Silver Lake, Kansas Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Silver Lake, Kansas had a total population of 1,553, the 150th largest city in Kansas, with a median household income of $56,834, which is 23% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 5.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Silver Lake Quick Facts
How Silver Lake 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 | 1,549 | 1,553 | +0.3% |
| Median household income | $56,857 | $56,834 | -0.0% |
| Median home value | $168,900 | $169,300 | +0.2% |
How Silver Lake 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+)
Silver Lake Rankings in Kansas
Explore Kansas Rankings
Other Cities in Shawnee County
Cities Similar to Silver Lake
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Medicine Lodge | 1,578 | $59,392 | $97,100 | 24.3% | 5.9% |
| Elkhart | 1,661 | $56,771 | $101,600 | 12.8% | 16.9% |
| Plainville | 1,656 | $59,236 | $82,500 | 27.7% | 2.5% |
| Smith Center | 1,680 | $56,007 | $90,400 | 20.2% | 8.4% |
| Pleasanton | 1,516 | $49,565 | $102,900 | 17.5% | 11.0% |
Population Overview
Silver Lake is a small community located in Kansas, within Shawnee County. The total population is 1,553. It ranks as the 150th most populous out of 721 Census-designated places in Kansas.
Age Demographics
The median age in Silver Lake is 39.3 years. This is 5% higher than the state median of 37.4 years. 18.5% 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 Silver Lake is $56,834. This is 23% lower than the state median of $74,275. It is also 30% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 5.3%. This is 53% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.3%. The survey records no unemployed residents in Silver Lake, which reflects the size of the sample rather than a labor market without joblessness. The median home value is $169,300. Housing costs are 22% lower than the state median of $217,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.0x. 73.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 9% higher than the state average of 67.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
Silver Lake has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 92.4% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 6.0%. The Hispanic or Latino population (6.0%) is well below the state average of 13.6%.
Education
32.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 9% 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 99.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Silver Lake, 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 Silver Lake, Kansas?
Silver Lake, Kansas has a population of 1,553 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Silver Lake, KS?
The median household income in Silver Lake is $56,834, which is 30% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Silver Lake, KS?
The poverty rate in Silver Lake is 5.3%. This means approximately 83 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Silver Lake, Kansas?
Silver Lake's population is 92.4% White, 0.0% Black, 6.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Silver Lake, KS?
The median home value in Silver Lake is $169,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.0x.
How educated is Silver Lake, Kansas?
32.3% of adults (25+) in Silver Lake hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 12.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.