Chautauqua County, Kansas Demographics 2026

Population Overview

Chautauqua County is located in Kansas with a total population of 3,370. It is the 78th most populous county out of 105 in Kansas.

Age Demographics

The median age in Chautauqua County is 45.3 years. This is 22% higher than the state median of 37.2 years. 11.5% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Chautauqua County is $54,592. This is 25% lower than the state median of $72,639. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 30% lower. The poverty rate stands at 16.9%. This is 46% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.5%. The unemployment rate is 6.3%. This is 60% higher than the state rate of 3.9%. The median home value is $63,300. Housing costs are 69% lower than the state median of $203,400. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.2x, Chautauqua County is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 83.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 25% higher than the state average of 66.9%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Chautauqua County is White (non-Hispanic), making up 82.7% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 4.8%. The Black or African American population (0.9%) is well below the state average of 5.3%. The Hispanic or Latino population (4.8%) is well below the state average of 13.3%. The Asian population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 2.9%.

Education

18.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is among the lowest rates in the state, which may correlate with employment and income patterns. This is 48% lower than the state rate of 35.2%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 89.4%.