City profile · Kansas · Census ACS 2023

Colby, KS

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

5,389
Residents
$66,731
Median income
$150,700
Median home
$877
Median rent (state)

Colby - the verdict

Nationally, Colby sits in the 45th percentile for household income and the 60th percentile for safety among US cities with a population of 1,000 or more. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

45th
percentile, household income
27th
percentile, home value
2nd
percentile, median rent
60th
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: Colby, KS

Census ACS 2023 estimates count 5,389 residents in Colby, a small town within Kansas. The typical household in Colby brings in $66,731 a year, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 5.9%. Typical homes in Colby are valued around $150,700, and the median resident age is 32.7 years. Educational attainment runs 29.9% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 69.1% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 5 residential units authorized here in 2024 (Building Boom), up 67% from five years earlier. Colby reports a comparatively low crime rate: the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program logs 1093.6 total incidents per 100,000 residents here, below the national average (agency reporting is voluntary, so this measures reporting activity, not a definitive danger score). The annual average temperature per NOAA climate normals runs 51.8°F with 20.4 inches of precipitation per year and 27.2 inches of snowfall.

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. Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $877 monthly. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts Kansas's average monthly utility costs around $217 (state average). On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 9.4 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (Very Low).

Population

5,389 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Kansas

Median Household Income

$66,731 /yr

Poverty 5.9%

Cost of Living Index (state)

90.1 (US=100)

Well Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Kansas average

How does Colby compare to other US cities?

Here's how Colby stacks up against the full field of US cities (population 1,000+), computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 45% higher than other cities
Home value 27% pricier than other cities
Median rent 2% pricier than other cities
Safety 60% safer than other cities

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

A national percentile can hide a lot of local variation: narrowed to Kansas alone, Colby ranks #38 of 109 Kansas cities by lowest crime rate - a different, more locally useful comparison than stacking it against the entire country.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Colby 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 Colby near the bottom of Kansas's cities

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

Median Household Income
#179 of 527
66th percentile in Kansas
Median Gross Rent
#264 of 552
0th percentile in Kansas
Median Home Value
#117 of 527
78th percentile in Kansas
Poverty Rate
#304 of 552
44th percentile in Kansas
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#112 of 552
80th 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.

45thIncome percentile
60thSafety percentile

45th percentile nationally for median household income · 60th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Colby's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Colby'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 64 Avg. percentile National median
Colby'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 Colby's home value compares nationally

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

$150,700 Among the most affordable more affordable than 73% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $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. Colby $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 - Colby, KS Colby, KS's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Colby, 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 Colby, KS median $66,731/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%
Colby, 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 Colby, KS. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 29.9%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 5.9%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 69.1%

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

Population
5,389
Median Income
$66,731
Median Home Value
$150,700
Median Age
32.7
Poverty Rate
5.9%
Labor force participation
69.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
29.9%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
1093.6
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
233.1
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
860.5
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.

Climate

Avg Temperature
51.8°F
Annual Precipitation
20.4"
Annual Snowfall
27.2"

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 →
5,450 residents5,500 residents5,550 residents5,600 residents5,650 residents 202020212022202320242025 5,605 residents 5,489 residents ▼ -2.1%
Colby's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📈 Building Boom
Total Permits (2024)
5
housing units authorized
Single-Family
5
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
0.9
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 3
2020 1
2021 16
2022 12
2023 5
2024 5

Permit volume increased 67% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
80.9%
Carpool
6.6%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
3.4%
Work from Home
8.8%

Based on 2,789 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 Colby 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
9.4 / 100
Very Low
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Kansas

Iola
5,368 people
Goddard
5,361 people
Tonganoxie
5,693 people
Concordia
5,067 people
Louisburg
5,034 people
Paola
5,757 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Colby's 5,389 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Old Fig Garden, CA
5,387 people
Marlene, OR
5,391 people
Sansom Park, TX
5,387 people
Sheldon, IA
5,386 people
Layhill, MD
5,392 people
Cameron, TX
5,385 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Colby's $66,731 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Tilden, NE
$66,731 median income
Linn, TX
$66,731 median income
Oracle, AZ
$66,729 median income
King City, OR
$66,728 median income
Madison Heights, MI
$66,726 median income
Edgerton, MN
$66,739 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Colby, 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 Colby, KS - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 91.5% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 8.5% White 91.5% Black or African American 1.8% Asian 0.2% American Indian 0.0% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 4.0% Two or more races 2.4% 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 Colby 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
Colby (this city) 5,389 $66,731
Iola 5,368 $50,417
Goddard 5,361 $92,220
Tonganoxie 5,693 $77,500
Census ACS 5-year FIPS KS FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Colby, KS?

What is the population of Colby, KS? +

The population of Colby, KS stands at 5,389 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

Median annual household income in Colby runs $66,731, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Colby? +

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

Colby has a total crime rate of 1093.6 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 Colby, KS? +

A typical home in Colby is worth $150,700, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Colby? +

Climate normals put Colby's yearly average temperature at 51.8°F, 20.4 inches of precipitation, and 27.2 inches of snowfall per year. Source: NOAA Climate Normals.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, 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.