Medicine Lodge, KS

Kansas

Medicine Lodge is a small town in Kansas with a population of 1,518. Residents earn $54,663 per year, which is 27% below the national average.

3.2 /5.0
B Good
1,518 Population 1,265/sq mi density
$54,663 Median Income $33,207 per capita
$80,200 Home Value $88,787 Zillow
$711 Median Rent
58°F Avg Temperature
341 Violent Crime/100K 2,145 property/100K
B
Overall
3.2 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.9 / 5.0
$54,663 median income, 2.1% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$80,200 home value, $711/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
341 violent crimes/100K (10% below avg)
C+
Education
2.9 / 5.0
23.9% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $54,663
27% lower than US avg
Home Value $80,200
72% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 341/100K
10% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 23.9%
29% lower than US avg
Median Rent $711
39% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 40.0%
25% higher than US avg
Unemployment 2.1%
42% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 8.9%
28% lower than US avg

How Medicine Lodge Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population1,518
Median Age46.5 yrs
Density1,265/mi²
Male / Female45% / 55%
Largest GroupWhite 92%

Economy

B+
Median Income$54,663
Per Capita$33,207
Unemployment2.1%
Poverty8.9%
County GDP$229M
Commute14 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$80,200
Rent$711
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$88,787

Crime

F
Violent341/100K
Property2,145/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault293/100K
Burglary488/100K

Health

Obesity40.0%
UninsuredN/A
Depression23.4%
Heart Disease6.4%

Climate

Avg Temp58°F
AQI39 (Good)
Rain27.8 in/yr
Elevation1,482 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+23.9%
High School+94.4%
School Score5.80

Community

2024 VoteR 85% / D 13%
Commute14 min
Libraries3

Is Medicine Lodge a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Medicine Lodge receives an overall livability score of 3.2 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes, high obesity rates. Medicine Lodge offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Medicine Lodge is $54,663, 27% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.1%. 8.9% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 14 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Medicine Lodge is $80,200, 72% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $711 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 1.5x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

Violent crime in Medicine Lodge is below the national average at 341 per 100,000 residents (U.S. avg: 380). Property crime occurs at a rate of 2,145 per 100,000, near the national average.

Education

23.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 94.4% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.8/10.

Climate & Weather

Medicine Lodge enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 58°F. Winters average 34°F in January while summers reach 82°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 27.8 inches, including 9.4 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39.

Medicine Lodge has a population of 1,518 with a density of 1,265 people per square mile. The median age is 46.5 years, 20% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (91.8%), with 3.7% Hispanic.

Population

1,518
Total Population
1,265
People / sq mi
46.5yrs
Median Age
20% above US avg
1.2mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 45.1%
Female 54.9%

Race & Ethnicity

Medicine Lodge vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only94.3%
20% above US avg
Spanish5.7%
57% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Medicine Lodge vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Medicine Lodge is $54,663, which is 27% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 2.1% (below the 3.6% US average). 8.9% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 14 minutes.

Income: Medicine Lodge vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$54,663
27% below US avg
Per Capita Income$33,207
Avg Weekly Wage$858
IRS Avg AGI$60,722

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment2.1%
42% below US avg
Poverty Rate8.9%
28% below US avg
Establishments (County)210
County GDP$229M

Business (County)

Restaurants11
Healthcare16
Retail25
Manufacturing6

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$2,871
18% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate3.58%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time14.3 min
Work from Home2.8%

Walkability

The median home value in Medicine Lodge is $80,200, 72% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $711 (39% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $88,787.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$80,200
72% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$88,787

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$711
39% below US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$702
1 Bedroom$753
2 Bedrooms$947
3 Bedrooms$1,223
4 Bedrooms$1,397

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied71.5%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$2,871
18% below US avg
Effective Rate3.58%
In Medicine Lodge, 40.0% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 23.4% report depression. 29.2% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Medicine Lodge vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity40.0%
25% above US avg
Diabetes10.7%
Heart Disease6.4%
High Blood Pressure33.5%
Asthma10.8%
COPD8.0%
Stroke3.3%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking17.5%
Physical Inactivity29.2%
Depression23.4%
Mental Distress19.1%
Physical Distress13.9%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate92.7%
Checkup Rate73.4%
Premature Death10,121/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.6/10
Exercise Access47.1%
Healthcare Facilities16
Medicine Lodge has a violent crime rate of 341 per 100,000 residents, 10% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 2,145 per 100,000 (9% above US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

Crime Rates: Medicine Lodge vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Total Violent341.3/100K
10% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape48.8/100K
Robbery0.0/100K
Assault292.5/100K

Property Crime

Total Property2,145.3/100K
9% above US avg
Burglary487.6/100K
Theft1,365.2/100K
Vehicle Theft292.5/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)1
FEMA Disasters91

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Medicine Lodge has an average annual temperature of 58°F (14°C). Winters average 34°F in January while summers reach 82°F in July. Annual precipitation is 27.8 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39.

Temperature

34°F Jan (1°C) 82°F Jul (28°C)
Annual Average57.9°F
7% above US avg
January Average34°F (1°C)
July Average82°F (28°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall27.8 inches
27% below US avg
Snowfall9.4 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median39.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,482 ft (452 m)
Area1.2 sq mi (3.1 km²)
Population Density1,265/sq mi
Coordinates37.2851°N, 98.5812°W
County FIPS20007
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural. 23.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (29% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 72.2-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 85.4%
D 13.3%

Winner: Republican by 72.2 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+23.9%
29% below US avg
High School+94.4%
School Test Score5.80
C+ Education Grade (2.9/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 9Nonmetro — Rural
Population Density1,265/sq mi
Total Area1.2 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries3
Healthcare Facilities16
Restaurants11
Retail Stores25

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)1
FEMA Disaster Declarations91
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute14.3 min
Work from Home2.8%

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