Salina, KS

Kansas

Salina is a mid-size city in Kansas with a population of 46,432. Residents earn $60,624 per year, which is 19% below the national average.

4.1 /5.0
A Great
46,432 Population 1,766/sq mi density
$60,624 Median Income $33,344 per capita
$164,500 Home Value $170,631 Zillow
$911 Median Rent
56°F Avg Temperature
A
Overall
4.1 / 5.0
Great overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.9 / 5.0
$60,624 median income, 2.7% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$164,500 home value, $911/mo rent
B
Education
3.3 / 5.0
28.7% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $60,624
19% lower than US avg
Home Value $164,500
42% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 28.7%
15% lower than US avg
Median Rent $911
22% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 41.9%
31% higher than US avg
Unemployment 2.7%
25% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 9.3%
25% lower than US avg

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

People

Population46,432
Median Age39.2 yrs
Density1,766/mi²
Male / Female50% / 51%
Largest GroupWhite 84%

Economy

B+
Median Income$60,624
Per Capita$33,344
Unemployment2.7%
Poverty9.3%
County GDP$3,875M
Commute14 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$164,500
Rent$911
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$170,631

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity41.9%
UninsuredN/A
Depression21.9%
Heart Disease5.7%

Climate

Avg Temp56°F
AQI39 (Good)
Rain29.7 in/yr
Elevation1,240 ft

Education

B
Bachelor's+28.7%
High School+92.5%
School Score5.80

Community

2024 VoteR 65% / D 33%
Commute14 min
EV Stations17
Libraries2

Is Salina a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Salina receives an overall livability score of 4.1 out of 5.0, earning a grade of A. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing. Areas to be aware of include high obesity rates. Salina stands out as an excellent place to live, with strong marks across most quality-of-life indicators.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Salina is $60,624, 19% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.7%. 9.3% 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 Salina is $164,500, 42% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $911 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.7x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

28.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 92.5% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.8/10.

Climate & Weather

Salina enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 56°F. Winters average 31°F in January while summers reach 81°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 29.7 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39.

Salina has a population of 46,432 with a density of 1,766 people per square mile. The median age is 39.2 years, 1% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (83.7%), with 1.6% Hispanic, 4.2% Black.

Population

46,432
Total Population
1,766
People / sq mi
39.2yrs
Median Age
1% above US avg
26.3mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 49.5%
Female 50.5%

Race & Ethnicity

Salina vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only90.8%
16% above US avg
Spanish9.2%
31% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Salina vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Salina is $60,624, which is 19% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 2.7% (below the 3.6% US average). 9.3% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 14 minutes.

Income: Salina vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$60,624
19% below US avg
Per Capita Income$33,344
Avg Weekly Wage$975
IRS Avg AGI$66,003

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment2.7%
25% below US avg
Poverty Rate9.3%
25% below US avg
Establishments (County)1,583
County GDP$3,875M

Business (County)

Restaurants156
Healthcare176
Retail217
Manufacturing70

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,810
37% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.92%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time14.0 min
Work from Home6.2%

Walkability

The median home value in Salina is $164,500, 42% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $911 (22% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $170,631.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$164,500
42% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$170,631
Median List Price$219,900

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$219,900
$/Sq Ft$110
Homes Sold41
Sale-to-List Ratio97.8%
Price Drops35.2%
Inventory54

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$911
22% below US avg
Zillow Rent (ZORI)$1,074

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied63.5%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,810
37% above US avg
Effective Rate2.92%
In Salina, 41.9% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 21.9% report depression. 28.5% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity41.9%
31% above US avg
Diabetes10.4%
Heart Disease5.7%
High Blood Pressure31.2%
Asthma10.3%
COPD6.7%
Stroke3.1%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking18.0%
Physical Inactivity28.5%
Depression21.9%
Mental Distress18.1%
Physical Distress12.6%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate90.7%
Checkup Rate73.9%
Premature Death9,658/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.0/10
Exercise Access80.4%
Healthcare Facilities176

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)8

Safety Score

Salina has an average annual temperature of 56°F (13°C). Winters average 31°F in January while summers reach 81°F in July. Annual precipitation is 29.7 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39.

Temperature

31°F Jan (-1°C) 81°F Jul (27°C)
Annual Average55.8°F
3% above US avg
January Average31°F (-1°C)
July Average81°F (27°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall29.7 inches
22% below US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median39.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,240 ft (378 m)
Area26.3 sq mi (68.1 km²)
Population Density1,766/sq mi
Coordinates38.8131°N, 97.6145°W
County FIPS20169
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 20K+. 28.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (15% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 31.6-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 64.9%
D 33.3%

Winner: Republican by 31.6 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+28.7%
15% below US avg
High School+92.5%
School Test Score5.80
B Education Grade (3.3/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 5Nonmetro — Urban 20K+
Population Density1,766/sq mi
Total Area26.3 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations17
Alt Fuel Stations24
Public Libraries2
Healthcare Facilities176
Restaurants156
Retail Stores217

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)8

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute14.0 min
Work from Home6.2%

Nearby Cities

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