Ness County, Kansas Demographics 2026

Population Overview

Ness County is located in Kansas with a total population of 2,659. It is the 88th most populous county out of 105 in Kansas.

Age Demographics

The median age in Ness County is 46.1 years. This is 24% higher than the state median of 37.2 years. 10.8% 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 County is $66,107. This is 9% lower than the state median of $72,639. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 16% lower. The poverty rate stands at 11.4%. This is about average than the state poverty rate of 11.5%. The unemployment rate is 1.0%. This is 74% lower than the state rate of 3.9%. The median home value is $85,400. Housing costs are 58% lower than the state median of $203,400. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.3x, Ness County is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 79.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 19% higher than the state average of 66.9%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Ness County is White (non-Hispanic), making up 79.7% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 15.2%. The Black or African American population (0.0%) is well below the state average of 5.3%. The Asian population (0.3%) is well below the state average of 2.9%.

Education

23.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 35% lower than the state rate of 35.2%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 91.5%.