1st Advantage MortgageRice County households have a median income of $63,925 and median rent of $753 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
- Rice County, KS: the basics
- The Rice County job picture
- Income in Rice County compared with Kansas
- Housing costs in Rice County
- Cities, towns and CDPs in Rice County
- How Rice County compares with nearby counties
- Rice County households compared
- Local borrowing considerations for Rice County
- What a median Rice County budget can carry
- Steps before you apply in Rice County
- Lender oversight for Rice County
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
Rice County, KS: the basics
Rice County is home to about 9,350 people, according to the Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey, which makes it the 41st most populous of 105 county-level areas in Kansas. Spread over 726 square miles, that works out to roughly 12.9 residents per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Rice County is not part of any metropolitan area. Lyons is the biggest of its 9 Census places, at roughly 3,553 people (38% of the county total). With so few households sampled, Rice County estimates can move a lot between releases.
The Rice County job picture
Education and health care employs 25% of working residents, the largest share; manufacturing is next with 15%. Agriculture, forestry and mining stands out: 10% of workers here, versus 3% statewide. The survey's unemployment rate for Rice County averages 4.4% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 3.9%). Long commutes are the exception here: 8% of workers spend 45 minutes or longer getting to work. Only 3.8% of homes here go without a vehicle.
| Where residents work | Rice County | Difference from Kansas |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 25.3% | +0.4 pts |
| Manufacturing | 15.2% | +2.8 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 9.6% | +6.5 pts |
| Retail trade | 8.0% | -2.6 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 7.8% | +2.1 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 6.4% | -1.1 pts |
Shorter commutes usually mean lower vehicle costs, which can leave more room for a payment, or for paying a loan off early.
Income in Rice County compared with Kansas
At $63,925, the typical Rice County household income is 3% below the median U.S. county ($65,681).
| Yearly household income | Rice County | Gap to Kansas |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 21.6% | -0.1 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 53.9% | +11.6 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 19.8% | -6.6 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 4.7% | -4.9 pts |
The spread is wide: 25% of Rice County households make $100,000 or more, and 22% make less than $35,000. 7.7% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 11.3%). If your income is irregular, as it often is with tips, gig work or seasonal jobs, plan around your leaner months rather than the Rice County median.
Housing costs in Rice County
Renters in Rice County pay a median of $753 a month, 29% below the Kansas figure of $1,060. By the Census definition, 24% of Rice County renters are cost-burdened. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $104,600, about 1.6 times the median household income. 77% of Rice County households own their home and 23% rent.
| Measure | Rice County | Kansas | Median U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $753/mo | $1,060/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $104,600 | $217,200 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 77% | 67% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 24% | 43% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 15% | 22% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 2.9% | 4.0% | n/a |
Owners with equity have a second option. Weigh a secured line against an unsecured loan by risk as well as cost before you choose (how they compare).
Cities, towns and CDPs in Rice County
The table lists the 9 largest of 9 Census places in Rice County, by population. Together all 9 hold about 7,506 people, so roughly 20% of residents live outside any named place. This guide covers each of the 9 places and the rural areas around them.
| Name | Kind | Pop. | Income | Rent | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lyons | city | 3,553 | $62,569 | $760 | 0 mi |
| Sterling | city | 2,411 | $54,922 | $689 | 10 mi |
| Chase | city | 490 | $59,375 | $707 | 8 mi |
| Little River | city | 402 | $66,667 | $708 | 11 mi |
| Geneseo | city | 213 | $46,563 | $700 | 12 mi |
| Bushton | city | 201 | $38,958 | $675 | 16 mi |
| Raymond | city | 109 | $56,250 | $1,313 | 12 mi |
| Alden | city | 87 | $39,375 | n/a | 9 mi |
| Frederick | city | 40 | $38,831 | n/a | 12 mi |
How Rice County compares with nearby counties
The six counties whose centers lie closest to Rice County's, from 24 to 43 miles away. McPherson County leads the group on income ($78,851), Barton County trails ($58,851), and Rice County out-earns 2 of the six.
| Adjacent area | How far | HH income (median) | Rent (median) | Owner share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rice County | - | $63,925 | $753/mo | 77% |
| Ellsworth County, KS | 24 mi | $65,560 | $708/mo | 80% |
| Reno County, KS | 28 mi | $60,645 | $863/mo | 69% |
| McPherson County, KS | 30 mi | $78,851 | $916/mo | 75% |
| Barton County, KS | 32 mi | $58,851 | $761/mo | 65% |
| Stafford County, KS | 35 mi | $64,226 | $710/mo | 82% |
| Saline County, KS | 43 mi | $65,422 | $961/mo | 67% |
Rice County households compared
Degree holders: 26% of adults over 25. 7.9% of residents have no health coverage.
| Rice County | Kansas | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 38.6 | 37.4 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 25.9% | 35.6% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 9.1% | 8.0% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 7.9% | 8.8% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 3.8% | 5.1% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 6.0% | 11.8% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 7.7% | 11.3% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 4.4% | 3.9% | 4.4% |
| Minutes to work | Rice County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 52.4% |
| 15 to 29 min | 21.1% |
| 30 to 44 min | 18.2% |
| 45 to 59 min | 2.6% |
| 60+ min | 5.7% |
Local borrowing considerations for Rice County
What the Rice County figures suggest, and what to check first:
- Consolidating cards in Rice County. Compare the total repaid, not the monthly figure (how).
- Getting ready. Gather pay stubs or benefit letters before you apply (checklist).
- Fraud. Gift cards, wire transfers or fees to unlock a loan mean walk away (report it).
What a median Rice County budget can carry
Here is the Rice County median household run through a simple DTI check. Your numbers will differ.
- $5,327 a month: gross income for a household at the Rice County median
- Median rent: $753, or 14 cents of every gross dollar
- With a 36% ceiling, about $1,165 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
If your rent is above $753, the room shrinks dollar for dollar.
Steps before you apply in Rice County
A short checklist for Rice County borrowers:
- Borrow the amount the job needs; extra cash adds interest.
- Shop at least three lenders, including one Rice County-area credit union.
- Verify the Kansas license before giving out your Social Security number.
- Confirm the first due date before setting up autopay.
Lender oversight for Rice County
Consumer lenders serving Rice County are licensed by the state, not the county; in Kansas that is the Kansas Office of the State Bank Commissioner. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau accepts complaints nationwide. More on Kansas: Kansas personal loans.
Nearby and statewide guides
For statewide rules and data, see the Kansas guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median household income in Rice County?
$63,925 a year in the 2020 to 2024 Census survey, versus $74,275 for Kansas. It ranks 55th of 105 in the state.
How much is rent in Rice County?
Median gross rent, utilities included, is $753 a month; 24% of renters spend 30% or more of income on it.
I own my home in Rice County. Personal loan or HELOC?
A HELOC uses the house as collateral; a personal loan usually does not. With 77% of homes owner-occupied here, many readers can compare both in writing.
I live in a small Rice County town. Is this my guide?
Yes. If your town has no city guide, this county page is the local one; it covers Lyons, Sterling, Chase, Little River, Geneseo and 4 more.
Will a Rice County address affect my match?
Beyond confirming Kansas as your state, no. Your answers about amount, credit, income and payments are all that count.