1st Advantage MortgageIn Stevens County, Kansas, the typical household earns $64,178 a year and the typical rent is $927. 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
- Stevens County by the numbers
- Household income in Stevens County
- Stevens County housing compared with Kansas
- Work, industries and travel time in Stevens County
- The communities that make up Stevens County
- Stevens County and the counties next door
- Budget math at the Stevens County median
- Before borrowing in Stevens County
- Stevens County residents: age, schooling, coverage
- Licensing and complaints for Stevens County
- Before you sign
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
Stevens County by the numbers
Stevens County is home to about 5,162 people, according to the Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey, which makes it the 66th most populous of 105 county-level areas in Kansas. Spread over 727 square miles, that works out to roughly 7.1 residents per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Stevens County is not part of any metropolitan area. The Census Bureau counts 2 places in the county (2 incorporated, 0 census-designated); the largest is Hugoton, with about 3,974 residents, or 77% of the county. Because Stevens County is small, the survey's margins of error are wide; treat the numbers as approximate.
Household income in Stevens County
Half of Stevens County households take in less than $64,178 a year and half take in more, 14% below the Kansas median of $74,275. Only 52 Kansas counties post a higher median.
| Yearly household income | Stevens County | Gap to Kansas |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 15.7% | -6.0 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 54.8% | +12.5 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 26.1% | -0.4 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 3.4% | -6.1 pts |
About 16% of households earn under $35,000, while 30% clear $100,000. Census counts 14.2% of Stevens County residents in poverty, against 11.3% across Kansas. The Gini index of income inequality is 0.412 (0 is perfect equality). For a borrower in Stevens 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.
Stevens County housing compared with Kansas
A typical Stevens County rental runs $927 a month including utilities, which is 13% below Kansas. 30% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 5% spend half or more. With a median value of $129,300, a typical Stevens County house costs 2.0 times what the median household earns in a year. 74% of Stevens County households own their home and 26% rent. The median home was built in 1974, so roofs, wiring and heating systems are a common source of repair bills.
| Cost | Stevens County | Kansas figure | Median county, U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $927/mo | $1,060/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $129,300 | $217,200 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 74% | 67% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 30% | 43% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 38% | 22% | 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).
Work, industries and travel time in Stevens County
By the Census industry count, 25% of employed Stevens County residents work in education and health care and 17% in agriculture, forestry and mining. The sharpest difference from the state is in agriculture, forestry and mining, at 17% locally and 3% for Kansas. Averaged over the five survey years, 3.1% of the labor force was out of work and looking. 8% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 4% work from home.
| Industry | Share of Stevens County workers | vs Kansas |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 25.4% | +0.5 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 16.6% | +13.5 pts |
| Manufacturing | 10.7% | -1.7 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 9.8% | +4.2 pts |
| Construction | 8.5% | +2.1 pts |
| Retail trade | 7.3% | -3.3 pts |
Shorter commutes usually mean lower vehicle costs, which can leave more room for a payment, or for paying a loan off early.
The communities that make up Stevens County
2 Census places fall mainly inside Stevens County; the 2 biggest are below. They account for 4,154 residents, leaving about 20% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. None of the 2 has its own city guide, so this page covers all of them.
| Community | Type | Residents | Household income (median) | Rent (median) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hugoton | city | 3,974 | $62,773 | $931 | 2 mi |
| Moscow | city | 180 | $74,688 | $763 | 10 mi |
Stevens County and the counties next door
The six counties whose centers lie closest to Stevens County's, from 24 to 36 miles away. Stanton County leads the group on income ($71,700), Texas County trails ($60,069), and Stevens County out-earns 2 of the six. Some neighbors are in Oklahoma. Lender licensing is state by state, so a loan for a Stevens County resident follows Kansas rules.
| Nearby county | Center to center | Household income | Gross rent | Owner-occupied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stevens County | - | $64,178 | $927/mo | 74% |
| Grant County, KS | 24 mi | $66,476 | $718/mo | 77% |
| Seward County, KS | 25 mi | $63,827 | $905/mo | 62% |
| Morton County, KS | 27 mi | $66,447 | $632/mo | 85% |
| Texas County, OK | 33 mi | $60,069 | $873/mo | 66% |
| Haskell County, KS | 34 mi | $66,162 | $830/mo | 76% |
| Stanton County, KS | 36 mi | $71,700 | $705/mo | 77% |
Budget math at the Stevens County median
How much room does a median Stevens County budget have? Take median income, subtract median rent, and check what is left under a few common debt-to-income limits.
- Monthly gross at the median, Stevens County: $5,348
- Rent at the median, $927, takes 17% of that
- With a 36% ceiling, about $998 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
Car, student loan and card payments come out of that room first. Try your own numbers in the calculator.
Before borrowing in Stevens County
What the Stevens County figures suggest, and what to check first:
- Hospital bills in Stevens County. For the 14% of residents without coverage, the provider's charity-care program comes before any loan (details).
- Mobile home upkeep. 27% of units fall in this category; roof, skirting and HVAC jobs are common reasons to borrow.
- Debt consolidation. One fixed payment can save money only if the written APR and fees beat what you pay now (guide).
Stevens County residents: age, schooling, coverage
Degree holders: 20% of adults over 25. The uninsured rate is 14.2%, against 8.8% for Kansas.
| People and households | Stevens County | Kansas | Median county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 39.1 | 37.4 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 20.3% | 35.6% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 24.9% | 8.0% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 14.2% | 8.8% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 3.6% | 5.1% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 3.6% | 11.8% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 14.2% | 11.3% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 3.1% | 3.9% | 4.4% |
| Trip time | Share |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 64.4% |
| 15 to 29 min | 12.0% |
| 30 to 44 min | 15.3% |
| 45 to 59 min | 6.1% |
| 60+ min | 2.3% |
Licensing and complaints for Stevens County
Consumer lenders serving Stevens 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. The Kansas guide covers state rules in more detail.
Before you sign
Before you apply, wherever you live in Stevens County:
- Borrow the amount the job needs; extra cash adds interest.
- Prequalify with soft pulls where offered, then compare in writing.
- A Kansas license check takes minutes; do it first.
- 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 Stevens County household make?
About $64,178 a year at the median (ACS 2020-24), 14% below the Kansas median.
What do renters pay in Stevens County?
$927 a month at the median, about 17% of median household income.
Which towns does the Stevens County guide cover?
Every community in the county, unincorporated areas included. The largest of its 2 Census places: Hugoton, Moscow.
Is the fit check different in Stevens County?
No. It is identical everywhere, and it never looks at your neighborhood.
Who do I complain to about a lender in Stevens County?
Start with the Kansas Office of the State Bank Commissioner, then the CFPB complaint portal. Keep copies of every message.