Housing

Allen County has a housing affordability index of 140–one of the lowest costs of living in the State of Kansas–with the median price of a single family home at $89,600 and the average monthly rent for a 2-bedroom apartment at $800/month. On average, just 14.1% of household income is spent on housing expenses, and the median home value is $112,160. In recent years, over 100 new homes have been built in Iola, the County seat, demonstrating the region’s commitment to boosting the local housing supply and attracting new residents. 

Healthcare

Allen County is home to Allen County Regional Hospital (ACRH), a Critical Access Hospital that opened in 2014. ACRH includes a Level 4 trauma unit with a helipad and 24/7 emergency care, specialized heart/stroke protocols, inpatient and outpatient surgery, and advanced imaging and 3-D mammography services. In 2017, Allen County was one of only eight recipients nationwide of the Robert Woods Johnson Foundation’s Culture of Health Award for its exceptional efforts to improve community health. It was the first community in Kansas to receive this honor.

Education

Allen County is served by three unified public school districts–USD 256, 257, and 258–and is the proud home of Allen County Community College, providing degree, certificate, and apprenticeship programs in a wide array of technical fields. Nearby Neosho County Community College and major universities, including the University of Kansas, Emporia State University, Ottawa University, and Pittsburg State University, are within a two-hours driving distance.

Dining, Shopping, & Entertainment

Allen County features a variety of cultural attractions, including the Bowlus Fine Arts Center, the Allen County Historical Society Museum, the Revival Music Hall, and Union Works Brewing, just to name a few. In 2022, the City of Humboldt was named one of the “52 Places for a Changed World” by The New York Times as a result of its burgeoning dining, retail, and cultural scene. In the past decade, new grocery stores in Humboldt, Iola, and Moran have increased access to healthy food across the County.

Outdoor Recreation

Allen County is home to the Lehigh Portland State Park, Kansas’s 28th State Park founded in 2023, and Base Camp Humboldt, a 21-acre park offering camping facilities in the Flint HIlls. Allen County also features multiple hiking and biking trails, including the 52-mile Prairie Spirit Trail and the 6.5-mile Southwind Rail Trail. To encourage outdoor recreation, Allen County offers a free Bike Share program that allows people to borrow bikes to explore the streets and trails of the Allen County community.

Come visit us!

Come experience life in Allen County for yourself! Contact one of our partners to help plan your trip today: