Salina
RANK #66 / 996 NAT · #2 / 10 KS · POP 54,160
1YR FORECAST: +3.0%
5YR OUTLOOK: +37%
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.
Well below national median
Below-average climate & terrain
Below national median (13x)
Housing looks undervalued at 3.0x — home prices are low 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.
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 |
|---|---|---|
|
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 996 counties.
Saline County ranks #66 out of 996 U.S. counties on the Boom Town Index with a score of 93/100, placing it in the top tier nationally. Median household income is $59,887 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 $161,900, and the income-to-home-value ratio of 0.37 is well above the U.S. average — especially with median rent at just $869/month. Residents can generally buy a home without being cost-burdened.
Population and employment in Saline County are both close to flat — population -0.4% YoY and jobs -0.1%. Home values shifted +3.2% over the past 12 months. A steady-state county, neither expanding quickly nor shrinking.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 4.11% 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.