RANK #276 / 1001 NAT · #3 / 10 KS · POP 61,553
1YR FORECAST: +2.0%
5YR OUTLOOK: +32%
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.
Reno County's data profile doesn't fit any single market profile cleanly — its housing, labor, and demographic signals pull in different directions (home prices +6.3% YoY, population -0.2%, wages +5.8%). About 414 U.S. counties show this kind of mixed-signal pattern.
See all 414 Idiosyncratic Markets counties →Below national median (11.3x)
Below-average climate & terrain
Below national median (15x)
Housing is fairly valued at 5.8x relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Bars show trailing 12-month growth. The dashed Forecast bars are the model's next-12-month projection; the whisker marks the ±1% range (cooling–accelerating).
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
| 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 1001 counties.
With a Boom Town Index score of 72/100, Reno County sits in the upper half of all 1001 ranked counties. and median household income stands at $60,645 — indicators that suggest solid fundamentals even if it's not among the fastest-growing counties in KS.
By national standards, Reno County is quite affordable. Homes here have a median value of $132,500, and the income-to-home-value ratio of 0.46 is well above the U.S. average — especially with median rent at just $863/month. Residents can generally buy a home without being cost-burdened.
Population and employment in Reno County are both close to flat — population -0.2% YoY and jobs +0.2%. Home values shifted +6.3% over the past 12 months. A steady-state county, neither expanding quickly nor shrinking.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 4.98% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Reno County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.
Home values climbed +6.3% year-over-year, which is a solid pace of appreciation. The median home in Reno County is now valued at $132,500. That kind of growth typically reflects sustained demand rather than speculative frenzy.