Junction City, Kansas Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Junction City, Kansas had a total population of 22,331, the 20th largest city in Kansas, with a median household income of $61,181, which is 18% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 17.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Junction City Quick Facts
How Junction 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 | 22,431 | 22,331 | -0.4% |
| Median household income | $60,317 | $61,181 | +1.4% |
| Median home value | $162,500 | $171,500 | +5.5% |
How Junction 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 diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 45 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Junction City Rankings in Kansas
Explore Kansas Rankings
Other Cities in Geary County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grandview Plaza | 2,015 | $41,871 | 11.7% | $62,100 |
| Milford | 337 | $79,250 | 11.9% | $172,500 |
Cities Similar to Junction City
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hays | 21,143 | $58,459 | $225,500 | 42.7% | 20.1% |
| Emporia | 24,131 | $52,704 | $132,700 | 24.4% | 17.8% |
| Liberal | 19,316 | $63,706 | $137,100 | 9.8% | 13.1% |
| Pittsburg | 20,637 | $43,419 | $123,200 | 33.2% | 29.5% |
| Newton | 18,397 | $68,885 | $156,400 | 26.2% | 9.7% |
Population Overview
Junction City is a small city located in Kansas, within Geary County. The total population is 22,331. It ranks as the 20th most populous out of 721 Census-designated places in Kansas.
Age Demographics
The median age in Junction City is 28.8 years. This is 23% lower than the state median of 37.4 years. With 29.5% of the population under 18, Junction City has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Junction City is $61,181. This is 18% lower than the state median of $74,275. It is also 24% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 17.5%. This is 55% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.3%. The unemployment rate is 6.2%. This is 60% higher than the state rate of 3.9%. The median home value is $171,500. Housing costs are 21% lower than the state median of $217,200. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.8x, Junction City is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 50.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 25% lower than the state average of 67.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Junction City is White (non-Hispanic), making up 53.2% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 17.2%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (15.9% vs 5.1%).
Education
25.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 28% 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 91.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Junction 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.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Junction City, Kansas?
Junction City, Kansas has a population of 22,331 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Junction City, KS?
The median household income in Junction City is $61,181, which is 24% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Junction City, KS?
The poverty rate in Junction City is 17.5%. This means approximately 3,849 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Junction City, Kansas?
Junction City's population is 53.2% White, 15.9% Black, 17.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.5% Asian.
What is the median home value in Junction City, KS?
The median home value in Junction City is $171,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.8x.
How educated is Junction City, Kansas?
25.6% of adults (25+) in Junction City hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.