Ness City, Kansas Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Ness City, Kansas had a total population of 1,162, the 177th largest city in Kansas, with a median household income of $64,583, which is 13% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 11.5%.
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 1.8x.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 0.1%.
Ness City Quick Facts
How Ness City 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 | 1,136 | 1,162 | +2.3% |
| Median household income | $65,982 | $64,583 | -2.1% |
| Median home value | $100,300 | $116,600 | +16.3% |
How Ness City 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+)
Ness City Rankings in Kansas
Explore Kansas Rankings
Other Cities in Ness County
Cities Similar to Ness City
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | 1,155 | $58,438 | $101,100 | 18.0% | 7.1% |
| Plains | 1,171 | $71,136 | $151,400 | 21.1% | 18.5% |
| Auburn | 1,144 | $57,875 | $151,200 | 20.4% | 10.9% |
| Overbrook | 1,113 | $68,958 | $146,300 | 28.7% | 6.5% |
| St. John | 1,172 | $73,929 | $94,600 | 26.7% | 12.0% |
Population Overview
Ness City is a small community located in Kansas, within Ness County. The total population is 1,162. It ranks as the 177th most populous out of 721 Census-designated places in Kansas.
Age Demographics
The median age in Ness City is 43.0 years. This is 15% higher than the state median of 37.4 years. 11.5% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Ness City is $64,583. This is 13% lower than the state median of $74,275. It is also 20% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 11.5%. This is 2% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.3%. The unemployment rate is 0.1%. This is 96% lower than the state rate of 3.9%. The median home value is $116,600. Housing costs are 46% lower than the state median of $217,200. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.8x, Ness City is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 81.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 22% higher than the state average of 67.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Ness City is White (non-Hispanic), making up 80.9% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 14.7%. The Asian population (0.3%) is well below the state average of 2.9%.
Education
29.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 17% 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 91.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Ness City, 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 Ness City, Kansas?
Ness City, Kansas has a population of 1,162 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Ness City, KS?
The median household income in Ness City is $64,583, which is 20% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Ness City, KS?
The poverty rate in Ness City is 11.5%. This means approximately 128 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Ness City, Kansas?
Ness City's population is 80.9% White, 0.0% Black, 14.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Ness City, KS?
The median home value in Ness City is $116,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.8x.
How educated is Ness City, Kansas?
29.6% of adults (25+) in Ness City hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 8.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.