RANK #115 / 1001 NAT · #4 / 10 KS · POP 53,668
1YR FORECAST: +2.2%
5YR OUTLOOK: +23%
Saline County, Kansas, stands out for its central location and the city of Salina, which serves as a regional hub. The county is situated in the heart of Kansas, approximately 90 miles north of Wichita and 180 miles west of Kansas City, offering a manageable commute within the area, with most destinations in Salina reachable within 10-15 minutes. The community maintains a welcoming atmosphere, with residents often encountering familiar faces at local events. Outdoor recreation opportunities include numerous city parks, hiking and biking trails, disc golf courses, and fishing at Saline State Fishing Lake. Coronado Heights, a local landmark, provides scenic views of the Smoky Hills.
Life in Saline County offers a balance of affordability and community. Many families and young professionals reside here, often owning their homes. The public school system in Saline County is considered above average, with several highly-rated elementary schools. The economy is driven by diverse sectors, including manufacturing, healthcare, and education. The Salina Regional Airport and Airport Industrial Center are significant economic contributors, supporting numerous businesses and educational institutions. Recent economic developments show continued investment in manufacturing and other private sector growth.
Saline County is one of 145 U.S. counties in this market profile — stronger than typical on the BoomTown Index. Within this cohort, its recent home-price change of +4.8% matches the profile's typical +4.9%.
See all 145 Heartland Steady Growth counties →Below national median (11.3x)
Below-average climate & terrain
Below national median (15x)
Housing is fairly valued at 6.1x 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: Homicide rates from CDC/NCHS vital-statistics mortality data — a multi-year average that stabilizes counts in smaller counties — compiled in the County Health Rankings 2025 release. Rates per 100,000 population; U.S. average ≈ 6.5. Grade reflects homicide rate relative to the national average. Learn more →
See where Saline County stands nationally: safest large counties in America · highest homicide-rate counties.
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Mountain Peak Energy Storage Project (BESS)
Mountain Peak Energy Storage LLC (Plus Power)
|
$350M | Denied |
|
Shasta Power Solar Farm
Shasta Power
|
$150M | Proposed |
|
Amazon Last-Mile Distribution Facility
Amazon
|
$50M | Completed |
|
Southview Estates Housing Development
Undisclosed Developers
|
$50M | Under Construction |
|
Nex-Tech Data Center
Nex-Tech
|
$50M | Planned |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 1001 counties.
Saline County ranks #115 out of 1001 U.S. counties on the Boom Town Index with a score of 88/100, placing it in the top tier nationally. Median household income is $65,422 and the underlying growth metrics (housing, migration, income) hold up against peer counties.
By national standards, Saline County is quite affordable. Homes here have a median value of $179,600, and the income-to-home-value ratio of 0.36 is well above the U.S. average — especially with median rent at just $961/month. Residents can generally buy a home without being cost-burdened.
Population and employment in Saline County are both close to flat — population -0.2% YoY and jobs +0.4%. Home values shifted +4.8% over the past 12 months. A steady-state county, neither expanding quickly nor shrinking.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 3.82% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Saline County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.