Hays, Kansas Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Hays, Kansas had a total population of 21,143, the 21st largest city in Kansas, with a median household income of $58,459, which is 21% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 20.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- 42.7% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Kansas.
Hays Quick Facts
How Hays 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 | 21,078 | 21,143 | +0.3% |
| Median household income | $56,861 | $58,459 | +2.8% |
| Median home value | $220,100 | $225,500 | +2.5% |
How Hays 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+)
Hays Rankings in Kansas
Explore Kansas Rankings
Other Cities in Ellis County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ellis | 2,189 | $73,000 | 21.2% | $155,500 |
| Victoria | 1,095 | $77,500 | 9.5% | $174,200 |
| Munjor | 247 | N/A | 0.0% | $121,500 |
| Catharine | 186 | N/A | 66.7% | $265,600 |
| Schoenchen | 181 | $63,750 | 3.3% | $141,300 |
Cities Similar to Hays
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Junction City | 22,331 | $61,181 | $171,500 | 25.6% | 17.5% |
| Liberal | 19,316 | $63,706 | $137,100 | 9.8% | 13.1% |
| Pittsburg | 20,637 | $43,419 | $123,200 | 33.2% | 29.5% |
| Emporia | 24,131 | $52,704 | $132,700 | 24.4% | 17.8% |
| Newton | 18,397 | $68,885 | $156,400 | 26.2% | 9.7% |
Population Overview
Hays is a small city located in Kansas, within Ellis County. The total population is 21,143. It ranks as the 21st most populous out of 721 Census-designated places in Kansas.
Age Demographics
The median age in Hays is 30.2 years. This is 19% lower than the state median of 37.4 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Hays is $58,459. This is 21% lower than the state median of $74,275. It is also 28% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 20.1%. This is 78% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.3%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 3.6%. This is 8% lower than the state rate of 3.9%. The median home value is $225,500. Housing costs are 4% higher than the state median of $217,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.9x. 58.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 13% lower than the state average of 67.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
Hays has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 86.1% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 7.4%. The Black or African American population (1.3%) is well below the state average of 5.1%.
Education
42.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Hays in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 20% higher 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 94.3%. Notably, 16.5% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Hays, 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 Hays, Kansas?
Hays, Kansas has a population of 21,143 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Hays, KS?
The median household income in Hays is $58,459, which is 28% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Hays, KS?
The poverty rate in Hays is 20.1%. This means approximately 3,967 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Hays, Kansas?
Hays's population is 86.1% White, 1.3% Black, 7.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.9% Asian.
What is the median home value in Hays, KS?
The median home value in Hays is $225,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.9x.
How educated is Hays, Kansas?
42.7% of adults (25+) in Hays hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 16.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.