Smith County, Kansas Demographics 2026
Smith County, Kansas has a population of 3,552, the 76th most populous county in Kansas. The median household income is $59,135 and the median home value is $94,100. The poverty rate is 7.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Smith County Quick Facts
How Smith County 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 | 3,579 | 3,552 | -0.8% |
| Median household income | $57,024 | $59,135 | +3.7% |
| Median home value | $91,000 | $94,100 | +3.4% |
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+)
Cities & Places in Smith County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Smith Center | 1,680 | $56,007 | 8.4% | $90,400 |
| 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 |
Explore Kansas Rankings
Population Overview
Smith County is located in Kansas with a total population of 3,552. It is the 76th most populous county out of 105 in Kansas. The county encompasses 5 Census-designated places.
Age Demographics
The median age in Smith County is 49.1 years. This is 31% higher than the state median of 37.4 years. 12.9% 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 County is $59,135. 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 7.3%. This is 36% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.3%. The unemployment rate is 0.6%. This is 84% lower than the state rate of 3.9%. The median home value is $94,100. Housing costs are 57% lower than the state median of $217,200. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.6x, Smith County is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 84.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 26% higher than the state average of 67.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
Smith County has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 93.3% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 2.6%. The Black or African American population (0.2%) is well below the state average of 5.1%. The Hispanic or Latino population (2.6%) is well below the state average of 13.6%. The Asian population (0.2%) is well below the state average of 2.9%.
Education
25.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 28% 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 95.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All figures for Smith County come from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates, with comparisons drawn against Kansas and national averages from the same dataset. See our methodology page for how each metric is defined, or data.census.gov for official tables with margins of error.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Smith County, Kansas?
Smith County has a population of 3,552, making it the 76th most populous county in Kansas.
What is the median income in Smith County?
The median household income in Smith County is $59,135 with a poverty rate of 7.3%.
How many cities are in Smith County, Kansas?
Smith County contains 5 Census-designated places.