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Kansas City, Kansas Demographics & Population 2026

3rd Largest3rd most populous city in Kansas
Highly DiverseNo single racial/ethnic group makes up a majority of the population

During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Kansas City, Kansas had a total population of 155,135, the 3rd largest city in Kansas, with a median household income of $62,401, which is 16% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 16.0%.

Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes

Key Takeaways

Kansas City Quick Facts

Population 155,135
Median Household Income $62,401
Median Home Value $167,400
Poverty Rate 16.0%
Unemployment Rate 5.8%
Median Age 33.9 years
Homeownership Rate 60.9%
Affordability Ratio 2.7x
Bachelor's Degree or Higher 20.8%
High School Graduation Rate 81.4%
Diversity Index 72/100
Population 155,135 3rd of 721
Median Income $62,401 average
Poverty Rate 16.0% 28% higher than national
Median Home Value $167,400 top 20%

How Kansas City Changed

Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.

Metric2019–20232020–2024Change
Population154,776155,135+0.2%
Median household income$59,183$62,401+5.4%
Median home value$147,100$167,400+13.8%

How Kansas City Compares

Economy & Housing

Household Income Distribution

Under $25K 18.0%
$25K-$50K 22.0%
$50K-$100K 32.7%
$100K+ 27.3%
Detailed income brackets
Under $10K
6.0%
$10K-$15K
4.8%
$15K-$20K
4.0%
$20K-$25K
3.2%
$25K-$30K
4.7%
$30K-$35K
4.8%
$35K-$40K
4.1%
$40K-$45K
4.7%
$45K-$50K
3.7%
$50K-$60K
7.7%
$60K-$75K
11.2%
$75K-$100K
13.9%
$100K-$125K
10.2%
$125K-$150K
6.7%
$150K-$200K
5.7%
$200K+
4.7%

Employment

5.8% Unemployment Rate State: 3.9%|National: 5.2%
66.5% Labor Force Participation

Housing Overview

Owner 60.9%
Renter 39.1%
Affordability Index Very Affordable
2.7x home value to income ratio
Median gross rent $1,123/mo 21.6% of median household income annually

People & Demographics

Diversity Index

72out of 100
Very High Diversity

This community is exceptionally diverse, with no single racial or ethnic group dominating the population.

State average: 45 | National average: 61

Education

Kansas City Rankings in Kansas

#3 Population of 721
#299 Median Income of 629
#312 Education of 721
#116 Home Value of 605

Other Cities in Wyandotte County

CityPopulationMedian IncomePovertyHome Value
Edwardsville 4,724 $72,611 14.9% $216,400

Cities Similar to Kansas City

These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.

CityPopulationMedian IncomeHome ValueBachelor's+Poverty
Topeka125,786$56,956$144,20029.0%15.7%
Olathe145,057$114,009$364,70050.5%5.6%
Lawrence96,051$65,009$292,70055.8%17.4%
Overland Park200,306$104,834$413,60063.7%5.6%
Wichita397,945$64,620$190,80031.1%15.9%

Population Overview

Kansas City is a major urban center located in Kansas, within Wyandotte County. The total population is 155,135. It ranks as the 3rd most populous out of 721 Census-designated places in Kansas.

Age Demographics

The median age in Kansas City is 33.9 years. This is 9% lower than the state median of 37.4 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Kansas City is $62,401. This is 16% lower than the state median of $74,275. It is also 23% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 16.0%. This is 41% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.3%. The unemployment rate is 5.8%. This is 49% higher than the state rate of 3.9%. The median home value is $167,400. Housing costs are 23% lower than the state median of $217,200. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.7x, Kansas City is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 60.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 9% lower than the state average of 67.2%.

Race & Ethnicity

Kansas City is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 33.7%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (33.7%) is well below the state average of 72.7%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (19.2% vs 5.1%). The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (35.7% vs 13.6%). The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (5.3% vs 2.9%).

Education

20.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 41% 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 81.4%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Kansas 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 Kansas City, Kansas?

Kansas City, Kansas has a population of 155,135 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What is the median household income in Kansas City, KS?

The median household income in Kansas City is $62,401, which is 23% lower than the national median of $80,734.

What is the poverty rate in Kansas City, KS?

The poverty rate in Kansas City is 16.0%. This means approximately 24,481 residents live below the federal poverty line.

What is the racial makeup of Kansas City, Kansas?

Kansas City's population is 33.7% White, 19.2% Black, 35.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 5.3% Asian.

What is the median home value in Kansas City, KS?

The median home value in Kansas City is $167,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.7x.

How educated is Kansas City, Kansas?

20.8% of adults (25+) in Kansas City hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.