Lawrence city, Kansas Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Lawrence city, Kansas has a total population of 95,459, the 6th largest city in Kansas, with a median household income of $62,838, which is 13% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 17.6%.
Key Takeaways
- 55.1% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Kansas.
Lawrence city Quick Facts
How Lawrence city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 44 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Lawrence city Rankings in Kansas
Explore Kansas Rankings
Cities Similar to Lawrence city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Topeka city | 126,103 | $55,902 | $130,600 | 29.1% | 15.6% |
| Kansas City city | 154,776 | $59,183 | $147,100 | 20.2% | 17.9% |
| Shawnee city | 68,175 | $106,312 | $332,900 | 52.4% | 5.4% |
| Manhattan city | 53,951 | $58,441 | $243,700 | 52.1% | 26.1% |
| Olathe city | 143,720 | $112,232 | $340,600 | 49.4% | 5.6% |
Population Overview
Lawrence city is a mid-sized community located in Kansas, within Douglas County. The total population is 95,459. It ranks as the 6th most populous out of 726 cities and towns in Kansas.
Age Demographics
The median age in Lawrence city is 29.2 years. This is 22% lower than the state median of 37.2 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Lawrence city is $62,838. This is 13% lower than the state median of $72,639. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 20% lower. The poverty rate stands at 17.6%. This is 53% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.5%. The unemployment rate is 5.0%. This is 29% higher than the state rate of 3.9%. The median home value is $269,500. Housing costs are 32% higher than the state median of $203,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.3x. 42.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 36% lower than the state average of 66.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Lawrence city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 73.7% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 7.8%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (5.4% vs 2.9%).
Education
55.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Lawrence city in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 57% higher 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 95.8%. Notably, 25.4% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Lawrence 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.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Lawrence city, Kansas?
Lawrence city, Kansas has a population of 95,459 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Lawrence city, KS?
The median household income in Lawrence city is $62,838, which is 20% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Lawrence city, KS?
The poverty rate in Lawrence city is 17.6%. This means approximately 15,484 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Lawrence city, Kansas?
Lawrence city's population is 73.7% White, 4.5% Black, 7.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 5.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Lawrence city, KS?
The median home value in Lawrence city is $269,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.3x.
How educated is Lawrence city, Kansas?
55.1% of adults (25+) in Lawrence city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 25.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.