Cottonwood Falls, Kansas Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Cottonwood Falls, Kansas had a total population of 1,041, the 196th largest city in Kansas, with a median household income of $50,750, which is 32% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 9.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 32% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.7x.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 1.6%.
Cottonwood Falls Quick Facts
How Cottonwood Falls 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 | 944 | 1,041 | +10.3% |
| Median household income | $48,631 | $50,750 | +4.4% |
| Median home value | $85,200 | $85,100 | -0.1% |
How Cottonwood Falls 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+)
Cottonwood Falls Rankings in Kansas
Explore Kansas Rankings
Other Cities in Chase County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Strong City | 488 | $42,500 | 10.3% | $84,400 |
| Elmdale | 61 | N/A | 72.1% | $40,600 |
| Matfield Green | 48 | $33,750 | 4.2% | N/A |
| Cedar Point | 8 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Cottonwood Falls
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lincoln Center | 1,017 | $49,423 | $68,500 | 21.9% | 9.6% |
| Sedan | 1,050 | $46,827 | $41,200 | 15.2% | 22.5% |
| Nickerson | 1,001 | $49,167 | $79,200 | 14.0% | 12.9% |
| Pomona | 1,088 | $51,875 | $145,800 | 17.4% | 12.8% |
| Linn Valley | 962 | $51,279 | $144,900 | 15.6% | 14.3% |
Population Overview
Cottonwood Falls is a small community located in Kansas, within Chase County. The total population is 1,041. It ranks as the 196th most populous out of 721 Census-designated places in Kansas.
Age Demographics
The median age in Cottonwood Falls is 40.2 years. This is 7% higher than the state median of 37.4 years. 11.7% 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 Cottonwood Falls is $50,750. This is 32% lower than the state median of $74,275. It is also 37% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 9.1%. This is 19% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.3%. The unemployment rate is 1.6%. This is 58% lower than the state rate of 3.9%. The median home value is $85,100. Housing costs are 61% lower than the state median of $217,200. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.7x, Cottonwood Falls is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 84.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 26% higher than the state average of 67.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Cottonwood Falls is White (non-Hispanic), making up 81.8% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 11.4%.
Education
22.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 36% 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 89.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Cottonwood Falls, 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 Cottonwood Falls, Kansas?
Cottonwood Falls, Kansas has a population of 1,041 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Cottonwood Falls, KS?
The median household income in Cottonwood Falls is $50,750, which is 37% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Cottonwood Falls, KS?
The poverty rate in Cottonwood Falls is 9.1%. This means approximately 82 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Cottonwood Falls, Kansas?
Cottonwood Falls's population is 81.8% White, 2.6% Black, 11.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Cottonwood Falls, KS?
The median home value in Cottonwood Falls is $85,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.7x.
How educated is Cottonwood Falls, Kansas?
22.9% of adults (25+) in Cottonwood Falls hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.