Independence, Kansas Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Independence, Kansas had a total population of 8,422, the 45th largest city in Kansas, with a median household income of $51,069, which is 31% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 18.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 31% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.7x.
Independence Quick Facts
How Independence 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 | 8,469 | 8,422 | -0.6% |
| Median household income | $49,164 | $51,069 | +3.9% |
| Median home value | $78,500 | $88,800 | +13.1% |
How Independence 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+)
Independence Rankings in Kansas
Explore Kansas Rankings
Other Cities in Montgomery County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coffeyville | 8,662 | $45,670 | 21.1% | $60,800 |
| Cherryvale | 2,096 | $50,288 | 21.0% | $62,400 |
| Caney | 1,431 | $39,000 | 17.4% | $81,500 |
| Dearing | 279 | $62,500 | 11.8% | $80,700 |
| Elk City | 245 | $46,250 | 17.1% | $27,500 |
| Tyro | 192 | N/A | 35.4% | $132,100 |
| Liberty | 110 | $45,625 | 10.9% | $44,200 |
| Havana | 55 | $32,708 | 12.7% | $64,000 |
| Sycamore | 24 | N/A | 58.3% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Independence
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chanute | 8,598 | $50,882 | $78,000 | 21.6% | 17.3% |
| Fort Riley | 8,606 | $54,362 | N/A | 18.2% | 10.7% |
| Coffeyville | 8,662 | $45,670 | $60,800 | 14.5% | 21.1% |
| Wellington | 7,615 | $50,333 | $97,100 | 21.3% | 16.4% |
| Fort Scott | 7,555 | $52,159 | $100,500 | 23.0% | 13.5% |
Population Overview
Independence is a small city located in Kansas, within Montgomery County. The total population is 8,422. It ranks as the 45th most populous out of 721 Census-designated places in Kansas.
Age Demographics
The median age in Independence is 38.3 years. This is 2% higher than the state median of 37.4 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Independence is $51,069. This is 31% lower than the state median of $74,275. It is also 37% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 18.4%. This is 63% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.3%. The unemployment rate is 7.0%. This is 80% higher than the state rate of 3.9%. The median home value is $88,800. Housing costs are 59% lower than the state median of $217,200. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.7x, Independence is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 69.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 4% higher than the state average of 67.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Independence is White (non-Hispanic), making up 82.4% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 8.1%. The Black or African American population (1.9%) is well below the state average of 5.1%.
Education
28.7% 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 92.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Independence, 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 Independence, Kansas?
Independence, Kansas has a population of 8,422 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Independence, KS?
The median household income in Independence is $51,069, which is 37% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Independence, KS?
The poverty rate in Independence is 18.4%. This means approximately 1,515 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Independence, Kansas?
Independence's population is 82.4% White, 1.9% Black, 8.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Independence, KS?
The median home value in Independence is $88,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.7x.
How educated is Independence, Kansas?
28.7% of adults (25+) in Independence hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 12.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.