1st Advantage MortgageLyon County households have a median income of $59,912 and median rent of $817 a month (ACS 2020 to 2024). 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
- Lyon County, KS: the basics
- Paychecks and income spread in Lyon County
- Housing costs in Lyon County
- Jobs and commutes in Lyon County
- Regional comparison for Lyon County
- Cities, towns and CDPs in Lyon County
- Room for a loan payment in Lyon County
- Borrowing situations common in Lyon County
- More Lyon County figures
- Steps before you apply in Lyon County
- Kansas rules that apply in Lyon County
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
Lyon County, KS: the basics
Roughly 32,186 residents live in Lyon County, Kansas, 18th by population among the state's 105 counties and county equivalents. It covers 847 square miles of land, or about 38 people per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Lyon County is not part of any metropolitan area. The Census Bureau counts 9 places in the county (9 incorporated, 0 census-designated); the largest is Emporia, with about 24,131 residents, or 75% of the county.
Paychecks and income spread in Lyon County
At $59,912, the typical Lyon County household income is 9% below the median U.S. county ($65,681).
| Yearly household income | Lyon County | Gap to Kansas |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 26.6% | +4.9 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 51.6% | +9.3 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 17.7% | -8.7 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 4.1% | -5.5 pts |
About 27% of households earn under $35,000, while 22% clear $100,000. Census counts 14.6% of Lyon County residents in poverty, against 11.3% across Kansas. Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.409 here. A household earning below the $59,912 median should test any payment carefully; one earning above it should still pick the shortest term it can manage.
Housing costs in Lyon County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $817 in Lyon County versus $1,060 statewide. By the Census definition, 41% of Lyon County renters are cost-burdened. With a median value of $150,600, a typical Lyon County house costs 2.5 times what the median household earns in a year. Owners occupy 58% of homes. The median home was built in 1970, so roofs, wiring and heating systems are a common source of repair bills.
| Lyon County | Kansas | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $817/mo | $1,060/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $150,600 | $217,200 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 58% | 67% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 41% | 43% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 19% | 22% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 9.3% | 4.0% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 10% | 9% | n/a |
Jobs and commutes in Lyon County
Education and health care employs 25% of working residents, the largest share; manufacturing is next with 23%. The sharpest difference from the state is in manufacturing, at 23% locally and 12% for Kansas. ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 2.0% in Lyon County. Long commutes are the exception here: 8% of workers spend 45 minutes or longer getting to work. 5.7% of households have no vehicle.
| Where residents work | Lyon County | Difference from Kansas |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 24.6% | -0.3 pts |
| Manufacturing | 22.5% | +10.1 pts |
| Retail trade | 12.6% | +2.0 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 8.1% | +0.6 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 6.4% | -3.6 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 5.7% | +0.1 pts |
Shorter commutes usually mean lower vehicle costs, which can leave more room for a payment, or for paying a loan off early.
Regional comparison for Lyon County
The six counties whose centers lie closest to Lyon County's, from 26 to 40 miles away. 4 of the six report a higher median household income than Lyon County; Wabaunsee County is highest at $76,908 and Chase County lowest at $56,484.
| Adjacent area | How far | HH income (median) | Rent (median) | Owner share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lyon County | - | $59,912 | $817/mo | 58% |
| Chase County, KS | 26 mi | $56,484 | $825/mo | 73% |
| Coffey County, KS | 28 mi | $70,346 | $836/mo | 76% |
| Osage County, KS | 28 mi | $74,467 | $785/mo | 82% |
| Morris County, KS | 31 mi | $58,686 | $724/mo | 80% |
| Wabaunsee County, KS | 35 mi | $76,908 | $780/mo | 81% |
| Greenwood County, KS | 40 mi | $60,042 | $715/mo | 80% |
Cities, towns and CDPs in Lyon County
9 Census places fall mainly inside Lyon County; the 9 biggest are below. They account for 27,030 residents, leaving about 16% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Olpe has the highest median household income on the list ($89,479) and Emporia the lowest ($52,704), counting places with at least 500 residents. Rent is cheapest in Olpe ($732) and steepest in Emporia ($815). This guide covers each of the 9 places and the rural areas around them.
| Community | Type | Residents | Household income (median) | Rent (median) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emporia | city | 24,131 | $52,704 | $815 | 4 mi |
| Americus | city | 955 | $73,542 | $756 | 6 mi |
| Olpe | city | 565 | $89,479 | $732 | 13 mi |
| Hartford | city | 428 | $55,250 | $700 | 15 mi |
| Allen | city | 287 | $59,016 | $478 | 14 mi |
| Neosho Rapids | city | 276 | $75,625 | n/a | 11 mi |
| Reading | city | 198 | $68,125 | $725 | 12 mi |
| Admire | city | 144 | $56,094 | n/a | 13 mi |
| Bushong | city | 46 | n/a | $1,188 | 14 mi |
Room for a loan payment in Lyon County
How much room does a median Lyon County budget have? Take median income, subtract median rent, and check what is left under a few common debt-to-income limits.
- $4,993 a month: gross income for a household at the Lyon County median
- Less median rent of $817, which is 16% of it
- With a 43% ceiling, about $1,330 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
Two-income households and single earners in Lyon County land in very different places on this math, so run it for your own budget.
Borrowing situations common in Lyon County
Based on the Lyon County data above, these borrowing questions are most likely to matter locally.
- Uninsured care. 12% lack coverage here; nonprofit hospitals must publish an assistance policy, so ask for it first (guide).
- Credit reports. Pull free reports at AnnualCreditReport.com and dispute errors before applying.
- Debt consolidation. One fixed payment can save money only if the written APR and fees beat what you pay now (guide).
More Lyon County figures
Degree holders: 26% of adults over 25. The uninsured rate is 11.5%, against 8.8% for Kansas.
| Measure | Lyon County | Kansas statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 33.1 | 37.4 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 26.3% | 35.6% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 10.6% | 8.0% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 11.5% | 8.8% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 5.7% | 5.1% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 6.4% | 11.8% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 14.6% | 11.3% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 2.0% | 3.9% | 4.4% |
| One-way commute | Share of Lyon County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 67.2% |
| 15 to 29 min | 20.0% |
| 30 to 44 min | 5.2% |
| 45 to 59 min | 3.0% |
| 60+ min | 4.5% |
Steps before you apply in Lyon County
Quick steps for Lyon County:
- Borrow the amount the job needs; extra cash adds interest.
- Compare the total repaid on every offer, not just the payment.
- Only work with lenders licensed for Kansas borrowers.
- Ask a Lyon County credit union about member loans.
Kansas rules that apply in Lyon County
Lyon County borrowers fall under statewide rules, enforced by 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.
Related local guides
For statewide rules and data, see the Kansas guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is Lyon County a high-income county?
Its $59,912 median ranks 77th of 105 Kansas counties and compares with $65,681 for the median U.S. county.
What do renters pay in Lyon County?
$817 a month at the median, about 16% of median household income.
What are the biggest places in Lyon County?
By population: Emporia, Americus, Olpe, Hartford, Allen. The county has 9 Census places in all.
Will a Lyon County address affect my match?
Beyond confirming Kansas as your state, no. Your answers about amount, credit, income and payments are all that count.
Where can someone in Lyon County check a lender's license?
With the Kansas Office of the State Bank Commissioner. If a lender is unlicensed or asks for a fee before funding, walk away.