Elk City city, Kansas Demographics & Population 2026

Population Overview

Elk City city is a small community located in Kansas. The total population is 281. It ranks as the 387th most populous out of 726 cities and towns in Kansas.

Age Demographics

The median age in Elk City city is 46.0 years. This is 24% higher than the state median of 37.2 years. Only 13.5% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 19.2% 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 Elk City city is $35,417. This is 51% lower than the state median of $72,639. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 55% lower. The poverty rate stands at 26.7%. This is 132% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.5%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 10.9%. This is 179% higher than the state rate of 3.9%. The median home value is $22,300. Housing costs are 89% lower than the state median of $203,400. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 0.6x, Elk City city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 77.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 16% higher than the state average of 66.9%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Elk City city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 78.3% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 4.3%. The Hispanic or Latino population (4.3%) is well below the state average of 13.3%.

Education

13.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 61% 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 91.7%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Elk City city, Kansas is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against Kansas state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 726 Census-designated places in Kansas. For official data, visit data.census.gov.