1st Advantage MortgageMcPherson County households have a median income of $78,851 and median rent of $916 a month (ACS 2020 to 2024). For a McPherson County borrower, the useful steps are the same anywhere: price the need, gather three written offers, and check the Kansas license.
On this page
- Getting oriented in McPherson County
- Work, industries and travel time in McPherson County
- Renting and owning in McPherson County
- How McPherson County ranks in Kansas
- The $78,851 median and what sits around it
- McPherson County towns compared
- Counties near McPherson County
- Local borrowing considerations for McPherson County
- More McPherson County figures
- Room for a loan payment in McPherson County
- Checklist for McPherson County applicants
- Lender oversight for McPherson County
- Keep exploring
- Frequently asked questions
Getting oriented in McPherson County
Roughly 30,205 residents live in McPherson County, Kansas, 20th by population among the state's 105 counties and county equivalents. Its 898 square miles average 34 people per square mile, by the 2024 Census Gazetteer. It sits outside every metropolitan statistical area in the July 2023 OMB delineation. Of the 10 Census places inside McPherson County, McPherson leads by population with about 13,995; 8 of the 10 are incorporated.
Work, industries and travel time in McPherson County
Education and health care (26%), manufacturing (20%) and arts, lodging and food service (8%) lead McPherson County's job mix. McPherson County over-indexes on manufacturing: 20% versus 12% in Kansas. 1.8% of McPherson County's labor force reported being unemployed, averaged across 2020 to 2024. 5% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 7% work from home. Only 2.9% of homes here go without a vehicle.
| Sector | McPherson County | Compared with Kansas |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 26.1% | +1.2 pts |
| Manufacturing | 19.6% | +7.2 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 8.0% | +0.6 pts |
| Retail trade | 6.8% | -3.7 pts |
| Finance, insurance and real estate | 6.8% | +0.3 pts |
| Construction | 5.6% | -0.8 pts |
Seasonal work is common in many McPherson County industries; if that is you, show a full year of income rather than one strong month.
Renting and owning in McPherson County
$916 a month is the median gross rent in McPherson County, 14% below the state. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 41% of renter households here. Home values center on $211,200, or 2.7 years of median income. 75% of McPherson County households own their home and 25% rent. Against the median U.S. county, McPherson County rent is 4% above.
| McPherson County | Kansas | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $916/mo | $1,060/mo | 14% lower |
| Median home value | $211,200 | $217,200 | 3% lower |
| Owners | 75% | 67% | +8.3 pts |
| Rent-burdened renters | 41% | 43% | -2.7 pts |
| Burdened owners | 20% | 22% | -2.2 pts |
| Mobile homes | 4.3% | 4.0% | +0.3 pts |
Owners with equity have a second option. Weigh a secured line against an unsecured loan by risk as well as cost before you choose (how they compare).
How McPherson County ranks in Kansas
Ranked against the other 104 county-level areas in Kansas, these are the McPherson County figures furthest from the middle.
- McPherson County ranks 8th highest of 105 Kansas counties for the share of adults with a bachelor's degree: 34%, against 36% statewide. More graduates often means more student debt to factor in.
- On the housing vacancy rate, McPherson County sits near the bottom of Kansas at 8%, 10th lowest of 105. Low vacancy tends to push rents up over time.
- McPherson County ranks 12th highest of 105 Kansas counties for median household income: $78,851, against $74,275 statewide. A high county median can hide a wide spread, so budget from your own pay.
The $78,851 median and what sits around it
Half of McPherson County households take in less than $78,851 a year and half take in more, 6% above the Kansas median of $74,275. In the state ranking that is 12th of 105.
| Household income | McPherson County | vs Kansas |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 20.3% | -1.4 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 43.6% | +1.4 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 30.1% | +3.7 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 5.9% | -3.7 pts |
On the low end, 20% of McPherson County households report under $35,000; at the top, 36% report $100,000-plus. 9.5% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 11.3%). Income from any regular source can count, including Social Security, pensions and disability benefits, as long as you can document it.
McPherson County towns compared
The table lists the 10 largest of 10 Census places in McPherson County, by population. Together all 10 hold about 23,392 people, so roughly 23% of residents live outside any named place. Incomes vary by place: $91,167 at the median in Galva, $59,250 in Inman. Median rent ranges from $561 in Moundridge to $1,022 in Lindsborg. This guide covers each of the 10 places and the rural areas around them.
| Place in county | Status | Population (ACS) | Median HH income | Monthly rent | Distance from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| McPherson | city | 13,995 | $77,529 | $925 | 2 mi |
| Lindsborg | city | 3,792 | $81,250 | $1,022 | 13 mi |
| Moundridge | city | 1,628 | $67,500 | $561 | 15 mi |
| Inman | city | 1,325 | $59,250 | $960 | 13 mi |
| Galva | city | 1,002 | $91,167 | $924 | 6 mi |
| Canton | city | 706 | $70,729 | $925 | 12 mi |
| Marquette | city | 585 | $61,923 | $725 | 15 mi |
| Elyria | CDP | 307 | $158,161 | n/a | 7 mi |
| Windom | city | 52 | $46,250 | n/a | 14 mi |
| Roxbury | CDP | 0 | n/a | n/a | 16 mi |
CDP: census-designated place, an unincorporated community mapped for statistics.
Counties near McPherson County
Nearest neighbors first, measured between county centers (26 to 39 miles). None of the six report a higher median household income than McPherson County; Harvey County is highest at $74,368 and Reno County lowest at $60,645.
| County | Distance | Median income | Median rent | Owners |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| McPherson County | - | $78,851 | $916/mo | 75% |
| Harvey County, KS | 26 mi | $74,368 | $900/mo | 70% |
| Saline County, KS | 27 mi | $65,422 | $961/mo | 67% |
| Marion County, KS | 30 mi | $64,695 | $727/mo | 81% |
| Rice County, KS | 30 mi | $63,925 | $753/mo | 77% |
| Ellsworth County, KS | 37 mi | $65,560 | $708/mo | 80% |
| Reno County, KS | 39 mi | $60,645 | $863/mo | 69% |
Local borrowing considerations for McPherson County
- Debt consolidation. One fixed payment can save money only if the written APR and fees beat what you pay now (guide).
- Know your credit. Review all three bureau reports for free (AnnualCreditReport.com).
- Requirements. Lenders weigh credit history, documented income and existing debt (what to gather).
More McPherson County figures
34% of McPherson County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. Health coverage gaps: 6.2% of McPherson County residents are uninsured.
| Residents | McPherson County | Difference from Kansas | Difference from middle U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Work from home | 7.3% | -4.5 pts | -1.4 pts |
| No health insurance | 6.2% | -2.6 pts | -1.7 pts |
| No vehicle | 2.9% | -2.1 pts | -2.5 pts |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 1.8% | -2.1 pts | -2.6 pts |
| Median age | 39.4 | +2.0 yrs | -2.1 yrs |
| Poverty rate | 9.5% | -1.8 pts | -3.7 pts |
| Bachelor's or higher | 34.3% | -1.3 pts | +12.1 pts |
| No high school diploma | 7.3% | -0.7 pts | n/a |
| Trip time | Share |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 61.4% |
| 15 to 29 min | 23.1% |
| 30 to 44 min | 10.6% |
| 45 to 59 min | 2.4% |
| 60+ min | 2.4% |
Room for a loan payment in McPherson County
Here is the McPherson County median household run through a simple DTI check. Your numbers will differ.
- $78,851 a year is $6,571 of gross monthly income
- 14% goes to median rent ($916)
- 40% debt-to-income limit: $1,712 left for all other debt payments
Subtract what you already pay on other debts. A new payment should fit in what remains, with some to spare.
Checklist for McPherson County applicants
Steps that save money for McPherson County residents:
- Size the loan to the bill, not to the most a lender offers.
- Ask each lender for the APR and all fees in writing.
- Only work with lenders licensed for Kansas borrowers.
- Lock paid-off cards after consolidating so balances stay at zero.
Lender oversight for McPherson County
The Kansas Office of the State Bank Commissioner is the place to verify any lender's Kansas license. Problems with a lender can also go to the CFPB.
Keep exploring
The Kansas guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
Is $78,851 a good income in McPherson County?
It is the county median, so half of McPherson County households earn more and half less; 36% earn $100,000 or more.
Can a McPherson County renter afford a loan payment?
At the $916 median rent and $6,571 median monthly income, rent alone uses 14%; add other debts before a new payment.
I live in a small McPherson County town. Is this my guide?
Yes. If your town has no city guide, this county page is the local one; it covers McPherson, Lindsborg, Moundridge, Inman, Galva and 5 more.
Does living in McPherson County change what I qualify for?
Not in our fit check, which uses only the amount, credit range, income and payments you enter, the same for a McPherson County resident as anyone. Lenders decide under fair-lending law.
What agency protects McPherson County borrowers?
The Kansas Office of the State Bank Commissioner at the state level and the CFPB federally.