1st Advantage MortgageAbout 73% of Kit Carson County homes are owner-occupied, and the median household income is $70,259. Those figures describe the county, not you: compare at least three written offers by APR and total cost, and confirm the lender's license before you apply.
On this page
- Getting oriented in Kit Carson County
- How much Kit Carson County households make
- Renting and owning in Kit Carson County
- Jobs and commutes in Kit Carson County
- Kit Carson County and the counties next door
- Kit Carson County towns compared
- Budget math at the Kit Carson County median
- Kit Carson County households compared
- What the numbers mean for Kit Carson County borrowers
- Lender oversight for Kit Carson County
- Four steps for Kit Carson County borrowers
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
Getting oriented in Kit Carson County
With an estimated 7,023 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Kit Carson County ranks 43rd of 64 in Colorado for population. Land area is 2,161 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 3 per square mile. It sits outside every metropolitan statistical area in the July 2023 OMB delineation. The Census Bureau counts 6 places in the county (6 incorporated, 0 census-designated); the largest is Burlington, with about 3,152 residents, or 45% of the county. Because Kit Carson County is small, the survey's margins of error are wide; treat the numbers as approximate.
How much Kit Carson County households make
The median household income in Kit Carson County is $70,259; statewide it is $95,470, so Kit Carson County runs 26% below Colorado as a whole.
| Households earning | Kit Carson County | +/- vs Colorado |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 23.8% | +7.4 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 45.4% | +9.6 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 23.5% | -7.3 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 7.2% | -9.7 pts |
The spread is wide: 31% of Kit Carson County households make $100,000 or more, and 24% make less than $35,000. 9.8% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 9.4%). A household earning below the $70,259 median should test any payment carefully; one earning above it should still pick the shortest term it can manage.
Renting and owning in Kit Carson County
Renters in Kit Carson County pay a median of $973 a month, 45% below the Colorado figure of $1,761. By the Census definition, 39% of Kit Carson County renters are cost-burdened. Home values center on $239,500, or 3.4 years of median income. The ownership rate is 73%. Median construction year: 1970.
| Kit Carson County | Colorado | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $973/mo | $1,761/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $239,500 | $539,400 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 73% | 66% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 39% | 53% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 30% | 30% | n/a |
In an owner-heavy county like Kit Carson 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.
Jobs and commutes in Kit Carson County
By the Census industry count, 22% of employed Kit Carson County residents work in agriculture, forestry and mining and 18% in education and health care. Compared with Colorado, the county leans toward agriculture, forestry and mining (22% against 2%). The survey's unemployment rate for Kit Carson County averages 2.4% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 4.6%). About 76% drive to work alone and 7% have trips of 45 minutes or more.
| Sector | Kit Carson County | Compared with Colorado |
|---|---|---|
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 22.1% | +20.3 pts |
| Education and health care | 18.5% | -3.4 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 11.1% | +2.1 pts |
| Retail trade | 9.1% | -1.1 pts |
| Construction | 7.7% | -0.4 pts |
| Public administration | 6.8% | +2.1 pts |
Industry shapes paperwork. Salaried and public jobs are easy to verify, while hourly, tipped, commission or contract earners in Kit Carson County should have bank statements and tax returns ready.
Kit Carson County and the counties next door
The six counties whose centers lie closest to Kit Carson County's, from 32 to 56 miles away. Income ranges from $60,545 in Yuma County to $70,865 in Cheyenne County; 1 of these neighbors top Kit Carson County's median. The list crosses into Kansas, where different lending rules and regulators apply.
| County | Distance | Median income | Median rent | Owners |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kit Carson County | - | $70,259 | $973/mo | 73% |
| Cheyenne County, CO | 32 mi | $70,865 | $926/mo | 73% |
| Sherman County, KS | 47 mi | $61,750 | $913/mo | 66% |
| Yuma County, CO | 49 mi | $60,545 | $942/mo | 69% |
| Wallace County, KS | 52 mi | $63,207 | $601/mo | 75% |
| Lincoln County, CO | 53 mi | $62,861 | $868/mo | 72% |
| Washington County, CO | 56 mi | $67,167 | $947/mo | 74% |
Kit Carson County towns compared
The table lists the 6 largest of 6 Census places in Kit Carson County, by population. Together all 6 hold about 5,048 people, so roughly 28% of residents live outside any named place. Incomes vary by place: $74,308 at the median in Burlington, $48,500 in Flagler. No Kit Carson County place has a separate guide yet; this county page serves all 6.
| Town or CDP | Type | People | Median household income | Median gross rent | Miles from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Burlington | city | 3,152 | $74,308 | $1,154 | 18 mi |
| Stratton | town | 716 | $61,583 | $2,068 | 0 mi |
| Flagler | town | 635 | $48,500 | $901 | 25 mi |
| Bethune | town | 218 | $34,688 | n/a | 10 mi |
| Vona | town | 189 | $78,750 | $869 | 8 mi |
| Seibert | town | 138 | $48,750 | $1,175 | 14 mi |
Budget math at the Kit Carson County median
The debt-to-income ratio is the main affordability test lenders use. Applied to Kit Carson County's medians:
- $70,259 a year is $5,855 of gross monthly income
- Less median rent of $973, which is 17% of it
- With a 35% ceiling, about $1,076 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
- Under a 45% cap, $2,635 total minus rent leaves $1,662
Subtract what you already pay on other debts. A new payment should fit in what remains, with some to spare.
Kit Carson County households compared
College graduates make up 20% of the adult population. 12.0% of residents have no health coverage.
| Indicator | Kit Carson County | All of Colorado | U.S. county median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 39.5 | 37.7 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 20.4% | 45.7% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 8.9% | 7.1% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 12.0% | 7.7% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 5.9% | 5.2% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 9.9% | 21.0% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 9.8% | 9.4% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 2.4% | 4.6% | 4.4% |
| Travel time to work | Workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 60.3% |
| 15 to 29 min | 21.4% |
| 30 to 44 min | 10.9% |
| 45 to 59 min | 1.4% |
| 60+ min | 6.0% |
What the numbers mean for Kit Carson County borrowers
The county's numbers point to a few situations that come up often for Kit Carson County borrowers.
- Health costs. With 12% of the county uninsured, an interest-free hospital payment plan usually beats a loan (medical bills).
- Consolidating cards in Kit Carson County. Compare the total repaid, not the monthly figure (how).
- Scams. A fee demanded before funding is a red flag; report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov (spotting scams).
Lender oversight for Kit Carson County
Consumer lenders serving Kit Carson County are licensed by the state, not the county; in Colorado that is the Colorado Division of Banking. The Colorado Attorney General's office, which administers the state's Uniform Consumer Credit Code handles consumer-credit questions as well. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau accepts complaints nationwide. See the Colorado state guide for the statewide picture.
Four steps for Kit Carson County borrowers
Before you apply, wherever you live in Kit Carson County:
- Get a written quote for whatever you are paying for in Kit Carson County.
- Shop at least three lenders, including one Kit Carson County-area credit union.
- Only work with lenders licensed for Colorado borrowers.
- Ask a Kit Carson County credit union about member loans.
Related local guides
The Colorado guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
What does a typical Kit Carson County household make?
About $70,259 a year at the median (ACS 2020-24), 26% below the Colorado median.
What do renters pay in Kit Carson County?
$973 a month at the median, about 17% of median household income.
I own my home in Kit Carson County. Personal loan or HELOC?
A HELOC uses the house as collateral; a personal loan usually does not. With 73% of homes owner-occupied here, many readers can compare both in writing.
What are the biggest places in Kit Carson County?
By population: Burlington, Stratton, Flagler, Bethune, Vona. The county has 6 Census places in all.
Does my county matter to the questionnaire?
Only your state does. Whether you live in Kit Carson County or elsewhere in Colorado, the same rules apply.