Wichita, Kansas Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Wichita, Kansas had a total population of 397,945, the 1st largest city in Kansas, with a median household income of $64,620, which is 13% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 15.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Wichita is the 1st largest city in Kansas with a population of 397,945.
Wichita Quick Facts
How Wichita 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 | 396,488 | 397,945 | +0.4% |
| Median household income | $63,072 | $64,620 | +2.5% |
| Median home value | $179,500 | $190,800 | +6.3% |
How Wichita 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 diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 45 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Wichita Rankings in Kansas
Explore Kansas Rankings
Other Cities in Sedgwick County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Derby | 26,062 | $84,112 | 6.0% | $236,900 |
| Haysville | 11,117 | $67,740 | 11.9% | $161,800 |
| Bel Aire | 9,043 | $97,795 | 11.8% | $238,100 |
| Valley Center | 8,590 | $77,020 | 3.6% | $227,700 |
| Park City | 7,673 | $74,301 | 12.5% | $177,100 |
| Maize | 6,824 | $72,024 | 12.4% | $276,200 |
| Mulvane | 6,171 | $74,039 | 8.5% | $176,300 |
| Goddard | 6,030 | $94,004 | 1.9% | $242,800 |
| Kechi | 2,901 | $113,125 | 3.2% | $288,300 |
| Oaklawn-Sunview | 2,789 | $46,656 | 23.2% | $54,200 |
Cities Similar to Wichita
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overland Park | 200,306 | $104,834 | $413,600 | 63.7% | 5.6% |
| Kansas City | 155,135 | $62,401 | $167,400 | 20.8% | 16.0% |
| Topeka | 125,786 | $56,956 | $144,200 | 29.0% | 15.7% |
| Olathe | 145,057 | $114,009 | $364,700 | 50.5% | 5.6% |
| Lawrence | 96,051 | $65,009 | $292,700 | 55.8% | 17.4% |
Population Overview
Wichita is a major urban center located in Kansas, within Sedgwick County. The total population is 397,945. It ranks as the 1st most populous out of 721 Census-designated places in Kansas.
Age Demographics
The median age in Wichita is 35.7 years. This is 5% lower than the state median of 37.4 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Wichita is $64,620. This is 13% lower than the state median of $74,275. It is also 20% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 15.9%. This is 41% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.3%. The unemployment rate is 5.5%. This is 42% higher than the state rate of 3.9%. The median home value is $190,800. Housing costs are 12% lower than the state median of $217,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.0x. 58.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 12% lower than the state average of 67.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Wichita is White (non-Hispanic), making up 59.5% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 19.0%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (9.3% vs 5.1%). The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (4.9% vs 2.9%).
Education
31.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 13% 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 88.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Wichita, 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.
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, Kansas?
Wichita, Kansas has a population of 397,945 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Wichita, KS?
The median household income in Wichita is $64,620, which is 20% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Wichita, KS?
The poverty rate in Wichita is 15.9%. This means approximately 62,159 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Wichita, Kansas?
Wichita's population is 59.5% White, 9.3% Black, 19.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 4.9% Asian.
What is the median home value in Wichita, KS?
The median home value in Wichita is $190,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.0x.
How educated is Wichita, Kansas?
31.1% of adults (25+) in Wichita hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 11.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.