Lawrence, Kansas Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Lawrence, Kansas had a total population of 96,051, the 6th largest city in Kansas, with a median household income of $65,009, which is 12% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 17.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- 55.8% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Kansas.
Lawrence Quick Facts
How Lawrence 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 | 95,459 | 96,051 | +0.6% |
| Median household income | $62,838 | $65,009 | +3.5% |
| Median home value | $269,500 | $292,700 | +8.6% |
How Lawrence 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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 45 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Lawrence Rankings in Kansas
Explore Kansas Rankings
Other Cities in Douglas County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eudora | 6,119 | $118,184 | 4.9% | $280,100 |
| Baldwin City | 4,911 | $72,941 | 5.8% | $249,500 |
| Lecompton | 736 | $68,977 | 7.9% | $203,800 |
Cities Similar to Lawrence
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Topeka | 125,786 | $56,956 | $144,200 | 29.0% | 15.7% |
| Kansas City | 155,135 | $62,401 | $167,400 | 20.8% | 16.0% |
| Shawnee | 68,542 | $109,940 | $359,700 | 53.1% | 5.3% |
| Manhattan | 54,239 | $60,172 | $246,700 | 53.3% | 23.3% |
| Olathe | 145,057 | $114,009 | $364,700 | 50.5% | 5.6% |
Population Overview
Lawrence is a mid-sized community located in Kansas, within Douglas County. The total population is 96,051. It ranks as the 6th most populous out of 721 Census-designated places in Kansas.
Age Demographics
The median age in Lawrence is 29.3 years. This is 22% lower than the state median of 37.4 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Lawrence is $65,009. This is 12% lower than the state median of $74,275. It is also 19% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 17.4%. This is 54% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.3%. The unemployment rate is 4.4%. This is 14% higher than the state rate of 3.9%. The median home value is $292,700. Housing costs are 35% higher than the state median of $217,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.5x. 43.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 35% lower than the state average of 67.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Lawrence is White (non-Hispanic), making up 73.0% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 7.9%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (5.1% vs 2.9%).
Education
55.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Lawrence in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 57% higher 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 95.6%. Notably, 26.9% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Lawrence, 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 Lawrence, Kansas?
Lawrence, Kansas has a population of 96,051 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Lawrence, KS?
The median household income in Lawrence is $65,009, which is 19% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Lawrence, KS?
The poverty rate in Lawrence is 17.4%. This means approximately 15,393 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Lawrence, Kansas?
Lawrence's population is 73.0% White, 4.8% Black, 7.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 5.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Lawrence, KS?
The median home value in Lawrence is $292,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.5x.
How educated is Lawrence, Kansas?
55.8% of adults (25+) in Lawrence hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 26.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.