Plainville, Kansas Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Plainville, Kansas had a total population of 1,656, the 141st largest city in Kansas, with a median household income of $59,236, which is 20% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 2.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 2.5% — among the lowest in Kansas.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.4x.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 1.5%.
Plainville Quick Facts
How Plainville 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 | 1,766 | 1,656 | -6.2% |
| Median household income | $60,526 | $59,236 | -2.1% |
| Median home value | $89,000 | $82,500 | -7.3% |
How Plainville 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+)
Plainville Rankings in Kansas
Explore Kansas Rankings
Other Cities in Rooks County
Cities Similar to Plainville
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elkhart | 1,661 | $56,771 | $101,600 | 12.8% | 16.9% |
| Stockton | 1,656 | $62,621 | $95,000 | 15.8% | 6.9% |
| Smith Center | 1,680 | $56,007 | $90,400 | 20.2% | 8.4% |
| Towanda | 1,668 | $64,327 | $121,500 | 26.3% | 13.5% |
| Medicine Lodge | 1,578 | $59,392 | $97,100 | 24.3% | 5.9% |
Population Overview
Plainville is a small community located in Kansas, within Rooks County. The total population is 1,656. It ranks as the 141st most populous out of 721 Census-designated places in Kansas.
Age Demographics
The median age in Plainville is 41.9 years. This is 12% higher than the state median of 37.4 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Plainville is $59,236. This is 20% lower than the state median of $74,275. It is also 27% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 2.5%. This is 78% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.3%. This exceptionally low poverty rate indicates strong economic prosperity across the community. The unemployment rate is 1.5%. This is 61% lower than the state rate of 3.9%. The median home value is $82,500. Housing costs are 62% lower than the state median of $217,200. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.4x, Plainville is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 74.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 11% higher than the state average of 67.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
Plainville has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 90.7% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 3.5%. The Hispanic or Latino population (3.3%) is well below the state average of 13.6%.
Education
27.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 22% 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 95.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Plainville, 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 Plainville, Kansas?
Plainville, Kansas has a population of 1,656 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Plainville, KS?
The median household income in Plainville is $59,236, which is 27% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Plainville, KS?
The poverty rate in Plainville is 2.5%. This means approximately 41 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Plainville, Kansas?
Plainville's population is 90.7% White, 3.5% Black, 3.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Plainville, KS?
The median home value in Plainville is $82,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.4x.
How educated is Plainville, Kansas?
27.7% of adults (25+) in Plainville hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.