Melvern, Kansas Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Melvern, Kansas had a total population of 352, the 351st largest city in Kansas, with a median household income of $55,893, which is 25% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 13.9%.
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.
Melvern Quick Facts
How Melvern 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 | 304 | 352 | +15.8% |
| Median household income | $57,250 | $55,893 | -2.4% |
| Median home value | $90,000 | $89,100 | -1.0% |
How Melvern 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+)
Melvern Rankings in Kansas
Explore Kansas Rankings
Other Cities in Osage County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Osage City | 2,828 | $71,191 | 8.9% | $155,800 |
| Carbondale | 1,341 | $75,750 | 15.2% | $119,400 |
| Overbrook | 1,113 | $68,958 | 6.5% | $146,300 |
| Burlingame | 1,046 | $60,202 | 9.9% | $86,700 |
| Lyndon | 1,023 | $67,227 | 8.8% | $114,400 |
| Scranton | 911 | $56,793 | 18.4% | $75,900 |
| Vassar | 832 | $68,036 | 6.3% | $176,300 |
| Quenemo | 353 | $50,833 | 29.4% | $53,800 |
| Olivet | 180 | $93,594 | 13.3% | $157,700 |
Cities Similar to Melvern
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Moline | 354 | $52,813 | $34,600 | 11.4% | 11.1% |
| Quenemo | 353 | $50,833 | $53,800 | 6.7% | 29.4% |
| Scammon | 371 | $55,833 | $69,500 | 13.5% | 11.1% |
| McFarland | 363 | $59,500 | $93,800 | 13.6% | 9.4% |
| Healy | 347 | $50,313 | $65,800 | 15.7% | 1.4% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 352, Melvern's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.
Population Overview
Melvern is a small community located in Kansas, within Osage County. The total population is 352. It ranks as the 351st most populous out of 721 Census-designated places in Kansas.
Age Demographics
The median age in Melvern is 34.5 years. This is 8% lower than the state median of 37.4 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Melvern is $55,893. This is 25% lower than the state median of $74,275. It is also 31% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 13.9%. This is 23% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.3%. The unemployment rate is 7.7%. This is 98% higher than the state rate of 3.9%. The median home value is $89,100. Housing costs are 59% lower than the state median of $217,200. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.6x, Melvern is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 73.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 10% higher than the state average of 67.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
Melvern has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 94.9% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 2.0%. The Black or African American population (2.0%) is well below the state average of 5.1%. The Hispanic or Latino population (0.9%) is well below the state average of 13.6%. The Asian population (0.3%) is well below the state average of 2.9%.
Education
20.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 41% 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 93.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Melvern, 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 Melvern, Kansas?
Melvern, Kansas has a population of 352 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Melvern, KS?
The median household income in Melvern is $55,893, which is 31% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Melvern, KS?
The poverty rate in Melvern is 13.9%. This means approximately 49 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Melvern, Kansas?
Melvern's population is 94.9% White, 2.0% Black, 0.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Melvern, KS?
The median home value in Melvern is $89,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.6x.
How educated is Melvern, Kansas?
20.9% of adults (25+) in Melvern hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.