Carbondale, Kansas Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Carbondale, Kansas had a total population of 1,341, the 163rd largest city in Kansas, with a median household income of $75,750, which is 2% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 15.2%.
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 1.6x.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 0.7%.
Carbondale Quick Facts
How Carbondale 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 | 1,361 | 1,341 | -1.5% |
| Median household income | $67,578 | $75,750 | +12.1% |
| Median home value | $112,300 | $119,400 | +6.3% |
How Carbondale 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+)
Carbondale Rankings in Kansas
Explore Kansas Rankings
Other Cities in Osage County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Osage City | 2,828 | $71,191 | 8.9% | $155,800 |
| Overbrook | 1,113 | $68,958 | 6.5% | $146,300 |
| Burlingame | 1,046 | $60,202 | 9.9% | $86,700 |
| Lyndon | 1,023 | $67,227 | 8.8% | $114,400 |
| Scranton | 911 | $56,793 | 18.4% | $75,900 |
| Vassar | 832 | $68,036 | 6.3% | $176,300 |
| Quenemo | 353 | $50,833 | 29.4% | $53,800 |
| Melvern | 352 | $55,893 | 13.9% | $89,100 |
| Olivet | 180 | $93,594 | 13.3% | $157,700 |
Cities Similar to Carbondale
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Meade | 1,341 | $75,321 | $121,700 | 28.9% | 6.6% |
| Leoti | 1,360 | $73,594 | $84,800 | 21.1% | 18.3% |
| Atwood | 1,320 | $72,188 | $119,800 | 21.1% | 6.9% |
| Chapman | 1,454 | $72,344 | $195,600 | 28.9% | 11.2% |
| Inman | 1,325 | $59,250 | $149,000 | 18.5% | 4.2% |
Population Overview
Carbondale is a small community located in Kansas, within Osage County. The total population is 1,341. It ranks as the 163rd most populous out of 721 Census-designated places in Kansas.
Age Demographics
The median age in Carbondale is 36.1 years. This is 3% lower than the state median of 37.4 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Carbondale is $75,750. This is 2% higher than the state median of $74,275. It is also 6% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 15.2%. This is 35% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.3%. The unemployment rate is 0.7%. This is 83% lower than the state rate of 3.9%. The median home value is $119,400. Housing costs are 45% lower than the state median of $217,200. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.6x, Carbondale is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 71.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 7% higher than the state average of 67.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Carbondale is White (non-Hispanic), making up 82.5% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 8.3%. The Asian population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 2.9%.
Education
21.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 41% 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 91.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Carbondale, 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 Carbondale, Kansas?
Carbondale, Kansas has a population of 1,341 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Carbondale, KS?
The median household income in Carbondale is $75,750, which is 6% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Carbondale, KS?
The poverty rate in Carbondale is 15.2%. This means approximately 204 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Carbondale, Kansas?
Carbondale's population is 82.5% White, 0.0% Black, 8.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Carbondale, KS?
The median home value in Carbondale is $119,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.6x.
How educated is Carbondale, Kansas?
21.1% of adults (25+) in Carbondale hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.