Ottawa County Area Home Supply Charts

This page looks at a variety of Ottawa County Kansas housing market data taken from the most recent 2022 American Community Survey census data. Housing units are structures such as a single family home, apartment community, mobile home park, public housing, etc. where a person or family live and live separately from other residents of the building. Figure 1 shows the total number of housing units for each city. Ottawa County shows it has a Housing Units of 2,677 which is the second smallest when ranked by housing units of all the other counties in the local area.

Figure 2 illustrates the housing density in the Ottawa County housing market as measured by housing units per square land mile (includes single family homes, apartments, etc.) Ottawa County depicts it has a Housing Density of 3.7 which is the second smallest as measured by housing density of all the other counties in the local area. The county with the highest housing density in the area is Saline County which depicts a density of 33.5 ( considerably bigger). Comparing housing density to the United States average of 39.5, Ottawa County is approximately a tenth the size. Also, in contrast to the state of Kansas, housing density of 15.5, Ottawa County is approximately a quarter the size.

In Figure 4, Ottawa County area change in the number of housing units and is a forward gauge (along with population change) for any potential housing shortage. Ottawa County shows it has a Housing Unit Change of -3.7% which is less than most other counties in the greater region. The county with the highest change in the housing units in the area is Saline County which shows a housing units of -0.0% (only about 1.0% the size). Comparing change in the housing units to the United States average of 7.4%, Ottawa County is about the same size. Also, measured against the state of Kansas, change in the housing units of 3.2%, Ottawa County is 15.8% larger.

Figure 5 shows the percentage of rental property based on that they are occupied by renters as a percent of the total number of households in the community (including homes, apartments, etc.) Ottawa County depicts it has a Renter Percent of 21.1% which is the second smallest in order of renter percent of all the other counties in the metro area. Figure 6 illustrates the total number of housing units that are occupied by owners. it has a Owner Percent of 78.9% which is the second most owner percent of all the counties in the greater Ottawa County region.

Ottawa County Home Cost Charts

Looking at the housing data provided in Figure 7, the average Ottawa County home price is illustrated for this community and a useful analysis of affordable housing. Ottawa County depicts it has a Median Home Value of $140,000 which is the second most median home prices of all the counties in the greater Ottawa County region. The county with the highest median home price in the area is Saline County which depicts a home price of $145,100 (only about 3.6% larger). Figure 8 provides aggregate comparative data for the Ottawa County Kansas metro area in terms of the median housing rental rate, apartment rent, etc. Ottawa County depicts it has a Median Gross Rent of $686 which is in the mid range of other counties in the local area. The county with the highest rental rates in the area is Saline County which depicts a rental rates of $809 (17.9% larger). Comparing rental rates to the United States average of $1,163, Ottawa County is approximately half the size. Also, compared to the state of Kansas, rental rates of $912, Ottawa County is approximately three-fourths the size.

Figure 9 provides the frequency distribution of home prices for the area and is useful for understanding affordable housing fund. Ottawa County has the percentage of home price worth less than $50,000 the second smallest as measured by home price worth less than $50,000 of all the other counties in the metro area at 23% of the total. Second, it has the largest proportion of home price worth between $100,000 to $200,000 at 21% of the total and is ranked #1. Third, it has the largest proportion of home price worth between $200,000 to $300,000 at 10% of the total and is ranked #1. Also, it has the largest proportion of home price worth between $300,000 to $400,000 at 2% of the total and is ranked #1. In addition, it has the smallest proportion of home price worth between $400,000 to $500,000 at 0% of the total.

Median owner costs for the real estate market are shown in Figure 10 and include the costs associated with any mortgage, utility expenses, insurance, and other miscellaneous costs. Ottawa County depicts it has a Median Owner Cost of $860 which is the third most median ownership cost of all other counties in the greater Ottawa County region. Figure 11 shows the median amount of cost as a percent of total household income for people who own homes in the Ottawa County metro area. it has a Owner Cost as % of HH Income of 16% which is the second most cost as a percent of household income of all the counties in the greater Ottawa County region. The next chart, Figure 12, provides a comparison chart of the median home cost as a percent of a median worker take home earnings and is thus a valuable measure of affordable housing. Ottawa County depicts it has a Median Home Value as Percent of Median Earnings of 294% which is the second most median home value as a percent of median worker earnings of all the counties in the greater Ottawa County region.

Figure 14 depicts the median cost of housing for owners with also have a mortgages (versus those who do not have a mortgage because mortgage cost is included.) Ottawa County depicts it has a Median Owner Costs-With Mortgage of $1,486 which is the largest of all counties in the greater Ottawa County region. Figure 15 is a chart that shows the median housing costs for owners who do not have mortgages (and therefore the cost of home ownership does not include mortgage cost.) it has a Median Owner Costs-Without Mortgage of $539 which is more than all other counties in the greater Ottawa County region.

Figure 16 shows the distribution in total housing cost for owners of property (so not renters.) This cost includes mortgages, lines of credit interest, utilities, taxes, insurance, etc. Ottawa County has the percentage of owner cost less than $300 less than most other counties in the local area at 16% of the total. Second, it has the smallest proportion of owner cost between $300 and $500 at 15% of the total. Third, it has the largest proportion of owner cost between $1,000 and $1,500 at 16% of the total and is ranked #1. Also, it has the largest proportion of owner cost between $1,500 and $2,000 at 5% of the total and is ranked #1. In addition, it has the largest proportion of owner cost between $3,500 and $4,000 at 1% of the total and is ranked #1.

Next shown in Figure 17 is the housing cost as a percent of household income for people who own their homes and have a mortgages (thus the cost of financing the home is included.) Ottawa County depicts it has a % of Income Owner Costs-With Mortgage of 22% which is at the top of all other counties in the metropolitan area. Housing cost as a percent of household income for owners who do not have a mortgage is shown in Figure 18. This analysis can be useful for understanding the affordable housing for home ownership excluding any financing cost in the area shown. Ottawa County shows it has a % of Income Owner Costs-No Mortgage of 11% which is the second smallest when sorted by cost as a percent of household income of all the other counties in the metro area. The county with the highest cost as a percent of household income in the area is Clay County which shows a cost as a percent of household income of 12% (11.8% larger).

Figure 19 looks at the cost of rent for rental property using the percent of total household income which is a valuable measure of financial health for the area. (The higher the proportion of rent payments to total household income is a sign of greater financial stress. Also, rent can be covered by rent assistance and rent assistance programs in the form of rent assistance.) Ottawa County has the smallest proportion of rent as a percent of income is less than 10 pct at 20% of the total. Second, it has the smallest proportion of rent as a percent of income is between 10pct to 20pct at 16% of the total. Third, it has one of the largest proportions of rent as a percent of income is between 40pct to 50pct at 21% of the total and is ranked #2. The only larger county being Saline County with 21%.

Figure 20 shows the total housing cost for both home owners and apartment community renters in the area. Ottawa County has the smallest proportion of housing cost between $300 and $500 at 15% of the total. Second, it has the largest proportion of housing cost between $1,000 and $1,500 at 13% of the total and is ranked #1. Third, it has the largest proportion of housing cost between $1,500 and $2,000 at 4% of the total and is ranked #1. Also, it has the largest proportion of housing cost between $2,500 and $3,000 at 1% of the total and is ranked #1.

Figure 21 shows median amount of real estate taxes paid for home owners in the region. it has a Median Real Estate Taxes Paid of $2,376 which is more than all other counties in the area. Comparing median real estate taxes paid to the United States average of $2,690, Ottawa County is about 13.2% smaller. Also, measured against the state of Kansas, median real estate taxes paid of $2,355, Ottawa County is about the same size.

Figure 23 shows the rental rate distribution for this area. Ottawa County Kansas has the smallest proportion of rent between 300 and 500 dollars at 21% of the total.

Ottawa County Home Financing Charts

The analysis in Figure 25 shows the detailed distribution of owned homes by mortgage status. Ottawa County has the largest proportion of With Multiple Mortgages at 1% of the total and is ranked #1. Second, it has the smallest proportion of Primary Mortgage with 2nd Mortgage and HELOC at 0% of the total.

Ottawa County Home Characteristics Charts

Figure 28 shows the household size for families living in the area and it has a Family size of 2.9 which is the second smallest when ranked by family members per housing unit of all the other counties in the local area. The county with the highest family members per housing unit in the area is Lincoln County which depicts a family members per housing unit of 3.3 (12.3% larger). Comparing family members per housing unit to the United States average of 3.3, Ottawa County is about 12.9% smaller. Also, in contrast to the state of Kansas, family members per housing unit of 3.2, Ottawa County is about 9.6% smaller.

Figure 29 show the median number of rooms in a typical home for each location in this area. it has a Median Number of Rooms of 6.6 which is the highest of all counties in the greater Ottawa County region. Figure 30 shows, for the average house in each location, the median year that a house was built. This can be useful for understanding the relative age of one neighborhood versus another for a real estate investor. it has a Median Year Built of 1958 which is the second most of all the counties in the local area. The county with the highest year built in the area is Saline County which depicts a year built of 1966 ( about the same size).

Figure 31 looks at the distribution of housing units by the median age that the homes were built. it has the largest proportion of homes built between 2010 to 2019 at 9% of the total and is ranked #1. Second, it has the largest proportion of homes built between 2000 to 2009 at 11% of the total and is ranked #1. Third, it has the smallest proportion of homes built between 1960 to 1969 at 6% of the total. Also, it has in the mid range of other counties in the metro area in order of homes built between 1940 to 1949 at 40% of the total.

Figure 32 shows the difference in the number of housing units based on whether they are occupied by owners versus occupied by renters. has the percentage of owner housing units the second smallest when ranked by owner-occupied housing units of all the other counties in the surrounding region at 498 of the total.

Figure 33 shows the difference in the number of housing units based on whether they are occupied by owners or renters. has the smallest proportion of 10 to 19 units at 1% of the total.

Figure 34 shows the median value of homes broken down by the median year that the homes were built. it has one of the largest proportions of value of homes built 2014 or later at $290,500 of the total and is ranked #2. The only larger county being Cloud County with $295,000. Second, it has in the mid range of other counties in the metro area in order of value of homes built 2010 to 2013 at $219,700 of the total. Third, it has one of the largest proportions of value of homes built 2000 to 2009 at $250,000 of the total and is ranked #2. The only larger county being Lincoln County with $262,500. Also, it has the largest proportion of value of homes built 1990 to 1999 at $315,000 of the total and is ranked #1. In addition, it has one of the largest proportions of value of homes built 1980 to 1989 at $149,100 of the total and is ranked #3. Only #2 Dickinson County ($159,500), and #1 Saline County ($161,200) are larger. Furthermore, it has one of the largest proportions of value of homes built 1970 to 1979 at $118,000 of the total and is ranked #2. The only larger county being Saline County with $135,600. Next it has one of the largest proportions of value of homes built 1960 to 1969 at $101,400 of the total and is ranked #2. The only larger county being Saline County with $117,700. Additionally, it has in the mid range of other counties in the greater region as measured by value of homes built 1950 to 1959 at $84,700 of the total. And then, it has the largest proportion of value of homes built 1940 to 1949 at $96,200 of the total and is ranked #1.

The next two charts show both the average household size of homeowners versus the average household size of renters. Starting with Figure 36 we see the household size of homeowners for Ottawa County residents. it has a Owner-Household Size of 2.5 which is the second most of all the counties in the area. The county with the highest homeowner household size in the area is Dickinson County which shows a homeowner household size of 2.6 ( only slightly larger).

Figure 37 shows the household size for renters. Ottawa County shows it has a Renter-Household Size of 2.0 which is less than most other counties in the metropolitan area. The county with the highest renter household size in the area is Lincoln County which depicts a renter household sizes of 2.5 (24.3% larger). Figure 38 shows the year that people who own homes moved into this region. has the percentage of owners moved in 2019 or later in the middle range of other counties in the metro area at 17% of the total. Second, it has the smallest proportion of owners moved in 2015 to 2018 at 15% of the total. Third, it has the largest proportion of owners moved in 2000 to 2009 at 20% of the total and is ranked #1. Figure 39 shows the year that people who rent moved into the area. Ottawa County has the largest proportion of renters moved in 2019 or later at 58% of the total and is ranked #1. Second, it has the second smallest when sorted by renters moved in 2019 or later of all the other counties in the local area when ranked by renters moved in 2015 to 2018 at 7% of the total.

Figure 40 compares the median year that home owners moved into their home. it has a Owner Median Year Moved In of 2001 which is the smallest when ranked by median year that a home owner moved in of all the other counties in the local area.

Figure 42 shows the frequency distribution of various types of energy sources used for homes in the community. it has the largest proportion of homes using natural gas at 32% of the total and is ranked #1. Second, it has the largest proportion of home using electricity at 3% of the total and is ranked #1. Third, it has the largest proportion of homes using kerosene or other fuel oils at 0% of the total and is ranked #1. Also, it has the largest proportion of homes using coal or coke at 4% of the total and is ranked #1.

The next two charts show the number of people living in group quarters and includes temporary as well permanent housing which may be run by the Ottawa County housing department, Kansas department, or other housing authority or public housing agency. beginning with Figure 43 which shows the total number of people. Ottawa County depicts it has a Total In Group Quarters of 89 which is the second smallest when sorted by total people living in group quarters of all the other counties in the greater region.

Figure 44 shows the percentage of people who are living in group quarters to the total population for Ottawa County residents (these may include colleges and jails but also community centers for homelessness or that require a housing choice voucher which are run by certain nonprofits or an affordable housing department.) Ottawa County has the largest proportion of number of people under 18 years of age and in group quarters at 100% of the total and is ranked #1.