1st Advantage MortgageMontgomery County households have a median income of $55,697 and median rent of $761 a month (ACS 2020 to 2024). 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
- Montgomery County, KS: the basics
- Housing costs in Montgomery County
- Income in Montgomery County compared with Kansas
- How Montgomery County residents earn a living
- Towns and communities in Montgomery County
- Montgomery County and the counties next door
- Who lives in Montgomery County, in numbers
- Before borrowing in Montgomery County
- A Montgomery County household budget, worked through
- Four steps for Montgomery County borrowers
- Licensing and complaints for Montgomery County
- More guides for Montgomery County
- Frequently asked questions
Montgomery County, KS: the basics
Montgomery County is home to about 30,940 people, according to the Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey, which makes it the 19th most populous of 105 county-level areas in Kansas. It covers 644 square miles of land, or about 48 people per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Montgomery County is not part of any metropolitan area. Of the 11 Census places inside Montgomery County, Coffeyville leads by population with about 8,662; 9 of the 11 are incorporated.
Housing costs in Montgomery County
Renters in Montgomery County pay a median of $761 a month, 28% below the Kansas figure of $1,060. 48% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 27% spend half or more. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $101,700, about 1.8 times the median household income. 73% of Montgomery County households own their home and 27% rent.
| Housing | Montgomery County | Kansas statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $761/mo | $1,060/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $101,700 | $217,200 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 73% | 67% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 48% | 43% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 22% | 22% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 6.5% | 4.0% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 17% | 9% | n/a |
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).
Income in Montgomery County compared with Kansas
Montgomery County households have a median income of $55,697 (ACS 2020 to 2024), which ranks 94th of 105 in Kansas.
| Households earning | Montgomery County | +/- vs Kansas |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 30.3% | +8.5 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 48.3% | +6.0 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 18.1% | -8.3 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 3.3% | -6.3 pts |
About 30% of households earn under $35,000, while 21% clear $100,000. The poverty rate is 15.9%, 5 points higher than the state's 11.3%. Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.422 here. None of these numbers decides a Montgomery County application. Lenders weigh your own documented income against your own debts.
How Montgomery County residents earn a living
By the Census industry count, 26% of employed Montgomery County residents work in education and health care and 20% in manufacturing. Compared with Kansas, the county leans toward manufacturing (20% against 12%). The survey's unemployment rate for Montgomery County averages 4.4% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 3.9%). About 81% drive to work alone and 8% have trips of 45 minutes or more. Only 6.8% of homes here go without a vehicle.
| Industry | Share of Montgomery County workers | vs Kansas |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 26.3% | +1.4 pts |
| Manufacturing | 19.7% | +7.2 pts |
| Retail trade | 12.0% | +1.4 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 7.4% | -0.1 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 6.1% | -4.0 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 6.0% | +0.4 pts |
A lender verifies what your own job pays. The county's industry mix tells you about the local economy, not about your application.
Towns and communities in Montgomery County
11 Census places fall mainly inside Montgomery County; the 11 biggest are below. They account for 21,516 residents, leaving about 30% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Incomes vary by place: $51,069 at the median in Independence, $39,000 in Caney. Live in one of these Montgomery County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Town or CDP | Type | People | Median household income | Median gross rent | Miles from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coffeyville | city | 8,662 | $45,670 | $716 | 12 mi |
| Independence | city | 8,422 | $51,069 | $789 | 3 mi |
| Cherryvale | city | 2,096 | $50,288 | $668 | 12 mi |
| Caney | city | 1,431 | $39,000 | $780 | 16 mi |
| Dearing | city | 279 | $62,500 | $618 | 10 mi |
| Elk City | city | 245 | $46,250 | $929 | 12 mi |
| Tyro | city | 192 | n/a | n/a | 11 mi |
| Liberty | city | 110 | $45,625 | n/a | 8 mi |
| Havana | city | 55 | $32,708 | n/a | 13 mi |
| Sycamore | CDP | 24 | n/a | n/a | 9 mi |
| Wayside | CDP | 0 | n/a | n/a | 8 mi |
Montgomery County and the counties next door
The six counties whose centers lie closest to Montgomery County's, from 24 to 35 miles away. Income ranges from $54,333 in Nowata County to $64,609 in Elk County; 5 of these neighbors top Montgomery County's median. The list crosses into Oklahoma, where different lending rules and regulators apply.
| Adjacent area | How far | HH income (median) | Rent (median) | Owner share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Montgomery County | - | $55,697 | $761/mo | 73% |
| Labette County, KS | 24 mi | $56,325 | $746/mo | 74% |
| Wilson County, KS | 25 mi | $60,677 | $736/mo | 78% |
| Chautauqua County, KS | 28 mi | $56,438 | $708/mo | 82% |
| Nowata County, OK | 29 mi | $54,333 | $811/mo | 74% |
| Elk County, KS | 33 mi | $64,609 | $552/mo | 79% |
| Washington County, OK | 35 mi | $60,162 | $907/mo | 72% |
Who lives in Montgomery County, in numbers
23% of Montgomery County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. 10.8% of residents have no health coverage.
| Montgomery County | Kansas | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 41.2 | 37.4 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 22.6% | 35.6% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 9.1% | 8.0% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 10.8% | 8.8% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 6.8% | 5.1% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 3.5% | 11.8% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 15.9% | 11.3% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 4.4% | 3.9% | 4.4% |
| Minutes to work | Montgomery County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 51.5% |
| 15 to 29 min | 29.0% |
| 30 to 44 min | 11.8% |
| 45 to 59 min | 3.3% |
| 60+ min | 4.5% |
Before borrowing in Montgomery County
Based on the Montgomery County data above, these borrowing questions are most likely to matter locally.
- Health costs. With 11% of the county uninsured, an interest-free hospital payment plan usually beats a loan (medical bills).
- Renters under pressure. When 48% pay 30% or more for rent, the smallest loan that solves the problem is the right size.
- Advance-fee offers. No legitimate lender asks a Montgomery County borrower to pay first (scam signs).
A Montgomery County household budget, worked through
Lenders compare monthly debt payments with gross monthly income, the debt-to-income ratio. For a Montgomery County household at the medians it works out like this; treat it as an illustration only.
- $4,641 a month: gross income for a household at the Montgomery County median
- Housing at the median rent of $761 uses 16%
- $910: what a 36% ratio leaves once rent is paid
Lenders set their own limits and look beyond the ratio. The DTI calculator uses your figures instead of Montgomery County's.
Four steps for Montgomery County borrowers
A short checklist for Montgomery County borrowers:
- Price the Montgomery County expense first and borrow that amount, no more.
- Shop at least three lenders, including one Montgomery County-area credit union.
- Look the lender up with the state regulator first.
- Confirm the first due date before setting up autopay.
Licensing and complaints for Montgomery County
Licensing happens at the state level, so a lender working with Montgomery County borrowers answers to the Kansas Office of the State Bank Commissioner. Banks and credit unions have their own regulators, and the CFPB takes complaints about any lender. Statewide data and rules: Kansas guide.
More guides for Montgomery County
For statewide rules and data, see the Kansas guide.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Montgomery County earn?
The median is $55,697; 21% earn $100,000 or more and 30% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
How does Montgomery County rent compare with Kansas?
$761 locally versus $1,060 for the state, 28% below.
Which towns does the Montgomery County guide cover?
Every community in the county, unincorporated areas included. The largest of its 11 Census places: Coffeyville, Independence, Cherryvale, Caney, Dearing.
Is the fit check different in Montgomery County?
No. It is identical everywhere, and it never looks at your neighborhood.
Is there a Montgomery County office that licenses lenders?
No, licensing is statewide. In Kansas it is the Kansas Office of the State Bank Commissioner.