McPherson, Kansas Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, McPherson, Kansas had a total population of 13,995, the 27th largest city in Kansas, with a median household income of $77,529, which is 4% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 13.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- 38.4% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Kansas.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 1.9%.
McPherson Quick Facts
How McPherson 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 | 13,956 | 13,995 | +0.3% |
| Median household income | $77,746 | $77,529 | -0.3% |
| Median home value | $204,300 | $211,700 | +3.6% |
How McPherson 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+)
McPherson Rankings in Kansas
Explore Kansas Rankings
Other Cities in McPherson County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lindsborg | 3,792 | $81,250 | 6.8% | $188,000 |
| Moundridge | 1,628 | $67,500 | 8.9% | $177,800 |
| Inman | 1,325 | $59,250 | 4.2% | $149,000 |
| Galva | 1,002 | $91,167 | 5.4% | $206,700 |
| Canton | 706 | $70,729 | 4.5% | $128,200 |
| Marquette | 585 | $61,923 | 14.7% | $85,000 |
| Elyria | 307 | $158,161 | 12.0% | $426,400 |
| Windom | 52 | $46,250 | 1.9% | $60,000 |
Cities Similar to McPherson
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ottawa | 12,678 | $71,699 | $166,500 | 25.8% | 9.1% |
| Great Bend | 14,479 | $54,139 | $133,900 | 19.9% | 16.9% |
| El Dorado | 12,769 | $59,180 | $120,300 | 26.0% | 16.6% |
| Merriam | 11,085 | $73,600 | $263,300 | 45.6% | 6.0% |
| Andover | 15,965 | $104,787 | $291,400 | 51.7% | 4.6% |
Population Overview
McPherson is a small city located in Kansas, within McPherson County. The total population is 13,995. It ranks as the 27th most populous out of 721 Census-designated places in Kansas.
Age Demographics
The median age in McPherson is 35.4 years. This is 5% lower than the state median of 37.4 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in McPherson is $77,529. This is 4% higher than the state median of $74,275. It is also 4% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 13.5%. This is 20% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.3%. The unemployment rate is 1.9%. This is 51% lower than the state rate of 3.9%. The median home value is $211,700. Housing costs are 3% lower than the state median of $217,200. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.7x, McPherson is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 65.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 3% lower than the state average of 67.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
McPherson has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 85.5% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 7.2%. The Black or African American population (2.4%) is well below the state average of 5.1%. The Asian population (0.8%) is well below the state average of 2.9%.
Education
38.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places McPherson in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 8% 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 94.5%. Notably, 15.1% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for McPherson, 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 McPherson, Kansas?
McPherson, Kansas has a population of 13,995 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in McPherson, KS?
The median household income in McPherson is $77,529, which is 4% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in McPherson, KS?
The poverty rate in McPherson is 13.5%. This means approximately 1,777 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of McPherson, Kansas?
McPherson's population is 85.5% White, 2.4% Black, 7.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.8% Asian.
What is the median home value in McPherson, KS?
The median home value in McPherson is $211,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.7x.
How educated is McPherson, Kansas?
38.4% of adults (25+) in McPherson hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 15.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.