1st Advantage MortgageKearny County households have a median income of $89,135 and median rent of $1,056 a month (ACS 2020 to 2024). Borrow only what the expense needs, pick the shortest affordable term, and walk away from any lender asking a Kearny County applicant for an upfront fee.
On this page
- A quick profile of Kearny County
- What stands out in Kearny County
- Household income in Kearny County
- Work, industries and travel time in Kearny County
- Renting and owning in Kearny County
- Census places in Kearny County
- Counties near Kearny County
- Debt-to-income, Kearny County edition
- Age, degrees and coverage in Kearny County
- Reading the Kearny County data as a borrower
- Four steps for Kearny County borrowers
- Lender oversight for Kearny County
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
A quick profile of Kearny County
Kearny County is home to about 3,864 people, according to the Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey, which makes it the 74th most populous of 105 county-level areas in Kansas. Spread over 871 square miles, that works out to roughly 4.4 residents per square mile. Kearny County is classed as nonmetropolitan in the OMB's July 2023 list. Of the 2 Census places inside Kearny County, Lakin leads by population with about 2,243; 2 of the 2 are incorporated. Because Kearny County is small, the survey's margins of error are wide; treat the numbers as approximate.
What stands out in Kearny County
Ranked against the other 104 county-level areas in Kansas, these are the Kearny County figures furthest from the middle.
- Kearny County ranks 3rd highest of 105 Kansas counties for the share of households earning $100,000 or more: 45%, against 36% statewide. Big incomes invite big loans; borrow only what you need.
- Few Kansas counties match Kearny County on the poverty rate: 4.5% here, 11.3% for the state, ranking 2nd lowest of 105. A low poverty rate does not mean every budget has room; test the payment.
- On median household income, Kearny County sits near the top of Kansas at $89,135, 4th highest of 105. A high county median can hide a wide spread, so budget from your own pay.
- Median gross rent: $1,056/mo in Kearny County. Only 6 of 105 Kansas counties are higher. High rent is the first thing a lender's ratio will see.
Household income in Kearny County
Median household income in Kearny County: $89,135 (20% above Kansas, $74,275). Only 3 Kansas counties post a higher median.
| Income band | Share in Kearny County | Difference from Kansas |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 10.3% | -11.4 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 44.6% | +2.3 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 43.0% | +16.6 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 2.1% | -7.5 pts |
Six-figure households (45%) outnumber those under $35,000 (10%) in Kearny County. Kearny County counts about 174 residents below the poverty line, 4.5% of the population. A household earning below the $89,135 median should test any payment carefully; one earning above it should still pick the shortest term it can manage.
Work, industries and travel time in Kearny County
Top Kearny County industry by residents employed: education and health care, 26%; second, agriculture, forestry and mining, 20%. Agriculture, forestry and mining stands out: 20% of workers here, versus 3% statewide. 2.2% of Kearny County's labor force reported being unemployed, averaged across 2020 to 2024. Commutes of 45 minutes-plus: 11%; under 15 minutes: 47%. 28 Kearny County households, 2.0%, have no vehicle.
| Top industries | Kearny County share | +/- vs Kansas |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 26.4% | +1.4 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 20.3% | +17.2 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 10.8% | +5.2 pts |
| Construction | 8.3% | +1.9 pts |
| Retail trade | 8.2% | -2.4 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 7.8% | +0.3 pts |
Self-employed in Kearny County? Two years of tax returns usually stand in for pay stubs.
Renting and owning in Kearny County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $1,056 in Kearny County versus $1,060 statewide. Cost-burdened renters, paying 30%-plus of income: 31% in Kearny County, 43% statewide. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $200,900, about 2.3 times the median household income. Homeowners 72%, renters 28%. Half the housing stock was built before 1972.
| Kearny County | Kansas | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent-burdened renters | 31% | 43% | -12.7 pts |
| Mobile homes | 11.9% | 4.0% | +7.9 pts |
| Burdened owners | 16% | 22% | -6.5 pts |
| Owners | 72% | 67% | +4.5 pts |
| Median home value | $200,900 | $217,200 | 8% lower |
| Median gross rent | $1,056/mo | $1,060/mo | level |
Census places in Kearny 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 75% of Kearny County residents live in one of the 2. From Lakin to the smallest crossroads, Kearny County residents share this guide.
| Community | Type | Residents | Household income (median) | Rent (median) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lakin | city | 2,243 | $89,514 | $1,134 | 5 mi |
| Deerfield | city | 647 | $81,563 | $823 | 10 mi |
Counties near Kearny County
Distances run center to center, from Hamilton County at 26 miles out to Stanton County at 40. Richest neighbor: Wichita County, $79,063. Poorest: Haskell County, $66,162. Kearny County: $89,135.
| County | Miles | Median household income | Median rent | Homeownership |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kearny County | - | $89,135 | $1,056/mo | 72% |
| Hamilton County, KS | 26 mi | $70,250 | $909/mo | 77% |
| Grant County, KS | 31 mi | $66,476 | $718/mo | 77% |
| Finney County, KS | 31 mi | $73,009 | $1,048/mo | 65% |
| Wichita County, KS | 34 mi | $79,063 | $942/mo | 78% |
| Haskell County, KS | 38 mi | $66,162 | $830/mo | 76% |
| Stanton County, KS | 40 mi | $71,700 | $705/mo | 77% |
Debt-to-income, Kearny County edition
Here is the Kearny County median household run through a simple DTI check. Your numbers will differ.
- $89,135 a year is $7,428 of gross monthly income
- 14% goes to median rent ($1,056)
- With a 43% ceiling, about $2,138 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
Homeowners in Kearny County should swap in their mortgage, taxes and insurance for rent.
Age, degrees and coverage in Kearny County
Degree holders: 19% of adults over 25. Health coverage gaps: 11.5% of Kearny County residents are uninsured.
| Indicator | Kearny County | +/- Kansas | +/- U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 37.1 | -0.3 yrs | -4.4 yrs |
| Bachelor's or higher | 19.4% | -16.2 pts | -2.8 pts |
| No high school diploma | 18.1% | +10.1 pts | n/a |
| No health insurance | 11.5% | +2.7 pts | +3.7 pts |
| No vehicle | 2.0% | -3.1 pts | -3.5 pts |
| Work from home | 8.9% | -2.9 pts | +0.2 pts |
| Poverty rate | 4.5% | -6.8 pts | -8.7 pts |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 2.2% | -1.7 pts | -2.2 pts |
| Trip time | Share |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 47.3% |
| 15 to 29 min | 19.0% |
| 30 to 44 min | 23.0% |
| 45 to 59 min | 0.9% |
| 60+ min | 9.9% |
Reading the Kearny County data as a borrower
Kearny County-specific points to check:
- 12% uninsured. In Kearny County, ask for an itemized bill and a payment plan first (medical bills).
- Higher earners. 45% of households clear $100,000; shop at least three lenders and pick the shortest term.
- Consolidating cards in Kearny County. Compare the total repaid, not the monthly figure (how).
Four steps for Kearny County borrowers
Steps that save money for Kearny County residents:
- Borrow the amount the job needs; extra cash adds interest.
- Line up offers side by side: APR, fees in dollars, total cost.
- Check the license, then the reviews, then the offer.
- Confirm the first due date before setting up autopay.
Lender oversight for Kearny County
Consumer lenders serving Kearny County are licensed by the state, not the county; in Kansas that is the Kansas Office of the State Bank Commissioner. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau accepts complaints nationwide.
Nearby and statewide guides
No city in Kearny County has its own guide yet; the state page is next up.
Frequently asked questions
Is $89,135 a good income in Kearny County?
It is the county median, so half of Kearny County households earn more and half less; 45% earn $100,000 or more.
What is the median rent in Kearny County, KS?
$1,056 a month, utilities included, or $12,672 a year.
I live near Lakin. Which guide is mine?
This one. Lakin and the rest of Kearny County have no separate city guide.
Does living in Kearny 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 Kearny County resident as anyone. Lenders decide under fair-lending law.
Who do I complain to about a lender in Kearny County?
Start with the Kansas Office of the State Bank Commissioner, then the CFPB complaint portal. Keep copies of every message.