Kensington, Kansas Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Kensington, Kansas had a total population of 652, the 260th largest city in Kansas, with a median household income of $54,583, which is 27% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 10.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 0.7%.
Kensington Quick Facts
How Kensington 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 | 572 | 652 | +14.0% |
| Median household income | $59,107 | $54,583 | -7.7% |
How Kensington 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+)
Kensington Rankings in Kansas
Explore Kansas Rankings
Other Cities in Smith County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Smith Center | 1,680 | $56,007 | 8.4% | $90,400 |
| Lebanon | 191 | $41,250 | 12.0% | $43,500 |
| Gaylord | 70 | $57,083 | 17.1% | $63,300 |
| Athol | 65 | N/A | 0.0% | $68,600 |
Cities Similar to Kensington
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Macksville | 651 | $55,742 | $98,300 | 12.1% | 15.5% |
| Bucklin | 652 | $60,208 | $84,600 | 26.9% | 5.7% |
| Cherokee | 699 | $56,154 | $85,300 | 18.3% | 8.0% |
| Franklin | 650 | $65,784 | $104,300 | 8.6% | 20.8% |
| Greensburg | 722 | $55,000 | $190,800 | 26.6% | 12.3% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 652, Kensington's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.
Population Overview
Kensington is a small community located in Kansas, within Smith County. The total population is 652. It ranks as the 260th most populous out of 721 Census-designated places in Kansas.
Age Demographics
The median age in Kensington is 47.9 years. This is 28% higher than the state median of 37.4 years. 16.1% 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 Kensington is $54,583. This is 27% lower than the state median of $74,275. It is also 32% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 10.8%. This is 4% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.3%. The unemployment rate is 0.7%. This is 82% lower than the state rate of 3.9%. 84.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 25% higher than the state average of 67.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
Kensington has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 93.1% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 2.3%. The Hispanic or Latino population (2.3%) is well below the state average of 13.6%. The Asian population (0.1%) is well below the state average of 2.9%.
Education
27.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 23% 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 97.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Kensington, 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 Kensington, Kansas?
Kensington, Kansas has a population of 652 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Kensington, KS?
The median household income in Kensington is $54,583, which is 32% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Kensington, KS?
The poverty rate in Kensington is 10.8%. This means approximately 70 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Kensington, Kansas?
Kensington's population is 93.1% White, 0.0% Black, 2.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Kensington, KS?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median home value estimate for Kensington — there are too few owner-occupied homes in the ACS sample. The national median is $332,700.
How educated is Kensington, Kansas?
27.4% of adults (25+) in Kensington hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.