Colby, Kansas Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Colby, Kansas had a total population of 5,387, the 62nd largest city in Kansas, with a median household income of $63,494, which is 15% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 8.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 0.6%.
Colby Quick Facts
How Colby 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 | 5,389 | 5,387 | -0.0% |
| Median household income | $66,731 | $63,494 | -4.9% |
| Median home value | $150,700 | $163,000 | +8.2% |
How Colby 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+)
Colby Rankings in Kansas
Explore Kansas Rankings
Other Cities in Thomas County
Cities Similar to Colby
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ulysses | 5,476 | $63,857 | $97,400 | 24.6% | 7.6% |
| Iola | 5,348 | $54,221 | $78,300 | 23.5% | 8.6% |
| Louisburg | 5,094 | $68,824 | $269,500 | 33.7% | 9.7% |
| Paola | 5,770 | $74,662 | $210,800 | 26.4% | 7.8% |
| Baldwin City | 4,911 | $72,941 | $249,500 | 51.1% | 5.8% |
Population Overview
Colby is a small city located in Kansas, within Thomas County. The total population is 5,387. It ranks as the 62nd most populous out of 721 Census-designated places in Kansas.
Age Demographics
The median age in Colby is 32.3 years. This is 14% lower than the state median of 37.4 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Colby is $63,494. This is 15% lower than the state median of $74,275. It is also 21% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 8.0%. This is 29% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.3%. The unemployment rate is 0.6%. This is 85% lower than the state rate of 3.9%. The median home value is $163,000. Housing costs are 25% lower than the state median of $217,200. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.6x, Colby is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 67.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied.
Race & Ethnicity
Colby has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 85.2% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 9.1%. The Black or African American population (0.6%) is well below the state average of 5.1%.
Education
37.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 4% higher 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 93.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Colby, 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 Colby, Kansas?
Colby, Kansas has a population of 5,387 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Colby, KS?
The median household income in Colby is $63,494, which is 21% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Colby, KS?
The poverty rate in Colby is 8.0%. This means approximately 398 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Colby, Kansas?
Colby's population is 85.2% White, 0.6% Black, 9.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Colby, KS?
The median home value in Colby is $163,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.6x.
How educated is Colby, Kansas?
37.0% of adults (25+) in Colby hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 9.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.