Special Interest
Housing in Elk County
Both Census and HUD figures represent gross rent — contract rent plus estimated utility costs for electricity, heat, water, and sewer.
Rent in Elk County averages $552/month for a 2‑bedroom in 2024, compared to the Kansas median of $1,060 and the national median of $1,413. Local renters spend approximately 16% of household income on rent, below the national average of 32%.
HUD 2026 50th Percentile Rent Estimates for Elk County FMR Area are $643 for a studio, $668 for 1‑bedroom, $877 for 2‑bedroom, $1,132 for 3‑bedroom, and $1,276 for 4‑bedroom.
HUD 2026 Rent Estimates reflect market movement since 2024 Census data — a $325 increase for a 2-bedroom in Elk County shows a 59% rise over that period.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics annual unemployment rate for Elk County was 4.3% in 2024, compared to Kansas at 3.6% and the national rate of 4.0%.
