IncomeBy County

Kearny County, Kansas

Income Data

+15% vs. Kansas average
$74,135
Median Household Income
$31,556
Per Capita Income

At a Glance

Median Household Income
$74,135
+15% vs. state avg
Per Capita Income
$31,556
-20% vs. national
Income-to-Housing Ratio
48.6%
income as % of home value
Rank in Kansas
#13 / 105
by median household income

How Kearny County Compares

Kearny County$74,135
Kansas Average$64,428
National Median$74,755

Detailed Income Statistics

$74,135
Median Household Income
$31,556
Per Capita Income
$152,500
Median Home Value
48.6%
Income-to-Housing Ratio

Data Story

About Household Income in Kearny County, Kansas

Kearny Nearly Matches National Average

Kearny County's median household income of $74,135 sits just 0.8% below the national median of $74,755, placing it essentially at parity with the U.S. average. This near-perfect alignment with national norms is notable for a rural Kansas county, reflecting balanced economic opportunity. Kearny ranks in the 45th-50th percentile nationally—solidly middle-income.

Above-Average Kansas Performance

At $74,135, Kearny County exceeds Kansas's state average of $64,428 by 15.1%, ranking in the upper-middle tier statewide. This strong regional standing reflects agricultural productivity and diversified local employment relative to many rural Kansas peers. Kearny performs above typical for its region.

Competitive With Strongest Peers

Kearny County's $74,135 median income approaches Jackson County ($72,703) and nearly matches Jefferson County ($77,393), exceeding Haskell ($69,138), Hodgeman ($63,125), Kingman ($59,819), and Jewell ($52,344). This strong regional position reflects Kearny's agricultural base and stable employment. Kearny ranks second in the peer group, trailing only Jefferson County.

Housing Affordability Pressured by Rent

Kearny's 18.4% rent-to-income ratio is the highest in the peer group, approaching burden territory and suggesting rental costs consume substantial household income. A median home value of $152,500 remains affordable, but renters face material affordability stress relative to homeowners. Rent inflation outpaces wage growth, creating vulnerability for lower-wage households.

Homeownership as Wealth Strategy

Kearny households should prioritize transitioning from renting to homeownership given elevated rent-to-income ratios; a $152,500 median home value is achievable and builds equity instead of paying rent. Once stable in homeownership, systematic investment in retirement accounts compounds wealth substantially. Home equity plus retirement savings create dual wealth engines.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the median household income in Kearny County, Kansas?
The median household income in Kearny County, Kansas is $74,135, according to U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates. This represents the midpoint of all household incomes in the county.
How much do people earn in Kearny County?
The per capita income in Kearny County is $31,556, which represents the average income per person across the entire county population. The median household income — which accounts for all earners in a household — is $74,135.
How does Kearny County compare to the Kansas average?
Kearny County's median household income of $74,135 is higher than the Kansas state average of $64,428. The per capita income is $31,556, compared to the state average of $34,748.
What is the per capita income in Kearny County, Kansas?
The per capita income in Kearny County, Kansas is $31,556, according to U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates. Per capita income is calculated by dividing total personal income by total population, providing an average income figure per resident.
Why is Kearny County income higher than the Kansas average?
Kearny County's median household income of $74,135 is higher than the Kansas average of $64,428. This difference of $9,707 can be attributed to factors such as local industry mix, proximity to major employment centers, educational attainment levels, and cost of living. Counties with higher incomes often have a greater concentration of professional and technical occupations.
How does Kearny County rank for income in Kansas?
Kearny County ranks #13 out of 105 counties in Kansas by median household income (1 = highest). With a median household income of $74,135 and per capita income of $31,556, it falls in the top third of counties statewide.

Income Comparison Calculator

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County median: $74,135 per year

vs. County Median

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vs. State Average

+15%

vs. National Median

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vs. Kearny County MedianAbout equal
vs. Kansas Average▲ 15% above
vs. National Median▼ 1% below

Income Adequacy

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Your monthly income ($6,178) vs. median rent ($1,137/mo). A ratio of 3.3x or higher means rent is under 30% of income.

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Counties with Similar Income Levels

Aurora County
South Dakota
$74,130
+0%
Dallas County
Texas
$74,149
+0%
Middlesex County
Virginia
$74,154
+0%
Sangamon County
Illinois
$74,114
+0%
Washington County
Maryland
$74,157
+0%
Dauphin County
Pennsylvania
$74,159
+0%
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Data: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023) — Informational only. Not financial or legal advice.

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