Market Overview

“the regional economic hub of south-central Kansas”

The Wichita Market is comprised of six counties: Sedgwick, Butler, Harvey, Cowley, Sumner, and Marion. It represents the regional economic hub of south-central Kansas providing financial, medical, retail, and business services to more than 1 million people within 100 miles of the city. The Wichita MSA, ranked 94th, is home to more than 535,000 people with 4/5 of them residing in Sedgwick county alone.

Known as the “Air Capital of the World”, Wichita is the single largest city in the state of Kansas and ranked in the top 25 healthiest job markets. Boeing, Cessna, Raytheon, Bombardier, McConnell Air Force Base, as well as more than 700 aircraft-related manufacturers call Wichita home. It has the second highest concentration of manufacturing jobs to skilled labor in the country.

The city also has a strong telecommunications and fiber optics network providing employment for many high-tech firms. In fact, Forbes ASAP Magazine rated Wichita as one of the top cities for starting and nurturing an information aged-business. Not only is its economy prosperous and stable, but it is diversified providing the opportunity for such companies as Coleman, Koch Industries, Rent-A-Center, and even Pizza Hut to have their original roots here making it one of the countries major mid-sized metropolitans.

Kansas’ two largest shopping malls are in the Wichita market offering a wide variety of national retailers for consumers to choose from. Wichita offers more than a dozen golf courses, greyhound racing, an ice sports center, The Metropolitan Ballet, The Wichita Symphony, and the hometown favorite, Wichita State Shockers. Exploration Place, the new $62 million science and learning center, has three interactive high-tech theaters and is the cities’ latest tourist attraction.

Yes, Wichita has come a long way from its beginning as a trading post and cowtown more than 100 years ago…

Market Demographics

General Information
DMA Rank	69th
DMA Population (Adults 18+)	844,251
% Change 1990-2007	8%
Population Density	20
Median Age	37.0
Average Household Income	$55,062
Average Vehicles Per Household	2.0
Total Vehicles	911,677
Race Distribution & Ethnicity
Caucasian	85%
African American	4%
Asian	2%
American Indian	1%
Hawaiian	0%
Multi-Race	3%
Other	5%
Hispanic (Ethnicity)	11%
Market in Motion
Drive to Work Alone	82%
Carpool	11%
30+ Minute Commute	9%
Median Travel Time To Work One Way (minutes)	15
Research Profiles
Traveled 500 or more total miles (month)	41%
Household Plans To Buy Any New Vehicle Next Year	6%
Personally Attended/Visited Any Casino (yr)	28%
Plans To Buy Wireless/Cellular Service (yr)	6%
Personally Attended/Visited Live Theater (yr)	13%
Participated In Golf (yr)	12%
Bought Any Items On The Internet (yr)	44%
Usually See A New Movie Opening Weekend (yr)	9%
Did Not Read Any Daily Newspaper(s) (yesterday)	47%
Access Internet	68%

Sources: 2007 Census Estimates; 2007 Scarborough; 2000 Census