City profile · Kansas · Census ACS 2023

Elwood, KS

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

1,169
Residents
$66,364
Median income
$90,000
Median home
$1,077
Median rent (state)

Elwood - the verdict

Elwood ranks in the 45th percentile for household income and the 3rd percentile for safety nationally, out of every US city with at least 1,000 residents. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

45th
percentile, household income
6th
percentile, home value
26th
percentile, median rent
3rd
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: Elwood, KS

Census ACS 2023 estimates count 1,169 residents in Elwood, a small town within Kansas. Elwood households earn a median of $66,364 annually, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 9.2%. Home values in Elwood run a median of $90,000, and the median resident age is 30.1 years. Educational attainment runs 5.1% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 62.8% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

In 2024, 0 residential building permits were authorized in Elwood (No Permits), per Census BPS data. Elwood's reported crime rate runs above the national norm: FBI UCR reporting places total crime at 5427.1 incidents per 100,000 residents, above the national average (voluntary agency reporting, reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score).

Living costs in Kansas run below the national norm: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 puts Kansas at 90.1 on a 100-equals-national-average scale (Well Below Average). A typical two-bedroom carries a HUD Fair Market Rent of $1,077 per month statewide. Monthly utility costs average around $217 across Kansas, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 14.0 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (Very Low).

Population

1,169 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Kansas

Median Household Income

$66,364 /yr

Poverty 9.2%

Cost of Living Index (state)

90.1 (US=100)

Well Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Kansas average

How does Elwood compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 45% higher than other cities
Home value 6% pricier than other cities
Median rent 26% pricier than other cities
Safety 3% 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: Elwood ranks #108 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 Elwood against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to Kansas only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

Kansas-relative analysis

Bachelor's Degree or Higher places Elwood near the bottom of Kansas's cities

Among the 552 Kansas cities PlainCities tracks with reported bachelor's degree or higher data, Elwood ranks #515 - the 7th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Elwood only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#184 of 527
65th percentile in Kansas
Median Gross Rent
#92 of 552
82nd percentile in Kansas
Median Home Value
#285 of 527
45th percentile in Kansas
Poverty Rate
#213 of 552
61st percentile in Kansas
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#515 of 552
7th 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
3rdSafety percentile

45th percentile nationally for median household income · 3rd percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Elwood's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Elwood'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 44 Avg. percentile National median
Elwood'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 Elwood's home value compares nationally

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

$90,000 Among the most affordable more affordable than 94% 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. Elwood $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 - Elwood, KS Elwood, KS's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Elwood, 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 Elwood, KS median $66,364/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%
Elwood, 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 Elwood, KS. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 5.1%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 9.2%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 62.8%

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

Population
1,169
Median Income
$66,364
Median Home Value
$90,000
Median Age
30.1
Poverty Rate
9.2%
Labor force participation
62.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
5.1%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
5427.1
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
1512.5
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
3914.6
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
2
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
1,110 residents1,120 residents1,130 residents1,140 residents 202020212022202320242025 1,113 residents 1,137 residents ▲ +2.2%
Elwood's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

Total Permits (2024)
0
housing units authorized
Single-Family
0
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 0
2020 1
2021 0
2022 0
2023 0
2024 0

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
77.7%
Carpool
13.7%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
2.9%
Work from Home
5.7%

Based on 546 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 Elwood sits in

Cost of Living Index
90.1
Well Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,077/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
14.0 / 100
Very Low
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Kansas

Oskaloosa
1,172 people
Rossville
1,183 people
Lyndon
1,184 people
Auburn
1,185 people
Peabody
1,152 people
Americus
1,147 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Elwood's 1,169 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Mineral Springs, AR
1,169 people
Morocco, IN
1,169 people
Burlington, ND
1,169 people
Branchville, SC
1,169 people
Blair, WI
1,169 people
Nahunta, GA
1,168 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Elwood's $66,364 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Nord, CA
$66,360 median income
Shadybrook, TX
$66,373 median income
Casa Grande, AZ
$66,354 median income
Langleyville, IL
$66,375 median income
Wykoff, MN
$66,375 median income
Ingram, PA
$66,375 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Elwood, 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 Elwood, KS - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 88.4% 9.1% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 11.1% White 88.4% Black or African American 1.4% Asian 0.0% American Indian 0.4% Native Hawaiian 0.5% Some other race 0.3% Two or more races 9.1% 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 Elwood 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
Elwood (this city) 1,169 $66,364
Oskaloosa 1,172 $79,250
Rossville 1,183 $58,287
Lyndon 1,184 $70,625
Census ACS 5-year FIPS KS FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Elwood, KS?

What is the population of Elwood, KS? +

1,169 people live in Elwood, KS according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

The median household income in Elwood is $66,364 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Elwood? +

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

Elwood has a total crime rate of 5427.1 per 100,000 residents, which is above 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 Elwood, KS? +

A typical home in Elwood is worth $90,000, 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.