Signals
Dodge City
Hays
Growth
30 · Bottom 19%
vs30 · Bottom 18%
Climate
56 · Bottom 16%
vs60 · Bottom 27%
Physical resilience
39 · Bottom 28%
vs66 · Top 36%
Housing affordability
100 · Top 27%
vs95 · Top 47%
Access
0 · Bottom 1%
vs0 · Bottom 1%
Economic stability
73 · Top 21%
vs61 · Top 38%
Measured values
| Metric | Dodge City | Hays | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 34,074 | 28,920 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $70,781 | $63,084 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $29,834 | $37,483 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 31/sq mi | 32/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $151,100 | $216,300 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $1,010 | $943 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 62.5% | 63.2% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.7% | 38.9% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 14.0% | 18.3% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Housing units permitted (12 months) | 63 | 56 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permits per 1,000 residents | 1.8 | 1.9 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permit change (year over year) | -20.3% | -42.9% | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Average July high | 94°F | 93°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 20°F | 19°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 22.0" | 24.8" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 134 mi | 134 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 14.3 min | 13.8 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 32.3 | 33.2 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
A bolded value is the more favorable of the two where the metric has a clear direction. Metrics like population and density have no inherent better or worse and are shown unweighted.
Physical risk tradeoff
Dodge City
Elevated or high exposure: hail, tornado, cold wave.
Hays
Elevated or high exposure: hail, ice storm, strong wind.
Your best match
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Dodge City
50
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—
Area Score
Hays
52
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Area Score
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Full profiles: Dodge City, KS Micro Area · Hays, KS Micro Area · How this is calculated: methodology