Baxter Springs, Kansas Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Baxter Springs, Kansas had a total population of 3,855, the 76th largest city in Kansas, with a median household income of $51,404, which is 31% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 24.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 31% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.8x.
Baxter Springs Quick Facts
How Baxter Springs 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 | 3,863 | 3,855 | -0.2% |
| Median household income | $60,139 | $51,404 | -14.5% |
| Median home value | $87,600 | $92,900 | +6.1% |
How Baxter Springs 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+)
Baxter Springs Rankings in Kansas
Explore Kansas Rankings
Other Cities in Cherokee County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Columbus | 2,881 | $37,961 | 21.3% | $94,100 |
| Galena | 2,754 | $49,006 | 13.0% | $78,500 |
| Weir | 855 | $58,828 | 9.9% | $78,300 |
| Riverton | 769 | $90,365 | 0.0% | $144,000 |
| Scammon | 371 | $55,833 | 11.1% | $69,500 |
| Lowell | 278 | $90,806 | 0.0% | $103,600 |
| West Mineral | 154 | $35,417 | 7.8% | $42,900 |
| Crestline | 139 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
| Roseland | 63 | $41,528 | 11.1% | N/A |
| Hallowell | 39 | N/A | 0.0% | $58,300 |
Cities Similar to Baxter Springs
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scott City | 3,800 | $54,880 | $162,200 | 30.7% | 2.8% |
| Goodland | 4,121 | $52,258 | $112,700 | 18.1% | 11.7% |
| Hugoton | 3,974 | $62,773 | $120,900 | 21.6% | 15.8% |
| Russell | 4,217 | $56,832 | $135,600 | 19.0% | 17.8% |
| Holton | 3,387 | $52,532 | $142,800 | 18.7% | 11.1% |
Population Overview
Baxter Springs is a small community located in Kansas, within Cherokee County. The total population is 3,855. It ranks as the 76th most populous out of 721 Census-designated places in Kansas.
Age Demographics
The median age in Baxter Springs is 40.2 years. This is 7% higher than the state median of 37.4 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Baxter Springs is $51,404. This is 31% lower than the state median of $74,275. It is also 36% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 24.3%. This is 115% 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 5.5%. This is 42% higher than the state rate of 3.9%. The median home value is $92,900. Housing costs are 57% lower than the state median of $217,200. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.8x, Baxter Springs is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 74.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 11% higher than the state average of 67.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Baxter Springs is White (non-Hispanic), making up 82.2% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 6.1%. The Hispanic or Latino population (6.1%) is well below the state average of 13.6%. The Asian population (0.7%) is well below the state average of 2.9%.
Education
12.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 66% 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 85.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Baxter Springs, 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 Baxter Springs, Kansas?
Baxter Springs, Kansas has a population of 3,855 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Baxter Springs, KS?
The median household income in Baxter Springs is $51,404, which is 36% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Baxter Springs, KS?
The poverty rate in Baxter Springs is 24.3%. This means approximately 926 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Baxter Springs, Kansas?
Baxter Springs's population is 82.2% White, 0.0% Black, 6.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.7% Asian.
What is the median home value in Baxter Springs, KS?
The median home value in Baxter Springs is $92,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.8x.
How educated is Baxter Springs, Kansas?
12.0% of adults (25+) in Baxter Springs hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 0.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.