Known as the Wheat Capital of the World, an aviation business cluster is also
highly prominent in Sumner county, along with several major manufacturing
and service industries. Residents enjoy recreation, history and beauty, which
may be why The Progressive Farmer named Sumner County among the Best
Places to Live in Rural America in 2005. Cowley College is stationed here,
providing a top notch education and customized workforce training.
| Sumner County | Wichita MSA |
| Population, July 2004 | 25,272 | 584,671 |
| Population growth, 1990-2000 | 4% | 12.7% |
| Land area (sq. mi.), 2000 | 1,182 | 4,145 |
| Households, 2000 | 9,888 | 220,440 |
| Homeownership rate, 2000 | 76.6% | |
| Median age, 2000 | 37.6 | 34.1 |
| High school grads, 2000 | 86.3% | 85.3% |
| College grads, 2000 | 15.7% | 24.7% |
| Labor force, 2004 | 12,460 | 304,798 |
| Unemployment rate, 2004 | 6.4% | 5.9% |
| Public school enrollment, 2004-05 | 4,440 | 103,298 |
| High school graduates, 2004 | 304 | 5,726 |
| Median household income, 1999 | $39,415 | $42,651 |
| Percapita income, 1999 | $18,305 | $20,692 |
| Retail sales (thousands), 1997 | 114,473 | 4,870,965 |
| Business 2003 |
Firms |
570 |
14,252 |
| Employment |
5,997 |
274,608 |
| Avg. weekly wage |
$445 |
$522 |
| |
|
|
|
| Mfg. business 2003 |
Firms |
41 |
767 |
| Employment |
867 |
58,420 |
| Avg. weekly wage |
$641 |
$767 |
| Major employers |
TECT Aerospace
Stellex Precision Machining
Triumph Accessory Services
KanOkla Communications
Elkhorn Valley Packing
Kansas Plastics
Air Plains Services
Kiser Manufacturing
|
| Largest school districts |
Wellington
Belle Plaine
Conway Springs
|
Wichita
Derby
Maize
Haysville
Goddard
|
Sources: Kansas
State Department of Education for public school enrollment
and graduates; Kansas
Department of Labor for labor force, unemployment,
businesses, employees and wages; Journal
Communications for major employers; and U.S.
Census Bureau for all other data. |
