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Sedgwick County, KS

RANK #579 / 996  ·  POP 522,700  ·  KS

PROJECTED GROWTH: +0.4%

Sedgwick County shows below-average economic momentum. Growth signals are flat or softening.

[01] Why Sedgwick County?

The Keeper of the Plains, a 44-foot steel sculpture where the Big and Little Arkansas rivers meet in Wichita, stands as a prominent landmark in Sedgwick County. This south-central Kansas county, with Wichita as its largest city and county seat, is noted for its flat terrain. Commutes within the county are generally short, with an average travel time of 19.3 minutes. Public transportation, including Wichita Transit bus services and specialized options for seniors and individuals with disabilities, connects residents across the county and to neighboring communities. Outdoor recreation opportunities include the Sedgwick County Zoo, one of the nation's largest, and numerous parks with walking paths and green spaces.

Life in Sedgwick County offers a blend of urban amenities and smaller community atmospheres. The county is home to a diverse population, with many families and young professionals. Public schools in the county are generally above average, with 20 unified school districts, private institutions, and Catholic schools. The economy has historical ties to aviation, with companies like Cessna and Learjet having a presence. Recent economic developments focus on regional growth and an enhanced quality of life, with ongoing investments in infrastructure and community services.

[02] Market Snapshot

Housing Ratio
2.8x

Undervalued relative to economy

GDP Growth
+1.5%

Below national median

Home Prices
+1.6%

Above national median

Climate & Terrain
-0.7

Below-average climate & terrain

Price/Rent
12x

Below national median (13x)

Housing looks undervalued at 2.8x — home prices are low relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.

[03] Signal Profile

[04] Home Value Growth vs National

Sedgwick County U.S. National

The Numbers

DEMOGRAPHICS
Population
522,700
+0.43% YoY
Median Household Income
$65,372
Median Home Value
$175,700
+1.57% 12mo
Median Rent
$937
Average Annual Pay
$60,652
+3.1% YoY
Employment
264,782
+1.3% YoY
Income-to-Home-Value
0.3721
More affordable than average
Migration Inflow
2.16%
of pop. from another state

Market Activity

REAL ESTATE
Median Sale Price
$246,000
Days on Market
49
Moderate pace
Months of Supply
2.8
Seller's market
Sale-to-List Ratio
99.1%
Near asking price
Sold Above List
23.0%
Listings w/ Price Drops
21.6%
Building Permits (2024)
2,620
Single-Family Permits
1,248

Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →

[05] Capital Investment

$1,055M
TOTAL
PROJECT AMOUNT STATUS
North Junction Freeway Project (I-135, I-235, K-254, K-96)
Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT), Sedgwick County, City of Wichita
$421M Planned
Sedgwick County Solar
Undisclosed (Cleanview Pro required for developer)
$202M Planned
Sedgwick Battery/Storage
Undisclosed (Cleanview Pro required for developer)
$152M Planned
Sedgwick Solar
Undisclosed (Cleanview Pro required for developer)
$130M Planned
Amazon Fulfillment Center (Park City)
Amazon
$100M Completed
Amazon Last-Mile Delivery Station (Bel Aire)
Amazon
$50M Under Construction

Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.

[06] Score Breakdown

GDP Growth +1.5% 25 percentile
Population Growth +0.4% 49 percentile
Income Growth +7.9% 35 percentile
Vacancy Rate 1.7% 14 percentile
Home Price Change +1.6% 54 percentile
Rent Growth +4.4% 72 percentile
Price/Rent 12x 64 percentile

Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.

[07] Frequently Asked Questions

Is Sedgwick County, KS a good place to move to?

Sedgwick County has a Boom Town Index score of 42/100, ranking #579 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +1.3% and a median household income of $65,372, it faces some economic headwinds compared to faster-growing counties.

Is Sedgwick County affordable?

The median home value in Sedgwick County is $175,700 with median rent at $937/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.3721, which is more affordable than the national average.

Is Sedgwick County growing or shrinking?

Population growth: +0.4% year-over-year. Job growth: +1.3%. Home values changed +1.6% in the past 12 months.

Are people moving to Sedgwick County?

Yes — 2.16% of Sedgwick County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.

[08] Similar Metros

Wayne County, MI 52 Somerset County, NJ 52 Pittsylvania County, VA 52 Whatcom County, WA 52 Jackson County, AL 52 Navajo County, AZ 52 Pitt County, NC 52 Lowndes County, MS 52