Howard city, Kansas Demographics & Population 2026

Population Overview

Howard city is a small community located in Kansas. The total population is 553. It ranks as the 281st most populous out of 726 cities and towns in Kansas.

Age Demographics

The median age in Howard city is 38.2 years. This is 3% higher than the state median of 37.2 years. 13.4% 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 Howard city is $53,125. This is 27% lower than the state median of $72,639. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 32% lower. The poverty rate stands at 23.3%. This is 102% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.5%. 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 2.3%. This is 42% lower than the state rate of 3.9%. The median home value is $53,400. Housing costs are 74% lower than the state median of $203,400. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.0x, Howard city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 72.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 8% higher than the state average of 66.9%.

Race & Ethnicity

Howard city has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 85.9% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 10.0%. The Black or African American population (0.5%) is well below the state average of 5.3%.

Education

16.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 52% lower 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 93.1%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Howard 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.