Gardner, Kansas Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Gardner, Kansas had a total population of 24,526, the 17th largest city in Kansas, with a median household income of $96,818, which is 30% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 6.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 30% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in Kansas.
Gardner Quick Facts
How Gardner 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 | 24,020 | 24,526 | +2.1% |
| Median household income | $92,579 | $96,818 | +4.6% |
| Median home value | $276,000 | $306,200 | +10.9% |
How Gardner 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+)
Gardner Rankings in Kansas
Explore Kansas Rankings
Other Cities in Johnson County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overland Park | 200,306 | $104,834 | 5.6% | $413,600 |
| Olathe | 145,057 | $114,009 | 5.6% | $364,700 |
| Shawnee | 68,542 | $109,940 | 5.3% | $359,700 |
| Lenexa | 58,384 | $103,239 | 5.4% | $394,900 |
| Leawood | 33,809 | $185,625 | 3.1% | $658,800 |
| Prairie Village | 22,874 | $113,530 | 5.7% | $435,700 |
| Merriam | 11,085 | $73,600 | 6.0% | $263,300 |
| Mission | 9,915 | $75,534 | 9.7% | $289,100 |
| Spring Hill | 9,120 | $112,428 | 7.7% | $357,800 |
| Bonner Springs | 7,839 | $83,218 | 12.4% | $247,200 |
Cities Similar to Gardner
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Derby | 26,062 | $84,112 | $236,900 | 37.6% | 6.0% |
| Prairie Village | 22,874 | $113,530 | $435,700 | 72.5% | 5.7% |
| Garden City | 27,819 | $72,865 | $192,000 | 17.5% | 11.0% |
| Dodge City | 27,613 | $68,721 | $151,700 | 20.0% | 14.6% |
| Emporia | 24,131 | $52,704 | $132,700 | 24.4% | 17.8% |
Population Overview
Gardner is a small city located in Kansas, within Johnson County. The total population is 24,526. It ranks as the 17th most populous out of 721 Census-designated places in Kansas.
Age Demographics
The median age in Gardner is 30.7 years. This is 18% lower than the state median of 37.4 years. With 31.4% of the population under 18, Gardner has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Gardner is $96,818. This is 30% higher than the state median of $74,275. It is also 20% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 6.3%. This is 44% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.3%. The unemployment rate is 3.8%. This is 2% lower than the state rate of 3.9%. The median home value is $306,200. Housing costs are 41% higher than the state median of $217,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.2x. 67.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Gardner is White (non-Hispanic), making up 72.7% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 13.9%. The Asian population (0.9%) is well below the state average of 2.9%.
Education
32.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 10% 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 95.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Gardner, 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 Gardner, Kansas?
Gardner, Kansas has a population of 24,526 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Gardner, KS?
The median household income in Gardner is $96,818, which is 20% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Gardner, KS?
The poverty rate in Gardner is 6.3%. This means approximately 1,533 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Gardner, Kansas?
Gardner's population is 72.7% White, 6.5% Black, 13.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.9% Asian.
What is the median home value in Gardner, KS?
The median home value in Gardner is $306,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.2x.
How educated is Gardner, Kansas?
32.0% of adults (25+) in Gardner hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 10.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.