The Town FilesIndependence, Kansas
City in Montgomery County · population 8,548 (2020 Census)
- Median home
- $88,800
- Household income
- $51,069
- Jan low / Jul high
- 23° / 91°
- Snow a year
- 7 in
- Tornadoes ≤10 mi since 1950
- 19
- Median age
- 38.3
Independence is a city of 8,548 people in Montgomery County, Kansas. The median home is worth $88,800, below the typical Kansas town ($128,200). It ranks hipper than 95% of Kansas towns, more walkable than 90% of Kansas towns, more vibrant than 87% of Kansas towns.
How Independence ranks
Percentile among Kansas towns with at least 500 people on The Town Files lifestyle rankings. 50 is typical for the state; 90 means better than 90% of Kansas towns.
Homes and cost of living
The median home in Independence is worth $88,800, below the typical Kansas town ($128,200). Homes cost about 1.7 times the median household income of $51,069, which is more affordable than 74% of Kansas towns. Median rent is $789 a month. 69.6% of households own their home.
| Housing | Independence | Typical Kansas town |
|---|---|---|
| Median home value | $88,800 | $128,200 |
| Median rent | $789 | $815 |
| Median household income | $51,069 | $63,857 |
| Home value ÷ income | 1.7× | 2.1× |
| Homeownership | 69.6% | 73.7% |
| Median year built | 1954 | 1964 |
| Seasonal / vacation homes | 0.0% | — |
Who lives in Independence
| People | Independence | Typical Kansas town |
|---|---|---|
| Median age | 38.3 | 38.5 |
| Age 65 and over | 18.9% | 19.0% |
| Under 18 | 24.3% | — |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 28.7% | 24.0% |
| Below the poverty line | 18.4% | 10.6% |
| Veterans | 8.0% | — |
| Born outside the U.S. | 2.0% | — |
| Work from home | 3.9% | 6.4% |
| Average commute | 16.9 min | 19.6 min |
| Homes with broadband | 89.1% | 89.2% |
Weather in Independence
July highs average 90.7°F and January lows 22.7°F. About 45.4 inches of rain and melted snow fall a year, with 7.4 inches of snow (typical Kansas town: 12.4 in). Expect about 54 days a year at 90°F or hotter and 98 nights at or below freezing.
Tornadoes, storms and disasters
19 tornadoes have passed within 10 miles of Independence since 1950, compared with 26 for the typical Kansas town. 6 rated (E)F2 or stronger. The strongest, an F3, struck on April 19, 2000 about 9.2 miles from the town center. The most recent was on April 26, 2026.
Hail of 1 inch or larger has been reported within 10 miles 84 times; the largest was 4.00 inches on April 3, 2015.
Severe weather in Montgomery County since 1996
Montgomery County has been included in 15 federal disaster or emergency declarations since 1953, most often for flood, hurricane, biological.
| Declared | Incident | Declaration |
|---|---|---|
| March 29, 2020 | Biological | DR-4504: Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 13, 2020 | Biological | EM-3481: Covid-19 |
| June 20, 2019 | Severe Storm | DR-4449: Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, Flooding,Landslides,And Mudslides |
| May 28, 2019 | Severe Storm | EM-3412: Tornadoes And Flooding |
| October 22, 2013 | Severe Storm | DR-4150: Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, And Flooding |
Jobs and pay in Montgomery County
Montgomery County had 14,716 jobs in 2024, paying an average of $46,284 a year. Unemployment was 3% in 2023; in Independence itself the ACS puts it at 7%.
Public schools in Independence
4 public schools with 1,656 students, about 12.7 students per teacher.
| School | Grades | Students | Per teacher |
|---|---|---|---|
| Independence Sr High | 9-12 | 534 | 12.7 |
| Independence Middle | 6-8 | 389 | 13.9 |
| Jefferson School | 3-5 | 380 | 13.1 |
| Eisenhower Elem | PK-2 | 353 | 11.4 |
Towns near Independence
- Coffeyville, KS14.3 mi · 8,826 people · home $60,800
- Parsons, KS25.7 mi · 9,600 people · home $71,700
Independence questions
Is Independence, Kansas a good place to retire?
On The Town Files lifestyle rankings, Independence scores better for retirees than 9% of Kansas towns and quieter than 18%. 18.9% of residents are 65 or older (median age 38.3).
How much does a house cost in Independence?
The median owner-occupied home in Independence is valued at $88,800 (Census ACS 2020–2024), against a median household income of $51,069, so homes cost about 1.7 times income. Median rent is $789 a month.
What is the weather like in Independence?
July highs average 90.7°F and January lows 22.7°F (NOAA 1991–2020 normals). It gets about 45.4 inches of precipitation a year and 7.4 inches of snow.
Does Independence get tornadoes?
19 tornadoes have passed within 10 miles of Independence since 1950 (NOAA Storm Events); the strongest was a F3 on April 19, 2000. The typical Kansas town has had 26.
- U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates (2020–2024)
- U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Census and 2025 Gazetteer (2020 / 2025)
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals (1991–2020)
- NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database (1950–2026)
- FEMA OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations (this product uses the FEMA OpenFEMA API but is not endorsed by FEMA) (1953–2026)
- NCES Common Core of Data (2023–24)
- BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages; USDA ERS county unemployment (BLS LAUS) (2000–2024)
- The Town Files lifestyle rankings, built from federal demographic, school, crime and housing data (2025)