Cedar Vale, Kansas Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Cedar Vale, Kansas had a total population of 529, the 286th largest city in Kansas, with a median household income of $44,816, which is 40% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 23.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 40% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 0.8x.
Cedar Vale Quick Facts
How Cedar Vale 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 | 618 | 529 | -14.4% |
| Median household income | $44,844 | $44,816 | -0.1% |
| Median home value | $35,600 | $36,400 | +2.2% |
How Cedar Vale 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+)
Cedar Vale Rankings in Kansas
Explore Kansas Rankings
Other Cities in Chautauqua County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sedan | 1,050 | $46,827 | 22.5% | $41,200 |
| Peru | 139 | $39,615 | 18.7% | $37,500 |
| Niotaze | 99 | $73,047 | 19.2% | $154,900 |
| Chautauqua | 91 | N/A | 7.7% | $57,500 |
| Elgin | 72 | N/A | 13.9% | $17,000 |
Cities Similar to Cedar Vale
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Attica | 543 | $48,750 | $66,700 | 22.8% | 17.7% |
| Potwin | 513 | $40,391 | $104,500 | 15.0% | 23.4% |
| La Harpe | 492 | $46,563 | $54,600 | 24.6% | 8.5% |
| Dexter | 540 | $52,357 | $81,800 | 12.6% | 2.8% |
| Strong City | 488 | $42,500 | $84,400 | 14.9% | 10.3% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 529, Cedar Vale'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
Cedar Vale is a small community located in Kansas, within Chautauqua County. The total population is 529. It ranks as the 286th most populous out of 721 Census-designated places in Kansas.
Age Demographics
The median age in Cedar Vale is 35.3 years. This is 6% lower than the state median of 37.4 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Cedar Vale is $44,816. This is 40% lower than the state median of $74,275. It is also 44% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 23.8%. This is 111% 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 4.5%. This is 15% higher than the state rate of 3.9%. The median home value is $36,400. Housing costs are 83% lower than the state median of $217,200. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 0.8x, Cedar Vale is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 69.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 4% higher than the state average of 67.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Cedar Vale is White (non-Hispanic), making up 65.4% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 16.8%. The Black or African American population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 5.1%.
Education
14.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 60% 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 Cedar Vale, 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 Cedar Vale, Kansas?
Cedar Vale, Kansas has a population of 529 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Cedar Vale, KS?
The median household income in Cedar Vale is $44,816, which is 44% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Cedar Vale, KS?
The poverty rate in Cedar Vale is 23.8%. This means approximately 126 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Cedar Vale, Kansas?
Cedar Vale's population is 65.4% White, 0.4% Black, 16.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Cedar Vale, KS?
The median home value in Cedar Vale is $36,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 0.8x.
How educated is Cedar Vale, Kansas?
14.3% of adults (25+) in Cedar Vale hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.