1st Advantage MortgageLinn County (9,767 residents) has a $59,069 median household income and $691 median rent, by the latest Census five-year survey. 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
- Who lives in Linn County
- What stands out in Linn County
- Homes and rents, Linn County
- Jobs and commutes in Linn County
- Earnings across Linn County households
- Linn County and the counties next door
- Cities, towns and CDPs in Linn County
- Local borrowing considerations for Linn County
- Budget math at the Linn County median
- Who lives in Linn County, in numbers
- Kansas rules that apply in Linn County
- Before you sign
- Other Kansas guides
- Frequently asked questions
Who lives in Linn County
Linn County is home to about 9,767 people, according to the Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey, which makes it the 40th most populous of 105 county-level areas in Kansas. Density: about 16.4 residents per square mile across 594 square miles of land. For statistical purposes it belongs to the Kansas City, MO-KS metro area, as delineated by the Office of Management and Budget in July 2023. The Census Bureau counts 8 places in the county (7 incorporated, 1 census-designated); the largest is Pleasanton, with about 1,516 residents, or 16% of the county. At 9,767 people, Linn County is a small survey sample, so small differences in these figures may be noise.
What stands out in Linn County
Where Linn County lands at the extremes of Kansas's county rankings:
- Few Kansas counties match Linn County on the share of commutes over 45 minutes: 35% here, 7% for the state, ranking the highest of 105. Long drives make car repairs a common emergency; get two written quotes.
- Linn County ranks 11th highest of 105 Kansas counties for the share of mobile homes: 12.3%, against 4.0% statewide. Manufactured homes often do not qualify for home equity loans, so unsecured loans fill the gap.
- On homeownership, Linn County sits near the top of Kansas at 81%, 13th highest of 105. An owner-heavy county means repairs are a common reason to borrow.
Homes and rents, Linn County
Renters in Linn County pay a median of $691 a month, 35% below the Kansas figure of $1,060. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 30% of renter households here. Linn County homes are worth $173,600 at the median, a 2.9-to-1 ratio to income. Homeowners 81%, renters 19%. Half the housing stock was built before 1983.
| Linn County | Kansas | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Owners | 81% | 67% | +14.0 pts |
| Rent-burdened renters | 30% | 43% | -13.6 pts |
| Mobile homes | 12.3% | 4.0% | +8.2 pts |
| Vacant units | 17% | 9% | +7.5 pts |
| Burdened owners | 29% | 22% | +6.8 pts |
| Median gross rent | $691/mo | $1,060/mo | 35% lower |
| Median home value | $173,600 | $217,200 | 20% lower |
With 81% of Linn County homes owner-occupied, equity is a real alternative for many readers; just remember a missed HELOC payment puts the home at risk.
Jobs and commutes in Linn County
The biggest employer of Linn County residents, by industry, is education and health care at 25% of workers, followed by construction (13%). Construction stands out: 13% of workers here, versus 6% statewide. Unemployment in Linn County, ACS five-year: 4.4%; Kansas: 3.9%. About 77% drive to work alone and 35% have trips of 45 minutes or more. Only 5.0% of homes here go without a vehicle.
| Sector | Linn County | Compared with Kansas |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 25.3% | +0.4 pts |
| Construction | 13.2% | +6.8 pts |
| Manufacturing | 10.1% | -2.3 pts |
| Retail trade | 9.6% | -1.0 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 7.7% | +2.1 pts |
| Finance, insurance and real estate | 6.7% | +0.2 pts |
A lender verifies what your own job pays. The county's industry mix tells you about the local economy, not about your application.
Earnings across Linn County households
Linn County households have a median income of $59,069 (ACS 2020 to 2024), which ranks 82nd of 105 in Kansas.
| Households earning | Linn County | +/- vs Kansas |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 25.4% | +3.7 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 45.1% | +2.8 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 24.5% | -1.9 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 5.0% | -4.6 pts |
On the low end, 25% of Linn County households report under $35,000; at the top, 29% report $100,000-plus. Linn County counts about 820 residents below the poverty line, 8.4% of the population. Linn County scores 0.444 on the Gini index, where higher means more unequal incomes. Income from any regular source can count, including Social Security, pensions and disability benefits, as long as you can document it.
Linn County and the counties next door
Six nearby counties, 24 to 34 miles away by the straight-line distance between their centers. Linn County's $59,069 median trails 6 of the six and beats 0; the range runs $59,238 (Bourbon County) to $89,000 (Miami County). The list crosses into Missouri, where different lending rules and regulators apply.
| Nearby county | Center to center | Household income | Gross rent | Owner-occupied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Linn County | - | $59,069 | $691/mo | 81% |
| Miami County, KS | 24 mi | $89,000 | $1,107/mo | 78% |
| Anderson County, KS | 24 mi | $70,614 | $853/mo | 79% |
| Bourbon County, KS | 25 mi | $59,238 | $752/mo | 74% |
| Bates County, MO | 28 mi | $60,733 | $786/mo | 75% |
| Franklin County, KS | 33 mi | $77,207 | $1,042/mo | 72% |
| Allen County, KS | 34 mi | $60,689 | $720/mo | 75% |
Cities, towns and CDPs in Linn County
The table lists the 8 largest of 8 Census places in Linn County, by population. Together all 8 hold about 5,357 people, so roughly 45% of residents live outside any named place. Gap between richest and poorest larger place: $10,998, Mound City over Pleasanton. No Linn County place has a separate guide yet; this county page serves all 8.
| Town or CDP | Type | People | Median household income | Median gross rent | Miles from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pleasanton | city | 1,516 | $49,565 | $633 | 8 mi |
| La Cygne | city | 1,327 | $58,882 | $860 | 10 mi |
| Linn Valley | city | 962 | $51,279 | n/a | 13 mi |
| Mound City | city | 768 | $60,563 | $744 | 5 mi |
| Prescott | city | 276 | $42,708 | $903 | 13 mi |
| Parker | city | 274 | $79,125 | n/a | 11 mi |
| Blue Mound | city | 234 | $60,625 | $561 | 13 mi |
| Centerville | CDP | 0 | n/a | n/a | 9 mi |
Local borrowing considerations for Linn County
Where the Linn County numbers stand out, and why it matters for a loan:
- Long drives. With 35% of commutes over 45 minutes, tires and repairs are fixed costs in many Linn County budgets.
- Manufactured homes. 12% of Linn County housing units are mobile homes, and their repairs are often paid with unsecured loans. Get the quote in writing.
- Older households. A 45.7 median age means fixed-income borrowing is common; a fixed payment and short term limit risk.
Budget math at the Linn County median
How much room does a median Linn County budget have? Take median income, subtract median rent, and check what is left under a few common debt-to-income limits.
- $59,069 a year is $4,922 of gross monthly income
- 14% goes to median rent ($691)
- $1,081: what a 36% ratio leaves once rent is paid
Homeowners in Linn County should swap in their mortgage, taxes and insurance for rent.
Who lives in Linn County, in numbers
In Linn County, 23% of adults have at least a four-year degree (36% in Kansas). 9.8% of residents have no health coverage.
| Linn County | vs Kansas | vs U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's or higher | 22.7% | -12.9 pts | +0.6 pts |
| Median age | 45.7 | +8.3 yrs | +4.2 yrs |
| Work from home | 8.1% | -3.7 pts | -0.5 pts |
| Poverty rate | 8.4% | -2.9 pts | -4.8 pts |
| No high school diploma | 5.8% | -2.2 pts | n/a |
| No health insurance | 9.8% | +1.1 pts | +2.0 pts |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 4.4% | +0.5 pts | 0.0 pts |
| No vehicle | 5.0% | -0.1 pts | -0.4 pts |
| Commute length | Linn County |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 27.6% |
| 15 to 29 min | 18.6% |
| 30 to 44 min | 19.0% |
| 45 to 59 min | 12.3% |
| 60+ min | 22.6% |
Kansas rules that apply in Linn County
No county office licenses personal lenders. For Linn County, check the Kansas Office of the State Bank Commissioner. If a Linn County lender ignores a dispute, the CFPB complaint portal is the federal backstop. State-level detail for Linn County borrowers is in the Kansas guide.
Before you sign
Steps that save money for Linn County residents:
- Price the Linn County expense first and borrow that amount, no more.
- Line up offers side by side: APR, fees in dollars, total cost.
- A Kansas license check takes minutes; do it first.
- Pick the shortest term whose payment still fits.
Other Kansas guides
Next step up from Linn County:
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Linn County earn?
The median is $59,069; 29% earn $100,000 or more and 25% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
Can a Linn County renter afford a loan payment?
At the $691 median rent and $4,922 median monthly income, rent alone uses 14%; add other debts before a new payment.
Should Linn County homeowners use home equity instead?
Maybe, but weigh the risk: 81% of Linn County homes are owner-occupied, and a home-equity loan or line is secured by the house while a personal loan usually is not.
Does this page cover Pleasanton?
Yes, along with the other 7 Census places in Linn County, such as La Cygne, Linn Valley, Mound City.
Are Linn County applicants treated differently?
No. Everyone answers the same questions and is screened on the same objective points; lending partners set their own criteria under fair-lending laws.