1st Advantage MortgageSheridan County households have a median income of $73,750 and median rent of $689 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
- Who lives in Sheridan County
- Employment and commuting in Sheridan County
- What Sheridan County households earn
- Renting and owning in Sheridan County
- Sheridan County towns compared
- How Sheridan County compares with nearby counties
- People and households in Sheridan County
- Before borrowing in Sheridan County
- Budget math at the Sheridan County median
- Who licenses lenders for Sheridan County residents
- Checklist for Sheridan County applicants
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
Who lives in Sheridan County
Sheridan County is home to about 2,426 people, according to the Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey, which makes it the 95th most populous of 105 county-level areas in Kansas. Land area is 896 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 3 per square mile. It sits outside every metropolitan statistical area in the July 2023 OMB delineation. Hoxie is the biggest of its 2 Census places, at roughly 1,042 people (43% of the county total). Because Sheridan County is small, the survey's margins of error are wide; treat the numbers as approximate.
Employment and commuting in Sheridan County
By the Census industry count, 37% of employed Sheridan County residents work in agriculture, forestry and mining and 23% in education and health care. The sharpest difference from the state is in agriculture, forestry and mining, at 37% locally and 3% for Kansas. Averaged over the five survey years, 0.7% of the labor force was out of work and looking. Long commutes are the exception here: 9% of workers spend 45 minutes or longer getting to work. Only 2.1% of homes here go without a vehicle.
| Top industries | Sheridan County share | +/- vs Kansas |
|---|---|---|
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 36.9% | +33.9 pts |
| Education and health care | 23.1% | -1.9 pts |
| Retail trade | 10.4% | -0.1 pts |
| Other services | 5.8% | +1.4 pts |
| Manufacturing | 4.7% | -7.7 pts |
| Construction | 4.4% | -2.0 pts |
Industry shapes paperwork. Salaried and public jobs are easy to verify, while hourly, tipped, commission or contract earners in Sheridan County should have bank statements and tax returns ready.
What Sheridan County households earn
The median household income in Sheridan County is $73,750, close to the statewide $74,275. That places it 23rd among Kansas's 105 county-level areas.
| Households earning | Sheridan County | +/- vs Kansas |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 22.7% | +1.0 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 41.0% | -1.2 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 25.7% | -0.7 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 10.5% | +1.0 pts |
About 23% of households earn under $35,000, while 36% clear $100,000. 8.9% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 11.3%). The Gini index of income inequality is 0.474 (0 is perfect equality). For a borrower in Sheridan 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.
Renting and owning in Sheridan County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $689 in Sheridan County versus $1,060 statewide. By the Census definition, 26% of Sheridan County renters are cost-burdened. With a median value of $167,200, a typical Sheridan County house costs 2.3 times what the median household earns in a year. 77% of Sheridan County households own their home and 23% rent. Half the housing stock was built before 1969.
| Cost | Sheridan County | Kansas figure | Median county, U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $689/mo | $1,060/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $167,200 | $217,200 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 77% | 67% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 26% | 43% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 26% | 22% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 5.5% | 4.0% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 15% | 9% | 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).
Sheridan County towns compared
2 Census places fall mainly inside Sheridan County; the 2 biggest are below. They account for 1,330 residents, leaving about 45% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. This guide covers each of the 2 places and the rural areas around them.
| Town or CDP | Type | People | Median household income | Median gross rent | Miles from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hoxie | city | 1,042 | $67,054 | $667 | 0 mi |
| Selden | city | 288 | $53,438 | $655 | 15 mi |
How Sheridan County compares with nearby counties
Nearest neighbors first, measured between county centers (30 to 43 miles). 1 of the six report a higher median household income than Sheridan County; Trego County is highest at $81,528 and Graham County lowest at $50,650.
| County | Miles | Median household income | Median rent | Homeownership |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sheridan County | - | $73,750 | $689/mo | 77% |
| Decatur County, KS | 30 mi | $53,870 | $676/mo | 78% |
| Graham County, KS | 30 mi | $50,650 | $734/mo | 79% |
| Gove County, KS | 30 mi | $66,029 | $705/mo | 79% |
| Thomas County, KS | 34 mi | $71,325 | $752/mo | 75% |
| Norton County, KS | 42 mi | $54,050 | $609/mo | 76% |
| Trego County, KS | 43 mi | $81,528 | $720/mo | 82% |
People and households in Sheridan County
24% of Sheridan County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. The uninsured rate is 7.6%, against 8.8% for Kansas.
| Residents | Sheridan County | Kansas | Middle U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 42.7 | 37.4 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 24.3% | 35.6% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 4.1% | 8.0% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 7.6% | 8.8% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 2.1% | 5.1% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 17.1% | 11.8% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 8.9% | 11.3% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 0.7% | 3.9% | 4.4% |
| Commute length | Sheridan County |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 62.7% |
| 15 to 29 min | 21.1% |
| 30 to 44 min | 7.1% |
| 45 to 59 min | 5.7% |
| 60+ min | 3.4% |
Before borrowing in Sheridan County
Where the Sheridan County numbers stand out, and why it matters for a loan:
- Scams. A fee demanded before funding is a red flag; report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov (spotting scams).
- Credit reports. Pull free reports at AnnualCreditReport.com and dispute errors before applying.
- Paperwork. ID, proof of income and a bank account are the basics (requirements).
Budget math at the Sheridan County median
Sheridan County at the medians, through a lender's eyes (what DTI means):
- Monthly gross at the median, Sheridan County: $6,146
- Rent at the median, $689, takes 11% of that
- With a 40% ceiling, about $1,769 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
Two-income households and single earners in Sheridan County land in very different places on this math, so run it for your own budget.
Who licenses lenders for Sheridan County residents
Licensing happens at the state level, so a lender working with Sheridan County borrowers answers to 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.
Checklist for Sheridan County applicants
A short checklist for Sheridan County borrowers:
- Know the exact dollar figure you need before talking to a lender.
- Shop at least three lenders, including one Sheridan County-area credit union.
- Only work with lenders licensed for Kansas borrowers.
- Pick the shortest term whose payment still fits.
Related local guides
The Kansas guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
What does a typical Sheridan County household make?
About $73,750 a year at the median (ACS 2020-24).
How much is rent in Sheridan County?
Median gross rent, utilities included, is $689 a month; 26% of renters spend 30% or more of income on it.
What are the biggest places in Sheridan County?
By population: Hoxie, Selden. The county has 2 Census places in all.
Does living in Sheridan 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 Sheridan County resident as anyone. Lenders decide under fair-lending law.
Where can someone in Sheridan County check a lender's license?
With the Kansas Office of the State Bank Commissioner. If a lender is unlicensed or asks for a fee before funding, walk away.