Kiowa County, CO personal loans: what the local numbers say

Kiowa County at a glance

Kiowa County is home to about 1,376 people, according to the Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey, which makes it the 60th most populous of 64 county-level areas in Colorado. Density: about 0.8 residents per square mile across 1,768 square miles of land. It sits outside every metropolitan statistical area in the July 2023 OMB delineation. Of the 5 Census places inside Kiowa County, Eads leads by population with about 677; 3 of the 5 are incorporated. Census margins of error grow as populations shrink; for a county of 1,376, read each figure as a range.

How much Kiowa County households make

Kiowa County households have a median income of $58,618 (ACS 2020 to 2024), which ranks 48th of 64 in Colorado.

26% under $35,000 and 19% at $100,000 or more: that is the Kiowa County income split. The poverty rate is 11.8%, 2 points higher than the state's 9.4%. If your income is irregular, as it often is with tips, gig work or seasonal jobs, plan around your leaner months rather than the Kiowa County median.

Jobs and commutes in Kiowa County

Education and health care employs 40% of working residents, the largest share; agriculture, forestry and mining is next with 22%. Compared with Colorado, the county leans toward agriculture, forestry and mining (22% against 2%). The survey's unemployment rate for Kiowa County averages 0.1% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 4.6%). Commutes of 45 minutes-plus: 13%; under 15 minutes: 62%. Only 3.1% of homes here go without a vehicle.

Seasonal work is common in many Kiowa County industries; if that is you, show a full year of income rather than one strong month.

Homes and rents, Kiowa County

A typical Kiowa County rental runs $800 a month including utilities, which is 55% below Colorado. By the Census definition, 36% of Kiowa County renters are cost-burdened. Home values center on $161,500, or 2.8 years of median income. In Kiowa County, 69% of occupied homes are owned by the people living in them. The median home was built in 1964, so roofs, wiring and heating systems are a common source of repair bills.

How Kiowa County ranks in Colorado

Out of every Colorado county, Kiowa County is most unusual on these measures.

• Kiowa County ranks the lowest of 63 Colorado counties for the ACS unemployment rate: 0.1%, against 4.6% statewide. Low unemployment does not lower your rate; your credit does.
• Few Colorado counties match Kiowa County on median gross rent: $800/mo here, $1,761/mo for the state, ranking 4th lowest of 64. Cheaper housing gives many renters more slack in a budget.
• On the share of households earning $100,000 or more, Kiowa County sits near the bottom of Colorado at 19%, 4th lowest of 64. Most budgets here are modest, so keep payments small.

Kiowa County, Cheyenne County and other neighbors

Six nearby counties, 32 to 58 miles away by the straight-line distance between their centers. Kiowa County's $58,618 median trails 3 of the six and beats 3; the range runs $48,826 (Crowley County) to $80,565 (Greeley County). Some neighbors are in Kansas. Lender licensing is state by state, so a loan for a Kiowa County resident follows Colorado rules.

Census places in Kiowa County

Here are the 5 most populous of the county's 5 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 61% of Kiowa County residents live in one of the 5. From Eads to the smallest crossroads, Kiowa County residents share this guide.

A CDP is a named community without its own municipal government.

Debt-to-income at Kiowa County's medians

Kiowa County's $58,618 median income, run through a debt-to-income check:

• $4,885 a month: gross income for a household at the Kiowa County median
• 16% goes to median rent ($800)
• $910: what a 35% ratio leaves once rent is paid
• $1,398: what a 45% 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.

Local borrowing considerations for Kiowa County

Based on the Kiowa County data above, these borrowing questions are most likely to matter locally.

• Retirement budgets. In a county with a 45.4 median age, keep any loan term shorter than your plans for the money.
• Fraud. Gift cards, wire transfers or fees to unlock a loan mean walk away (report it).
• Consolidating cards in Kiowa County. Compare the total repaid, not the monthly figure (how).

Kiowa County residents: age, schooling, coverage

Degree holders: 20% of adults over 25. 8.8% of residents have no health coverage.

Steps before you apply in Kiowa County

A short checklist for Kiowa County borrowers:

• Know the exact dollar figure you need before talking to a lender.
• Shop at least three lenders, including one Kiowa County-area credit union.
• Confirm the lender is licensed in Colorado.
• Lock paid-off cards after consolidating so balances stay at zero.

Verifying a lender from Kiowa County

Licensing happens at the state level, so a lender working with Kiowa County borrowers answers to the Colorado Division of Banking. Colorado also has the Colorado Attorney General's office, which administers the state's Uniform Consumer Credit Code for consumer credit. Problems with a lender can also go to the CFPB. More on Colorado: Colorado personal loans.

Keep exploring

Statewide:

• Colorado state guide