1st Advantage MortgageThe median Sedgwick County household earns $69,365, and 14% of residents live below the poverty line. 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
- Getting oriented in Sedgwick County
- What stands out in Sedgwick County
- The Sedgwick County housing market in figures
- How much Sedgwick County households make
- Sedgwick County industries and commutes
- Sedgwick County and the counties next door
- Census places in Sedgwick County
- Debt-to-income at Sedgwick County's medians
- What the numbers mean for Sedgwick County borrowers
- Sedgwick County residents: age, schooling, coverage
- Steps before you apply in Sedgwick County
- Lender oversight for Sedgwick County
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
Getting oriented in Sedgwick County
Roughly 528,226 residents live in Sedgwick County, Kansas, 2nd by population among the state's 105 counties and county equivalents. Land area is 997 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 530 per square mile. It is one of the counties that make up the Wichita, KS metropolitan statistical area (OMB, 2023). Wichita (397,945 people) heads the county's list of 25 Census places, 19 incorporated and 6 census-designated.
What stands out in Sedgwick County
The 3 Sedgwick County numbers that rank furthest from typical in Kansas, and what each means for a borrower:
- Population: 528,226 in Sedgwick County. Only 1 of 105 Kansas counties are higher. More people usually means more banks and credit unions to compare nearby.
- Sedgwick County ranks 9th lowest of 105 Kansas counties for homeownership: 63%, against 67% statewide. Many renters means few borrowers have home equity to fall back on.
- Few Kansas counties match Sedgwick County on the ACS unemployment rate: 5.0% here, 3.9% for the state, ranking 11th highest of 105. Job gaps can make income hard to document; gather records first.
The Sedgwick County housing market in figures
Half of Sedgwick County renters pay more than $998 a month and half pay less; the Kansas midpoint is $1,060. Cost-burdened renters, paying 30%-plus of income: 44% in Sedgwick County, 43% statewide. Median value $203,300; median income $69,365; ratio 2.9. The ownership rate is 63%. Half the housing stock was built before 1978.
| Sedgwick County | Kansas | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $998/mo | $1,060/mo | 6% lower |
| Median home value | $203,300 | $217,200 | 6% lower |
| Owners | 63% | 67% | -4.1 pts |
| Rent-burdened renters | 44% | 43% | +0.7 pts |
| Burdened owners | 21% | 22% | -1.4 pts |
| Vacant units | 9% | 9% | -0.1 pts |
How much Sedgwick County households make
The median household income in Sedgwick County is $69,365; statewide it is $74,275, so Sedgwick County runs 7% below Kansas as a whole. Only 32 Kansas counties post a higher median.
| Household income | Sedgwick County | vs Kansas |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 23.8% | +2.1 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 43.7% | +1.4 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 24.8% | -1.6 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 7.7% | -1.9 pts |
24% under $35,000 and 33% at $100,000 or more: that is the Sedgwick County income split. Poverty rate, Sedgwick County: 13.9%; Kansas: 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 Sedgwick County median.
Sedgwick County industries and commutes
The biggest employer of Sedgwick County residents, by industry, is education and health care at 23% of workers, followed by manufacturing (18%). Manufacturing stands out: 18% of workers here, versus 12% statewide. Unemployment in Sedgwick County, ACS five-year: 5.0%; Kansas: 3.9%. 5% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 8% work from home. Only 5.7% of homes here go without a vehicle.
| Sector | Sedgwick County | Compared with Kansas |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 23.5% | -1.5 pts |
| Manufacturing | 17.9% | +5.4 pts |
| Retail trade | 10.7% | +0.2 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 9.5% | -0.5 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 8.8% | +1.4 pts |
| Construction | 6.4% | 0.0 pts |
A lender verifies what your own job pays. The county's industry mix tells you about the local economy, not about your application.
Sedgwick County and the counties next door
The six counties whose centers lie closest to Sedgwick County's, from 26 to 46 miles away. 2 of the six report a higher median household income than Sedgwick County; Butler County is highest at $81,610 and Cowley County lowest at $57,878.
| County | Distance | Median income | Median rent | Owners |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sedgwick County | - | $69,365 | $998/mo | 63% |
| Harvey County, KS | 26 mi | $74,368 | $900/mo | 70% |
| Sumner County, KS | 31 mi | $63,951 | $825/mo | 75% |
| Butler County, KS | 35 mi | $81,610 | $956/mo | 78% |
| Reno County, KS | 38 mi | $60,645 | $863/mo | 69% |
| Kingman County, KS | 38 mi | $59,842 | $846/mo | 66% |
| Cowley County, KS | 46 mi | $57,878 | $809/mo | 68% |
Census places in Sedgwick County
The table lists the 14 largest of 25 Census places in Sedgwick County, by population. Together all 25 hold about 498,669 people, so roughly 6% of residents live outside any named place. Eastborough has the highest median household income on the list ($193,250) and Oaklawn-Sunview the lowest ($46,656), counting places with at least 500 residents. Median rent ranges from $788 in Oaklawn-Sunview to $1,758 in Goddard. One of them, Wichita, has a separate city guide (linked); for the rest, this is the local guide.
| Place | Type | Population | Median income | Median rent | From county center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wichita | city | 397,945 | $64,620 | $975 | 6 mi |
| Derby | city | 26,062 | $84,112 | $1,136 | 14 mi |
| Haysville | city | 11,117 | $67,740 | $1,064 | 10 mi |
| Bel Aire | city | 9,043 | $97,795 | $1,649 | 13 mi |
| Valley Center | city | 8,590 | $77,020 | $883 | 12 mi |
| Park City | city | 7,673 | $74,301 | $1,077 | 12 mi |
| Maize | city | 6,824 | $72,024 | $1,399 | 6 mi |
| Mulvane | city | 6,171 | $74,039 | $1,015 | 19 mi |
| Goddard | city | 6,030 | $94,004 | $1,758 | 5 mi |
| Kechi | city | 2,901 | $113,125 | $1,629 | 13 mi |
| Oaklawn-Sunview | CDP | 2,789 | $46,656 | $788 | 10 mi |
| Clearwater | city | 2,716 | $83,879 | $964 | 12 mi |
| Cheney | city | 2,580 | $85,313 | $1,051 | 18 mi |
| McConnell AFB | CDP | 1,907 | $72,639 | $1,409 | 12 mi |
Debt-to-income at Sedgwick County's medians
The debt-to-income ratio is the main affordability test lenders use. Applied to Sedgwick County's medians:
- Monthly gross at the median, Sedgwick County: $5,780
- Median rent: $998, or 17 cents of every gross dollar
- With a 43% ceiling, about $1,488 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
Two-income households and single earners in Sedgwick County land in very different places on this math, so run it for your own budget.
What the numbers mean for Sedgwick County borrowers
What the Sedgwick County figures suggest, and what to check first:
- Uninsured care. 11% lack coverage here; nonprofit hospitals must publish an assistance policy, so ask for it first (guide).
- Advance-fee offers. No legitimate lender asks a Sedgwick County borrower to pay first (scam signs).
- Paperwork. ID, proof of income and a bank account are the basics (requirements).
Sedgwick County residents: age, schooling, coverage
In Sedgwick County, 32% of adults have at least a four-year degree (36% in Kansas). Uninsured, Sedgwick County: 10.8%; Kansas: 8.8%.
| Residents | Sedgwick County | Difference from Kansas | Difference from middle U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Work from home | 8.1% | -3.7 pts | -0.6 pts |
| Bachelor's or higher | 32.1% | -3.5 pts | +9.9 pts |
| Poverty rate | 13.9% | +2.6 pts | +0.8 pts |
| No high school diploma | 10.5% | +2.4 pts | n/a |
| No health insurance | 10.8% | +2.1 pts | +3.0 pts |
| Median age | 36.0 | -1.4 yrs | -5.5 yrs |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 5.0% | +1.1 pts | +0.6 pts |
| No vehicle | 5.7% | +0.6 pts | +0.3 pts |
| Commute length | Sedgwick County |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 32.5% |
| 15 to 29 min | 51.1% |
| 30 to 44 min | 11.7% |
| 45 to 59 min | 1.9% |
| 60+ min | 2.8% |
Steps before you apply in Sedgwick County
Before you apply, wherever you live in Sedgwick County:
- Borrow the amount the job needs; extra cash adds interest.
- Line up offers side by side: APR, fees in dollars, total cost.
- Verify the Kansas license before giving out your Social Security number.
- Ask about early-payoff penalties.
Lender oversight for Sedgwick County
Consumer lenders serving Sedgwick 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. The Kansas guide covers state rules in more detail.
Related local guides
Guides that cover parts of Sedgwick County:
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Sedgwick County earn?
The median is $69,365; 33% earn $100,000 or more and 24% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
How much is rent in Sedgwick County?
Median gross rent, utilities included, is $998 a month; 44% of renters spend 30% or more of income on it.
How many towns are in Sedgwick County?
The Census Bureau counts 25 places mainly in the county, led by Wichita, Derby, Haysville, Bel Aire, Valley Center.
Does my county matter to the questionnaire?
Only your state does. Whether you live in Sedgwick County or elsewhere in Kansas, the same rules apply.
What agency protects Sedgwick County borrowers?
The Kansas Office of the State Bank Commissioner at the state level and the CFPB federally.