Medicine Lodge, Kansas Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Medicine Lodge, Kansas had a total population of 1,578, the 147th largest city in Kansas, with a median household income of $59,392, which is 20% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 5.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.6x.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 0.6%.
Medicine Lodge Quick Facts
How Medicine Lodge 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 | 1,518 | 1,578 | +4.0% |
| Median household income | $54,663 | $59,392 | +8.7% |
| Median home value | $80,200 | $97,100 | +21.1% |
How Medicine Lodge 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+)
Medicine Lodge Rankings in Kansas
Explore Kansas Rankings
Other Cities in Barber County
Cities Similar to Medicine Lodge
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Silver Lake | 1,553 | $56,834 | $169,300 | 32.3% | 5.3% |
| Plainville | 1,656 | $59,236 | $82,500 | 27.7% | 2.5% |
| Elkhart | 1,661 | $56,771 | $101,600 | 12.8% | 16.9% |
| Stockton | 1,656 | $62,621 | $95,000 | 15.8% | 6.9% |
| Smith Center | 1,680 | $56,007 | $90,400 | 20.2% | 8.4% |
Population Overview
Medicine Lodge is a small community located in Kansas, within Barber County. The total population is 1,578. It ranks as the 147th most populous out of 721 Census-designated places in Kansas.
Age Demographics
The median age in Medicine Lodge is 43.1 years. This is 15% higher than the state median of 37.4 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Medicine Lodge is $59,392. This is 20% lower than the state median of $74,275. It is also 26% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 5.9%. This is 48% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.3%. The unemployment rate is 0.6%. This is 85% lower than the state rate of 3.9%. The median home value is $97,100. Housing costs are 55% lower than the state median of $217,200. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.6x, Medicine Lodge is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 68.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 2% higher than the state average of 67.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
Medicine Lodge has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 86.1% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 8.5%. The Black or African American population (0.1%) is well below the state average of 5.1%.
Education
24.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 32% lower 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 95.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Medicine Lodge, 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 Medicine Lodge, Kansas?
Medicine Lodge, Kansas has a population of 1,578 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Medicine Lodge, KS?
The median household income in Medicine Lodge is $59,392, which is 26% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Medicine Lodge, KS?
The poverty rate in Medicine Lodge is 5.9%. This means approximately 89 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Medicine Lodge, Kansas?
Medicine Lodge's population is 86.1% White, 0.1% Black, 8.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Medicine Lodge, KS?
The median home value in Medicine Lodge is $97,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.6x.
How educated is Medicine Lodge, Kansas?
24.3% of adults (25+) in Medicine Lodge hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.