Alden, Kansas Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Alden, Kansas had a total population of 87, the 566th largest city in Kansas, with a median household income of $39,375, which is 47% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 28.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 47% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (28.9%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.4x.
- Unemployment rate of 14.3% is notably above the national average.
Alden Quick Facts
How Alden 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 | 110 | 87 | -20.9% |
| Median household income | $38,750 | $39,375 | +1.6% |
| Median home value | $49,300 | $55,000 | +11.6% |
How Alden 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+)
Alden Rankings in Kansas
Explore Kansas Rankings
Other Cities in Rice County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lyons | 3,553 | $62,569 | 9.1% | $104,800 |
| Sterling | 2,411 | $54,922 | 5.7% | $133,000 |
| Chase | 490 | $59,375 | 13.7% | $75,300 |
| Little River | 402 | $66,667 | 4.4% | $116,100 |
| Geneseo | 213 | $46,563 | 15.0% | $44,700 |
| Bushton | 201 | $38,958 | 8.0% | $47,300 |
| Raymond | 109 | $56,250 | 22.0% | $56,100 |
| Frederick | 40 | $38,831 | 0.0% | $65,000 |
Cities Similar to Alden
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abbyville | 87 | N/A | $85,000 | 3.3% | 41.4% |
| Big Bow | 86 | N/A | N/A | 3.6% | 0.0% |
| Formoso | 89 | N/A | $43,300 | 15.3% | 13.5% |
| Latimer | 84 | N/A | $61,500 | 0.0% | 66.7% |
| Niles | 84 | N/A | $202,800 | 0.0% | 0.0% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 87, Alden's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.
Population Overview
Alden is a small community located in Kansas, within Rice County. The total population is 87. It ranks as the 566th most populous out of 721 Census-designated places in Kansas.
Age Demographics
The median age in Alden is 55.3 years. This is 48% higher than the state median of 37.4 years. 10.3% 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 Alden is $39,375. This is 47% lower than the state median of $74,275. It is also 51% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 28.9%. This is 156% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.3%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 14.3%. This is 266% higher than the state rate of 3.9%. The median home value is $55,000. Housing costs are 75% lower than the state median of $217,200. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.4x, Alden is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 83.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 25% higher than the state average of 67.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
Alden has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 94.3% of all residents.
Education
32.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 8% 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 91.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Alden, 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 Alden, Kansas?
Alden, Kansas has a population of 87 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Alden, KS?
The median household income in Alden is $39,375, which is 51% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Alden, KS?
The poverty rate in Alden is 28.9%. This means approximately 24 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Alden, Kansas?
Alden's population is 94.3% White, 0.0% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Alden, KS?
The median home value in Alden is $55,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.4x.
How educated is Alden, Kansas?
32.8% of adults (25+) in Alden hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 10.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.