Median Income
$48,631
35% lower than US avg
Home Value
$85,200
70% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+
23.1%
31% lower than US avg
Median Rent
$688
41% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate
39.0%
21% higher than US avg
Unemployment
0.8%
78% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate
7.0%
44% lower than US avg
How Cottonwood Falls Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)
People
Population944
Median Age36.0 yrs
Density1,475/mi²
Male / Female53% / 47%
Largest GroupWhite 85%
Veterans6.8%
Economy
B+
Median Income$48,631
Per Capita$24,350
Unemployment0.8%
Poverty7.0%
County GDP$147M
Commute20 min
Housing
A+
Home Value$85,200
Rent$688
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$114,866
Rent Burden23.6%
Health
Obesity39.0%
UninsuredN/A
Depression20.1%
Heart Disease6.2%
Climate
Avg Temp55°F
AQI39 (Good)
Rain38.0 in/yr
Elevation1,220 ft
Education
C+
Bachelor's+23.1%
High School+90.0%
School Score5.80
Community
2024 VoteR 75% / D 24%
Commute20 min
Broadband76.9%
Libraries1
Is Cottonwood Falls a Good Place to Live?
Based on current data, Cottonwood Falls receives an overall livability score of 3.9 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, a low poverty rate. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes, high obesity rates. Cottonwood Falls offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.
Economy & Jobs
The median household income in Cottonwood Falls is $48,631, 35% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.8%. Only 7.0% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 20 minutes.
Cost of Living & Housing
The median home value in Cottonwood Falls is $85,200, 70% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $688 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 1.8x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.
Education
23.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 90.0% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.8/10.
Climate & Weather
Cottonwood Falls experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 55°F. Winters average 30°F in January while summers reach 79°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 38.0 inches, including 10.6 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39.
Cottonwood Falls has a population of 944 with a density of 1,475 people per square mile. The median age is 36.0 years, 7% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (84.5%), with 5.1% Hispanic, 3.4% Black.
Population
36.0yrs
Median Age
7% below US avg
Race & Ethnicity
Cottonwood Falls vs U.S. Average
Language Spoken at Home
| English Only | 98.1% |
| 25% above US avg |
| Spanish | 1.9% |
| 86% below US avg |
Social Characteristics
Cottonwood Falls vs U.S. Average
The median household income in Cottonwood Falls is $48,631, which is 35% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 0.8% (below the 3.6% US average). 7.0% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 20 minutes.
Income: Cottonwood Falls vs U.S.
Income
| Median HH Income | $48,631 |
| 35% below US avg |
| Per Capita Income | $24,350 |
| Avg Weekly Wage | $839 |
| IRS Avg AGI | $65,959 |
Employment & Poverty
| Unemployment | 0.8% |
| 78% below US avg |
| Poverty Rate | 7.0% |
| 44% below US avg |
| Establishments (County) | 86 |
| County GDP | $147M |
Business (County)
| Restaurants | 3 |
| Retail | 9 |
| Manufacturing | 3 |
Tax & Cost of Living
| Property Tax (IRS) | $4,900 |
| 40% above US avg |
| Effective Tax Rate | 5.75% |
Commute & Transportation
| Commute Time | 20.3 min |
| Drive Alone | 82.6% |
| Public Transit | 0.0% |
| Work from Home | 4.6% |
The median home value in Cottonwood Falls is $85,200, 70% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $688 (41% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $114,866.
Home Values
| Census Median | $85,200 |
| 70% below US avg |
| Zillow ZHVI | $114,866 |
Real Estate Market (Redfin)
| $/Sq Ft | $95 |
| Homes Sold | 2 |
| Sale-to-List Ratio | 0.0% |
| Price Drops | 100.0% |
| Inventory | 1 |
Rental Costs
| Census Median Rent | $688 |
| 41% below US avg |
| Rent Burden | 23.6% |
HUD Fair Market Rent
| Studio | $702 |
| 1 Bedroom | $753 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $947 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $1,223 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $1,397 |
Ownership & Property
Property Tax
| Avg Tax (IRS) | $4,900 |
| 40% above US avg |
| Effective Rate | 5.75% |
In Cottonwood Falls, 39.0% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 20.1% report depression. 28.5% are physically inactive.
Health Metrics: Cottonwood Falls vs U.S. Average (%)
Chronic Conditions
| Obesity | 39.0% |
| 21% above US avg |
| Diabetes | 11.3% |
| Heart Disease | 6.2% |
| High Blood Pressure | 33.2% |
| Asthma | 9.6% |
| COPD | 7.0% |
| Stroke | 3.2% |
Behaviors & Mental Health
| |
| Binge Drinking | 17.2% |
| Physical Inactivity | 28.5% |
| Depression | 20.1% |
| Mental Distress | 16.8% |
| Physical Distress | 13.1% |
Healthcare Access
| Insurance Rate | 90.8% |
| |
| Checkup Rate | 74.0% |
| Premature Death | 7,701/100K |
Food & Exercise
| Food Environment | 5.6/10 |
| Exercise Access | 65.4% |
Crime Rates: Cottonwood Falls vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)
Traffic Safety
| Fatal Crashes (County/yr) | 1 |
| FEMA Disasters | 91 |
Safety Score
Cottonwood Falls has an average annual temperature of 55°F (13°C). Winters average 30°F in January while summers reach 79°F in July. Annual precipitation is 38.0 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39.
Temperature
30°F Jan (-1°C)
79°F Jul (26°C)
| Annual Average | 54.7°F |
| 1% above US avg |
| January Average | 30°F (-1°C) |
| July Average | 79°F (26°C) |
Precipitation & Snow
| Annual Rainfall | 38.0 inches |
| 0% below US avg |
| Snowfall | 10.6 inches/yr |
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 39.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,220 ft (372 m) |
| Area | 0.6 sq mi (1.7 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,475/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 38.3682°N, 96.5428°W |
| County FIPS | 20017 |