Paola, Kansas Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Paola, Kansas had a total population of 5,770, the 60th largest city in Kansas, with a median household income of $74,662, which is about the same as the state average. The poverty rate is 7.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Paola Quick Facts
How Paola 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 | 5,757 | 5,770 | +0.2% |
| Median household income | $73,281 | $74,662 | +1.9% |
| Median home value | $195,000 | $210,800 | +8.1% |
How Paola 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+)
Paola Rankings in Kansas
Explore Kansas Rankings
Other Cities in Miami County
Cities Similar to Paola
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tonganoxie | 5,891 | $80,109 | $261,700 | 39.4% | 13.2% |
| Mulvane | 6,171 | $74,039 | $176,300 | 33.9% | 8.5% |
| Ulysses | 5,476 | $63,857 | $97,400 | 24.6% | 7.6% |
| Colby | 5,387 | $63,494 | $163,000 | 37.0% | 8.0% |
| Goddard | 6,030 | $94,004 | $242,800 | 35.1% | 1.9% |
Population Overview
Paola is a small city located in Kansas, within Miami County. The total population is 5,770. It ranks as the 60th most populous out of 721 Census-designated places in Kansas.
Age Demographics
The median age in Paola is 45.0 years. This is 20% higher than the state median of 37.4 years. 11.1% 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 Paola is $74,662. This is about the same as the state median of $74,275. It is also 8% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 7.8%. This is 30% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.3%. The unemployment rate is 4.2%. This is 7% higher than the state rate of 3.9%. The median home value is $210,800. Housing costs are 3% lower than the state median of $217,200. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.8x, Paola 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
Paola has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 94.1% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 1.7%. The Black or African American population (1.7%) is well below the state average of 5.1%. The Hispanic or Latino population (1.0%) is well below the state average of 13.6%. The Asian population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 2.9%.
Education
26.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 26% 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 88.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Paola, 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 Paola, Kansas?
Paola, Kansas has a population of 5,770 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Paola, KS?
The median household income in Paola is $74,662, which is 8% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Paola, KS?
The poverty rate in Paola is 7.8%. This means approximately 440 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Paola, Kansas?
Paola's population is 94.1% White, 1.7% Black, 1.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Paola, KS?
The median home value in Paola is $210,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.8x.
How educated is Paola, Kansas?
26.4% of adults (25+) in Paola hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 9.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.