Hill City, Kansas Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Hill City, Kansas had a total population of 1,511, the 154th largest city in Kansas, with a median household income of $48,512, which is 35% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 16.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 35% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.9x.
Hill City Quick Facts
How Hill City 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 | 1,536 | 1,511 | -1.6% |
| Median household income | $49,899 | $48,512 | -2.8% |
| Median home value | $89,300 | $92,800 | +3.9% |
How Hill City 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+)
Hill City Rankings in Kansas
Explore Kansas Rankings
Other Cities in Graham County
Cities Similar to Hill City
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pleasanton | 1,516 | $49,565 | $102,900 | 17.5% | 11.0% |
| Silver Lake | 1,553 | $56,834 | $169,300 | 32.3% | 5.3% |
| Valley Falls | 1,382 | $46,681 | $122,700 | 20.2% | 5.9% |
| Kinsley | 1,328 | $49,206 | $68,200 | 20.8% | 19.3% |
| Osborne | 1,358 | $51,776 | $84,400 | 20.2% | 9.3% |
Population Overview
Hill City is a small community located in Kansas, within Graham County. The total population is 1,511. It ranks as the 154th most populous out of 721 Census-designated places in Kansas.
Age Demographics
The median age in Hill City is 39.8 years. This is 6% higher than the state median of 37.4 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Hill City is $48,512. This is 35% lower than the state median of $74,275. It is also 40% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 16.7%. This is 48% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.3%. The unemployment rate is 6.7%. This is 72% higher than the state rate of 3.9%. The median home value is $92,800. Housing costs are 57% lower than the state median of $217,200. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.9x, Hill City is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 68.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 2% higher than the state average of 67.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
Hill City has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 87.8% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 5.5%. The Hispanic or Latino population (5.5%) is well below the state average of 13.6%. The Asian population (1.1%) is well below the state average of 2.9%.
Education
28.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 19% 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 93.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Hill City, 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.
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 Hill City, Kansas?
Hill City, Kansas has a population of 1,511 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Hill City, KS?
The median household income in Hill City is $48,512, which is 40% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Hill City, KS?
The poverty rate in Hill City is 16.7%. This means approximately 246 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Hill City, Kansas?
Hill City's population is 87.8% White, 2.7% Black, 5.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Hill City, KS?
The median home value in Hill City is $92,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.9x.
How educated is Hill City, Kansas?
28.8% of adults (25+) in Hill City hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 12.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.