City profile · Kansas · Census ACS 2023

Clearwater, KS

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

2,536
Residents
$72,266
Median income
$191,500
Median home
$1,099
Median rent (state)

Clearwater - the verdict

Measured against every US city with at least 1,000 residents, Clearwater lands in the 53rd percentile for household income and the 87th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

53rd
percentile, household income
40th
percentile, home value
28th
percentile, median rent
87th
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: Clearwater, KS

Census ACS 2023 estimates count 2,536 residents in Clearwater, a small town within Kansas. The typical household in Clearwater brings in $72,266 a year, above the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 10.2%. Clearwater's housing stock carries a median value of $191,500, and the median resident age is 37.0 years. Educational attainment runs 29.3% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 61.5% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

In 2024, 45 residential building permits were authorized in Clearwater (Building Boom), up 275% from five years earlier, per Census BPS data. Clearwater reports a comparatively low crime rate: FBI UCR figures show 455.2 crimes per 100,000 residents, below the national average (reporting is voluntary across agencies, so treat this as reporting activity rather than a definitive danger score).

Living costs in Kansas run below the national norm: the state registers 90.1 on a 100-equals-national-average index (Well Below Average) per BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in this state is $1,099 per month. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in Kansas run around $217, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 96.6 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (Very High).

Population

2,536 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Kansas

Median Household Income

$72,266 /yr

Poverty 10.2%

Cost of Living Index (state)

90.1 (US=100)

Well Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Kansas average

How does Clearwater compare to other US cities?

Clearwater measured against every US city with 1,000+ residents, computed live from the same Census and FBI data shown throughout this page.

Household income 53% higher than other cities
Home value 40% pricier than other cities
Median rent 28% pricier than other cities
Safety 87% 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: Clearwater ranks #9 of 109 Kansas cities by lowest crime rate, a different read than the national percentile above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

For each metric we count every US city with population 1,000+ and a non-null value, then compute what share of them fall below Clearwater's value: round(cities-below ÷ total × 100). Safety is inverted (percentile = share of cities with a higher crime rate) so a higher number always means safer. The in-state rank narrows that same crime-rate comparison to only the cities PlainCities tracks in Kansas, breaking ties alphabetically. See the methodology page for the full source-to-figure lineage.

53rdIncome percentile
87thSafety percentile

53rd percentile nationally for median household income · 87th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Clearwater's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Clearwater'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 69 Avg. percentile National median
Clearwater'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 Clearwater's home value compares nationally

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

$191,500 Among the most affordable more affordable than 60% 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%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). This entry sits in this band. $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. Clearwater $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 - Clearwater, KS Clearwater, KS's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Clearwater, 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 Clearwater, KS median $72,266/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%
Clearwater, 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 Clearwater, KS. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 29.3%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 10.2%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 61.5%

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

Population
2,536
Median Income
$72,266
Median Home Value
$191,500
Median Age
37.0
Poverty Rate
10.2%
Labor force participation
61.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
29.3%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
455.2
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
37.9
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
417.3
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
3
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
2,600 residents2,650 residents2,700 residents2,750 residents2,800 residents2,850 residents 202020212022202320242025 2,662 residents 2,792 residents ▲ +4.9%
Clearwater's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📈 Building Boom
Total Permits (2024)
45
housing units authorized
Single-Family
35
detached homes
Multifamily
10
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
17.7
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 12
2020 2
2021 6
2022 7
2023 20
2024 45

Permit volume increased 275% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
83.4%
Carpool
7.4%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
0.8%
Work from Home
7.4%
Other
1.0%

Based on 1,132 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 Clearwater sits in

Cost of Living Index
90.1
Well Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,099/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
96.6 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Kansas

Holcomb
2,582 people
Council Grove
2,487 people
Burlington
2,615 people
Halstead
2,435 people
Hoisington
2,660 people
Sterling
2,396 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Clearwater's 2,536 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Brighton, IL
2,536 people
Highlands, CA
2,535 people
Tilton, IL
2,537 people
Fearrington, NC
2,535 people
Pine Canyon, CA
2,538 people
South Taft, CA
2,534 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Clearwater's $72,266 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Bertrand, NE
$72,266 median income
Abbottstown, PA
$72,266 median income
Ivins, UT
$72,263 median income
Ickesburg, PA
$72,262 median income
Fowler, MI
$72,261 median income
Blakeslee, OH
$72,273 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Clearwater, 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 Clearwater, KS - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 91.1% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 2.8% White 91.1% Black or African American 0.4% Asian 2.1% American Indian 0.2% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 0.4% Two or more races 5.7% 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 Clearwater 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
Clearwater (this city) 2,536 $72,266
Holcomb 2,582 $85,938
Council Grove 2,487 $56,211
Burlington 2,615 $52,083
Census ACS 5-year FIPS KS FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Clearwater, KS?

What is the population of Clearwater, KS? +

2,536 people live in Clearwater, KS according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Clearwater, KS? +

Clearwater households earn a median of $72,266 annually, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Clearwater? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Clearwater; 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 Clearwater, KS safe? +

Clearwater has a total crime rate of 455.2 per 100,000 residents, which is below 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 Clearwater, KS? +

The median home value in Clearwater is $191,500, 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 Editorial

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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.