Bison, Kansas Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Bison, Kansas had a total population of 141, the 493rd largest city in Kansas, with a median household income of $65,822, which is 11% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 3.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 3.5% — among the lowest in Kansas.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 0.8x.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 1.1%.
Bison Quick Facts
How Bison 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 | 201 | 141 | -29.9% |
| Median household income | $63,250 | $65,822 | +4.1% |
| Median home value | $51,000 | $52,700 | +3.3% |
How Bison 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+)
Bison Rankings in Kansas
Explore Kansas Rankings
Other Cities in Rush County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| La Crosse | 1,154 | $53,750 | 8.1% | $84,600 |
| Otis | 413 | $63,194 | 19.4% | $64,700 |
| McCracken | 200 | $38,281 | 12.5% | $44,300 |
| Rush Center | 179 | $70,750 | 11.2% | $81,700 |
| Liebenthal | 87 | $51,250 | 19.5% | $45,600 |
| Timken | 36 | N/A | 11.1% | $67,000 |
| Alexander | 24 | N/A | 16.7% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Bison
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crestline | 139 | N/A | N/A | 44.2% | 0.0% |
| Oneida | 137 | $65,000 | $45,000 | 6.6% | 24.8% |
| Utica | 135 | $66,875 | $33,600 | 16.5% | 7.4% |
| Harveyville | 136 | $67,917 | $86,400 | 19.4% | 9.6% |
| Muscotah | 141 | $58,750 | $90,000 | 7.4% | 11.3% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 141, Bison'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
Bison is a small community located in Kansas, within Rush County. The total population is 141. It ranks as the 493rd most populous out of 721 Census-designated places in Kansas.
Age Demographics
The median age in Bison is 60.0 years. This is 60% higher than the state median of 37.4 years. Only 8.5% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Bison is $65,822. This is 11% lower than the state median of $74,275. It is also 18% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 3.5%. This is 69% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.3%. This exceptionally low poverty rate indicates strong economic prosperity across the community. The unemployment rate is 1.1%. This is 71% lower than the state rate of 3.9%. The median home value is $52,700. Housing costs are 76% lower than the state median of $217,200. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 0.8x, Bison is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 96.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 44% higher than the state average of 67.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Bison is White (non-Hispanic), making up 69.5% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 9.2%.
Education
10.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 70% 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 95.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Bison, 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 Bison, Kansas?
Bison, Kansas has a population of 141 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Bison, KS?
The median household income in Bison is $65,822, which is 18% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Bison, KS?
The poverty rate in Bison is 3.5%. This means approximately 5 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Bison, Kansas?
Bison's population is 69.5% White, 0.0% Black, 9.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Bison, KS?
The median home value in Bison is $52,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 0.8x.
How educated is Bison, Kansas?
10.8% of adults (25+) in Bison hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 1.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.