1st Advantage MortgageIn Republic County, Kansas, the typical household earns $56,833 a year and the typical rent is $664. 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
- Republic County, KS: the basics
- Income in Republic County compared with Kansas
- What it costs to live in Republic County
- Employment and commuting in Republic County
- How Republic County compares with nearby counties
- Cities, towns and CDPs in Republic County
- People and households in Republic County
- Local borrowing considerations for Republic County
- Room for a loan payment in Republic County
- Steps before you apply in Republic County
- Checking a lender's license in Kansas
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
Republic County, KS: the basics
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Republic County's population at 4,646; only 69 of Kansas's 105 county-level areas are larger. Land area is 717 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 6 per square mile. It sits outside every metropolitan statistical area in the July 2023 OMB delineation. Belleville is the biggest of its 9 Census places, at roughly 2,086 people (45% of the county total). Small populations mean wide margins of error, so read every Republic County figure on this page as a rough guide.
Income in Republic County compared with Kansas
The median household income in Republic County is $56,833; statewide it is $74,275, so Republic County runs 23% below Kansas as a whole.
| Household income | Republic County | vs Kansas |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 32.3% | +10.6 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 45.0% | +2.8 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 18.6% | -7.8 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 4.0% | -5.6 pts |
Some 32% of households here live on less than $35,000 a year; 23% have six-figure incomes. Census counts 10.6% of Republic County residents in poverty, against 11.3% across Kansas. The Gini index of income inequality is 0.425 (0 is perfect equality). Income from any regular source can count, including Social Security, pensions and disability benefits, as long as you can document it.
What it costs to live in Republic County
Renters in Republic County pay a median of $664 a month, 37% below the Kansas figure of $1,060. By the Census definition, 33% of Republic County renters are cost-burdened. Home values center on $75,600, or 1.3 years of median income. 78% of Republic County households own their home and 22% rent.
| Cost | Republic County | Kansas figure | Median county, U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $664/mo | $1,060/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $75,600 | $217,200 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 78% | 67% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 33% | 43% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 27% | 22% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 3.3% | 4.0% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 25% | 9% | n/a |
In an owner-heavy county like Republic County, many borrowers can also choose a home equity loan or line of credit. Those can price lower but put the house on the line, so compare the two in writing; our personal loan vs. HELOC guide walks through it.
Employment and commuting in Republic County
Education and health care employs 19% of working residents, the largest share; retail trade is next with 17%. Agriculture, forestry and mining stands out: 12% of workers here, versus 3% statewide. The survey's unemployment rate for Republic County averages 1.8% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 3.9%). Long commutes are the exception here: 8% of workers spend 45 minutes or longer getting to work. 5.5% of households have no vehicle.
| Industry (employed residents 16+) | Republic County | Gap to Kansas |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 19.0% | -6.0 pts |
| Retail trade | 17.3% | +6.8 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 12.1% | +9.1 pts |
| Manufacturing | 11.4% | -1.0 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 7.0% | -3.0 pts |
| Construction | 6.8% | +0.4 pts |
If your hours swing with the season or with overtime, size a loan payment against your base pay, not your best month.
How Republic County compares with nearby counties
Cloud County is closest, 24 miles from center to center; the sixth, Jefferson County, is 36 miles off. 5 of the six report a higher median household income than Republic County; Nuckolls County is highest at $73,976 and Jewell County lowest at $52,634. Some neighbors are in Nebraska. Lender licensing is state by state, so a loan for a Republic County resident follows Kansas rules.
| County | Distance | Median income | Median rent | Owners |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republic County | - | $56,833 | $664/mo | 78% |
| Cloud County, KS | 24 mi | $58,770 | $769/mo | 74% |
| Thayer County, NE | 24 mi | $66,213 | $766/mo | 78% |
| Washington County, KS | 30 mi | $65,482 | $562/mo | 78% |
| Jewell County, KS | 31 mi | $52,634 | $608/mo | 74% |
| Nuckolls County, NE | 32 mi | $73,976 | $585/mo | 83% |
| Jefferson County, NE | 36 mi | $59,044 | $662/mo | 75% |
Cities, towns and CDPs in Republic County
9 Census places fall mainly inside Republic County; the 9 biggest are below. They account for 3,213 residents, leaving about 31% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. This guide covers each of the 9 places and the rural areas around them.
| Place | Type | Population | Median income | Median rent | From county center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Belleville | city | 2,086 | $56,218 | $621 | 1 mi |
| Scandia | city | 288 | $49,250 | $679 | 7 mi |
| Cuba | city | 192 | $52,500 | $475 | 10 mi |
| Courtland | city | 163 | $58,125 | $769 | 13 mi |
| Munden | city | 158 | $53,375 | n/a | 8 mi |
| Republic | city | 148 | $72,964 | n/a | 11 mi |
| Agenda | city | 90 | $26,389 | n/a | 14 mi |
| Narka | city | 82 | $45,000 | n/a | 15 mi |
| Norway | CDP | 6 | n/a | n/a | 11 mi |
CDPs are unincorporated communities the Census Bureau defines for counting.
People and households in Republic County
Degree holders: 22% of adults over 25. The uninsured rate is 5.6%, against 8.8% for Kansas.
| Republic County | Kansas | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 44.9 | 37.4 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 21.5% | 35.6% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 6.2% | 8.0% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 5.6% | 8.8% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 5.5% | 5.1% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 3.9% | 11.8% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 10.6% | 11.3% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 1.8% | 3.9% | 4.4% |
| Minutes to work | Republic County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 54.6% |
| 15 to 29 min | 26.2% |
| 30 to 44 min | 11.5% |
| 45 to 59 min | 3.5% |
| 60+ min | 4.2% |
Local borrowing considerations for Republic County
Where the Republic County numbers stand out, and why it matters for a loan:
- Know your credit. Review all three bureau reports for free (AnnualCreditReport.com).
- Consolidating cards in Republic County. Compare the total repaid, not the monthly figure (how).
- Requirements. Lenders weigh credit history, documented income and existing debt (what to gather).
Room for a loan payment in Republic County
Here is the Republic County median household run through a simple DTI check. Your numbers will differ.
- $4,736 a month: gross income for a household at the Republic County median
- 14% goes to median rent ($664)
- $994: what a 35% ratio leaves once rent is paid
- With a 45% ceiling, about $1,467 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
Two-income households and single earners in Republic County land in very different places on this math, so run it for your own budget.
Steps before you apply in Republic County
Before you apply, wherever you live in Republic County:
- Size the loan to the bill, not to the most a lender offers.
- Collect three written offers and compare APR and total repaid.
- Look the lender up with the state regulator first.
- Pick the shortest term whose payment still fits.
Checking a lender's license in Kansas
Consumer lenders serving Republic County are licensed by the state, not the county; in Kansas that is the Kansas Office of the State Bank Commissioner. Banks and credit unions have their own regulators, and the CFPB takes complaints about any lender. See the Kansas state guide for the statewide picture.
Related local guides
For statewide rules and data, see the Kansas guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median household income in Republic County?
$56,833 a year in the 2020 to 2024 Census survey, versus $74,275 for Kansas. It ranks 89th of 105 in the state.
How much is rent in Republic County?
Median gross rent, utilities included, is $664 a month; 33% of renters spend 30% or more of income on it.
I own my home in Republic County. Personal loan or HELOC?
A HELOC uses the house as collateral; a personal loan usually does not. With 78% of homes owner-occupied here, many readers can compare both in writing.
Which towns does the Republic County guide cover?
Every community in the county, unincorporated areas included. The largest of its 9 Census places: Belleville, Scandia, Cuba, Courtland, Munden.
Does living in Republic County change what I qualify for?
Not in our fit check, which uses only the amount, credit range, income and payments you enter, the same for a Republic County resident as anyone. Lenders decide under fair-lending law.