Data KC: Comparing home ownership, values, cost in 5 core counties

A look at housing figures for the Kansas City area’s five core counties tells us many things about where we live, including:

Johnson County has the most expensive housing, whether you’re buying or renting, and the second-highest percentage of people who own their homes or condos.

Wyandotte County has the least expensive housing if you’re renting or carrying a mortgage, and the lowest percentage of home ownership.

Jackson County has the most housing units — homes, apartments and condos — and is a close second to Wyandotte for lowest home ownership rate. It also has the lowest home ownership costs for people who have paid off their mortgages.

Platte County has the fewest housing units but is second in costs for renting or owning, boosted perhaps by being close to the airport and having room for large-lot subdivisions and rural acreage.

Clay County is smack dab in the middle for nearly every measure, from costs and value to number of housing units. The exception: the highest ownership rate in the area: 71 percent.

Most of the figures here are averages from five years — 2009 through 2013 — of the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey. The home values and monthly costs are medians, meaning half the figures in a county will be higher and half lower.

The monthly home ownership costs include taxes, insurance and utilities. The monthly median rent figures include utilities.

This story was originally published November 14, 2015 at 7:15 AM.