Smith Center, Kansas Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Smith Center, Kansas had a total population of 1,680, the 138th largest city in Kansas, with a median household income of $56,007, which is 25% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 8.4%.
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 1.6x.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 0.5%.
Smith Center Quick Facts
How Smith Center 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 | 1,585 | 1,680 | +6.0% |
| Median household income | $53,963 | $56,007 | +3.8% |
| Median home value | $84,600 | $90,400 | +6.9% |
How Smith Center 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+)
Smith Center Rankings in Kansas
Explore Kansas Rankings
Other Cities in Smith County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kensington | 652 | $54,583 | 10.8% | N/A |
| Lebanon | 191 | $41,250 | 12.0% | $43,500 |
| Gaylord | 70 | $57,083 | 17.1% | $63,300 |
| Athol | 65 | N/A | 0.0% | $68,600 |
Cities Similar to Smith Center
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% |
| Plainville | 1,656 | $59,236 | $82,500 | 27.7% | 2.5% |
| Marion | 1,746 | $58,387 | $108,500 | 28.7% | 11.1% |
| Oberlin | 1,734 | $52,284 | $88,700 | 32.2% | 11.5% |
| Stockton | 1,656 | $62,621 | $95,000 | 15.8% | 6.9% |
Population Overview
Smith Center is a small community located in Kansas, within Smith County. The total population is 1,680. It ranks as the 138th most populous out of 721 Census-designated places in Kansas.
Age Demographics
The median age in Smith Center is 44.7 years. This is 20% higher than the state median of 37.4 years. 12.7% 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 Smith Center is $56,007. This is 25% lower than the state median of $74,275. It is also 31% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 8.4%. This is 26% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.3%. The unemployment rate is 0.5%. This is 87% lower than the state rate of 3.9%. The median home value is $90,400. Housing costs are 58% lower than the state median of $217,200. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.6x, Smith Center is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 82.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 22% higher than the state average of 67.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
Smith Center has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 90.4% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 4.6%. The Black or African American population (0.5%) is well below the state average of 5.1%. The Hispanic or Latino population (4.6%) is well below the state average of 13.6%.
Education
20.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 43% 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 94.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Smith Center, 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 Smith Center, Kansas?
Smith Center, Kansas has a population of 1,680 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Smith Center, KS?
The median household income in Smith Center is $56,007, which is 31% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Smith Center, KS?
The poverty rate in Smith Center is 8.4%. This means approximately 136 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Smith Center, Kansas?
Smith Center's population is 90.4% White, 0.5% Black, 4.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Smith Center, KS?
The median home value in Smith Center is $90,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.6x.
How educated is Smith Center, Kansas?
20.2% of adults (25+) in Smith Center hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.