RANK #23 / 996 · POP 61,881 · KS
PROJECTED GROWTH: +4.0%
Reno County, Kansas, is often recognized for Hutchinson, its largest city and county seat, which holds the distinction of being home to the Kansas State Fair. Located in south-central Kansas, Reno County is about 40 minutes northwest of Wichita. The community offers a blend of small-town atmosphere and access to larger city amenities. Commuting within the county is generally efficient, with an average one-way commute time of under 18 minutes. The county's landscape features undulating prairie, with the Arkansas River flowing through, and notable sand hills in some areas, providing opportunities for outdoor recreation at places like Sand Hills State Park.
Life in Reno County appeals to families, young professionals, and retirees, with a notable percentage of residents owning their homes. Public schools in the county are considered above average, with several unified school districts serving communities like Hutchinson, Buhler, and Haven. The local economy is driven by sectors such as manufacturing, agriculture, and healthcare. Recent economic activity includes investments in energy infrastructure and expansions in manufacturing facilities. Efforts are underway to attract and grow jobs, develop the workforce, and enhance the overall quality of life for residents.
Well below national median
Below-average climate & terrain
Housing looks undervalued at 2.8x — home prices are low relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Evergy Natural Gas Plant
Evergy
|
$2,000M | Planned |
|
Reno Battery/Storage
Undisclosed
|
$250M | Planned |
|
Downtown Hutchinson Private Investment
Various
|
$70M | Completed |
|
McNew to Reno Transmission Line
Evergy
|
$50M | Planned |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Reno County has a Boom Town Index score of 98/100, ranking #23 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +1.4% and a median household income of $57,390, it's an above-average county on economic indicators.
The median home value in Reno County is $119,200 with median rent at $828/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.4815, which is more affordable than the national average.
Population growth: -0.3% year-over-year. Job growth: +1.4%. Home values changed +5.4% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 4.57% of Reno County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.