Hays city, Kansas Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Hays city, Kansas has a total population of 21,078, the 21st largest city in Kansas, with a median household income of $56,861, which is 22% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 19.9%.
Key Takeaways
- 43.9% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Kansas.
Hays city Quick Facts
How Hays city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
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: 44 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Hays city Rankings in Kansas
Explore Kansas Rankings
Other Cities in Ellis County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ellis city | 2,145 | $70,274 | 17.1% | $156,900 |
Cities Similar to Hays city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Junction City city | 22,431 | $60,317 | $162,500 | 23.2% | 17.9% |
| Liberal city | 19,107 | $61,875 | $134,500 | 10.6% | 14.2% |
| Emporia city | 24,098 | $52,787 | $127,500 | 25.8% | 18.4% |
| Pittsburg city | 20,606 | $40,220 | $110,800 | 33.9% | 29.4% |
| Newton city | 18,443 | $67,015 | $151,800 | 29.5% | 8.3% |
Population Overview
Hays city is a small city located in Kansas, within Ellis County. The total population is 21,078. It ranks as the 21st most populous out of 726 cities and towns in Kansas.
Age Demographics
The median age in Hays city is 30.2 years. This is 19% lower than the state median of 37.2 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Hays city is $56,861. This is 22% lower than the state median of $72,639. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 28% lower. The poverty rate stands at 19.9%. This is 73% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.5%. The unemployment rate is 3.5%. This is 12% lower than the state rate of 3.9%. The median home value is $220,100. Housing costs are 8% higher than the state median of $203,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.9x. 58.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 13% lower than the state average of 66.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
Hays city has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 87.0% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 7.0%. The Black or African American population (1.2%) is well below the state average of 5.3%.
Education
43.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Hays city in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 25% higher than the state rate of 35.2%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 95.4%. Notably, 17.0% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Hays city, Kansas is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against Kansas state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 726 Census-designated places in Kansas. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
Free data download: Get all Kansas city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Hays city, Kansas?
Hays city, Kansas has a population of 21,078 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Hays city, KS?
The median household income in Hays city is $56,861, which is 28% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Hays city, KS?
The poverty rate in Hays city is 19.9%. This means approximately 3,927 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Hays city, Kansas?
Hays city's population is 87.0% White, 1.2% Black, 7.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.8% Asian.
What is the median home value in Hays city, KS?
The median home value in Hays city is $220,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.9x.
How educated is Hays city, Kansas?
43.9% of adults (25+) in Hays city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 17.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.