Oswego, Kansas Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Oswego, Kansas had a total population of 1,937, the 129th largest city in Kansas, with a median household income of $53,750, which is 28% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 22.8%.
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 1.5x.
- Unemployment rate of 9.9% is notably above the national average.
Oswego Quick Facts
How Oswego 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 | 1,770 | 1,937 | +9.4% |
| Median household income | $51,701 | $53,750 | +4.0% |
| Median home value | $80,700 | $82,700 | +2.5% |
How Oswego 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+)
Oswego Rankings in Kansas
Explore Kansas Rankings
Other Cities in Labette County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Parsons | 9,425 | $52,428 | 20.9% | $71,700 |
| Altamont | 993 | $64,716 | 4.5% | $107,400 |
| Chetopa | 977 | $25,288 | 37.2% | $71,900 |
| Mound Valley | 341 | $36,917 | 23.8% | $42,600 |
| Edna | 297 | $63,542 | 13.5% | $90,000 |
| Dennis | 198 | $92,818 | 0.0% | $157,700 |
| Bartlett | 58 | $55,417 | 19.0% | $35,000 |
| Labette | 17 | N/A | 17.6% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Oswego
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fredonia | 1,945 | $59,125 | $76,000 | 17.7% | 19.3% |
| Minneapolis | 2,043 | $57,702 | $143,800 | 25.3% | 10.2% |
| Belleville | 2,086 | $56,218 | $81,500 | 16.6% | 8.0% |
| Cherryvale | 2,096 | $50,288 | $62,400 | 11.7% | 21.0% |
| Oberlin | 1,734 | $52,284 | $88,700 | 32.2% | 11.5% |
Population Overview
Oswego is a small community located in Kansas, within Labette County. The total population is 1,937. It ranks as the 129th most populous out of 721 Census-designated places in Kansas.
Age Demographics
The median age in Oswego is 36.2 years. This is 3% lower than the state median of 37.4 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Oswego is $53,750. This is 28% lower than the state median of $74,275. It is also 33% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 22.8%. This is 102% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.3%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 9.9%. This is 154% higher than the state rate of 3.9%. The median home value is $82,700. Housing costs are 62% lower than the state median of $217,200. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.5x, Oswego is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 65.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 3% lower than the state average of 67.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Oswego is White (non-Hispanic), making up 80.4% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 8.9%. The Black or African American population (1.9%) is well below the state average of 5.1%.
Education
12.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 64% 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 92.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Oswego, 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 Oswego, Kansas?
Oswego, Kansas has a population of 1,937 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Oswego, KS?
The median household income in Oswego is $53,750, which is 33% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Oswego, KS?
The poverty rate in Oswego is 22.8%. This means approximately 384 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Oswego, Kansas?
Oswego's population is 80.4% White, 1.9% Black, 8.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Oswego, KS?
The median home value in Oswego is $82,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.5x.
How educated is Oswego, Kansas?
12.9% of adults (25+) in Oswego hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.