RANK #342 / 1001 NAT · #7 / 10 KS · POP 528,226
1YR FORECAST: +0.6%
5YR OUTLOOK: +19%
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.
Sedgwick County's data profile doesn't fit any single market profile cleanly — its housing, labor, and demographic signals pull in different directions (home prices +2.9% YoY, population +0.7%, wages +4.1%). About 414 U.S. counties show this kind of mixed-signal pattern.
See all 414 Idiosyncratic Markets counties →Below national median (11.3x)
Above national median
Below-average climate & terrain
Below national median (15x)
Housing is fairly valued at 6.4x 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 Sedgwick County stands nationally: safest large counties in America · highest homicide-rate counties.
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
| 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.
Bars show percentile rank among all 1001 counties.
With a Boom Town Index score of 66/100, Sedgwick County sits in the upper half of all 1001 ranked counties. and median household income stands at $69,365 — indicators that suggest solid fundamentals even if it's not among the fastest-growing counties in KS.
Housing in Sedgwick County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $203,300 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.34, with rents averaging $998/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Sedgwick County's population is growing — up +0.7% YoY — while the job market is roughly flat (employment change of +0.4%). Home values shifted +2.9% over the past year. In-migration is outpacing local hiring, which often points to remote workers or retirees driving the headcount.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 2.04% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Sedgwick County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.