Where are the 10 poorest counties in Kansas? Here’s an income breakdown
The poorest county in Kansas has a median income of $48,152, more than $24,000 below the statewide mark, according to a recent financial analysis of the wealthiest and poorest spots in the state.
Financial website SmartAsset named Woodson County the poorest in Kansas in 2025. In contrast, Sedgwick County was named the 20th wealthiest in the state, with a median income of $67,675.
The most recent ranking reflects data updated last year, according to SmartAsset. The company used sources such as the U.S. Census Bureau, real estate site Zillow and the U.S. Internal Revenue Service to compile the ranking. The three metrics considered included investment income, median home value and median income.
In all 10 of Kansas’ poorest counties, median incomes are below the threshold needed to afford a typically priced, three-bedroom rental home, according to data from the National Low Income Housing Coalition.
The NLIHC reports Kansas residents need to make $57,014 annually to afford such a rental, while the minimum income needed for a two-bedroom is $43,402, and an annual income of $35,390 is required to afford a one-bedroom rental.
Affordable housing is much less accessible to those making minimum wage.
At Kansas’ $7.25 non-tipped minimum wage, the same as the federal minimum, it would take 94 hours of work per week to affordably rent a one-bedroom, 115 hours per week for a two-bedroom rental or 151 hours for a three-bedroom.
Inflation and tariffs have further reduced affordability for Kansas residents. The U.S. has seen a 12-month overall inflation rate of 2.7%, and some categories, such as meat, eggs and utilities, have seen steeper price increases.
Tariffs imposed on goods imported from China, Mexico, Canada and other countries have led to increased consumer prices in the U.S. for some items, including used vehicles, furniture and toys.
Statewide, Kansas’ median household income is $72,639, according to the Census Bureau, and 10.9% of the state’s residents live in poverty.
What are the poorest counties in Kansas?
Here’s a look at how the 10 poorest counties in Kansas compare, according to SmartAsset:
1. Woodson County
- Median income: $48,152
- Investment income: $17,769
- Median home value: $87,113
- Poverty rate: 13.9% (The poverty level is not used in Smart Asset’s ranking criteria. This data is from the Census Bureau).
2. Comanche County
- Median income: $49,417
- Investment income: $27,579
- Median home value: $64,048
- Poverty rate: 12.1%
3. Norton County
- Median income: $50,305
- Investment income: $19,327
- Median home value: $88,700
- Poverty rate: 13.9%
4. Graham County
- Median income: $52,909
- Investment income: $15,532
- Median home value: $78,166
- Poverty rate: 12.7%
5. Jewell County
- Median income: $52,344
- Investment income: $17,336
- Median home value: $86,521
- Poverty rate: 12.1%
6. Edwards County
- Median income: $53,792
- Investment income: $15,598
- Median home value: $70,961
- Poverty rate: 12%
7. Republic County
- Median income: $53,611
- Investment income: $12,448
- Median home value: $92,327
- Poverty rate: 11.9%
8. Montgomery County
- Median income: $53,242
- Investment income: $19,613
- Median home value: $82,342
- Poverty rate: 17.3%
9. Decatur County
- Median income: $52,030
- Investment income: $26,039
- Median home value: $85,968
- Poverty rate: 13.9%
10. Chautauqua County
- Median income: $54,592
- Investment income: $25,878
- Median home value: $68,393
- Poverty rate: 14.7%
Several counties switched places from 2024’s ranking, which named the 10 poorest counties in Kansas as Jewell, Graham, Comanche, Decatur, Elk, Woodson, Smith, Chautauqua, Cloud and Edwards.
