Emporia, Kansas Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Emporia, Kansas had a total population of 24,131, the 18th largest city in Kansas, with a median household income of $52,704, which is 29% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 17.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 2.1%.
Emporia Quick Facts
How Emporia 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 | 24,098 | 24,131 | +0.1% |
| Median household income | $52,787 | $52,704 | -0.2% |
| Median home value | $127,500 | $132,700 | +4.1% |
How Emporia 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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 45 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Emporia Rankings in Kansas
Explore Kansas Rankings
Other Cities in Lyon County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Americus | 955 | $73,542 | 11.0% | $124,100 |
| Olpe | 565 | $89,479 | 0.7% | $163,300 |
| Hartford | 428 | $55,250 | 21.1% | $69,500 |
| Allen | 287 | $59,016 | 8.0% | $59,600 |
| Neosho Rapids | 276 | $75,625 | 0.7% | $79,200 |
| Reading | 198 | $68,125 | 5.6% | $51,700 |
| Admire | 144 | $56,094 | 2.1% | N/A |
| Bushong | 46 | N/A | 15.2% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Emporia
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Junction City | 22,331 | $61,181 | $171,500 | 25.6% | 17.5% |
| Hays | 21,143 | $58,459 | $225,500 | 42.7% | 20.1% |
| Pittsburg | 20,637 | $43,419 | $123,200 | 33.2% | 29.5% |
| Dodge City | 27,613 | $68,721 | $151,700 | 20.0% | 14.6% |
| Garden City | 27,819 | $72,865 | $192,000 | 17.5% | 11.0% |
Population Overview
Emporia is a small city located in Kansas, within Lyon County. The total population is 24,131. It ranks as the 18th most populous out of 721 Census-designated places in Kansas.
Age Demographics
The median age in Emporia is 30.2 years. This is 19% lower than the state median of 37.4 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Emporia is $52,704. This is 29% 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 17.8%. This is 57% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.3%. The unemployment rate is 2.1%. This is 47% lower than the state rate of 3.9%. The median home value is $132,700. Housing costs are 39% lower than the state median of $217,200. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.5x, Emporia is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 49.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 26% lower than the state average of 67.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Emporia is White (non-Hispanic), making up 61.2% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 30.0%. The Black or African American population (1.8%) is well below the state average of 5.1%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (30.0% vs 13.6%).
Education
24.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 31% 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 87.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Emporia, 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 Emporia, Kansas?
Emporia, Kansas has a population of 24,131 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Emporia, KS?
The median household income in Emporia is $52,704, which is 35% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Emporia, KS?
The poverty rate in Emporia is 17.8%. This means approximately 4,116 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Emporia, Kansas?
Emporia's population is 61.2% White, 1.8% Black, 30.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in Emporia, KS?
The median home value in Emporia is $132,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.5x.
How educated is Emporia, Kansas?
24.4% of adults (25+) in Emporia hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 10.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.