Dexter, Kansas Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Dexter, Kansas had a total population of 540, the 284th largest city in Kansas, with a median household income of $52,357, which is 30% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 2.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 2.8% — among the lowest in Kansas.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.6x.
Dexter Quick Facts
How Dexter 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 | 508 | 540 | +6.3% |
| Median household income | $49,737 | $52,357 | +5.3% |
| Median home value | $79,000 | $81,800 | +3.5% |
How Dexter 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+)
Dexter Rankings in Kansas
Explore Kansas Rankings
Other Cities in Cowley County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arkansas City | 11,884 | $49,629 | 17.2% | $86,800 |
| Winfield | 11,711 | $56,656 | 15.3% | $132,700 |
| Udall | 807 | $70,667 | 12.9% | $96,100 |
| Burden | 554 | $55,833 | 12.9% | $58,600 |
| Parkerfield | 527 | $125,938 | 1.1% | $221,400 |
| Geuda Springs | 223 | $51,528 | 3.6% | $86,300 |
| Atlanta | 169 | $59,792 | 15.5% | $72,800 |
| Silverdale | 116 | $31,188 | 82.8% | $186,900 |
| Rock | 90 | $62,000 | 0.0% | N/A |
| Cambridge | 69 | $103,125 | 0.0% | $47,500 |
Cities Similar to Dexter
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% |
| Kanopolis | 552 | $54,688 | $99,600 | 10.4% | 6.4% |
| Burden | 554 | $55,833 | $58,600 | 20.9% | 12.9% |
| Rolla | 542 | $58,750 | $58,500 | 25.4% | 14.8% |
| LeRoy | 510 | $51,750 | $92,400 | 13.4% | 17.8% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 540, Dexter'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
Dexter is a small community located in Kansas, within Cowley County. The total population is 540. It ranks as the 284th most populous out of 721 Census-designated places in Kansas.
Age Demographics
The median age in Dexter is 19.0 years. This is 49% lower than the state median of 37.4 years. With 39.3% of the population under 18, Dexter has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Dexter is $52,357. This is 30% lower than the state median of $74,275. It is also 35% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 2.8%. This is 75% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.3%. This exceptionally low poverty rate indicates strong economic prosperity across the community. The survey records no unemployed residents in Dexter, which reflects the size of the sample rather than a labor market without joblessness. The median home value is $81,800. Housing costs are 62% lower than the state median of $217,200. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.6x, Dexter is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 95.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 43% higher than the state average of 67.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
Dexter has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 95.6% of all residents.
Education
12.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 65% 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 90.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Dexter, 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 Dexter, Kansas?
Dexter, Kansas has a population of 540 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Dexter, KS?
The median household income in Dexter is $52,357, which is 35% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Dexter, KS?
The poverty rate in Dexter is 2.8%. This means approximately 13 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Dexter, Kansas?
Dexter's population is 95.6% White, 0.0% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Dexter, KS?
The median home value in Dexter is $81,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.6x.
How educated is Dexter, Kansas?
12.6% of adults (25+) in Dexter hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.