Manhattan city, Kansas Demographics & Population 2026

Population Overview

Manhattan city is a mid-sized community located in Kansas, within Riley County. The total population is 53,951. It ranks as the 9th most populous out of 726 cities and towns in Kansas.

Age Demographics

The median age in Manhattan city is 25.2 years. This is 32% lower than the state median of 37.2 years. Only 14.8% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Manhattan city is $58,441. This is 20% lower than the state median of $72,639. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 26% lower. The poverty rate stands at 26.1%. This is 127% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.5%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 4.4%. This is 12% higher than the state rate of 3.9%. The median home value is $243,700. Housing costs are 20% higher than the state median of $203,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.2x. 41.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 38% lower than the state average of 66.9%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Manhattan city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 75.4% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 9.3%.

Education

52.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Manhattan city in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 48% 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 95.4%. Notably, 24.1% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Manhattan 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.