1st Advantage MortgageIn Morton County, Kansas, the typical household earns $66,447 a year and the typical rent is $632. 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
- Morton County at a glance
- Housing costs in Morton County
- Paychecks and income spread in Morton County
- Jobs and commutes in Morton County
- How Morton County compares with nearby counties
- The communities that make up Morton County
- What a median Morton County budget can carry
- What the numbers mean for Morton County borrowers
- People and households in Morton County
- Before you sign
- Kansas rules that apply in Morton County
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
Morton County at a glance
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Morton County's population at 2,611; only 89 of Kansas's 105 county-level areas are larger. Spread over 730 square miles, that works out to roughly 3.6 residents per square mile. No metropolitan area includes Morton County in the 2023 federal delineation, so its numbers stand on their own rather than as part of a metro. The Census Bureau counts 3 places in the county (3 incorporated, 0 census-designated); the largest is Elkhart, with about 1,661 residents, or 64% of the county. Because Morton County is small, the survey's margins of error are wide; treat the numbers as approximate.
Housing costs in Morton County
Renters in Morton County pay a median of $632 a month, 40% below the Kansas figure of $1,060. By the Census definition, 38% of Morton County renters are cost-burdened. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $96,100, about 1.4 times the median household income. The ownership rate is 85%.
| Housing | Morton County | Kansas statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $632/mo | $1,060/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $96,100 | $217,200 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 85% | 67% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 38% | 43% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 12% | 22% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 26% | 9% | n/a |
Because most Morton 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.
Paychecks and income spread in Morton County
Half of Morton County households take in less than $66,447 a year and half take in more, 11% below the Kansas median of $74,275.
| Household income | Morton County | vs Kansas |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 33.0% | +11.3 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 39.2% | -3.1 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 20.0% | -6.5 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 7.8% | -1.7 pts |
Some 33% of households here live on less than $35,000 a year; 28% have six-figure incomes. Census counts 14.8% of Morton County residents in poverty, against 11.3% across Kansas. Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.442 here. For a borrower in Morton 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.
Jobs and commutes in Morton County
The biggest employer of Morton County residents, by industry, is agriculture, forestry and mining at 29% of workers, followed by education and health care (25%). Agriculture, forestry and mining stands out: 29% of workers here, versus 3% statewide. The survey's unemployment rate for Morton County averages 1.6% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 3.9%). About 85% drive to work alone and 6% have trips of 45 minutes or more.
| Where residents work | Morton County | Difference from Kansas |
|---|---|---|
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 28.6% | +25.5 pts |
| Education and health care | 25.4% | +0.5 pts |
| Other services | 12.1% | +7.7 pts |
| Manufacturing | 8.4% | -4.0 pts |
| Construction | 6.2% | -0.2 pts |
| Wholesale trade | 5.3% | +3.0 pts |
Industry shapes paperwork. Salaried and public jobs are easy to verify, while hourly, tipped, commission or contract earners in Morton County should have bank statements and tax returns ready.
How Morton County compares with nearby counties
Six nearby counties, 26 to 49 miles away by the straight-line distance between their centers. Stanton County leads the group on income ($71,700), Baca County trails ($46,215), and Morton County out-earns 4 of the six. The list crosses into Colorado, Oklahoma, where different lending rules and regulators apply.
| Neighbor | Distance | Income | Rent | Own |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Morton County | - | $66,447 | $632/mo | 85% |
| Stanton County, KS | 26 mi | $71,700 | $705/mo | 77% |
| Stevens County, KS | 27 mi | $64,178 | $927/mo | 74% |
| Texas County, OK | 35 mi | $60,069 | $873/mo | 66% |
| Grant County, KS | 38 mi | $66,476 | $718/mo | 77% |
| Baca County, CO | 41 mi | $46,215 | $592/mo | 72% |
| Cimarron County, OK | 49 mi | $62,188 | $718/mo | 78% |
The communities that make up Morton County
3 Census places fall mainly inside Morton County; the 3 biggest are below. They account for 2,220 residents, leaving about 15% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. None of the 3 has its own city guide, so this page covers all of them.
| Town or CDP | Type | People | Median household income | Median gross rent | Miles from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elkhart | city | 1,661 | $56,771 | $675 | 13 mi |
| Rolla | city | 542 | $58,750 | $619 | 11 mi |
| Richfield | city | 17 | n/a | n/a | 6 mi |
What a median Morton County budget can carry
Lenders compare monthly debt payments with gross monthly income, the debt-to-income ratio. For a Morton County household at the medians it works out like this; treat it as an illustration only.
- Start: $5,537 gross per month ($66,447 / 12)
- Rent at the median, $632, takes 11% of that
- Under a 36% cap, $1,993 total minus rent leaves $1,361
- $1,749: what a 43% ratio leaves once rent is paid
Car, student loan and card payments come out of that room first. Try your own numbers in the calculator.
What the numbers mean for Morton County borrowers
Based on the Morton 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).
- Benefit income. With half of residents older than 46, lenders often see pension and Social Security income, which counts like wages.
- Know your credit. Review all three bureau reports for free (AnnualCreditReport.com).
People and households in Morton County
Degree holders: 17% of adults over 25. 10.6% of residents have no health coverage.
| Measure | Morton County | Kansas statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 46.1 | 37.4 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 17.1% | 35.6% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 18.5% | 8.0% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 10.6% | 8.8% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 2.6% | 5.1% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 8.6% | 11.8% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 14.8% | 11.3% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 1.6% | 3.9% | 4.4% |
| Commute length | Morton County |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 49.8% |
| 15 to 29 min | 28.7% |
| 30 to 44 min | 15.2% |
| 45 to 59 min | 4.0% |
| 60+ min | 2.2% |
Before you sign
Steps that save money for Morton County residents:
- Know the exact dollar figure you need before talking to a lender.
- Line up offers side by side: APR, fees in dollars, total cost.
- Verify the Kansas license before giving out your Social Security number.
- Keep a small cushion so one surprise bill does not mean another loan.
Kansas rules that apply in Morton County
Consumer lenders serving Morton County are licensed by the state, not the county; in Kansas that is the Kansas Office of the State Bank Commissioner. Federal complaints: consumerfinance.gov. Statewide data and rules: Kansas guide.
Related local guides
For statewide rules and data, see the Kansas guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median household income in Morton County?
$66,447 a year in the 2020 to 2024 Census survey, versus $74,275 for Kansas. It ranks 41st of 105 in the state.
How much is rent in Morton County?
Median gross rent, utilities included, is $632 a month; 38% of renters spend 30% or more of income on it.
Should Morton County homeowners use home equity instead?
Maybe, but weigh the risk: 85% of Morton County homes are owner-occupied, and a home-equity loan or line is secured by the house while a personal loan usually is not.
What are the biggest places in Morton County?
By population: Elkhart, Rolla, Richfield. The county has 3 Census places in all.
Is the fit check different in Morton County?
No. It is identical everywhere, and it never looks at your neighborhood.