Manhattan, Kansas Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Manhattan, Kansas had a total population of 54,239, the 9th largest city in Kansas, with a median household income of $60,172, which is 19% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 23.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- 53.3% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Kansas.
Manhattan Quick Facts
How Manhattan 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 | 53,951 | 54,239 | +0.5% |
| Median household income | $58,441 | $60,172 | +3.0% |
| Median home value | $243,700 | $246,700 | +1.2% |
How Manhattan 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+)
Manhattan Rankings in Kansas
Explore Kansas Rankings
Other Cities in Riley County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Riley | 8,606 | $54,362 | 10.7% | N/A |
| Ogden | 1,696 | $68,421 | 5.9% | $156,800 |
| Riley | 943 | $93,750 | 4.9% | $163,100 |
| Leonardville | 514 | $77,083 | 7.4% | $110,400 |
| Keats | 182 | $36,557 | 0.0% | N/A |
| Randolph | 178 | $82,500 | 12.9% | $150,000 |
Cities Similar to Manhattan
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Salina | 46,307 | $61,783 | $173,200 | 28.7% | 13.0% |
| Hutchinson | 39,709 | $58,687 | $125,000 | 19.3% | 14.9% |
| Lenexa | 58,384 | $103,239 | $394,900 | 57.8% | 5.4% |
| Leavenworth | 37,195 | $72,987 | $193,000 | 32.6% | 11.7% |
| Shawnee | 68,542 | $109,940 | $359,700 | 53.1% | 5.3% |
Population Overview
Manhattan is a mid-sized community located in Kansas, within Riley County. The total population is 54,239. It ranks as the 9th most populous out of 721 Census-designated places in Kansas.
Age Demographics
The median age in Manhattan is 25.7 years. This is 31% lower than the state median of 37.4 years. Only 14.6% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Manhattan is $60,172. This is 19% lower than the state median of $74,275. It is also 25% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 23.3%. This is 107% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.3%. 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 3.6%. This is 8% lower than the state rate of 3.9%. The median home value is $246,700. Housing costs are 14% higher than the state median of $217,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.1x. 43.5% 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 Manhattan is White (non-Hispanic), making up 75.3% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 8.4%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (4.6% vs 2.9%).
Education
53.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Manhattan in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 50% 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 96.6%. Notably, 24.5% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Manhattan, 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 Manhattan, Kansas?
Manhattan, Kansas has a population of 54,239 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Manhattan, KS?
The median household income in Manhattan is $60,172, which is 25% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Manhattan, KS?
The poverty rate in Manhattan is 23.3%. This means approximately 11,176 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Manhattan, Kansas?
Manhattan's population is 75.3% White, 5.0% Black, 8.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 4.6% Asian.
What is the median home value in Manhattan, KS?
The median home value in Manhattan is $246,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.1x.
How educated is Manhattan, Kansas?
53.3% of adults (25+) in Manhattan hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 24.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.