1st Advantage MortgageRooks County households have a median income of $62,500 and median rent of $676 a month (ACS 2020 to 2024). A loan makes sense only if its total cost beats your alternatives and the payment fits your budget. Check the lender's Kansas license first.
On this page
- Rooks County by the numbers
- Paychecks and income spread in Rooks County
- Housing costs in Rooks County
- The Rooks County job picture
- Rooks County next to its neighbors
- Rooks County towns compared
- Rooks County residents: age, schooling, coverage
- Reading the Rooks County data as a borrower
- Budget math at the Rooks County median
- Kansas rules that apply in Rooks County
- Steps before you apply in Rooks County
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
Rooks County by the numbers
Rooks County is home to about 4,813 people, according to the Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey, which makes it the 69th most populous of 105 county-level areas in Kansas. Spread over 891 square miles, that works out to roughly 5.4 residents per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Rooks County is not part of any metropolitan area. Of the 7 Census places inside Rooks County, Plainville leads by population with about 1,656; 6 of the 7 are incorporated. Because Rooks County is small, the survey's margins of error are wide; treat the numbers as approximate.
Paychecks and income spread in Rooks County
The median household income in Rooks County is $62,500; statewide it is $74,275, so Rooks County runs 16% below Kansas as a whole. In the state ranking that is 63rd of 105.
| Income band | Share in Rooks County | Difference from Kansas |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 19.4% | -2.3 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 52.0% | +9.7 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 26.5% | +0.1 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 2.1% | -7.5 pts |
Some 19% of households here live on less than $35,000 a year; 29% have six-figure incomes. Census counts 5.5% of Rooks County residents in poverty, against 11.3% across Kansas. None of these numbers decides a Rooks County application. Lenders weigh your own documented income against your own debts.
Housing costs in Rooks County
Renters in Rooks County pay a median of $676 a month, 36% below the Kansas figure of $1,060. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 26% of renter households here. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $89,000, about 1.4 times the median household income. 74% of Rooks County households own their home and 26% rent. The median home was built in 1953, so roofs, wiring and heating systems are a common source of repair bills.
| Measure | Rooks County | Kansas | Median U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $676/mo | $1,060/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $89,000 | $217,200 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 74% | 67% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 26% | 43% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 19% | 22% | n/a |
Because most Rooks 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.
The Rooks County job picture
By the Census industry count, 31% of employed Rooks County residents work in education and health care and 14% in agriculture, forestry and mining. Agriculture, forestry and mining stands out: 14% of workers here, versus 3% statewide. Averaged over the five survey years, 2.0% of the labor force was out of work and looking. About 82% drive to work alone and 6% have trips of 45 minutes or more. Only 6.4% of homes here go without a vehicle.
| Top industries | Rooks County share | +/- vs Kansas |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 31.0% | +6.0 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 14.2% | +11.2 pts |
| Retail trade | 10.4% | -0.1 pts |
| Other services | 7.3% | +2.9 pts |
| Manufacturing | 6.8% | -5.6 pts |
| Public administration | 6.5% | +1.8 pts |
Shorter commutes usually mean lower vehicle costs, which can leave more room for a payment, or for paying a loan off early.
Rooks County next to its neighbors
Distances run center to center, from Graham County at 30 miles out to Smith County at 42. 3 of the six report a higher median household income than Rooks County; Trego County is highest at $81,528 and Graham County lowest at $50,650.
| Neighbor | Distance | Income | Rent | Own |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rooks County | - | $62,500 | $676/mo | 74% |
| Graham County, KS | 30 mi | $50,650 | $734/mo | 79% |
| Osborne County, KS | 30 mi | $63,011 | $595/mo | 77% |
| Ellis County, KS | 30 mi | $63,084 | $943/mo | 63% |
| Phillips County, KS | 30 mi | $62,123 | $672/mo | 78% |
| Trego County, KS | 41 mi | $81,528 | $720/mo | 82% |
| Smith County, KS | 42 mi | $59,135 | $635/mo | 85% |
Rooks County towns compared
7 Census places fall mainly inside Rooks County; the 7 biggest are below. They account for 3,818 residents, leaving about 21% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Live in one of these Rooks County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Name | Kind | Pop. | Income | Rent | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plainville | city | 1,656 | $59,236 | $773 | 8 mi |
| Stockton | city | 1,656 | $62,621 | $643 | 6 mi |
| Palco | city | 197 | $60,625 | $517 | 14 mi |
| Damar | city | 126 | $44,028 | $608 | 14 mi |
| Woodston | city | 86 | $51,136 | n/a | 14 mi |
| Zurich | city | 50 | $78,750 | n/a | 10 mi |
| Codell | CDP | 47 | $91,023 | n/a | 13 mi |
Rooks County residents: age, schooling, coverage
College graduates make up 23% of the adult population. About 6% go without health insurance.
| People and households | Rooks County | Kansas | Median county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 45.7 | 37.4 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 23.2% | 35.6% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 5.8% | 8.0% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 6.4% | 8.8% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 6.4% | 5.1% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 5.8% | 11.8% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 5.5% | 11.3% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 2.0% | 3.9% | 4.4% |
| Travel time to work | Workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 61.7% |
| 15 to 29 min | 20.6% |
| 30 to 44 min | 11.2% |
| 45 to 59 min | 4.6% |
| 60+ min | 1.8% |
Reading the Rooks County data as a borrower
Based on the Rooks County data above, these borrowing questions are most likely to matter locally.
- Fixed incomes. Rooks County's median age is 45.7. Social Security and pensions count as income when documented.
- Requirements. Lenders weigh credit history, documented income and existing debt (what to gather).
- Debt consolidation. One fixed payment can save money only if the written APR and fees beat what you pay now (guide).
Budget math at the Rooks County median
Here is the Rooks County median household run through a simple DTI check. Your numbers will differ.
- Monthly gross at the median, Rooks County: $5,208
- Less median rent of $676, which is 13% of it
- Under a 36% cap, $1,875 total minus rent leaves $1,199
- $1,564: what a 43% ratio leaves once rent is paid
Lenders set their own limits and look beyond the ratio. The DTI calculator uses your figures instead of Rooks County's.
Kansas rules that apply in Rooks County
No county office licenses personal lenders. For Rooks 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. Statewide data and rules: Kansas guide.
Steps before you apply in Rooks County
A short checklist for Rooks County borrowers:
- Borrow the amount the job needs; extra cash adds interest.
- Prequalify with soft pulls where offered, then compare in writing.
- Confirm the lender is licensed in Kansas.
- Keep a small cushion so one surprise bill does not mean another loan.
Nearby and statewide guides
The Kansas guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
Is Rooks County a high-income county?
Its $62,500 median ranks 63rd of 105 Kansas counties and compares with $65,681 for the median U.S. county.
What do renters pay in Rooks County?
$676 a month at the median, about 13% of median household income.
I own my home in Rooks County. Personal loan or HELOC?
A HELOC uses the house as collateral; a personal loan usually does not. With 74% of homes owner-occupied here, many readers can compare both in writing.
Which towns does the Rooks County guide cover?
Every community in the county, unincorporated areas included. The largest of its 7 Census places: Plainville, Stockton, Palco, Damar, Woodston.
Does my county matter to the questionnaire?
Only your state does. Whether you live in Rooks County or elsewhere in Kansas, the same rules apply.