Oberlin city, Kansas Demographics & Population 2026

Population Overview

Oberlin city is a small community located in Kansas, within Decatur County. The total population is 1,763. It ranks as the 136th most populous out of 726 cities and towns in Kansas.

Age Demographics

The median age in Oberlin city is 53.2 years. This is 43% higher than the state median of 37.2 years. 16.2% 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 Oberlin city is $47,813. This is 34% lower than the state median of $72,639. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 39% lower. The poverty rate stands at 13.0%. This is 13% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.5%. The unemployment rate is 2.2%. This is 44% lower than the state rate of 3.9%. The median home value is $77,400. Housing costs are 62% lower than the state median of $203,400. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.6x, Oberlin city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 79.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 18% higher than the state average of 66.9%.

Race & Ethnicity

Oberlin city has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 90.2% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 4.3%. The Black or African American population (1.8%) is well below the state average of 5.3%. The Hispanic or Latino population (4.3%) is well below the state average of 13.3%.

Education

31.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 10% 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 93.5%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Oberlin city, Kansas is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against Kansas state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 726 Census-designated places in Kansas. For official data, visit data.census.gov.