Ottawa, Kansas Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Ottawa, Kansas had a total population of 12,678, the 29th largest city in Kansas, with a median household income of $71,699, which is 3% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 9.1%.
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 2.3x.
Ottawa Quick Facts
How Ottawa 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 | 12,632 | 12,678 | +0.4% |
| Median household income | $64,655 | $71,699 | +10.9% |
| Median home value | $165,700 | $166,500 | +0.5% |
How Ottawa 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+)
Ottawa Rankings in Kansas
Explore Kansas Rankings
Other Cities in Franklin County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wellsville | 2,216 | $83,750 | 8.0% | $180,000 |
| Pomona | 1,088 | $51,875 | 12.8% | $145,800 |
| Richmond | 503 | $56,078 | 6.1% | $96,200 |
| Williamsburg | 372 | $73,125 | 3.0% | $105,700 |
| Princeton | 236 | $64,500 | 3.8% | $108,300 |
| Lane | 223 | $47,143 | 15.3% | $102,800 |
| Rantoul | 130 | $60,000 | 6.2% | $120,200 |
Cities Similar to Ottawa
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| El Dorado | 12,769 | $59,180 | $120,300 | 26.0% | 16.6% |
| McPherson | 13,995 | $77,529 | $211,700 | 38.4% | 13.5% |
| Merriam | 11,085 | $73,600 | $263,300 | 45.6% | 6.0% |
| Haysville | 11,117 | $67,740 | $161,800 | 20.0% | 11.9% |
| Winfield | 11,711 | $56,656 | $132,700 | 27.8% | 15.3% |
Population Overview
Ottawa is a small city located in Kansas, within Franklin County. The total population is 12,678. It ranks as the 29th most populous out of 721 Census-designated places in Kansas.
Age Demographics
The median age in Ottawa is 36.9 years. This is 1% lower than the state median of 37.4 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Ottawa is $71,699. This is 3% lower than the state median of $74,275. It is also 11% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 9.1%. This is 19% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.3%. The unemployment rate is 2.9%. This is 26% lower than the state rate of 3.9%. The median home value is $166,500. Housing costs are 23% lower than the state median of $217,200. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.3x, Ottawa is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 59.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 11% lower than the state average of 67.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
Ottawa has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 87.1% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 5.4%. The Black or African American population (1.7%) is well below the state average of 5.1%. The Hispanic or Latino population (5.4%) is well below the state average of 13.6%. The Asian population (0.9%) is well below the state average of 2.9%.
Education
25.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 27% 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 94.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Ottawa, 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.
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, Kansas?
Ottawa, Kansas has a population of 12,678 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Ottawa, KS?
The median household income in Ottawa is $71,699, which is 11% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Ottawa, KS?
The poverty rate in Ottawa is 9.1%. This means approximately 1,112 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Ottawa, Kansas?
Ottawa's population is 87.1% White, 1.7% Black, 5.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.9% Asian.
What is the median home value in Ottawa, KS?
The median home value in Ottawa is $166,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.3x.
How educated is Ottawa, Kansas?
25.8% of adults (25+) in Ottawa hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 9.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.