Ottawa city, Kansas Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Ottawa city, Kansas has a total population of 12,632, the 29th largest city in Kansas, with a median household income of $64,655, which is 11% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 10.7%.
Key Takeaways
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 2.1%.
Ottawa city Quick Facts
How Ottawa city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
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: 44 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Ottawa city Rankings in Kansas
Explore Kansas Rankings
Cities Similar to Ottawa city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| El Dorado city | 12,882 | $54,828 | $113,800 | 26.4% | 21.4% |
| Winfield city | 11,731 | $58,140 | $121,200 | 28.9% | 12.9% |
| Arkansas City city | 11,909 | $53,475 | $81,700 | 19.9% | 16.9% |
| Haysville city | 11,117 | $69,057 | $155,100 | 16.8% | 12.2% |
| Merriam city | 11,036 | $71,665 | $242,400 | 41.4% | 8.2% |
Population Overview
Ottawa city is a small city located in Kansas, within Franklin County. The total population is 12,632. It ranks as the 29th most populous out of 726 cities and towns in Kansas.
Age Demographics
The median age in Ottawa city is 36.5 years. This is 2% lower than the state median of 37.2 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Ottawa city is $64,655. This is 11% lower than the state median of $72,639. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 18% lower. The poverty rate stands at 10.7%. This is 7% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.5%. The unemployment rate is 2.1%. This is 46% lower than the state rate of 3.9%. The median home value is $165,700. Housing costs are 19% lower than the state median of $203,400. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.6x, Ottawa city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 61.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 8% lower than the state average of 66.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
Ottawa city has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 88.6% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 4.1%. The Black or African American population (1.2%) is well below the state average of 5.3%. The Hispanic or Latino population (4.1%) is well below the state average of 13.3%. The Asian population (1.1%) is well below the state average of 2.9%.
Education
27.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 22% 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 94.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Ottawa 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.
Free data download: Get all Kansas city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Ottawa city, Kansas?
Ottawa city, Kansas has a population of 12,632 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Ottawa city, KS?
The median household income in Ottawa city is $64,655, which is 18% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Ottawa city, KS?
The poverty rate in Ottawa city is 10.7%. This means approximately 1,300 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Ottawa city, Kansas?
Ottawa city's population is 88.6% White, 1.2% Black, 4.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Ottawa city, KS?
The median home value in Ottawa city is $165,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.6x.
How educated is Ottawa city, Kansas?
27.5% of adults (25+) in Ottawa city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 10.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.