Hesston, Kansas Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Hesston, Kansas had a total population of 3,582, the 79th largest city in Kansas, with a median household income of $75,225, which is 1% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 5.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- 46.2% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Kansas.
Hesston Quick Facts
How Hesston 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 | 3,747 | 3,582 | -4.4% |
| Median household income | $72,620 | $75,225 | +3.6% |
| Median home value | $183,000 | $204,800 | +11.9% |
How Hesston 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+)
Hesston Rankings in Kansas
Explore Kansas Rankings
Other Cities in Harvey County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Newton | 18,397 | $68,885 | 9.7% | $156,400 |
| Halstead | 2,516 | $76,250 | 10.8% | $163,000 |
| North Newton | 2,155 | $87,402 | 4.8% | $217,800 |
| Burrton | 808 | $70,833 | 11.3% | $87,400 |
| Walton | 223 | $63,750 | 9.9% | $102,300 |
Cities Similar to Hesston
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lindsborg | 3,792 | $81,250 | $188,000 | 47.1% | 6.8% |
| Lyons | 3,553 | $62,569 | $104,800 | 21.3% | 9.1% |
| Hiawatha | 3,197 | $68,750 | $121,800 | 17.6% | 14.7% |
| Frontenac | 3,392 | $58,733 | $165,600 | 32.6% | 8.7% |
| Garnett | 3,202 | $65,230 | $149,100 | 12.1% | 6.0% |
Population Overview
Hesston is a small community located in Kansas, within Harvey County. The total population is 3,582. It ranks as the 79th most populous out of 721 Census-designated places in Kansas.
Age Demographics
The median age in Hesston is 49.1 years. This is 31% higher than the state median of 37.4 years. 17.7% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Hesston is $75,225. This is 1% higher than the state median of $74,275. It is also 7% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 5.7%. This is 49% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.3%. The unemployment rate is 4.1%. This is 5% higher than the state rate of 3.9%. The median home value is $204,800. Housing costs are 6% lower than the state median of $217,200. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.7x, Hesston 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
Hesston has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 93.2% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 3.7%. The Black or African American population (0.6%) is well below the state average of 5.1%. The Hispanic or Latino population (3.7%) is well below the state average of 13.6%. The Asian population (0.1%) is well below the state average of 2.9%.
Education
46.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Hesston in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 30% 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 95.1%. Notably, 19.3% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Hesston, 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 Hesston, Kansas?
Hesston, Kansas has a population of 3,582 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Hesston, KS?
The median household income in Hesston is $75,225, which is 7% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Hesston, KS?
The poverty rate in Hesston is 5.7%. This means approximately 189 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Hesston, Kansas?
Hesston's population is 93.2% White, 0.6% Black, 3.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Hesston, KS?
The median home value in Hesston is $204,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.7x.
How educated is Hesston, Kansas?
46.2% of adults (25+) in Hesston hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 19.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.