Harper, Kansas Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Harper, Kansas had a total population of 1,136, the 181st largest city in Kansas, with a median household income of $54,250, which is 27% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 19.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Only 9.7% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.4x.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 0.8%.
Harper Quick Facts
How Harper 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 | 1,191 | 1,136 | -4.6% |
| Median household income | $58,839 | $54,250 | -7.8% |
| Median home value | $80,300 | $78,600 | -2.1% |
How Harper 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
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 45 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Harper Rankings in Kansas
Explore Kansas Rankings
Other Cities in Harper County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anthony | 2,246 | $50,598 | 21.1% | $69,000 |
| Attica | 543 | $48,750 | 17.7% | $66,700 |
| Bluff City | 36 | $62,500 | 5.6% | $27,500 |
| Danville | 28 | $69,063 | 32.1% | $71,000 |
| Waldron | 5 | N/A | 80.0% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Harper
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| La Crosse | 1,154 | $53,750 | $84,600 | 27.3% | 8.1% |
| Rossville | 1,106 | $54,318 | $154,600 | 21.8% | 8.3% |
| Auburn | 1,144 | $57,875 | $151,200 | 20.4% | 10.9% |
| Washington | 1,155 | $58,438 | $101,100 | 18.0% | 7.1% |
| Peabody | 1,196 | $54,653 | $77,800 | 12.9% | 15.2% |
Population Overview
Harper is a small community located in Kansas, within Harper County. The total population is 1,136. It ranks as the 181st most populous out of 721 Census-designated places in Kansas.
Age Demographics
The median age in Harper is 37.6 years. This is about the same as the state median of 37.4 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Harper is $54,250. 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 19.1%. This is 70% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.3%. The unemployment rate is 0.8%. This is 81% lower than the state rate of 3.9%. The median home value is $78,600. Housing costs are 64% lower than the state median of $217,200. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.4x, Harper is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 63.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 6% lower than the state average of 67.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Harper is White (non-Hispanic), making up 80.6% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 10.7%. The Black or African American population (1.3%) is well below the state average of 5.1%. The Asian population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 2.9%.
Education
9.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 73% 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 85.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Harper, 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 Harper, Kansas?
Harper, Kansas has a population of 1,136 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Harper, KS?
The median household income in Harper is $54,250, which is 33% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Harper, KS?
The poverty rate in Harper is 19.1%. This means approximately 216 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Harper, Kansas?
Harper's population is 80.6% White, 1.3% Black, 10.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Harper, KS?
The median home value in Harper is $78,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.4x.
How educated is Harper, Kansas?
9.7% of adults (25+) in Harper hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.