Abilene, Kansas Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Abilene, Kansas had a total population of 6,449, the 54th largest city in Kansas, with a median household income of $57,924, which is 22% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 6.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.3x.
Abilene Quick Facts
How Abilene Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 6,449 | 6,449 | +0.0% |
| Median household income | $56,592 | $57,924 | +2.4% |
| Median home value | $136,000 | $131,500 | -3.3% |
How Abilene Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 45 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Abilene Rankings in Kansas
Explore Kansas Rankings
Other Cities in Dickinson County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Herington | 2,164 | $70,574 | 7.6% | $85,200 |
| Chapman | 1,454 | $72,344 | 11.2% | $195,600 |
| Enterprise | 710 | $60,707 | 12.2% | $93,600 |
| Hope | 485 | $51,500 | 38.8% | $100,000 |
| Woodbine | 137 | $52,159 | 5.8% | $90,000 |
| Detroit | 75 | $120,000 | 0.0% | $112,500 |
| Manchester | 69 | $13,750 | 40.6% | N/A |
| Talmage | 44 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
| Carlton | 27 | $65,625 | 0.0% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Abilene
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pratt | 6,577 | $63,819 | $107,500 | 22.8% | 14.3% |
| Maize | 6,824 | $72,024 | $276,200 | 39.4% | 12.4% |
| Mulvane | 6,171 | $74,039 | $176,300 | 33.9% | 8.5% |
| Fort Scott | 7,555 | $52,159 | $100,500 | 23.0% | 13.5% |
| Ulysses | 5,476 | $63,857 | $97,400 | 24.6% | 7.6% |
Population Overview
Abilene is a small city located in Kansas, within Dickinson County. The total population is 6,449. It ranks as the 54th most populous out of 721 Census-designated places in Kansas.
Age Demographics
The median age in Abilene is 44.0 years. This is 18% higher than the state median of 37.4 years. 11.7% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Abilene is $57,924. This is 22% lower than the state median of $74,275. It is also 28% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 6.8%. This is 40% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.3%. The unemployment rate is 3.2%. This is 18% lower than the state rate of 3.9%. The median home value is $131,500. Housing costs are 39% lower than the state median of $217,200. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.3x, Abilene is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 73.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 10% higher than the state average of 67.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
Abilene has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 88.7% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 4.9%. The Black or African American population (0.2%) is well below the state average of 5.1%. The Hispanic or Latino population (4.9%) is well below the state average of 13.6%.
Education
22.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 37% lower than the state rate of 35.6%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 95.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Abilene, Kansas is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Kansas state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 721 Census-designated places in Kansas. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Abilene, Kansas?
Abilene, Kansas has a population of 6,449 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Abilene, KS?
The median household income in Abilene is $57,924, which is 28% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Abilene, KS?
The poverty rate in Abilene is 6.8%. This means approximately 427 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Abilene, Kansas?
Abilene's population is 88.7% White, 0.2% Black, 4.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Abilene, KS?
The median home value in Abilene is $131,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.3x.
How educated is Abilene, Kansas?
22.3% of adults (25+) in Abilene hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.