City profile · Kansas · Census ACS 2023

Emporia, KS

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

24,098
Residents
$52,787
Median income
$127,500
Median home
$877
Median rent (state)

Emporia - the verdict

Emporia ranks in the 24th percentile for household income and the 20th percentile for safety nationally, out of every US city with at least 1,000 residents. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

24th
percentile, household income
20th
percentile, home value
2nd
percentile, median rent
20th
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: Emporia, KS

Kansas's Emporia is a small city, with 24,098 residents per the latest Census Bureau ACS figures. Emporia households earn a median of $52,787 annually, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 11.0%. Home values in Emporia run a median of $127,500, and the median resident age is 30.2 years. 25.8% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 66.3% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

In 2024, 9 residential building permits were authorized in Emporia (Construction Slowdown), down 85% from five years earlier, per Census BPS data. Crime here tracks close to the national norm: FBI UCR figures show 2671.2 crimes per 100,000 residents, near the national average (reporting is voluntary across agencies, so treat this as reporting activity rather than a definitive danger score). NOAA puts Emporia's yearly average temperature at 53.8°F with 35.8 inches of precipitation per year.

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 $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 47.6 out of 100 (Low).

Population

24,098 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Kansas

Median Household Income

$52,787 /yr

Poverty 11.0%

Cost of Living Index (state)

90.1 (US=100)

Well Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Kansas average

How does Emporia compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 24% higher than other cities
Home value 20% pricier than other cities
Median rent 2% pricier than other cities
Safety 20% 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: Emporia ranks #92 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 Emporia'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.

24thIncome percentile
20thSafety percentile

24th percentile nationally for median household income · 20th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Emporia's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Emporia'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
Emporia'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 Emporia's home value compares nationally

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

$127,500 Among the most affordable more affordable than 80% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $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. Emporia $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 - Emporia, KS Emporia, KS's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Emporia, 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 Emporia, KS median $52,787/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%
Emporia, 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 Emporia, KS. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 25.8%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 11.0%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 66.3%

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

Population
24,098
Median Income
$52,787
Median Home Value
$127,500
Median Age
30.2
Poverty Rate
11.0%
Labor force participation
66.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
25.8%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
2671.2
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
369.2
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
2302.0
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
53.8°F
Annual Precipitation
35.8"
Annual Snowfall
N/A

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 →
24,000 residents24,100 residents24,200 residents24,300 residents 202020212022202320242025 24,101 residents 24,137 residents ▲ +0.1%
Emporia's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📉 Construction Slowdown
Total Permits (2024)
9
housing units authorized
Single-Family
9
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
0.4
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 60
2020 30
2021 64
2022 10
2023 44
2024 9

Permit volume decreased 85% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
73.9%
Carpool
13.1%
Public Transit
0.2%
Walk
5.4%
Work from Home
6.3%
Other
1.1%

Based on 12,360 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 Emporia 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
47.6 / 100
Low
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Kansas

Gardner
24,020 people
Prairie
22,937 people
Junction City
22,431 people
Derby
25,801 people
Hays
21,078 people
Pittsburg
20,606 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Emporia's 24,098 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Wekiwa Springs, FL
24,109 people
Fresno, TX
24,087 people
Middletown, DE
24,071 people
Shelbyville, TN
24,125 people
Collinsville, IL
24,126 people
Bay Point, CA
24,065 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Emporia's $52,787 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Radford, VA
$52,791 median income
Viborg, SD
$52,794 median income
Lawrenceburg, IN
$52,778 median income
Redwood, MS
$52,796 median income
New Cambria, MO
$52,778 median income
Hyndman, PA
$52,778 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Emporia, 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 Emporia, KS - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 69.0% 21.0% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 29.7% White 69.0% Black or African American 2.0% Asian 2.4% American Indian 0.4% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 5.2% Two or more races 21.0% 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 Emporia 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
Emporia (this city) 24,098 $52,787
Gardner 24,020 $92,579
Prairie 22,937 $107,664
Junction City 22,431 $60,317
Census ACS 5-year FIPS KS FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Emporia, KS?

What is the population of Emporia, KS? +

Emporia, KS counts 24,098 residents according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

In Emporia, the typical household earns $52,787 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Emporia? +

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

Emporia has a total crime rate of 2671.2 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 Emporia, KS? +

The median home value in Emporia is $127,500, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Emporia? +

Emporia has an average annual temperature of 53.8°F, 35.8 inches of precipitation. 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 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.