Emporia city, Kansas Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Emporia city, Kansas has a total population of 24,098, the 17th largest city in Kansas, with a median household income of $52,787, which is 27% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 18.4%.
Key Takeaways
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.4x.
Emporia city Quick Facts
How Emporia city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 44 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Emporia city Rankings in Kansas
Explore Kansas Rankings
Cities Similar to Emporia city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Junction City city | 22,431 | $60,317 | $162,500 | 23.2% | 17.9% |
| Hays city | 21,078 | $56,861 | $220,100 | 43.9% | 19.9% |
| Dodge City city | 27,652 | $67,958 | $122,800 | 19.7% | 15.9% |
| Gardner city | 24,020 | $92,579 | $276,000 | 32.3% | 7.1% |
| Derby city | 25,801 | $82,089 | $221,600 | 36.8% | 6.2% |
Population Overview
Emporia city is a small city located in Kansas, within Lyon County. The total population is 24,098. It ranks as the 17th most populous out of 726 cities and towns in Kansas.
Age Demographics
The median age in Emporia city is 30.2 years. This is 19% lower than the state median of 37.2 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Emporia city is $52,787. This is 27% lower than the state median of $72,639. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 33% lower. The poverty rate stands at 18.4%. This is 60% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.5%. The unemployment rate is 2.9%. This is 27% lower than the state rate of 3.9%. The median home value is $127,500. Housing costs are 37% lower than the state median of $203,400. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.4x, Emporia city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 50.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 25% lower than the state average of 66.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Emporia city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 61.5% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 29.7%. The Black or African American population (2.1%) is well below the state average of 5.3%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (29.7% vs 13.3%).
Education
25.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 27% 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 87.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Emporia 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.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Emporia city, Kansas?
Emporia city, Kansas has a population of 24,098 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Emporia city, KS?
The median household income in Emporia city is $52,787, which is 33% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Emporia city, KS?
The poverty rate in Emporia city is 18.4%. This means approximately 4,254 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Emporia city, Kansas?
Emporia city's population is 61.5% White, 2.1% Black, 29.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Emporia city, KS?
The median home value in Emporia city is $127,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.4x.
How educated is Emporia city, Kansas?
25.8% of adults (25+) in Emporia city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 11.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.