Plains, Kansas Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Plains, Kansas had a total population of 1,171, the 176th largest city in Kansas, with a median household income of $71,136, which is 4% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 18.5%.
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 2.1x.
Plains Quick Facts
How Plains 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 | 1,308 | 1,171 | -10.5% |
| Median household income | $75,500 | $71,136 | -5.8% |
| Median home value | $127,700 | $151,400 | +18.6% |
How Plains 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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 45 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Plains Rankings in Kansas
Explore Kansas Rankings
Other Cities in Meade County
Cities Similar to Plains
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. John | 1,172 | $73,929 | $94,600 | 26.7% | 12.0% |
| Ness City | 1,162 | $64,583 | $116,600 | 29.6% | 11.5% |
| Overbrook | 1,113 | $68,958 | $146,300 | 28.7% | 6.5% |
| Highland | 1,069 | $72,083 | $114,400 | 37.6% | 8.4% |
| Alma | 1,063 | $71,875 | $136,900 | 23.4% | 4.8% |
Population Overview
Plains is a small community located in Kansas, within Meade County. The total population is 1,171. It ranks as the 176th most populous out of 721 Census-designated places in Kansas.
Age Demographics
The median age in Plains is 26.6 years. This is 29% lower than the state median of 37.4 years. With 33.6% of the population under 18, Plains has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Plains is $71,136. This is 4% lower than the state median of $74,275. It is also 12% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 18.5%. This is 64% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.3%. The unemployment rate is 2.8%. This is 27% lower than the state rate of 3.9%. The median home value is $151,400. Housing costs are 30% lower than the state median of $217,200. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.1x, Plains is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 72.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 8% higher than the state average of 67.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Plains is White (non-Hispanic), making up 55.1% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 43.6%. The Black or African American population (0.8%) is well below the state average of 5.1%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (43.6% vs 13.6%).
Education
21.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 41% 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 79.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Plains, 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 Plains, Kansas?
Plains, Kansas has a population of 1,171 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Plains, KS?
The median household income in Plains is $71,136, which is 12% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Plains, KS?
The poverty rate in Plains is 18.5%. This means approximately 217 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Plains, Kansas?
Plains's population is 55.1% White, 0.8% Black, 43.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Plains, KS?
The median home value in Plains is $151,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.1x.
How educated is Plains, Kansas?
21.1% of adults (25+) in Plains hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 12.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.