City profile · Kansas · Census ACS 2023

Arkansas City, KS

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Arkansas City - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

11,909
Residents
$53,475
Median income
$81,700
Median home
$877
Median rent (state)

Arkansas City - the verdict

Measured against every US city with at least 1,000 residents, Arkansas City lands in the 25th percentile for household income and the 21st percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

25th
percentile, household income
4th
percentile, home value
2nd
percentile, median rent
21st
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Arkansas City, KS

Kansas's Arkansas City is a small town, with 11,909 residents per the latest Census Bureau ACS figures. The typical household in Arkansas City brings in $53,475 a year, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 14.5%. Home values in Arkansas City run a median of $81,700, and the median resident age is 35.5 years. Educational attainment runs 19.9% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 55.6% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 3 residential units authorized here in 2024 (Construction Slowdown), down 94% from five years earlier. Crime here tracks close to the national norm: per-100,000 total crime stands at 2572.6 in FBI UCR data, near the national average (a voluntary reporting program, read this as reporting activity, not a definitive danger score).

Living costs in Kansas run below the national norm: on BEA's 100-equals-national-average cost index, Kansas scores 90.1 (Well Below Average), per the 2024 Regional Price Parities release. A typical two-bedroom carries a HUD Fair Market Rent of $877 per month statewide. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in Kansas run around $217, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. FEMA's National Risk Index rates natural-hazard exposure at 69.1 out of 100 (Moderate).

Population

11,909 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Kansas

Median Household Income

$53,475 /yr

Poverty 14.5%

Cost of Living Index (state)

90.1 (US=100)

Well Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Kansas average

How does Arkansas City compare to other US cities?

Where Arkansas City sits among all US cities (population 1,000+) on each measure, computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 25% higher than other cities
Home value 4% pricier than other cities
Median rent 2% pricier than other cities
Safety 21% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

Zoom in to just Kansas and the picture shifts: Arkansas City ranks #87 of 109 Kansas cities by lowest crime rate, a different read than the national percentile above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Arkansas City against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to Kansas only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

Kansas-relative analysis

Median Gross Rent places Arkansas City near the bottom of Kansas's cities

Among the 552 Kansas cities PlainCities tracks with reported median gross rent data, Arkansas City ranks #264 - the 0th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Arkansas City only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#354 of 527
33rd percentile in Kansas
Median Gross Rent
#264 of 552
0th percentile in Kansas
Median Home Value
#337 of 527
36th percentile in Kansas
Poverty Rate
#102 of 552
81st percentile in Kansas
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#285 of 552
48th percentile in Kansas

Ranked by raw value (highest first); a higher rank is not automatically "better" for every measure, see each metric's own context above. This is a comparison within Kansas only, not a livability score. See the methodology for the source and calculation.

25thIncome percentile
21stSafety percentile

25th percentile nationally for median household income · 21st percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Arkansas City's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Arkansas City's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 48 Avg. percentile National median
Arkansas City's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Arkansas City's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$81,700 Among the most affordable more affordable than 96% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). This entry sits in this band. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Above this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Above this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Above this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Arkansas City $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Arkansas City, KS Arkansas City, KS's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Arkansas City, KS-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Arkansas City, KS median $53,475/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Arkansas City, KS's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Arkansas City, KS. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 19.9%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 14.5%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 55.6%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
11,909
Median Income
$53,475
Median Home Value
$81,700
Median Age
35.5
Poverty Rate
14.5%
Labor force participation
55.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
19.9%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
2572.6
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
401.7
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
2170.9
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Schools

Total Schools
8
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
11,700 residents11,800 residents11,900 residents12,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 11,968 residents 11,800 residents ▼ -1.4%
Arkansas City's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

📉 Construction Slowdown
Total Permits (2024)
3
housing units authorized
Single-Family
3
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
0.3
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 54
2020 7
2021 31
2022 18
2023 20
2024 3

Permit volume decreased 94% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
77.8%
Carpool
16.0%
Public Transit
0.3%
Walk
1.6%
Work from Home
3.2%
Other
1.1%

Based on 4,979 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for Kansas - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$110
avg/month
Natural Gas
$65
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$42
avg/month
Total Utilities
$217
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Kansas state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a Kansas state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Arkansas City sits in

Cost of Living Index
90.1
Well Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$877/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
69.1 / 100
Moderate
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Kansas

Winfield
11,731 people
Lansing
11,229 people
Ottawa
12,632 people
Haysville
11,117 people
Merriam
11,036 people
El Dorado
12,882 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Arkansas City's 11,909 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Middleburg, FL
11,911 people
Show Low, AZ
11,913 people
Martinsville, IN
11,913 people
Stuarts Draft, VA
11,920 people
Rossmoor, CA
11,895 people
South Miami, FL
11,926 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Arkansas City's $53,475 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Leesburg, AL
$53,472 median income
Rock Island Arsenal, IL
$53,472 median income
Hendrum, MN
$53,472 median income
Catawissa, PA
$53,472 median income
Templeton, PA
$53,472 median income
De Leon Springs, FL
$53,468 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Arkansas City, KS Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Arkansas City, KS - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 77.2% 12.3% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 22.9% White 77.2% Black or African American 3.9% Asian 0.6% American Indian 1.6% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 4.5% Two or more races 12.3% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Arkansas City compares to nearby Kansas cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Arkansas City (this city) 11,909 $53,475
Winfield 11,731 $58,140
Lansing 11,229 $100,871
Ottawa 12,632 $64,655
Census ACS 5-year FIPS KS FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Arkansas City, KS?

What is the population of Arkansas City, KS? +

The population of Arkansas City, KS stands at 11,909 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Arkansas City, KS? +

Median annual household income in Arkansas City runs $53,475, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Arkansas City? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Arkansas City; the closest available measure is the Kansas state average, a cost of living index of 90.1 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Well Below Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Kansas vary by metro area.

Is Arkansas City, KS safe? +

Arkansas City has a total crime rate of 2572.6 per 100,000 residents, which is near the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in Arkansas City, KS? +

Arkansas City's median home value sits at $81,700, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.