Preston, KS

Kansas

Preston is a small town in Kansas with a population of 127. Residents earn $28,462 per year, which is 62% below the national average.

3.2 /5.0
B Good
127 Population 289/sq mi density
$28,462 Median Income $20,069 per capita
$21,900 Home Value
$628 Median Rent 28.8% income on rent
55°F Avg Temperature 323 sunny days/yr
B
Overall
3.2 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C
Economy
2.2 / 5.0
$28,462 median income, 3.2% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$21,900 home value, $628/mo rent
C
Education
2.3 / 5.0
15.7% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $28,462
62% lower than US avg
Home Value $21,900
92% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 15.7%
53% lower than US avg
Median Rent $628
46% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 37.0%
15% higher than US avg
Unemployment 3.2%
11% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 29.4%
137% higher than US avg

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

People

Population127
Median Age60.6 yrs
Density289/mi²
Male / Female53% / 47%
Largest GroupWhite 96%
Veterans6.5%

Economy

C
Median Income$28,462
Per Capita$20,069
Unemployment3.2%
Poverty29.4%
County GDP$745M
Commute14 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$21,900
Rent$628
OwnershipN/A
Housing Units118
Rent Burden28.8%

Health

Obesity37.0%
Uninsured10.1%
Smoking15.1%
Depression20.4%
Heart Disease5.9%

Climate

Avg Temp55°F (13°C)
AQI39 (Good)
Rain27.6 in/yr
Sunny Days323/yr
Elevation1,834 ft (559 m)

Education

C
Bachelor's+15.7%
High School+81.7%
Graduate+0.0%
School Score5.80

Community

2024 VoteR 75% / D 23%
Commute14 min
Broadband68.0%
Libraries1

Is Preston a Good Place to Live?

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

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Preston is $28,462, 62% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 3.2%, indicating a healthy job market. The poverty rate of 29.4% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 14 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Preston is $21,900, 92% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $628 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 0.8x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

15.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 81.7% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.8/10.

Climate & Weather

Preston experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 55°F. Winters average 31°F in January while summers reach 79°F in July. With 323 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 27.6 inches, including 15.1 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39.

Preston has a population of 127 with a density of 289 people per square mile. The median age is 60.6 years, 56% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (96.1%), with 3.9% Hispanic.

Population

127
Total Population
289
People / sq mi
60.6yrs
Median Age
56% above US avg
0.4mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 52.8%
Female 47.2%

Race & Ethnicity

Preston vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only100.0%
27% above US avg
Spanish0.0%
100% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Preston vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Preston is $28,462, which is 62% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 3.2% (below the 3.6% US average). 29.4% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 14 minutes.

Income: Preston vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$28,462
62% below US avg
Per Capita Income$20,069
Avg Weekly Wage$938
IRS Avg AGI$71,704

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment3.2%
11% below US avg
Poverty Rate29.4%
137% above US avg
Establishments (County)384
County GDP$745M

Business (County)

Restaurants38
Healthcare34
Retail52
Manufacturing8

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,515
29% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate20.62%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time14.2 min
Drive Alone67.4%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home0.0%

Walkability

The median home value in Preston is $21,900, 92% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $628 (46% below US avg).

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$21,900
92% below US avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$628
46% below US avg
Rent Burden28.8%

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied61.8%
Housing Units118
Median Year Built1938

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,515
29% above US avg
Effective Rate20.62%
In Preston, 37.0% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 10.1% of residents lack health insurance. 15.1% are current smokers. 20.4% report depression. 25.2% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Preston vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity37.0%
15% above US avg
Diabetes9.9%
Heart Disease5.9%
High Blood Pressure31.1%
Asthma9.3%
COPD6.1%
Cancer7.2%
Stroke2.9%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking15.1%
8% above US avg
Binge Drinking20.1%
Physical Inactivity25.2%
Depression20.4%
Mental Distress16.4%
Physical Distress11.9%
Short Sleep33.4%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate88.0%
Uninsured10.1%
17% above US avg
Checkup Rate73.7%
Dental Visits60.4%
Premature Death9,403/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.8/10
Exercise Access82.6%
Healthcare Facilities34
Preston has an average annual temperature of 55°F (13°C). Winters average 31°F in January while summers reach 79°F in July. Annual precipitation is 27.6 inches. The area enjoys 323 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39.

Temperature

31°F Jan (-0°C) 79°F Jul (26°C)
Annual Average55.2°F
2% above US avg
January Average31°F (-0°C)
July Average79°F (26°C)
Sunny Days323 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall27.6 inches
27% below US avg
Snowfall15.1 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median39.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,834 ft (559 m)
Area0.4 sq mi (1.1 km²)
Population Density289/sq mi
Coordinates37.7584°N, 98.5578°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
County FIPS20151
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K. 15.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (53% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 51.5-point margin. 68.0% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 74.8%
D 23.4%

Winner: Republican by 51.5 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+15.7%
53% below US avg
High School+81.7%
Graduate Degree+0.0%
School Test Score5.80
C Education Grade (2.3/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 7Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K
Population Density289/sq mi
Total Area0.4 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access68.0%
Public Libraries1
Healthcare Facilities34
Restaurants38
Retail Stores52

Safety & Disasters

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute14.2 min
Drive Alone67.4%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home0.0%

Nearby Cities

Pratt, KS 6,559 pop · 12.1 mi St. John, KS 1,247 pop · 20.0 mi Kingman, KS 3,003 pop · 25.3 mi Medicine Lodge, KS 1,518 pop · 32.7 mi Sterling, KS 2,396 pop · 36.6 mi Nickerson, KS 1,088 pop · 37.2 mi South Hutchinson, KS 2,826 pop · 38.1 mi Hutchinson, KS 39,837 pop · 41.3 mi Ellinwood, KS 2,117 pop · 41.4 mi Larned, KS 3,328 pop · 41.7 mi Cheney, KS 2,386 pop · 43.4 mi Haven, KS 1,394 pop · 43.4 mi Great Bend, KS 14,596 pop · 43.6 mi Harper, KS 1,191 pop · 43.8 mi
Compare Preston with another city: