1st Advantage MortgageAbout 67% of Prowers County homes are owner-occupied, and the median household income is $53,508. 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
- Prowers County by the numbers
- Household income in Prowers County
- The Prowers County job picture
- Prowers County housing compared with Colorado
- The counties around Prowers County
- Cities, towns and CDPs in Prowers County
- More Prowers County figures
- Local borrowing considerations for Prowers County
- Budget math at the Prowers County median
- Colorado rules that apply in Prowers County
- Four steps for Prowers County borrowers
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
Prowers County by the numbers
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Prowers County's population at 11,910; only 35 of Colorado's 64 county-level areas are larger. Spread over 1,638 square miles, that works out to roughly 7.3 residents per square mile. No metropolitan area includes Prowers County in the 2023 federal delineation, so its numbers stand on their own rather than as part of a metro. The Census Bureau counts 5 places in the county (5 incorporated, 0 census-designated); the largest is Lamar, with about 7,611 residents, or 64% of the county.
Household income in Prowers County
Prowers County households have a median income of $53,508 (ACS 2020 to 2024), which ranks 53rd of 64 in Colorado.
| Income band | Share in Prowers County | Difference from Colorado |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 33.9% | +17.6 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 43.1% | +7.2 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 18.0% | -12.8 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 5.0% | -12.0 pts |
The spread is wide: 23% of Prowers County households make $100,000 or more, and 34% make less than $35,000. Census counts 18.2% of Prowers County residents in poverty, against 9.4% across Colorado. Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.516 here. For a borrower in Prowers 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 Prowers County job picture
By the Census industry count, 29% of employed Prowers County residents work in education and health care and 13% in agriculture, forestry and mining. Compared with Colorado, the county leans toward agriculture, forestry and mining (13% against 2%). Averaged over the five survey years, 4.1% of the labor force was out of work and looking. 6% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 6% work from home. 7.0% of households have no vehicle.
| Where residents work | Prowers County | Difference from Colorado |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 28.6% | +6.7 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 13.5% | +11.7 pts |
| Retail trade | 8.7% | -1.5 pts |
| Construction | 8.6% | +0.6 pts |
| Public administration | 8.3% | +3.6 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 8.3% | -0.8 pts |
Shorter commutes usually mean lower vehicle costs, which can leave more room for a payment, or for paying a loan off early.
Prowers County housing compared with Colorado
A typical Prowers County rental runs $808 a month including utilities, which is 54% below Colorado. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 59% of renter households here. Home values center on $160,600, or 3.0 years of median income. 67% of Prowers County households own their home and 33% rent. The median home was built in 1971, so roofs, wiring and heating systems are a common source of repair bills.
| Housing | Prowers County | Colorado statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $808/mo | $1,761/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $160,600 | $539,400 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 67% | 66% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 59% | 53% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 28% | 30% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 14.1% | 3.5% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 14% | 8% | n/a |
When half or more of renters are already stretched, a new payment needs a stress test: what happens if a paycheck is a week late?
The counties around Prowers County
Six nearby counties, 33 to 48 miles away by the straight-line distance between their centers. 4 of the six report a higher median household income than Prowers County; Greeley County is highest at $80,565 and Baca County lowest at $46,215. Some neighbors are in Kansas. Lender licensing is state by state, so a loan for a Prowers County resident follows Colorado rules.
| Adjacent area | How far | HH income (median) | Rent (median) | Owner share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prowers County | - | $53,508 | $808/mo | 67% |
| Hamilton County, KS | 33 mi | $70,250 | $909/mo | 77% |
| Kiowa County, CO | 36 mi | $58,618 | $800/mo | 69% |
| Bent County, CO | 37 mi | $50,179 | $1,162/mo | 65% |
| Stanton County, KS | 43 mi | $71,700 | $705/mo | 77% |
| Baca County, CO | 46 mi | $46,215 | $592/mo | 72% |
| Greeley County, KS | 48 mi | $80,565 | $794/mo | 75% |
Cities, towns and CDPs in Prowers County
Here are the 5 most populous of the county's 5 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 77% of Prowers County residents live in one of the 5. No Prowers County place has a separate guide yet; this county page serves all 5.
| Name | Kind | Pop. | Income | Rent | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lamar | city | 7,611 | $53,188 | $858 | 15 mi |
| Holly | town | 665 | $33,750 | $330 | 16 mi |
| Granada | town | 447 | $49,250 | $754 | 8 mi |
| Wiley | town | 422 | $60,114 | $950 | 22 mi |
| Hartman | town | 30 | $12,955 | n/a | 15 mi |
More Prowers County figures
Degree holders: 19% of adults over 25. 9.6% of residents have no health coverage.
| Prowers County | Colorado | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 37.7 | 37.7 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 19.3% | 45.7% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 13.4% | 7.1% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 9.6% | 7.7% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 7.0% | 5.2% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 6.2% | 21.0% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 18.2% | 9.4% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 4.1% | 4.6% | 4.4% |
| Trip time | Share |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 75.8% |
| 15 to 29 min | 12.3% |
| 30 to 44 min | 5.4% |
| 45 to 59 min | 3.0% |
| 60+ min | 3.4% |
Local borrowing considerations for Prowers County
Based on the Prowers County data above, these borrowing questions are most likely to matter locally.
- Manufactured homes. 14% of Prowers County housing units are mobile homes, and their repairs are often paid with unsecured loans. Get the quote in writing.
- Lower-cost alternatives. In a county with 18% in poverty, nonprofit credit counseling may beat a loan (options).
- Renters under pressure. When 59% pay 30% or more for rent, the smallest loan that solves the problem is the right size.
Budget math at the Prowers County median
How much room does a median Prowers County budget have? Take median income, subtract median rent, and check what is left under a few common debt-to-income limits.
- $4,459 a month: gross income for a household at the Prowers County median
- Less median rent of $808, which is 18% of it
- Under a 40% cap, $1,784 total minus rent leaves $976
Car, student loan and card payments come out of that room first. Try your own numbers in the calculator.
Colorado rules that apply in Prowers County
Prowers County borrowers fall under statewide rules, enforced by the Colorado Division of Banking. The Colorado Attorney General's office, which administers the state's Uniform Consumer Credit Code handles consumer-credit questions as well. Federal complaints: consumerfinance.gov. Statewide data and rules: Colorado guide.
Four steps for Prowers County borrowers
Steps that save money for Prowers County residents:
- Price the Prowers County expense first and borrow that amount, no more.
- Collect three written offers and compare APR and total repaid.
- Only work with lenders licensed for Colorado borrowers.
- Ask about early-payoff penalties.
Nearby and statewide guides
The Colorado guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
Is Prowers County a high-income county?
Its $53,508 median ranks 53rd of 64 Colorado counties and compares with $65,681 for the median U.S. county.
What do renters pay in Prowers County?
$808 a month at the median, about 18% of median household income.
I live in a small Prowers County town. Is this my guide?
Yes. If your town has no city guide, this county page is the local one; it covers Lamar, Holly, Granada, Wiley, Hartman.
Are Prowers 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.
Who do I complain to about a lender in Prowers County?
Start with the Colorado Division of Banking, then the CFPB complaint portal. Keep copies of every message.