1st Advantage MortgageIn Norton County, Kansas, the typical household earns $54,050 a year and the typical rent is $609. 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
- Norton County in brief
- Norton County at the extremes
- Where Norton County households live
- Where Norton County works
- How much Norton County households make
- Norton County communities by population
- Norton County, Furnas County and other neighbors
- $4,504 a month: the Norton County median budget
- Local borrowing considerations for Norton County
- Norton County demographics against Kansas
- Four steps for Norton County borrowers
- Verifying a lender from Norton County
- Keep exploring
- Frequently asked questions
Norton County in brief
Roughly 5,359 residents live in Norton County, Kansas, 64th by population among the state's 105 counties and county equivalents. Norton County spans 878 square miles; with 5,359 people, that is 6.1 per square mile. No metropolitan area includes Norton County in the 2023 federal delineation, so its numbers stand on their own rather than as part of a metro. Of the 5 Census places inside Norton County, Norton leads by population with about 2,689; 5 of the 5 are incorporated. Because Norton County is small, the survey's margins of error are wide; treat the numbers as approximate.
Norton County at the extremes
- On the share of households earning $100,000 or more, Norton County sits near the bottom of Kansas at 20%, 4th lowest of 105. Few six-figure households means smaller loans are the norm.
- Few Kansas counties match Norton County on the share of workers who work from home: 16.9% here, 11.8% for the state, ranking 5th highest of 105. Remote and self-employed income may need tax returns as proof.
- Few Kansas counties match Norton County on median household income: $54,050 here, $74,275 for the state, ranking 8th lowest of 105. Where incomes run low, free assistance and credit-union small-dollar loans deserve a look first.
- The share of mobile homes: 2.3% in Norton County. Only 7 of 105 Kansas counties are lower. Site-built housing dominates, which matters for equity-based credit.
Where Norton County households live
A typical Norton County rental runs $609 a month including utilities, which is 43% below Kansas. By the Census definition, 38% of Norton County renters are cost-burdened. Home values center on $101,500, or 1.9 years of median income. Homeowners 76%, renters 24%. Against the median U.S. county, Norton County rent is 31% below.
| Cost | Norton County | Kansas figure | Higher or lower |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $609/mo | $1,060/mo | 43% lower |
| Median home value | $101,500 | $217,200 | 53% lower |
| Owners | 76% | 67% | +9.0 pts |
| Rent-burdened renters | 38% | 43% | -5.3 pts |
| Burdened owners | 21% | 22% | -1.3 pts |
| Mobile homes | 2.3% | 4.0% | -1.8 pts |
Norton County owners: get one secured and one unsecured quote, then compare the total cost and what you would put up as collateral (side by side).
Where Norton County works
The biggest employer of Norton County residents, by industry, is education and health care at 30% of workers, followed by agriculture, forestry and mining (14%). Agriculture, forestry and mining stands out: 14% of workers here, versus 3% statewide. 1.7% of Norton County's labor force reported being unemployed, averaged across 2020 to 2024. Commutes of 45 minutes-plus: 4%; under 15 minutes: 76%. 2.5% of households have no vehicle.
| Industry (employed residents 16+) | Norton County | Gap to Kansas |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 30.1% | +5.1 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 14.5% | +11.4 pts |
| Manufacturing | 7.9% | -4.5 pts |
| Retail trade | 7.6% | -2.9 pts |
| Finance, insurance and real estate | 6.6% | +0.1 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 6.2% | -3.8 pts |
Shorter commutes usually mean lower vehicle costs, which can leave more room for a payment, or for paying a loan off early.
How much Norton County households make
At $54,050, the typical Norton County household income is 18% below the median U.S. county ($65,681). In the state ranking that is 98th of 105.
| Income band | Share in Norton County | Difference from Kansas |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 31.8% | +10.0 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 48.0% | +5.7 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 19.1% | -7.4 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 1.2% | -8.3 pts |
The spread is wide: 20% of Norton County households make $100,000 or more, and 32% make less than $35,000. Census counts 7.2% of Norton County residents in poverty, against 11.3% across Kansas. The Gini index of income inequality is 0.379 (0 is perfect equality). A household earning below the $54,050 median should test any payment carefully; one earning above it should still pick the shortest term it can manage.
Norton County communities by population
The table lists the 5 largest of 5 Census places in Norton County, by population. Together all 5 hold about 3,477 people, so roughly 35% of residents live outside any named place. From Norton to the smallest crossroads, Norton County residents share this guide.
| Place | Type | Population | Median income | Median rent | From county center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Norton | city | 2,689 | $53,125 | $598 | 4 mi |
| Almena | city | 523 | $63,917 | $649 | 13 mi |
| Lenora | city | 183 | $31,250 | n/a | 13 mi |
| Edmond | city | 49 | $25,556 | n/a | 12 mi |
| Clayton | city | 33 | $74,250 | n/a | 15 mi |
Norton County, Furnas County and other neighbors
Distances run center to center, from Furnas County at 28 miles out to Red Willow County at 40. Richest neighbor: Harlan County, $70,625. Poorest: Graham County, $50,650. Norton County: $54,050. Some neighbors are in Nebraska. Lender licensing is state by state, so a loan for a Norton County resident follows Kansas rules.
| Adjacent area | How far | HH income (median) | Rent (median) | Owner share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Norton County | - | $54,050 | $609/mo | 76% |
| Furnas County, NE | 28 mi | $61,048 | $763/mo | 76% |
| Phillips County, KS | 30 mi | $62,123 | $672/mo | 78% |
| Graham County, KS | 30 mi | $50,650 | $734/mo | 79% |
| Decatur County, KS | 30 mi | $53,870 | $676/mo | 78% |
| Harlan County, NE | 38 mi | $70,625 | $657/mo | 86% |
| Red Willow County, NE | 40 mi | $63,697 | $819/mo | 73% |
$4,504 a month: the Norton County median budget
The debt-to-income ratio is the main affordability test lenders use. Applied to Norton County's medians:
- Median income divided by twelve: $4,504 before taxes
- Rent at the median, $609, takes 14% of that
- At 35%, room after rent is $967 a month
- With a 45% ceiling, about $1,418 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
These are gross figures; take-home pay in Norton County will be lower after taxes and deductions.
Local borrowing considerations for Norton County
Norton County-specific points to check:
- Medical bills. 10% of Norton County residents are uninsured. Before borrowing for care, ask the provider about financial assistance and payment plans.
- Advance-fee offers. No legitimate lender asks a Norton County borrower to pay first (scam signs).
- Getting ready. Gather pay stubs or benefit letters before you apply (checklist).
Norton County demographics against Kansas
College graduates make up 22% of the adult population. Health coverage gaps: 10.0% of Norton County residents are uninsured.
| Measure | Norton County | Gap to Kansas | Gap to typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's or higher | 22.5% | -13.2 pts | +0.3 pts |
| Work from home | 16.9% | +5.1 pts | +8.2 pts |
| Poverty rate | 7.2% | -4.1 pts | -6.0 pts |
| Median age | 41.3 | +3.9 yrs | -0.2 yrs |
| No high school diploma | 4.9% | -3.1 pts | n/a |
| No vehicle | 2.5% | -2.6 pts | -3.0 pts |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 1.7% | -2.2 pts | -2.7 pts |
| No health insurance | 10.0% | +1.2 pts | +2.2 pts |
| Trip time | Share |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 75.7% |
| 15 to 29 min | 16.5% |
| 30 to 44 min | 3.7% |
| 45 to 59 min | 0.4% |
| 60+ min | 3.7% |
Four steps for Norton County borrowers
Quick steps for Norton County:
- Size the loan to the bill, not to the most a lender offers.
- Ask each lender for the APR and all fees in writing.
- A Kansas license check takes minutes; do it first.
- Lock paid-off cards after consolidating so balances stay at zero.
Verifying a lender from Norton County
No county office licenses personal lenders. For Norton County, check the Kansas Office of the State Bank Commissioner. Banks and credit unions have their own regulators, and the CFPB takes complaints about any lender. More on Kansas: Kansas personal loans.
Keep exploring
For statewide rules and data, see the Kansas guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is $54,050 a good income in Norton County?
It is the county median, so half of Norton County households earn more and half less; 20% earn $100,000 or more.
What is the median rent in Norton County, KS?
$609 a month, utilities included, or $7,308 a year.
What are the biggest places in Norton County?
By population: Norton, Almena, Lenora, Edmond, Clayton. The county has 5 Census places in all.
Does my county matter to the questionnaire?
Only your state does. Whether you live in Norton County or elsewhere in Kansas, the same rules apply.
How do I know a lender is legitimate in Norton County?
Look it up with the Kansas Office of the State Bank Commissioner, read the written offer, and refuse any fee before funding.