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Garden City, Kansas Demographics & Population 2026

During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Garden City, Kansas had a total population of 27,819, the 14th largest city in Kansas, with a median household income of $72,865, which is 2% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 11.0%.

Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes

Garden City Quick Facts

Population 27,819
Median Household Income $72,865
Median Home Value $192,000
Poverty Rate 11.0%
Unemployment Rate 2.7%
Median Age 31.6 years
Homeownership Rate 60.2%
Affordability Ratio 2.6x
Bachelor's Degree or Higher 17.5%
High School Graduation Rate 68.9%
Diversity Index 58/100
Population 27,819 14th of 721
Median Income $72,865 top 30%
Poverty Rate 11.0% 12% lower than national
Median Home Value $192,000 top 20%

How Garden City Changed

Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.

Metric2019–20232020–2024Change
Population27,78127,819+0.1%
Median household income$72,511$72,865+0.5%
Median home value$186,200$192,000+3.1%

How Garden City Compares

Economy & Housing

Household Income Distribution

Under $25K 12.6%
$25K-$50K 16.8%
$50K-$100K 34.1%
$100K+ 36.5%
Detailed income brackets
Under $10K
3.3%
$10K-$15K
4.2%
$15K-$20K
1.8%
$20K-$25K
3.3%
$25K-$30K
2.9%
$30K-$35K
2.5%
$35K-$40K
3.1%
$40K-$45K
3.2%
$45K-$50K
5.1%
$50K-$60K
10.8%
$60K-$75K
12.2%
$75K-$100K
11.1%
$100K-$125K
12.2%
$125K-$150K
9.2%
$150K-$200K
9.5%
$200K+
5.6%

Employment

2.7% Unemployment Rate State: 3.9%|National: 5.2%
69.1% Labor Force Participation

Housing Overview

Owner 60.2%
Renter 39.8%
Affordability Index Very Affordable
2.6x home value to income ratio
Median gross rent $1,052/mo 17.3% of median household income annually

People & Demographics

Diversity Index

58out of 100
High Diversity

A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.

State average: 45 | National average: 61

Education

Garden City Rankings in Kansas

#14 Population of 721
#166 Median Income of 629
#399 Education of 721
#84 Home Value of 605

Other Cities in Finney County

CityPopulationMedian IncomePovertyHome Value
Holcomb 2,577 $78,571 12.2% $231,000

Cities Similar to Garden City

These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.

CityPopulationMedian IncomeHome ValueBachelor's+Poverty
Dodge City27,613$68,721$151,70020.0%14.6%
Derby26,062$84,112$236,90037.6%6.0%
Gardner24,526$96,818$306,20032.0%6.3%
Leavenworth37,195$72,987$193,00032.6%11.7%
Emporia24,131$52,704$132,70024.4%17.8%

Population Overview

Garden City is a mid-sized community located in Kansas, within Finney County. The total population is 27,819. It ranks as the 14th most populous out of 721 Census-designated places in Kansas.

Age Demographics

The median age in Garden City is 31.6 years. This is 16% lower than the state median of 37.4 years. With 28.2% of the population under 18, Garden City has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Garden City is $72,865. This is 2% lower than the state median of $74,275. It is also 10% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 11.0%. This is 3% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.3%. The unemployment rate is 2.7%. This is 31% lower than the state rate of 3.9%. The median home value is $192,000. Housing costs are 12% lower than the state median of $217,200. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.6x, Garden City is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 60.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 10% lower than the state average of 67.2%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Garden City is Hispanic or Latino, making up 55.7% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 31.9%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (31.9%) is well below the state average of 72.7%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (55.7% vs 13.6%). The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (4.9% vs 2.9%).

Education

17.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 51% 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 68.9%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Garden City, 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 Garden City, Kansas?

Garden City, Kansas has a population of 27,819 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What is the median household income in Garden City, KS?

The median household income in Garden City is $72,865, which is 10% lower than the national median of $80,734.

What is the poverty rate in Garden City, KS?

The poverty rate in Garden City is 11.0%. This means approximately 2,978 residents live below the federal poverty line.

What is the racial makeup of Garden City, Kansas?

Garden City's population is 31.9% White, 5.9% Black, 55.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 4.9% Asian.

What is the median home value in Garden City, KS?

The median home value in Garden City is $192,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.6x.

How educated is Garden City, Kansas?

17.5% of adults (25+) in Garden City hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.