Great Bend, Kansas Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Great Bend, Kansas had a total population of 14,479, the 26th largest city in Kansas, with a median household income of $54,139, which is 27% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 16.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.5x.
Great Bend Quick Facts
How Great Bend 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 | 14,596 | 14,479 | -0.8% |
| Median household income | $53,323 | $54,139 | +1.5% |
| Median home value | $118,700 | $133,900 | +12.8% |
How Great Bend 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+)
Great Bend Rankings in Kansas
Explore Kansas Rankings
Other Cities in Barton County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hoisington | 2,643 | $52,277 | 16.5% | $95,000 |
| Ellinwood | 2,192 | $56,379 | 14.1% | $109,300 |
| Claflin | 455 | $63,438 | 20.4% | $107,300 |
| Pawnee Rock | 258 | $48,026 | 41.1% | $59,600 |
| Olmitz | 113 | $76,250 | 0.0% | $60,000 |
| Albert | 100 | $58,750 | 9.0% | $70,800 |
| Odin | 58 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
| Susank | 31 | $72,500 | 6.9% | N/A |
| Galatia | 20 | N/A | 10.0% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Great Bend
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| El Dorado | 12,769 | $59,180 | $120,300 | 26.0% | 16.6% |
| McPherson | 13,995 | $77,529 | $211,700 | 38.4% | 13.5% |
| Winfield | 11,711 | $56,656 | $132,700 | 27.8% | 15.3% |
| Arkansas City | 11,884 | $49,629 | $86,800 | 20.6% | 17.2% |
| Ottawa | 12,678 | $71,699 | $166,500 | 25.8% | 9.1% |
Population Overview
Great Bend is a small city located in Kansas, within Barton County. The total population is 14,479. It ranks as the 26th most populous out of 721 Census-designated places in Kansas.
Age Demographics
The median age in Great Bend is 36.5 years. This is 2% lower than the state median of 37.4 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Great Bend is $54,139. This is 27% lower than the state median of $74,275. It is also 33% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 16.9%. This is 50% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.3%. The unemployment rate is 4.7%. This is 21% higher than the state rate of 3.9%. The median home value is $133,900. Housing costs are 38% lower than the state median of $217,200. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.5x, Great Bend is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 55.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 17% lower than the state average of 67.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Great Bend is White (non-Hispanic), making up 70.2% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 24.9%. The Black or African American population (0.5%) is well below the state average of 5.1%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (24.9% vs 13.6%). The Asian population (0.3%) is well below the state average of 2.9%.
Education
19.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 44% 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 86.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Great Bend, 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 Great Bend, Kansas?
Great Bend, Kansas has a population of 14,479 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Great Bend, KS?
The median household income in Great Bend is $54,139, which is 33% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Great Bend, KS?
The poverty rate in Great Bend is 16.9%. This means approximately 2,390 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Great Bend, Kansas?
Great Bend's population is 70.2% White, 0.5% Black, 24.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Great Bend, KS?
The median home value in Great Bend is $133,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.5x.
How educated is Great Bend, Kansas?
19.9% of adults (25+) in Great Bend hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.