1st Advantage MortgageWoodson County households have a median income of $50,326 and median rent of $618 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
- Getting oriented in Woodson County
- Employment and commuting in Woodson County
- Paychecks and income spread in Woodson County
- Woodson County housing compared with Kansas
- Woodson County next to its neighbors
- Places inside Woodson County
- Room for a loan payment in Woodson County
- Local borrowing considerations for Woodson County
- More Woodson County figures
- A Woodson County borrower's checklist
- Checking a lender's license in Kansas
- More guides for Woodson County
- Frequently asked questions
Getting oriented in Woodson County
Roughly 3,109 residents live in Woodson County, Kansas, 79th by population among the state's 105 counties and county equivalents. Land area is 498 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 6 per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Woodson County is not part of any metropolitan area. Of the 4 Census places inside Woodson County, Yates Center leads by population with about 1,270; 3 of the 4 are incorporated. With so few households sampled, Woodson County estimates can move a lot between releases.
Employment and commuting in Woodson County
The biggest employer of Woodson County residents, by industry, is education and health care at 24% of workers, followed by agriculture, forestry and mining (16%). The sharpest difference from the state is in agriculture, forestry and mining, at 16% locally and 3% for Kansas. ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 1.6% in Woodson County. Long commutes are the exception here: 12% of workers spend 45 minutes or longer getting to work.
| Top industries | Woodson County share | +/- vs Kansas |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 24.4% | -0.6 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 16.1% | +13.1 pts |
| Manufacturing | 15.2% | +2.8 pts |
| Construction | 9.7% | +3.3 pts |
| Retail trade | 5.9% | -4.6 pts |
| Other services | 5.7% | +1.3 pts |
A lender verifies what your own job pays. The county's industry mix tells you about the local economy, not about your application.
Paychecks and income spread in Woodson County
The median household income in Woodson County is $50,326; statewide it is $74,275, so Woodson County runs 32% below Kansas as a whole. That places it 105th among Kansas's 105 county-level areas.
| Band | Woodson County | Compared with Kansas |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 30.5% | +8.8 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 47.0% | +4.7 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 15.9% | -10.5 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 6.5% | -3.0 pts |
Some 31% of households here live on less than $35,000 a year; 22% have six-figure incomes. Census counts 12.4% of Woodson County residents in poverty, against 11.3% across Kansas. A household earning below the $50,326 median should test any payment carefully; one earning above it should still pick the shortest term it can manage.
Woodson County housing compared with Kansas
Renters in Woodson County pay a median of $618 a month, 42% below the Kansas figure of $1,060. By the Census definition, 43% of Woodson County renters are cost-burdened. Home values center on $81,200, or 1.6 years of median income. 85% of Woodson County households own their home and 15% rent. The median home was built in 1962, so roofs, wiring and heating systems are a common source of repair bills.
| Home costs | Woodson County | Kansas | U.S. middle county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $618/mo | $1,060/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $81,200 | $217,200 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 85% | 67% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 43% | 43% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 32% | 22% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 10.4% | 4.0% | n/a |
In an owner-heavy county like Woodson County, many borrowers can also choose a home equity loan or line of credit. Those can price lower but put the house on the line, so compare the two in writing; our personal loan vs. HELOC guide walks through it.
Woodson County next to its neighbors
Distances run center to center, from Wilson County at 23 miles out to Anderson County at 34. Income ranges from $56,618 in Neosho County to $70,614 in Anderson County; all six of these neighbors top Woodson County's median.
| Neighbor | Distance | Income | Rent | Own |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Woodson County | - | $50,326 | $618/mo | 85% |
| Wilson County, KS | 23 mi | $60,677 | $736/mo | 78% |
| Coffey County, KS | 24 mi | $70,346 | $836/mo | 76% |
| Allen County, KS | 25 mi | $60,689 | $720/mo | 75% |
| Greenwood County, KS | 26 mi | $60,042 | $715/mo | 80% |
| Neosho County, KS | 33 mi | $56,618 | $681/mo | 77% |
| Anderson County, KS | 34 mi | $70,614 | $853/mo | 79% |
Places inside Woodson County
4 Census places fall mainly inside Woodson County; the 4 biggest are below. They account for 1,702 residents, leaving about 45% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. This guide covers each of the 4 places and the rural areas around them.
| Place in county | Status | Population (ACS) | Median HH income | Monthly rent | Distance from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yates Center | city | 1,270 | $42,730 | $615 | 1 mi |
| Toronto | city | 260 | $32,067 | $760 | 12 mi |
| Neosho Falls | city | 132 | $39,583 | $713 | 14 mi |
| Piqua | CDP | 40 | $61,000 | n/a | 12 mi |
Room for a loan payment in Woodson County
Woodson County at the medians, through a lender's eyes (what DTI means):
- $50,326 a year is $4,194 of gross monthly income
- 15% goes to median rent ($618)
- $892: what a 36% ratio leaves once rent is paid
Car, student loan and card payments come out of that room first. Try your own numbers in the calculator.
Local borrowing considerations for Woodson County
Where the Woodson County numbers stand out, and why it matters for a loan:
- Retirees. At a median age of 45.9, many borrowers here rely on award letters as proof of income; favor no prepayment penalty.
- Paperwork. ID, proof of income and a bank account are the basics (requirements).
- Consolidating cards in Woodson County. Compare the total repaid, not the monthly figure (how).
More Woodson County figures
Degree holders: 23% of adults over 25. 7.6% of residents have no health coverage.
| Measure | Woodson County | Kansas statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 45.9 | 37.4 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 23.1% | 35.6% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 9.4% | 8.0% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 7.6% | 8.8% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 5.7% | 5.1% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 4.4% | 11.8% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 12.4% | 11.3% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 1.6% | 3.9% | 4.4% |
| Commute length | Woodson County |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 41.5% |
| 15 to 29 min | 29.7% |
| 30 to 44 min | 17.2% |
| 45 to 59 min | 7.3% |
| 60+ min | 4.4% |
A Woodson County borrower's checklist
A short checklist for Woodson County borrowers:
- Price the Woodson County expense first and borrow that amount, no more.
- Prequalify with soft pulls where offered, then compare in writing.
- Verify the Kansas license before giving out your Social Security number.
- Read the final agreement; it must match the offer.
Checking a lender's license in Kansas
Consumer lenders serving Woodson County are licensed by the state, not the county; in Kansas that is the Kansas Office of the State Bank Commissioner. Problems with a lender can also go to the CFPB. See the Kansas state guide for the statewide picture.
More guides for Woodson County
For statewide rules and data, see the Kansas guide.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Woodson County earn?
The median is $50,326; 22% earn $100,000 or more and 31% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
What do renters pay in Woodson County?
$618 a month at the median, about 15% of median household income.
I own my home in Woodson County. Personal loan or HELOC?
A HELOC uses the house as collateral; a personal loan usually does not. With 85% of homes owner-occupied here, many readers can compare both in writing.
What are the biggest places in Woodson County?
By population: Yates Center, Toronto, Neosho Falls, Piqua. The county has 4 Census places in all.
Does my county matter to the questionnaire?
Only your state does. Whether you live in Woodson County or elsewhere in Kansas, the same rules apply.