1st Advantage MortgageSumner County households have a median income of $63,951 and median rent of $825 a month (ACS 2020 to 2024). Those figures describe the county, not you: compare at least three written offers by APR and total cost, and confirm the lender's license before you apply.
On this page
- A quick profile of Sumner County
- Household income in Sumner County
- Rent, home values and ownership in Sumner County
- Jobs and commutes in Sumner County
- Towns and communities in Sumner County
- Sumner County and the counties next door
- Debt-to-income at Sumner County's medians
- Before borrowing in Sumner County
- Sumner County residents: age, schooling, coverage
- Kansas rules that apply in Sumner County
- Before you sign
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
A quick profile of Sumner County
Roughly 22,353 residents live in Sumner County, Kansas, 25th by population among the state's 105 counties and county equivalents. It covers 1,182 square miles of land, or about 19 people per square mile. For statistical purposes it belongs to the Wichita, KS metro area, as delineated by the Office of Management and Budget in July 2023. Of the 11 Census places inside Sumner County, Wellington leads by population with about 7,615; 10 of the 11 are incorporated.
Household income in Sumner County
Sumner County households have a median income of $63,951 (ACS 2020 to 2024), which ranks 54th of 105 in Kansas.
| Band | Sumner County | Compared with Kansas |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 24.8% | +3.1 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 43.1% | +0.9 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 26.9% | +0.5 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 5.1% | -4.5 pts |
Some 25% of households here live on less than $35,000 a year; 32% have six-figure incomes. 10.6% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 11.3%). Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.424 here. Income from any regular source can count, including Social Security, pensions and disability benefits, as long as you can document it.
Rent, home values and ownership in Sumner County
A typical Sumner County rental runs $825 a month including utilities, which is 22% below Kansas. By the Census definition, 41% of Sumner County renters are cost-burdened. Home values center on $135,100, or 2.1 years of median income. The ownership rate is 75%.
| Sumner County | Kansas | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $825/mo | $1,060/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $135,100 | $217,200 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 75% | 67% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 41% | 43% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 22% | 22% | n/a |
Because most Sumner 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.
Jobs and commutes in Sumner County
By the Census industry count, 21% of employed Sumner County residents work in education and health care and 20% in manufacturing. Compared with Kansas, the county leans toward manufacturing (20% against 12%). Averaged over the five survey years, 5.9% of the labor force was out of work and looking. 14% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 7% work from home. Households without a car make up 6.2% of the total (5.1% statewide).
| Where residents work | Sumner County | Difference from Kansas |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 20.6% | -4.4 pts |
| Manufacturing | 19.6% | +7.2 pts |
| Retail trade | 11.9% | +1.3 pts |
| Construction | 7.2% | +0.8 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 7.0% | -3.1 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 6.7% | -0.7 pts |
Shorter commutes usually mean lower vehicle costs, which can leave more room for a payment, or for paying a loan off early.
Towns and communities in Sumner County
11 Census places fall mainly inside Sumner County; the 11 biggest are below. They account for 13,866 residents, leaving about 38% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Argonia has the highest median household income on the list ($79,531) and Caldwell the lowest ($44,286), counting places with at least 500 residents. Median rent ranges from $371 in Caldwell to $1,078 in Conway Springs. No Sumner County place has a separate guide yet; this county page serves all 11.
| Place in county | Status | Population (ACS) | Median HH income | Monthly rent | Distance from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wellington | city | 7,615 | $50,333 | $733 | 6 mi |
| Conway Springs | city | 1,573 | $73,320 | $1,078 | 13 mi |
| Belle Plaine | city | 1,449 | $63,214 | $711 | 16 mi |
| Caldwell | city | 976 | $44,286 | $371 | 15 mi |
| Oxford | city | 964 | $59,167 | $660 | 18 mi |
| Argonia | city | 542 | $79,531 | $688 | 15 mi |
| South Haven | city | 276 | $78,750 | $572 | 14 mi |
| Milton | CDP | 185 | $40,000 | n/a | 21 mi |
| Hunnewell | city | 104 | $42,045 | n/a | 17 mi |
| Mayfield | city | 102 | $52,750 | $938 | 3 mi |
| Milan | city | 80 | n/a | n/a | 10 mi |
Sumner County and the counties next door
The six counties whose centers lie closest to Sumner County's, from 31 to 42 miles away. Sedgwick County leads the group on income ($69,365), Harper County trails ($53,488), and Sumner County out-earns 5 of the six. The list crosses into Oklahoma, where different lending rules and regulators apply.
| County | Distance | Median income | Median rent | Owners |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sumner County | - | $63,951 | $825/mo | 75% |
| Sedgwick County, KS | 31 mi | $69,365 | $998/mo | 63% |
| Harper County, KS | 32 mi | $53,488 | $690/mo | 75% |
| Kay County, OK | 35 mi | $58,423 | $842/mo | 69% |
| Grant County, OK | 35 mi | $60,758 | $853/mo | 76% |
| Cowley County, KS | 36 mi | $57,878 | $809/mo | 68% |
| Kingman County, KS | 42 mi | $59,842 | $846/mo | 66% |
Debt-to-income at Sumner County's medians
Here is the Sumner County median household run through a simple DTI check. Your numbers will differ.
- $63,951 a year is $5,329 of gross monthly income
- Rent at the median, $825, takes 15% of that
- $1,307: what a 40% ratio leaves once rent is paid
Two-income households and single earners in Sumner County land in very different places on this math, so run it for your own budget.
Before borrowing in Sumner County
The county's numbers point to a few situations that come up often for Sumner County borrowers.
- Know your credit. Review all three bureau reports for free (AnnualCreditReport.com).
- Getting ready. Gather pay stubs or benefit letters before you apply (checklist).
- Combining balances. It helps when total cost falls and the cards stay paid down (consolidation).
Sumner County residents: age, schooling, coverage
Degree holders: 26% of adults over 25. 8.7% of residents have no health coverage.
| Sumner County | Kansas | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 41.3 | 37.4 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 25.9% | 35.6% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 5.3% | 8.0% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 8.7% | 8.8% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 6.2% | 5.1% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 7.1% | 11.8% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 10.6% | 11.3% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 5.9% | 3.9% | 4.4% |
| One-way commute | Share of Sumner County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 37.3% |
| 15 to 29 min | 19.8% |
| 30 to 44 min | 28.9% |
| 45 to 59 min | 9.5% |
| 60+ min | 4.4% |
Kansas rules that apply in Sumner County
Licensing happens at the state level, so a lender working with Sumner County borrowers answers to the Kansas Office of the State Bank Commissioner. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau accepts complaints nationwide. Statewide data and rules: Kansas guide.
Before you sign
Steps that save money for Sumner County residents:
- Get a written quote for whatever you are paying for in Sumner County.
- Compare the total repaid on every offer, not just the payment.
- Confirm the lender is licensed in Kansas.
- Read the final agreement; it must match the offer.
Nearby and statewide guides
The Kansas guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median household income in Sumner County?
$63,951 a year in the 2020 to 2024 Census survey, versus $74,275 for Kansas. It ranks 54th of 105 in the state.
Is Sumner County expensive for renters?
Median rent is $825 against $1,060 statewide, and 41% of renter households are cost-burdened.
Does this page cover Wellington?
Yes, along with the other 10 Census places in Sumner County, such as Conway Springs, Belle Plaine, Caldwell.
Does my county matter to the questionnaire?
Only your state does. Whether you live in Sumner County or elsewhere in Kansas, the same rules apply.
Who do I complain to about a lender in Sumner County?
Start with the Kansas Office of the State Bank Commissioner, then the CFPB complaint portal. Keep copies of every message.