Wichita city, Kansas Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Wichita city, Kansas has a total population of 396,488, the 1st largest city in Kansas, with a median household income of $63,072, which is 13% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 15.9%.
Key Takeaways
- Wichita city is the 1st largest city in Kansas with a population of 396,488.
Wichita city Quick Facts
How Wichita city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 44 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Wichita city Rankings in Kansas
Explore Kansas Rankings
Other Cities in Sedgwick County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bel Aire city | 8,654 | $93,182 | 14.3% | $213,500 |
Cities Similar to Wichita city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overland Park city | 197,199 | $103,838 | $384,400 | 62.8% | 4.9% |
| Kansas City city | 154,776 | $59,183 | $147,100 | 20.2% | 17.9% |
| Topeka city | 126,103 | $55,902 | $130,600 | 29.1% | 15.6% |
| Olathe city | 143,720 | $112,232 | $340,600 | 49.4% | 5.6% |
| Lawrence city | 95,459 | $62,838 | $269,500 | 55.1% | 17.6% |
Population Overview
Wichita city is a major urban center located in Kansas, within Sedgwick County. The total population is 396,488. It ranks as the 1st most populous out of 726 cities and towns in Kansas.
Age Demographics
The median age in Wichita city is 35.7 years. This is 4% lower than the state median of 37.2 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Wichita city is $63,072. This is 13% lower than the state median of $72,639. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 20% lower. The poverty rate stands at 15.9%. This is 38% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.5%. The unemployment rate is 5.7%. This is 46% higher than the state rate of 3.9%. The median home value is $179,500. Housing costs are 12% lower than the state median of $203,400. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.8x, Wichita city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 58.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 13% lower than the state average of 66.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Wichita city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 60.2% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 18.4%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (9.6% vs 5.3%). The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (4.8% vs 2.9%).
Education
30.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 12% lower than the state rate of 35.2%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 88.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Wichita city, Kansas is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against Kansas state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 726 Census-designated places in Kansas. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
Free data download: Get all Kansas city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Wichita city, Kansas?
Wichita city, Kansas has a population of 396,488 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Wichita city, KS?
The median household income in Wichita city is $63,072, which is 20% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Wichita city, KS?
The poverty rate in Wichita city is 15.9%. This means approximately 62,027 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Wichita city, Kansas?
Wichita city's population is 60.2% White, 9.6% Black, 18.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 4.8% Asian.
What is the median home value in Wichita city, KS?
The median home value in Wichita city is $179,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.8x.
How educated is Wichita city, Kansas?
30.9% of adults (25+) in Wichita city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 11.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.