting to work. Households without a car make up 7.2% of the total (5.1% statewide).
| Sector | Elk County | Compared with Kansas |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 25.6% | +0.7 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 14.8% | +11.7 pts |
| Construction | 11.0% | +4.6 pts |
| Retail trade | 7.0% | -3.6 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 6.7% | -3.3 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 6.4% | -1.1 pts |
A lender verifies what your own job pays. The county's industry mix tells you about the local economy, not about your application.
Towns and communities in Elk County
The table lists the 5 largest of 5 Census places in Elk County, by population. Together all 5 hold about 1,440 people, so roughly 41% of residents live outside any named place. No Elk County place has a separate guide yet; this county page serves all 5.
| Place | Type | Population | Median income | Median rent | From county center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Howard | city | 516 | $65,625 | $514 | 1 mi |
| Moline | city | 354 | $52,813 | $475 | 7 mi |
| Longton | city | 302 | $40,250 | n/a | 10 mi |
| Grenola | city | 142 | $56,786 | $943 | 13 mi |
| Elk Falls | city | 126 | $52,321 | n/a | 6 mi |
Elk County next to its neighbors
Nearest neighbors first, measured between county centers (21 to 39 miles). 1 of the six report a higher median household income than Elk County; Butler County is highest at $81,610 and Montgomery County lowest at $55,697.
| County | Miles | Median household income | Median rent | Homeownership |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elk County | - | $64,609 | $552/mo | 79% |
| Chautauqua County, KS | 21 mi | $56,438 | $708/mo | 82% |
| Wilson County, KS | 28 mi | $60,677 | $736/mo | 78% |
| Greenwood County, KS | 29 mi | $60,042 | $715/mo | 80% |
| Montgomery County, KS | 33 mi | $55,697 | $761/mo | 73% |
| Cowley County, KS | 36 mi | $57,878 | $809/mo | 68% |
| Butler County, KS | 39 mi | $81,610 | $956/mo | 78% |
More Elk County figures
Degree holders: 21% of adults over 25. About 7% go without health insurance.
| Indicator | Elk County | All of Kansas | U.S. county median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 48.8 | 37.4 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 21.5% | 35.6% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 9.3% | 8.0% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 7.4% | 8.8% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 7.2% | 5.1% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 10.2% | 11.8% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 10.4% | 11.3% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 2.0% | 3.9% | 4.4% |
| Minutes to work | Elk County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 38.7% |
| 15 to 29 min | 18.7% |
| 30 to 44 min | 13.2% |
| 45 to 59 min | 10.9% |
| 60+ min | 18.6% |
Local borrowing considerations for Elk County
The county's numbers point to a few situations that come up often for Elk County borrowers.
- Long drives. With 29% of commutes over 45 minutes, tires and repairs are fixed costs in many Elk County budgets.
- Benefit income. With half of residents older than 49, lenders often see pension and Social Security income, which counts like wages.
- Getting ready. Gather pay stubs or benefit letters before you apply (checklist).
Debt-to-income at Elk County's medians
How much room does a median Elk County budget have? Take median income, subtract median rent, and check what is left under a few common debt-to-income limits.
- Monthly gross at the median, Elk County: $5,384
- Rent at the median, $552, takes 10% of that
- $1,386: what a 36% ratio leaves once rent is paid
Subtract what you already pay on other debts. A new payment should fit in what remains, with some to spare.
Checklist for Elk County applicants
Steps that save money for Elk County residents:
- Get a written quote for whatever you are paying for in Elk County.
- Ask each lender for the APR and all fees in writing.
- Verify the Kansas license before giving out your Social Security number.
- Read the final agreement; it must match the offer.
Licensing and complaints for Elk County
Elk County borrowers fall under statewide rules, enforced by the Kansas Office of the State Bank Commissioner. Federal complaints: consumerfinance.gov. Statewide data and rules: Kansas guide.
More guides for Elk County
For statewide rules and data, see the Kansas guide.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Elk County earn?
The median is $64,609; 27% 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 Elk County?
$552 a month at the median, about 10% of median household income.
I own my home in Elk County. Personal loan or HELOC?
A HELOC uses the house as collateral; a personal loan usually does not. With 79% of homes owner-occupied here, many readers can compare both in writing.
Which towns does the Elk County guide cover?
Every community in the county, unincorporated areas included. The largest of its 5 Census places: Howard, Moline, Longton, Grenola, Elk Falls.
Is the fit check different in Elk County?
No. It is identical everywhere, and it never looks at your neighborhood.