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Geary County, Kansas Demographics 2026

Geary County, Kansas has a population of 35,815, the 13th most populous county in Kansas. The median household income is $59,317 and the median home value is $172,700. The poverty rate is 18.0%.

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

Geary County Quick Facts

Population 35,815
Median Household Income $59,317
Median Home Value $172,700
Poverty Rate 18.0%
Unemployment Rate 6.9%
Median Age 27.1 years
Homeownership Rate 43.5%
Affordability Ratio 2.9x
Bachelor's Degree+ 26.2%
High School Graduation 93.0%
Cities/Places 3
Population 35,815 13th of 105
Median Income $59,317 20% lower than state
Poverty Rate 18.0%
Unemployment 6.9%

How Geary County 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
Population35,89535,815-0.2%
Median household income$57,344$59,317+3.4%
Median home value$165,000$172,700+4.7%

Economy & Housing

Household Income Distribution

Under $25K 15.4%
$25K-$50K 26.3%
$50K-$100K 36.2%
$100K+ 22.1%
Detailed income brackets
Under $10K
4.9%
$10K-$15K
5.2%
$15K-$20K
2.5%
$20K-$25K
2.9%
$25K-$30K
4.8%
$30K-$35K
6.5%
$35K-$40K
3.6%
$40K-$45K
7.4%
$45K-$50K
3.9%
$50K-$60K
9.3%
$60K-$75K
10.4%
$75K-$100K
16.5%
$100K-$125K
9.5%
$125K-$150K
4.7%
$150K-$200K
5.2%
$200K+
2.6%

Employment

6.9% Unemployment Rate State: 3.9%|National: 5.2%
71.4% Labor Force Participation

Housing Overview

Owner 43.5%
Renter 56.5%
Affordability Index Very Affordable
2.9x home value to income ratio
Median gross rent $1,104/mo 22.3% of median household income annually

People & Demographics

Diversity Index

64out of 100
High Diversity

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

State average: 45 | National average: 61

Education

Cities & Places in Geary County

CityPopulationMedian IncomePovertyHome Value
Junction City22,331$61,18117.5%$171,500
Grandview Plaza2,015$41,87111.7%$62,100
Milford337$79,25011.9%$172,500

Population Overview

Geary County is located in Kansas with a total population of 35,815. It is the 13th most populous county out of 105 in Kansas. The county encompasses 3 Census-designated places.

Age Demographics

The median age in Geary County is 27.1 years. This is 28% lower than the state median of 37.4 years. With 31.8% of the population under 18, Geary County has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Geary County is $59,317. This is 20% lower than the state median of $74,275. It is also 27% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 18.0%. This is 60% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.3%. The unemployment rate is 6.9%. This is 78% higher than the state rate of 3.9%. The median home value is $172,700. Housing costs are 20% lower than the state median of $217,200. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.9x, Geary County is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 43.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 35% lower than the state average of 67.2%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Geary County is White (non-Hispanic), making up 54.9% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 16.9%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (14.4% vs 5.1%).

Education

26.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 26% 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 93.0%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All figures for Geary County come from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates, with comparisons drawn against Kansas and national averages from the same dataset. See our methodology page for how each metric is defined, or data.census.gov for official tables with margins of error.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the population of Geary County, Kansas?

Geary County has a population of 35,815, making it the 13th most populous county in Kansas.

What is the median income in Geary County?

The median household income in Geary County is $59,317 with a poverty rate of 18.0%.

How many cities are in Geary County, Kansas?

Geary County contains 3 Census-designated places.