1st Advantage MortgageMedian rent in Lane County is $590 a month against a median household income of $54,526, about 13% of income (ACS 2020-24). 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 Lane County
- Lane County income bands
- How Lane County ranks in Kansas
- Where Lane County works
- Homes and rents, Lane County
- The communities that make up Lane County
- Lane County and the counties next door
- Who lives in Lane County, in numbers
- Debt-to-income, Lane County edition
- Local borrowing considerations for Lane County
- Before you sign
- Verifying a lender from Lane County
- More guides for Lane County
- Frequently asked questions
A quick profile of Lane County
Roughly 1,461 residents live in Lane County, Kansas, 103rd by population among the state's 105 counties and county equivalents. It covers 717 square miles of land, or about 2 people per square mile. Metro status: none; Lane County sits outside the 2023 OMB metro areas. Dighton is the biggest of its 2 Census places, at roughly 733 people (50% of the county total). Small populations mean wide margins of error, so read every Lane County figure on this page as a rough guide.
Lane County income bands
At $54,526, the typical Lane County household income is 17% below the median U.S. county ($65,681). Only 96 Kansas counties post a higher median.
| Household income | Lane County | vs Kansas |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 20.2% | -1.5 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 45.8% | +3.6 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 26.4% | -0.1 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 7.6% | -1.9 pts |
Some 20% of households here live on less than $35,000 a year; 34% have six-figure incomes. The poverty rate is 7.0%, 4 points lower than the state's 11.3%. None of these numbers decides a Lane County application. Lenders weigh your own documented income against your own debts.
How Lane County ranks in Kansas
Where Lane County lands at the extremes of Kansas's county rankings:
- On homeownership, Lane County sits near the top of Kansas at 89%, the highest of 105. An owner-heavy county means repairs are a common reason to borrow.
- Few Kansas counties match Lane County on the share of commutes over 45 minutes: 2% here, 7% for the state, ranking the lowest of 105. Short commutes keep vehicle costs down, which can free up room for savings.
- Few Kansas counties match Lane County on households without a vehicle: 1.6% here, 5.1% for the state, ranking 3rd lowest of 105. Car ownership is close to universal, and so are repair bills.
Where Lane County works
By the Census industry count, 19% of employed Lane County residents work in education and health care and 16% in agriculture, forestry and mining. The sharpest difference from the state is in agriculture, forestry and mining, at 16% locally and 3% for Kansas. The survey's unemployment rate for Lane County averages 0.4% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 3.9%). 58% of Lane County workers get to work in under 15 minutes, while 2% need 45 or more. 1.6% of households have no vehicle.
| Industry (employed residents 16+) | Lane County | Gap to Kansas |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 18.5% | -6.4 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 15.5% | +12.5 pts |
| Wholesale trade | 10.8% | +8.5 pts |
| Construction | 9.6% | +3.2 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 9.1% | -0.9 pts |
| Retail trade | 9.0% | -1.6 pts |
If your hours swing with the season or with overtime, size a loan payment against your base pay, not your best month.
Homes and rents, Lane County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $590 in Lane County versus $1,060 statewide. About 2 in 10 Lane County renters pay 30% or more of income for rent. Home values center on $127,100, or 2.3 years of median income. Homeowners 89%, renters 11%. Median construction year: 1958. Nationally, Lane County's $590 rent is 33% below the middle county.
| Measure | Lane County | Kansas | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent-burdened renters | 20% | 43% | -23.9 pts |
| Owners | 89% | 67% | +21.7 pts |
| Burdened owners | 35% | 22% | +13.2 pts |
| Median gross rent | $590/mo | $1,060/mo | 44% lower |
| Median home value | $127,100 | $217,200 | 41% lower |
With 89% of Lane County homes owner-occupied, equity is a real alternative for many readers; just remember a missed HELOC payment puts the home at risk.
The communities that make up Lane County
2 Census places fall mainly inside Lane County; the 2 biggest are below. They account for 1,080 residents, leaving about 26% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. From Dighton to the smallest crossroads, Lane County residents share this guide.
| Town or CDP | Type | People | Median household income | Median gross rent | Miles from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dighton | city | 733 | $51,932 | n/a | 0 mi |
| Healy | CDP | 347 | $50,313 | $675 | 12 mi |
Lane County and the counties next door
The six counties whose centers lie closest to Lane County's, from 24 to 44 miles away. Lane County's $54,526 median trails 6 of the six and beats 0; the range runs $59,955 (Hodgeman County) to $81,528 (Trego County).
| County | Miles | Median household income | Median rent | Homeownership |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lane County | - | $54,526 | $590/mo | 89% |
| Scott County, KS | 24 mi | $68,839 | $685/mo | 67% |
| Gove County, KS | 30 mi | $66,029 | $705/mo | 79% |
| Ness County, KS | 30 mi | $68,616 | $538/mo | 82% |
| Finney County, KS | 33 mi | $73,009 | $1,048/mo | 65% |
| Hodgeman County, KS | 41 mi | $59,955 | $941/mo | 79% |
| Trego County, KS | 44 mi | $81,528 | $720/mo | 82% |
Who lives in Lane County, in numbers
In Lane County, 24% of adults have at least a four-year degree (36% in Kansas). Health coverage gaps: 10.9% of Lane County residents are uninsured.
| Lane County | vs Kansas | vs U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 50.3 | +12.9 yrs | +8.8 yrs |
| Bachelor's or higher | 24.4% | -11.2 pts | +2.3 pts |
| Poverty rate | 7.0% | -4.3 pts | -6.2 pts |
| No vehicle | 1.6% | -3.5 pts | -3.9 pts |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 0.4% | -3.5 pts | -4.0 pts |
| Work from home | 8.7% | -3.1 pts | 0.0 pts |
| No high school diploma | 5.2% | -2.8 pts | n/a |
| No health insurance | 10.9% | +2.2 pts | +3.1 pts |
Debt-to-income, Lane County edition
Lenders compare monthly debt payments with gross monthly income, the debt-to-income ratio. For a Lane County household at the medians it works out like this; treat it as an illustration only.
- Monthly gross at the median, Lane County: $4,544
- Rent at the median, $590, takes 13% of that
- At 35%, room after rent is $1,000 a month
- 45% debt-to-income limit: $1,455 left for all other debt payments
A household below the $54,526 median has less room than this, often none.
Local borrowing considerations for Lane County
- Medical bills. 11% of Lane County residents are uninsured. Before borrowing for care, ask the provider about financial assistance and payment plans.
- Fixed incomes. Lane County's median age is 50.3. Social Security and pensions count as income when documented.
- Paperwork. ID, proof of income and a bank account are the basics (requirements).
Before you sign
A short checklist for Lane County borrowers:
- Size the loan to the bill, not to the most a lender offers.
- Collect three written offers and compare APR and total repaid.
- Look the lender up with the state regulator first.
- Confirm the first due date before setting up autopay.
Verifying a lender from Lane County
Before sharing details with a lender, a Lane County resident can confirm its license with the Kansas Office of the State Bank Commissioner. Banks and credit unions have their own regulators, and the CFPB takes complaints about any lender. See the Kansas state guide for the statewide picture.
More guides for Lane County
For statewide rules and data, see the Kansas guide.
Frequently asked questions
What does a typical Lane County household make?
About $54,526 a year at the median (ACS 2020-24), 27% below the Kansas median.
How much is rent in Lane County?
Median gross rent, utilities included, is $590 a month; 20% of renters spend 30% or more of income on it.
Is home equity cheaper than a personal loan in Lane County?
Often, because the home secures it. With 89% of Lane County homes owner-occupied, weigh that lower cost against the risk to the house.
What are the biggest places in Lane County?
By population: Dighton, Healy. The county has 2 Census places in all.
Can Lane County residents use the questionnaire?
Yes. It asks the same questions in every Kansas county, lists every requirement up front and does not affect your credit score.