City profile · Kansas · Census ACS 2023

Manhattan, KS

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

53,951
Residents
$58,441
Median income
$243,700
Median home
$1,068
Median rent (state)

Manhattan - the verdict

Nationally, Manhattan sits in the 33rd percentile for household income among US cities with a population of 1,000 or more. Source: Census ACS.

33rd
percentile, household income
54th
percentile, home value
26th
percentile, median rent
📝 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: Manhattan, KS

53,951 people live in Manhattan, Kansas - a small city by U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Median household income here is $58,441 per year, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 13.5%. Typical homes in Manhattan are valued around $243,700, and the median resident age is 25.2 years. About 52.1% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 63.3% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 105 residential units authorized here in 2024 (Slowing), down 9% from five years earlier. NOAA climate normals record an annual average temperature of 55.0°F with 33.4 inches of precipitation per year.

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 $1,068 monthly. Monthly utility costs average around $217 across Kansas, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. Commute times here average 14.9 minutes, with 68.5% driving alone and 12.3% working from home, per Census ACS commuting data. Natural-hazard exposure scores 58.5 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Moderate).

Population

53,951 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Kansas

Median Household Income

$58,441 /yr

Poverty 13.5%

Cost of Living Index (state)

90.1 (US=100)

Well Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Kansas average

How does Manhattan compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 33% higher than other cities
Home value 54% pricier than other cities
Median rent 26% pricier than other cities

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

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Manhattan 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 is Manhattan's strongest outlier among Kansas cities

Among the 552 Kansas cities PlainCities tracks with reported bachelor's degree or higher data, Manhattan ranks #20 - the 96th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Manhattan only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#287 of 527
46th percentile in Kansas
Median Gross Rent
#99 of 552
80th percentile in Kansas
Median Home Value
#31 of 527
94th percentile in Kansas
Poverty Rate
#120 of 552
78th percentile in Kansas
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#20 of 552
96th 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.

33rdIncome percentile

33rd percentile nationally for median household income. Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

How Manhattan's home value compares nationally

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

$243,700 46th percentile more affordable than 46% 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%). Below this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). This entry sits in this band. $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. Manhattan $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 - Manhattan, KS Manhattan, KS's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Manhattan, 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 Manhattan, KS median $58,441/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%
Manhattan, 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 Manhattan, KS. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 52.1%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 13.5%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 63.3%

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

Population
53,951
Median Income
$58,441
Median Home Value
$243,700
Median Age
25.2
Poverty Rate
13.5%
Labor force participation
63.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
52.1%

Climate

Avg Temperature
55.0°F
Annual Precipitation
33.4"
Annual Snowfall
N/A

Schools

Total Schools
13
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
53,500 residents54,000 residents54,500 residents55,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 54,154 residents 54,673 residents ▲ +1.0%
Manhattan's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

🏗️ Slowing
Total Permits (2024)
105
housing units authorized
Single-Family
70
detached homes
Multifamily
35
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
1.9
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 115
2020 206
2021 68
2022 110
2023 87
2024 105

Permit volume decreased 9% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
14.9 minutes
Drive Alone
68.5%
Carpool
10.6%
Public Transit
0.2%
Walk
6.3%
Work from Home
12.3%
Other
2.1%

Based on 30,262 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 Manhattan sits in

Cost of Living Index
90.1
Well Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,068/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
58.5 / 100
Moderate
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Kansas

Lenexa
57,986 people
Salina
46,432 people
Hutchinson
39,837 people
Shawnee
68,175 people
Leavenworth
37,176 people
Leawood
33,844 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Manhattan's 53,951 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Logan, UT
53,923 people
Pensacola, FL
54,011 people
Colton, CA
53,798 people
Kentwood, MI
54,114 people
Aspen Hill, MD
53,752 people
Diamond Bar, CA
53,750 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Manhattan's $58,441 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Black, AL
$58,438 median income
Loleta, CA
$58,438 median income
Camp Point, IL
$58,438 median income
Stonington, IL
$58,438 median income
Funkstown, MD
$58,438 median income
Athens, MI
$58,438 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Manhattan, 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 Manhattan, KS - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 78.8% 8.3% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 9.3% White 78.8% Black or African American 4.5% Asian 4.3% American Indian 1.3% Native Hawaiian 0.4% Some other race 2.3% Two or more races 8.3% 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 Manhattan 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
Manhattan (this city) 53,951 $58,441
Lenexa 57,986 $102,344
Salina 46,432 $60,624
Hutchinson 39,837 $58,801
Census ACS 5-year FIPS KS NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Manhattan, KS?

What is the population of Manhattan, KS? +

Manhattan, KS has a population of 53,951 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

In Manhattan, the typical household earns $58,441 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Manhattan? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Manhattan; 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.

What is the median home value in Manhattan, KS? +

The median home value in Manhattan is $243,700, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Manhattan? +

Manhattan has an average annual temperature of 55.0°F, 33.4 inches of precipitation. Source: NOAA Climate Normals.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, 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

Verify with HUD →

Verify with FBI →

Verify with NOAA →

Verify with U.S. Census Bureau →

Verify with EPA →

Verify with FEMA →

Verify with BEA →

Verify with EIA →

Verify with NCES →

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.