1st Advantage MortgageMedian rent in Johnson County is $1,029 a month against a median household income of $64,871, about 19% of income (ACS 2020-24). Borrow only what the expense needs, pick the shortest affordable term, and walk away from any lender asking a Johnson County applicant for an upfront fee.
On this page
- Who lives in Johnson County
- Paychecks and income spread in Johnson County
- Rent, home values and ownership in Johnson County
- Where Johnson County differs from the rest of Wyoming
- Johnson County industries and commutes
- Buffalo and the rest of Johnson County
- Counties near Johnson County
- Reading the Johnson County data as a borrower
- More Johnson County figures
- $5,406 a month: the Johnson County median budget
- Four steps for Johnson County borrowers
- Lender oversight for Johnson County
- Beyond Johnson County
- Frequently asked questions
Who lives in Johnson County
With an estimated 8,686 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Johnson County ranks 17th of 23 in Wyoming for population. It covers 4,154 square miles of land, or about 2 people per square mile. No metropolitan area includes Johnson County in the 2023 federal delineation, so its numbers stand on their own rather than as part of a metro. The Census Bureau counts 2 places in the county (2 incorporated, 0 census-designated); the largest is Buffalo, with about 4,572 residents, or 53% of the county. At 8,686 people, Johnson County is a small survey sample, so small differences in these figures may be noise.
Paychecks and income spread in Johnson County
The median household income in Johnson County is $64,871; statewide it is $76,176, so Johnson County runs 15% below Wyoming as a whole. Only 17 Wyoming counties post a higher median.
| Band | Johnson County | Compared with Wyoming |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 22.7% | +1.0 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 45.9% | +4.6 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 21.9% | -6.6 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 9.5% | +1.0 pts |
23% under $35,000 and 31% at $100,000 or more: that is the Johnson County income split. Johnson County counts about 791 residents below the poverty line, 9.1% of the population. Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.443 here. For a borrower in Johnson 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.
Rent, home values and ownership in Johnson County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $1,029 in Johnson County versus $992 statewide. Cost-burdened renters, paying 30%-plus of income: 39% in Johnson County, 43% statewide. With a median value of $326,800, a typical Johnson County house costs 5.0 times what the median household earns in a year. Homeowners 82%, renters 18%. Median construction year: 1984. Nationally, Johnson County's $1,029 rent is 17% above the middle county.
| Measure | Johnson County | Wyoming | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Owners | 82% | 72% | +10.6 pts |
| Burdened owners | 23% | 26% | -3.9 pts |
| Rent-burdened renters | 39% | 43% | -3.6 pts |
| Vacant units | 16% | 12% | +3.4 pts |
| Median home value | $326,800 | $309,700 | 6% higher |
| Median gross rent | $1,029/mo | $992/mo | 4% higher |
| Mobile homes | 11.8% | 11.5% | +0.3 pts |
In an owner-heavy county like Johnson 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.
Where Johnson County differs from the rest of Wyoming
- Johnson County ranks the highest of 23 Wyoming counties for the share of workers who work from home: 19.2%, against 9.4% statewide. Remote workers should have W-2s or contracts ready to show income.
- Median age: 47.3 in Johnson County. Only 1 of 23 Wyoming counties are higher. Retirement income counts when documented; favor loans with no prepayment penalty.
- Few Wyoming counties match Johnson County on homeownership: 82% here, 72% for the state, ranking 3rd highest of 23. An owner-heavy county means repairs are a common reason to borrow.
Johnson County industries and commutes
Education and health care employs 20% of working residents, the largest share; agriculture, forestry and mining is next with 18%. Johnson County over-indexes on agriculture, forestry and mining: 18% versus 9% in Wyoming. ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 3.1% in Johnson County. Long commutes are the exception here: 9% of workers spend 45 minutes or longer getting to work.
| Sector | Johnson County | Compared with Wyoming |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 20.1% | -4.3 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 17.7% | +8.6 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 10.8% | +3.1 pts |
| Construction | 9.1% | +0.6 pts |
| Retail trade | 8.7% | -2.2 pts |
| Other services | 7.9% | +2.8 pts |
If your hours swing with the season or with overtime, size a loan payment against your base pay, not your best month.
Buffalo and the rest of Johnson County
Here are the 2 most populous of the county's 2 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 56% of Johnson County residents live in one of the 2. From Buffalo to the smallest crossroads, Johnson County residents share this guide.
| Place | Type | Population | Median income | Median rent | From county center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buffalo | city | 4,572 | $62,629 | $1,019 | 21 mi |
| Kaycee | town | 280 | $45,000 | $1,107 | 23 mi |
Counties near Johnson County
Nearest neighbors first, measured between county centers (53 to 91 miles). Johnson County's $64,871 median trails 5 of the six and beats 1; the range runs $62,101 (Big Horn County) to $89,869 (Campbell County).
| Neighbor | Distance | Income | Rent | Own |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Johnson County | - | $64,871 | $1,029/mo | 82% |
| Sheridan County, WY | 53 mi | $71,388 | $939/mo | 71% |
| Campbell County, WY | 54 mi | $89,869 | $1,009/mo | 78% |
| Washakie County, WY | 55 mi | $65,714 | $720/mo | 74% |
| Natrona County, WY | 74 mi | $72,156 | $1,016/mo | 74% |
| Big Horn County, WY | 77 mi | $62,101 | $823/mo | 76% |
| Converse County, WY | 91 mi | $81,558 | $866/mo | 77% |
Reading the Johnson County data as a borrower
A few patterns in the Johnson County data, and the practical point behind each:
- Benefit income. With half of residents older than 47, lenders often see pension and Social Security income, which counts like wages.
- Combining balances. It helps when total cost falls and the cards stay paid down (consolidation).
- Advance-fee offers. No legitimate lender asks a Johnson County borrower to pay first (scam signs).
More Johnson County figures
College graduates make up 30% of the adult population. Uninsured, Johnson County: 9.3%; Wyoming: 11.3%.
| Indicator | Johnson County | +/- Wyoming | +/- U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Work from home | 19.2% | +9.9 pts | +10.6 pts |
| Median age | 47.3 | +8.2 yrs | +5.8 yrs |
| No health insurance | 9.3% | -2.0 pts | +1.5 pts |
| Poverty rate | 9.1% | -1.4 pts | -4.1 pts |
| No vehicle | 2.7% | -1.4 pts | -2.7 pts |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 3.1% | -0.6 pts | -1.3 pts |
| Bachelor's or higher | 30.3% | -0.2 pts | +8.2 pts |
| No high school diploma | 5.9% | 0.0 pts | n/a |
| Trip time | Share |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 69.9% |
| 15 to 29 min | 13.4% |
| 30 to 44 min | 7.5% |
| 45 to 59 min | 2.0% |
| 60+ min | 7.2% |
$5,406 a month: the Johnson County median budget
Johnson County at the medians, through a lender's eyes (what DTI means):
- Monthly gross at the median, Johnson County: $5,406
- Median rent: $1,029, or 19 cents of every gross dollar
- 35% debt-to-income limit: $863 left for all other debt payments
- 45% debt-to-income limit: $1,404 left for all other debt payments
Car, student loan and card payments come out of that room first. Try your own numbers in the calculator.
Four steps for Johnson County borrowers
Four checks before you sign anything:
- Know the exact dollar figure you need before talking to a lender.
- Shop at least three lenders, including one Johnson County-area credit union.
- Only work with lenders licensed for Wyoming borrowers.
- Keep a small cushion so one surprise bill does not mean another loan.
Lender oversight for Johnson County
The Wyoming Division of Banking is the place to verify any lender's Wyoming license. Nationally, Johnson County residents can file with the CFPB.
Beyond Johnson County
No city in Johnson County has its own guide yet; the state page is next up.
Frequently asked questions
Where does Johnson County rank on income in Wyoming?
18th of 23, with a median of $64,871. The state median is $76,176.
How does Johnson County rent compare with Wyoming?
$1,029 locally versus $992 for the state, 4% above.
What are the biggest places in Johnson County?
By population: Buffalo, Kaycee. The county has 2 Census places in all.
Can Johnson County residents use the questionnaire?
Yes. It asks the same questions in every Wyoming county, lists every requirement up front and does not affect your credit score.
Is there a Johnson County office that licenses lenders?
No, licensing is statewide. In Wyoming it is the Wyoming Division of Banking.