1st Advantage MortgageMorris County households have a median income of $58,686 and median rent of $724 a month (ACS 2020 to 2024). Whatever your own numbers, compare written offers on APR, fees and total cost, and verify the lender is licensed in Kansas before sharing details.
On this page
- Morris County, KS: the basics
- Morris County housing compared with Kansas
- What Morris County households earn
- The Morris County job picture
- Morris County towns compared
- Regional comparison for Morris County
- People and households in Morris County
- Reading the Morris County data as a borrower
- What a median Morris County budget can carry
- Checking a lender's license in Kansas
- Checklist for Morris County applicants
- More guides for Morris County
- Frequently asked questions
Morris County, KS: the basics
Roughly 5,340 residents live in Morris County, Kansas, 65th by population among the state's 105 counties and county equivalents. Spread over 695 square miles, that works out to roughly 7.7 residents per square mile. It sits outside every metropolitan statistical area in the July 2023 OMB delineation. The Census Bureau counts 9 places in the county (8 incorporated, 1 census-designated); the largest is Council Grove, with about 2,265 residents, or 42% of the county. With so few households sampled, Morris County estimates can move a lot between releases.
Morris County housing compared with Kansas
A typical Morris County rental runs $724 a month including utilities, which is 32% below Kansas. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 25% of renter households here. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $129,600, about 2.2 times the median household income. 80% of Morris County households own their home and 20% rent. Median construction year: 1960.
| Housing | Morris County | Kansas statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $724/mo | $1,060/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $129,600 | $217,200 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 80% | 67% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 25% | 43% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 24% | 22% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 15% | 9% | n/a |
Because most Morris County households own, home repairs are a frequent reason to borrow. An unsecured personal loan leaves the house out of the deal, while a HELOC uses it as collateral.
What Morris County households earn
Half of Morris County households take in less than $58,686 a year and half take in more, 21% below the Kansas median of $74,275. In the state ranking that is 85th of 105.
| Households earning | Morris County | +/- vs Kansas |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 29.7% | +8.0 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 44.4% | +2.1 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 21.2% | -5.3 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 4.7% | -4.8 pts |
About 30% of households earn under $35,000, while 26% clear $100,000. 12.1% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 11.3%). For a borrower in Morris County, the county median is only context: a lender looks at the income you can document, so pay stubs, benefit letters or tax returns matter more than any average.
The Morris County job picture
Education and health care employs 26% of working residents, the largest share; retail trade is next with 10%. The sharpest difference from the state is in agriculture, forestry and mining, at 7% locally and 3% for Kansas. The survey's unemployment rate for Morris County averages 2.5% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 3.9%). Long commutes are common here: 16% of workers spend 45 minutes or longer getting to work.
| Industry (employed residents 16+) | Morris County | Gap to Kansas |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 26.0% | +1.0 pts |
| Retail trade | 10.1% | -0.5 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 9.0% | +3.4 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 8.6% | -1.4 pts |
| Construction | 8.3% | +1.9 pts |
| Manufacturing | 8.0% | -4.4 pts |
A lender verifies what your own job pays. The county's industry mix tells you about the local economy, not about your application.
Morris County towns compared
The table lists the 9 largest of 9 Census places in Morris County, by population. Together all 9 hold about 5,482 people, so roughly 0% of residents live outside any named place. This guide covers each of the 9 places and the rural areas around them.
| Community | Type | Residents | Household income (median) | Rent (median) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Council Grove | city | 2,265 | $57,962 | $715 | 9 mi |
| Herington | city | 2,164 | $70,574 | $945 | 8 mi |
| White City | city | 458 | $48,750 | $828 | 9 mi |
| Dwight | city | 242 | $67,000 | $975 | 11 mi |
| Wilsey | city | 164 | $63,333 | n/a | 4 mi |
| Latimer | city | 84 | n/a | n/a | 11 mi |
| Parkerville | city | 55 | $19,250 | n/a | 5 mi |
| Burdick | CDP | 34 | $82,500 | n/a | 14 mi |
| Dunlap | city | 16 | n/a | n/a | 17 mi |
A CDP is a named community without its own municipal government.
Regional comparison for Morris County
Distances run center to center, from Geary County at 23 miles out to Marion County at 33. Wabaunsee County leads the group on income ($76,908), Chase County trails ($56,484), and Morris County out-earns 1 of the six.
| County | Miles | Median household income | Median rent | Homeownership |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Morris County | - | $58,686 | $724/mo | 80% |
| Geary County, KS | 23 mi | $59,317 | $1,104/mo | 44% |
| Chase County, KS | 27 mi | $56,484 | $825/mo | 73% |
| Dickinson County, KS | 30 mi | $68,417 | $901/mo | 79% |
| Wabaunsee County, KS | 30 mi | $76,908 | $780/mo | 81% |
| Lyon County, KS | 31 mi | $59,912 | $817/mo | 58% |
| Marion County, KS | 33 mi | $64,695 | $727/mo | 81% |
People and households in Morris County
College graduates make up 30% of the adult population. The uninsured rate is 6.9%, against 8.8% for Kansas.
| Morris County | Kansas | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 46.4 | 37.4 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 29.9% | 35.6% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 5.8% | 8.0% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 6.9% | 8.8% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 5.9% | 5.1% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 8.7% | 11.8% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 12.1% | 11.3% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 2.5% | 3.9% | 4.4% |
| Minutes to work | Morris County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 49.5% |
| 15 to 29 min | 18.1% |
| 30 to 44 min | 16.5% |
| 45 to 59 min | 8.4% |
| 60+ min | 7.5% |
Reading the Morris County data as a borrower
Where the Morris County numbers stand out, and why it matters for a loan:
- Mobile home upkeep. 14% of units fall in this category; roof, skirting and HVAC jobs are common reasons to borrow.
- Retirees. At a median age of 46.4, many borrowers here rely on award letters as proof of income; favor no prepayment penalty.
- Paperwork. ID, proof of income and a bank account are the basics (requirements).
What a median Morris County budget can carry
How much room does a median Morris County budget have? Take median income, subtract median rent, and check what is left under a few common debt-to-income limits.
- Median income divided by twelve: $4,890 before taxes
- Housing at the median rent of $724 uses 15%
- With a 40% ceiling, about $1,232 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
Car, student loan and card payments come out of that room first. Try your own numbers in the calculator.
Checking a lender's license in Kansas
Licensing happens at the state level, so a lender working with Morris County borrowers answers to the Kansas Office of the State Bank Commissioner. A CFPB complaint gets forwarded to the company for a response. The Kansas guide covers state rules in more detail.
Checklist for Morris County applicants
Four checks before you sign anything:
- Get a written quote for whatever you are paying for in Morris County.
- Shop at least three lenders, including one Morris County-area credit union.
- Confirm the lender is licensed in Kansas.
- Confirm the first due date before setting up autopay.
More guides for Morris County
The Kansas guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median household income in Morris County?
$58,686 a year in the 2020 to 2024 Census survey, versus $74,275 for Kansas. It ranks 85th of 105 in the state.
What do renters pay in Morris County?
$724 a month at the median, about 15% of median household income.
I own my home in Morris County. Personal loan or HELOC?
A HELOC uses the house as collateral; a personal loan usually does not. With 80% of homes owner-occupied here, many readers can compare both in writing.
What are the biggest places in Morris County?
By population: Council Grove, Herington, White City, Dwight, Wilsey. The county has 9 Census places in all.
Are Morris 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.