1st Advantage MortgageHarvey County households have a median income of $74,368 and median rent of $900 a month (ACS 2020 to 2024). Use those as context only. A lender looks at your own documented income and debts; compare APR and total repaid on every Harvey County offer.
On this page
- Harvey County, KS: the basics
- Labor force snapshot: Harvey County
- Harvey County housing compared with Kansas
- Paychecks and income spread in Harvey County
- Where Harvey County differs from the rest of Kansas
- The counties around Harvey County
- Places inside Harvey County
- What the numbers mean for Harvey County borrowers
- A Harvey County household budget, worked through
- Harvey County residents: age, schooling, coverage
- Four steps for Harvey County borrowers
- Checking a lender's license in Kansas
- More guides for Harvey County
- Frequently asked questions
Harvey County, KS: the basics
With an estimated 33,756 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Harvey County ranks 17th of 105 in Kansas for population. It covers 540 square miles of land, or about 63 people per square mile. Harvey County counts toward the Wichita, KS metro in the 2023 OMB delineation, so regional figures for Wichita, KS include it. Of the 7 Census places inside Harvey County, Newton leads by population with about 18,397; 7 of the 7 are incorporated.
Labor force snapshot: Harvey County
Education and health care (26%), manufacturing (19%) and retail trade (10%) lead Harvey County's job mix. Harvey County over-indexes on manufacturing: 19% versus 12% in Kansas. The survey's unemployment rate for Harvey County averages 4.8% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 3.9%). 9% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 9% work from home.
| Top industries | Harvey County share | +/- vs Kansas |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 26.0% | +1.1 pts |
| Manufacturing | 19.2% | +6.7 pts |
| Retail trade | 10.2% | -0.4 pts |
| Other services | 7.2% | +2.8 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 6.6% | +1.0 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 5.9% | -4.1 pts |
Self-employed in Harvey County? Two years of tax returns usually stand in for pay stubs.
Harvey County housing compared with Kansas
$900 a month is the median gross rent in Harvey County, 15% below the state. 38% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 21% spend half or more. Home values center on $180,300, or 2.4 years of median income. The ownership rate is 70%. The median home was built in 1970, so roofs, wiring and heating systems are a common source of repair bills.
| Harvey County | Kansas | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent-burdened renters | 38% | 43% | -5.8 pts |
| Vacant units | 7% | 9% | -2.7 pts |
| Owners | 70% | 67% | +2.7 pts |
| Median home value | $180,300 | $217,200 | 17% lower |
| Median gross rent | $900/mo | $1,060/mo | 15% lower |
| Burdened owners | 24% | 22% | +1.5 pts |
| Mobile homes | 2.5% | 4.0% | -1.5 pts |
Paychecks and income spread in Harvey County
Harvey County households have a median income of $74,368 (ACS 2020 to 2024), which ranks 20th of 105 in Kansas.
| Households earning | Harvey County | +/- vs Kansas |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 20.9% | -0.8 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 46.1% | +3.8 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 28.1% | +1.6 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 4.9% | -4.6 pts |
Some 21% of households here live on less than $35,000 a year; 33% have six-figure incomes. 8.2% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 11.3%). Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.377 here. None of these numbers decides a Harvey County application. Lenders weigh your own documented income against your own debts.
Where Harvey County differs from the rest of Kansas
The 3 Harvey County numbers that rank furthest from typical in Kansas, and what each means for a borrower:
- On the housing vacancy rate, Harvey County sits near the bottom of Kansas at 7%, 6th lowest of 105. Low vacancy tends to push rents up over time.
- On the share of mobile homes, Harvey County sits near the bottom of Kansas at 2.5%, 11th lowest of 105. Few mobile homes means most owners have traditional equity options.
- On the ACS unemployment rate, Harvey County sits near the top of Kansas at 4.8%, 14th highest of 105. If work is uncertain, keep any loan small and the term short.
The counties around Harvey County
Nearest neighbors first, measured between county centers (26 to 46 miles). Richest neighbor: Butler County, $81,610. Poorest: Reno County, $60,645. Harvey County: $74,368.
| Neighbor | Distance | Income | Rent | Own |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harvey County | - | $74,368 | $900/mo | 70% |
| Sedgwick County, KS | 26 mi | $69,365 | $998/mo | 63% |
| McPherson County, KS | 26 mi | $78,851 | $916/mo | 75% |
| Marion County, KS | 28 mi | $64,695 | $727/mo | 81% |
| Reno County, KS | 36 mi | $60,645 | $863/mo | 69% |
| Butler County, KS | 38 mi | $81,610 | $956/mo | 78% |
| Rice County, KS | 46 mi | $63,925 | $753/mo | 77% |
Places inside Harvey County
29,295 of Harvey County's 33,756 residents live in its 7 Census places (87%); the 7 largest are listed. Sedgwick has the highest median household income on the list ($93,125) and Newton the lowest ($68,885), counting places with at least 500 residents. Rent is cheapest in Hesston ($729) and steepest in Sedgwick ($981). Live in one of these Harvey County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Place | Type | Population | Median income | Median rent | From county center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Newton | city | 18,397 | $68,885 | $903 | 5 mi |
| Hesston | city | 3,582 | $75,225 | $729 | 6 mi |
| Halstead | city | 2,516 | $76,250 | $826 | 5 mi |
| North Newton | city | 2,155 | $87,402 | $839 | 5 mi |
| Sedgwick | city | 1,614 | $93,125 | $981 | 9 mi |
| Burrton | city | 808 | $70,833 | $882 | 13 mi |
| Walton | city | 223 | $63,750 | $1,307 | 11 mi |
What the numbers mean for Harvey County borrowers
Based on the Harvey County data above, these borrowing questions are most likely to matter locally.
- Credit reports. Pull free reports at AnnualCreditReport.com and dispute errors before applying.
- Debt consolidation. One fixed payment can save money only if the written APR and fees beat what you pay now (guide).
- Getting ready. Gather pay stubs or benefit letters before you apply (checklist).
A Harvey County household budget, worked through
The debt-to-income ratio is the main affordability test lenders use. Applied to Harvey County's medians:
- $6,197 a month: gross income for a household at the Harvey County median
- Median rent: $900, or 15 cents of every gross dollar
- Under a 36% cap, $2,231 total minus rent leaves $1,331
Two-income households and single earners in Harvey County land in very different places on this math, so run it for your own budget.
Harvey County residents: age, schooling, coverage
30% of Harvey County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. Health coverage gaps: 8.7% of Harvey County residents are uninsured.
| Residents | Harvey County | Difference from Kansas | Difference from middle U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's or higher | 30.1% | -5.5 pts | +7.9 pts |
| Median age | 40.5 | +3.1 yrs | -1.0 yrs |
| Poverty rate | 8.2% | -3.1 pts | -5.0 pts |
| Work from home | 8.8% | -3.0 pts | +0.1 pts |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 4.8% | +0.9 pts | +0.4 pts |
| No high school diploma | 7.4% | -0.6 pts | n/a |
| No vehicle | 4.5% | -0.5 pts | -0.9 pts |
| No health insurance | 8.7% | 0.0 pts | +0.9 pts |
| Minutes to work | Harvey County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 43.7% |
| 15 to 29 min | 23.8% |
| 30 to 44 min | 23.8% |
| 45 to 59 min | 6.0% |
| 60+ min | 2.7% |
Four steps for Harvey County borrowers
Before you apply, wherever you live in Harvey 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.
- A Kansas license check takes minutes; do it first.
- Keep a small cushion so one surprise bill does not mean another loan.
Checking a lender's license in Kansas
Licensing happens at the state level, so a lender working with Harvey County borrowers answers to the Kansas Office of the State Bank Commissioner. A CFPB complaint gets forwarded to the company for a response. See the Kansas state guide for the statewide picture.
More guides for Harvey County
Statewide:
Frequently asked questions
Is $74,368 a good income in Harvey County?
It is the county median, so half of Harvey County households earn more and half less; 33% earn $100,000 or more.
Can a Harvey County renter afford a loan payment?
At the $900 median rent and $6,197 median monthly income, rent alone uses 15%; add other debts before a new payment.
How many towns are in Harvey County?
The Census Bureau counts 7 places mainly in the county, led by Newton, Hesston, Halstead, North Newton, Sedgwick.
Is the fit check different in Harvey County?
No. It is identical everywhere, and it never looks at your neighborhood.
How do I know a lender is legitimate in Harvey County?
Look it up with the Kansas Office of the State Bank Commissioner, read the written offer, and refuse any fee before funding.