Elk City, KS

Kansas

Elk City is a small town in Kansas with a population of 281. Residents earn $35,417 per year, which is 53% below the national average.

3.2 /5.0
B Good
281 Population 826/sq mi density
$35,417 Median Income $22,668 per capita
$22,300 Home Value $188,050 Zillow
$921 Median Rent 16.3% income on rent
58°F Avg Temperature
B
Overall
3.2 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C+
Economy
2.6 / 5.0
$35,417 median income, 4.8% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$22,300 home value, $921/mo rent
C
Education
2.1 / 5.0
13.7% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $35,417
53% lower than US avg
Home Value $22,300
92% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 13.7%
59% lower than US avg
Median Rent $921
21% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 36.4%
13% higher than US avg
Unemployment 4.8%
33% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 20.0%
61% higher than US avg

How Elk City Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population281
Median Age46.0 yrs
Density826/mi²
Male / Female49% / 51%
Largest GroupWhite 82%
Veterans5.4%

Economy

C+
Median Income$35,417
Per Capita$22,668
Unemployment4.8%
Poverty20.0%
County GDP$2,997M
Commute22 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$22,300
Rent$921
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$188,050
Rent Burden16.3%

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity36.4%
UninsuredN/A
Depression23.0%
Heart Disease5.6%

Climate

Avg Temp58°F
AQI39 (Good)
Rain45.4 in/yr
Elevation834 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+13.7%
High School+91.7%
School Score6.24

Community

2024 VoteR 75% / D 24%
Commute22 min
Broadband89.0%
Libraries4

Is Elk City a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Elk City receives an overall livability score of 3.2 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include affordable housing. Areas to be aware of include an elevated poverty rate, below-average incomes. Elk City offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Elk City is $35,417, 53% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 4.8%, indicating a healthy job market. The poverty rate of 20.0% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 22 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Elk City is $22,300, 92% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $921 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 0.6x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

13.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 91.7% have completed high school. Local schools score 6.2/10 in standardized testing, reflecting strong academic performance.

Climate & Weather

Elk City enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 58°F. Winters average 34°F in January while summers reach 80°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 45.4 inches, including 7.4 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39.

Elk City has a population of 281 with a density of 826 people per square mile. The median age is 46.0 years, 18% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (81.9%), with 9.6% Hispanic.

Population

281
Total Population
826
People / sq mi
46.0yrs
Median Age
18% above US avg
0.3mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 48.8%
Female 51.2%

Race & Ethnicity

Elk City vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only96.8%
23% above US avg
Spanish3.2%
76% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Elk City vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Elk City is $35,417, which is 53% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 4.8% (above the 3.6% US average). 20.0% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 22 minutes.

Income: Elk City vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$35,417
53% below US avg
Per Capita Income$22,668
Avg Weekly Wage$890
IRS Avg AGI$57,050

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment4.8%
33% above US avg
Poverty Rate20.0%
61% above US avg
Establishments (County)2,228
County GDP$2,997M

Business (County)

Restaurants72
Healthcare95
Retail111
Manufacturing50

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$3,621
3% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate16.24%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time21.8 min
Drive Alone78.8%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home2.4%

Walkability

The median home value in Elk City is $22,300, 92% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $921 (21% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $188,050.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$22,300
92% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$188,050

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$921
21% below US avg
Rent Burden16.3%

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$643
1 Bedroom$668
2 Bedrooms$877
3 Bedrooms$1,132
4 Bedrooms$1,276

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied77.5%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,621
3% above US avg
Effective Rate16.24%
In Elk City, 36.4% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 23.0% report depression. 22.8% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Elk City vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity36.4%
13% above US avg
Diabetes9.3%
Heart Disease5.6%
High Blood Pressure31.9%
Asthma10.7%
COPD6.6%
Stroke2.9%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking18.8%
Physical Inactivity22.8%
Depression23.0%
Mental Distress18.1%
Physical Distress12.2%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate82.0%
Checkup Rate73.7%
Premature Death12,899/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.0/10
Exercise Access72.8%
Healthcare Facilities95

Crime Rates: Elk City vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)7

Safety Score

Elk City has an average annual temperature of 58°F (14°C). Winters average 34°F in January while summers reach 80°F in July. Annual precipitation is 45.4 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39.

Temperature

34°F Jan (1°C) 80°F Jul (27°C)
Annual Average57.6°F
7% above US avg
January Average34°F (1°C)
July Average80°F (27°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall45.4 inches
19% above US avg
Snowfall7.4 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median39.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation834 ft (254 m)
Area0.3 sq mi (0.9 km²)
Population Density826/sq mi
Coordinates37.2891°N, 95.9103°W
County FIPS20125
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K. 13.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (59% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 51.1-point margin. 89.0% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 74.7%
D 23.6%

Winner: Republican by 51.1 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+13.7%
59% below US avg
High School+91.7%
School Test Score6.24
C Education Grade (2.1/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 7Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K
Population Density826/sq mi
Total Area0.3 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access89.0%
Public Libraries4
Healthcare Facilities95
Restaurants72
Retail Stores111

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)7

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute21.8 min
Drive Alone78.8%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home2.4%

Nearby Cities

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