Parsons, Kansas Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Parsons, Kansas had a total population of 9,425, the 37th largest city in Kansas, with a median household income of $52,428, which is 29% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 20.9%.
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 1.4x.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 2.2%.
Parsons Quick Facts
How Parsons 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 | 9,482 | 9,425 | -0.6% |
| Median household income | $50,838 | $52,428 | +3.1% |
| Median home value | $70,300 | $71,700 | +2.0% |
How Parsons 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+)
Parsons Rankings in Kansas
Explore Kansas Rankings
Other Cities in Labette County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oswego | 1,937 | $53,750 | 22.8% | $82,700 |
| 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 Parsons
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chanute | 8,598 | $50,882 | $78,000 | 21.6% | 17.3% |
| Fort Riley | 8,606 | $54,362 | N/A | 18.2% | 10.7% |
| Independence | 8,422 | $51,069 | $88,800 | 28.7% | 18.4% |
| Augusta | 9,216 | $64,919 | $175,500 | 23.9% | 11.9% |
| Coffeyville | 8,662 | $45,670 | $60,800 | 14.5% | 21.1% |
Population Overview
Parsons is a small city located in Kansas, within Labette County. The total population is 9,425. It ranks as the 37th most populous out of 721 Census-designated places in Kansas.
Age Demographics
The median age in Parsons is 42.4 years. This is 13% higher than the state median of 37.4 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Parsons is $52,428. This is 29% lower than the state median of $74,275. It is also 35% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 20.9%. This is 86% 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 2.2%. This is 44% lower than the state rate of 3.9%. The median home value is $71,700. Housing costs are 67% lower than the state median of $217,200. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.4x, Parsons is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 68.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 2% higher than the state average of 67.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Parsons is White (non-Hispanic), making up 81.8% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 5.7%. The Hispanic or Latino population (5.7%) is well below the state average of 13.6%. The Asian population (0.0%) is well below the state average of 2.9%.
Education
21.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 39% 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 Parsons, 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 Parsons, Kansas?
Parsons, Kansas has a population of 9,425 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Parsons, KS?
The median household income in Parsons is $52,428, which is 35% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Parsons, KS?
The poverty rate in Parsons is 20.9%. This means approximately 1,929 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Parsons, Kansas?
Parsons's population is 81.8% White, 4.9% Black, 5.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Parsons, KS?
The median home value in Parsons is $71,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.4x.
How educated is Parsons, Kansas?
21.7% of adults (25+) in Parsons hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 8.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.