Arkansas City, Kansas Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Arkansas City, Kansas had a total population of 11,884, the 30th largest city in Kansas, with a median household income of $49,629, which is 33% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 17.2%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 33% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.7x.
Arkansas City Quick Facts
How Arkansas City 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 | 11,909 | 11,884 | -0.2% |
| Median household income | $53,475 | $49,629 | -7.2% |
| Median home value | $81,700 | $86,800 | +6.2% |
How Arkansas City 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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 45 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Arkansas City Rankings in Kansas
Explore Kansas Rankings
Other Cities in Cowley County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winfield | 11,711 | $56,656 | 15.3% | $132,700 |
| Udall | 807 | $70,667 | 12.9% | $96,100 |
| Burden | 554 | $55,833 | 12.9% | $58,600 |
| Dexter | 540 | $52,357 | 2.8% | $81,800 |
| Parkerfield | 527 | $125,938 | 1.1% | $221,400 |
| Geuda Springs | 223 | $51,528 | 3.6% | $86,300 |
| Atlanta | 169 | $59,792 | 15.5% | $72,800 |
| Silverdale | 116 | $31,188 | 82.8% | $186,900 |
| Rock | 90 | $62,000 | 0.0% | N/A |
| Cambridge | 69 | $103,125 | 0.0% | $47,500 |
Cities Similar to Arkansas City
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winfield | 11,711 | $56,656 | $132,700 | 27.8% | 15.3% |
| Atchison | 10,785 | $54,474 | $129,700 | 26.8% | 15.8% |
| El Dorado | 12,769 | $59,180 | $120,300 | 26.0% | 16.6% |
| Haysville | 11,117 | $67,740 | $161,800 | 20.0% | 11.9% |
| Great Bend | 14,479 | $54,139 | $133,900 | 19.9% | 16.9% |
Population Overview
Arkansas City is a small city located in Kansas, within Cowley County. The total population is 11,884. It ranks as the 30th most populous out of 721 Census-designated places in Kansas.
Age Demographics
The median age in Arkansas City is 37.1 years. This is about the same as the state median of 37.4 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Arkansas City is $49,629. This is 33% lower than the state median of $74,275. It is also 39% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 17.2%. This is 52% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.3%. The unemployment rate is 2.8%. This is 29% lower than the state rate of 3.9%. The median home value is $86,800. Housing costs are 60% lower than the state median of $217,200. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.7x, Arkansas City is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 56.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 16% lower than the state average of 67.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Arkansas City is White (non-Hispanic), making up 66.3% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 20.8%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (20.8% vs 13.6%). The Asian population (0.5%) is well below the state average of 2.9%.
Education
20.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 42% 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 89.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Arkansas City, 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.
Free data download: Get all Kansas city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Arkansas City, Kansas?
Arkansas City, Kansas has a population of 11,884 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Arkansas City, KS?
The median household income in Arkansas City is $49,629, which is 39% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Arkansas City, KS?
The poverty rate in Arkansas City is 17.2%. This means approximately 1,933 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Arkansas City, Kansas?
Arkansas City's population is 66.3% White, 3.7% Black, 20.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.5% Asian.
What is the median home value in Arkansas City, KS?
The median home value in Arkansas City is $86,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.7x.
How educated is Arkansas City, Kansas?
20.6% of adults (25+) in Arkansas City hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 8.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.