Douglas County, Kansas Demographics 2026

Population Overview

Douglas County is located in Kansas with a total population of 119,547. It is the 5th most populous county out of 105 in Kansas. The county encompasses 1 Census-designated place.

Age Demographics

The median age in Douglas County is 31.3 years. This is 16% lower than the state median of 37.2 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Douglas County is $68,756. This is 5% lower than the state median of $72,639. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 12% lower. The poverty rate stands at 15.2%. This is 32% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.5%. The unemployment rate is 4.7%. This is 20% higher than the state rate of 3.9%. The median home value is $281,600. Housing costs are 38% higher than the state median of $203,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.1x. 49.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 26% lower than the state average of 66.9%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Douglas County is White (non-Hispanic), making up 76.5% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 7.1%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (4.5% vs 2.9%).

Education

52.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Douglas County in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 48% higher 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 95.9%. Notably, 23.1% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.