1st Advantage MortgageJackson County households have a median income of $75,215 and median rent of $814 a month (ACS 2020 to 2024). Your income, debts and credit decide what you qualify for. Get offers in writing, compare the total repaid, and never pay a fee up front.
On this page
- A quick profile of Jackson County
- How Jackson County residents earn a living
- Income in Jackson County compared with Kansas
- Housing costs in Jackson County
- Towns and communities in Jackson County
- Neighboring counties at a glance
- More Jackson County figures
- Before borrowing in Jackson County
- Debt-to-income at Jackson County's medians
- Before you sign
- Checking a lender's license in Kansas
- More guides for Jackson County
- Frequently asked questions
A quick profile of Jackson County
Jackson County is home to about 13,341 people, according to the Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey, which makes it the 35th most populous of 105 county-level areas in Kansas. It covers 656 square miles of land, or about 20 people per square mile. For statistical purposes it belongs to the Topeka, KS metro area, as delineated by the Office of Management and Budget in July 2023. Holton is the biggest of its 9 Census places, at roughly 3,387 people (25% of the county total).
How Jackson County residents earn a living
The biggest employer of Jackson County residents, by industry, is education and health care at 23% of workers, followed by manufacturing (15%). Public administration stands out: 10% of workers here, versus 5% statewide. ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 1.8% in Jackson County. About 74% drive to work alone and 17% have trips of 45 minutes or more. 6.1% of households have no vehicle.
| Where residents work | Jackson County | Difference from Kansas |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 22.6% | -2.4 pts |
| Manufacturing | 14.7% | +2.3 pts |
| Construction | 10.1% | +3.7 pts |
| Public administration | 9.6% | +5.0 pts |
| Retail trade | 7.3% | -3.2 pts |
| Other services | 7.1% | +2.7 pts |
A lender verifies what your own job pays. The county's industry mix tells you about the local economy, not about your application.
Income in Jackson County compared with Kansas
Half of Jackson County households take in less than $75,215 a year and half take in more, about the same as the Kansas median of $74,275. In the state ranking that is 18th of 105.
| Income band | Share in Jackson County | Difference from Kansas |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 20.0% | -1.7 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 42.8% | +0.6 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 33.1% | +6.6 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 4.1% | -5.4 pts |
The spread is wide: 37% of Jackson County households make $100,000 or more, and 20% make less than $35,000. The poverty rate is 6.1%, 5 points lower than the state's 11.3%. If your income is irregular, as it often is with tips, gig work or seasonal jobs, plan around your leaner months rather than the Jackson County median.
Housing costs in Jackson County
A typical Jackson County rental runs $814 a month including utilities, which is 23% below Kansas. By the Census definition, 43% of Jackson County renters are cost-burdened. Home values center on $207,300, or 2.8 years of median income. The ownership rate is 77%. Median construction year: 1976.
| Cost | Jackson County | Kansas figure | Median county, U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $814/mo | $1,060/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $207,300 | $217,200 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 77% | 67% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 43% | 43% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 23% | 22% | n/a |
In an owner-heavy county like Jackson 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 Jackson County
9 Census places fall mainly inside Jackson County; the 9 biggest are below. They account for 5,813 residents, leaving about 56% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Live in one of these Jackson County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Town or CDP | Type | People | Median household income | Median gross rent | Miles from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Holton | city | 3,387 | $52,532 | $664 | 5 mi |
| Hoyt | city | 935 | $71,364 | $1,023 | 12 mi |
| Mayetta | city | 347 | $64,688 | $975 | 6 mi |
| Whiting | city | 337 | $59,583 | $688 | 16 mi |
| Denison | city | 232 | $80,417 | n/a | 9 mi |
| Circleville | city | 179 | $70,750 | $592 | 8 mi |
| Delia | city | 177 | $85,714 | n/a | 15 mi |
| Netawaka | city | 151 | $77,917 | $900 | 14 mi |
| Soldier | city | 68 | $43,750 | n/a | 13 mi |
Neighboring counties at a glance
Jefferson County is closest, 25 miles from center to center; the sixth, Brown County, is 31 miles off. Pottawatomie County leads the group on income ($92,325), Atchison County trails ($61,112), and Jackson County out-earns 3 of the six.
| County | Distance | Median income | Median rent | Owners |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jackson County | - | $75,215 | $814/mo | 77% |
| Jefferson County, KS | 25 mi | $81,278 | $835/mo | 86% |
| Shawnee County, KS | 26 mi | $67,104 | $1,000/mo | 67% |
| Atchison County, KS | 27 mi | $61,112 | $765/mo | 72% |
| Nemaha County, KS | 29 mi | $77,348 | $774/mo | 78% |
| Pottawatomie County, KS | 29 mi | $92,325 | $924/mo | 82% |
| Brown County, KS | 31 mi | $62,233 | $646/mo | 76% |
More Jackson County figures
Degree holders: 23% of adults over 25. The uninsured rate is 7.2%, against 8.8% for Kansas.
| Indicator | Jackson County | All of Kansas | U.S. county median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 41.2 | 37.4 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 22.6% | 35.6% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 6.3% | 8.0% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 7.2% | 8.8% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 6.1% | 5.1% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 7.4% | 11.8% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 6.1% | 11.3% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 1.8% | 3.9% | 4.4% |
| Minutes to work | Jackson County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 34.3% |
| 15 to 29 min | 29.7% |
| 30 to 44 min | 19.5% |
| 45 to 59 min | 6.1% |
| 60+ min | 10.4% |
Before borrowing in Jackson County
The county's numbers point to a few situations that come up often for Jackson County borrowers.
- Getting ready. Gather pay stubs or benefit letters before you apply (checklist).
- Combining balances. It helps when total cost falls and the cards stay paid down (consolidation).
- Scams. A fee demanded before funding is a red flag; report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov (spotting scams).
Debt-to-income at Jackson County's medians
Lenders compare monthly debt payments with gross monthly income, the debt-to-income ratio. For a Jackson County household at the medians it works out like this; treat it as an illustration only.
- $75,215 a year is $6,268 of gross monthly income
- 13% goes to median rent ($814)
- At 43%, room after rent is $1,881 a month
Car, student loan and card payments come out of that room first. Try your own numbers in the calculator.
Before you sign
Steps that save money for Jackson County residents:
- Write down what the expense costs; a smaller loan costs less.
- Line up offers side by side: APR, fees in dollars, total cost.
- Confirm the lender is licensed in Kansas.
- Lock paid-off cards after consolidating so balances stay at zero.
Checking a lender's license in Kansas
No county office licenses personal lenders. For Jackson County, check 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.
More guides for Jackson County
The Kansas guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Jackson County earn?
The median is $75,215; 37% earn $100,000 or more and 20% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
Is Jackson County expensive for renters?
Median rent is $814 against $1,060 statewide, and 43% of renter households are cost-burdened.
I own my home in Jackson County. Personal loan or HELOC?
A HELOC uses the house as collateral; a personal loan usually does not. With 77% of homes owner-occupied here, many readers can compare both in writing.
Which towns does the Jackson County guide cover?
Every community in the county, unincorporated areas included. The largest of its 9 Census places: Holton, Hoyt, Mayetta, Whiting, Denison.
Does living in Jackson County change what I qualify for?
Not in our fit check, which uses only the amount, credit range, income and payments you enter, the same for a Jackson County resident as anyone. Lenders decide under fair-lending law.