City profile · Kansas · Census ACS 2023

McPherson, KS

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

13,956
Residents
$77,746
Median income
$204,300
Median home
$920
Median rent (state)

McPherson - the verdict

Nationally, McPherson sits in the 59th percentile for household income and the 45th percentile for safety among US cities with a population of 1,000 or more. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

59th
percentile, household income
44th
percentile, home value
7th
percentile, median rent
45th
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: McPherson, KS

13,956 people live in McPherson, Kansas - a small town by U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Median household income here is $77,746 per year, above the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 8.2%. McPherson's housing stock carries a median value of $204,300, and the median resident age is 35.1 years. Educational attainment runs 35.9% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 67.9% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

In 2024, 48 residential building permits were authorized in McPherson (Building Boom), up 92% from five years earlier, per Census BPS data. McPherson reports a comparatively low crime rate: per-100,000 total crime stands at 1530.1 in FBI UCR data, below the national average (a voluntary reporting program, read this as reporting activity, not a definitive danger score). NOAA puts McPherson's yearly average temperature at 55.7°F with 33.6 inches of precipitation per year and 14.2 inches of snowfall.

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. Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $920 monthly. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in Kansas run around $217, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. The average commute for McPherson workers runs 10.1 minutes, with 80.7% driving alone and 5.7% working from home. Natural-hazard exposure scores 39.2 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Very Low).

Population

13,956 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Kansas

Median Household Income

$77,746 /yr

Poverty 8.2%

Cost of Living Index (state)

90.1 (US=100)

Well Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Kansas average

How does McPherson compare to other US cities?

Where McPherson sits among all US cities (population 1,000+) on each measure, computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 59% higher than other cities
Home value 44% pricier than other cities
Median rent 7% pricier than other cities
Safety 45% 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: McPherson ranks #55 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 McPherson against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to Kansas only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

Kansas-relative analysis

Median Home Value is McPherson's strongest outlier among Kansas cities

Among the 527 Kansas cities PlainCities tracks with reported median home value data, McPherson ranks #54 - the 90th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares McPherson only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#92 of 527
83rd percentile in Kansas
Median Gross Rent
#225 of 552
58th percentile in Kansas
Median Home Value
#54 of 527
90th percentile in Kansas
Poverty Rate
#237 of 552
57th percentile in Kansas
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#64 of 552
88th 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.

59thIncome percentile
45thSafety percentile

59th percentile nationally for median household income · 45th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

McPherson's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

McPherson'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 60 Avg. percentile National median
McPherson'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 McPherson's home value compares nationally

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

$204,300 Among the most affordable more affordable than 56% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $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. McPherson $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 - McPherson, KS McPherson, KS's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not McPherson, 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 McPherson, KS median $77,746/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%
McPherson, 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 McPherson, KS. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 35.9%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 8.2%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 67.9%

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

Population
13,956
Median Income
$77,746
Median Home Value
$204,300
Median Age
35.1
Poverty Rate
8.2%
Labor force participation
67.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
35.9%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
1530.1
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
122.7
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
1407.4
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
55.7°F
Annual Precipitation
33.6"
Annual Snowfall
14.2"

Schools

Total Schools
6
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
13,850 residents13,900 residents13,950 residents14,000 residents14,050 residents14,100 residents 202020212022202320242025 14,069 residents 13,918 residents ▼ -1.1%
McPherson's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📈 Building Boom
Total Permits (2024)
48
housing units authorized
Single-Family
26
detached homes
Multifamily
22
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
3.4
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 25
2020 17
2021 25
2022 28
2023 56
2024 48

Permit volume increased 92% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
10.1 minutes
Drive Alone
80.7%
Carpool
7.4%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
4.2%
Work from Home
5.7%
Other
2.0%

Based on 7,768 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 McPherson sits in

Cost of Living Index
90.1
Well Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$920/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
39.2 / 100
Very Low
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Kansas

Great Bend
14,596 people
El Dorado
12,882 people
Ottawa
12,632 people
Andover
15,508 people
Arkansas City
11,909 people
Winfield
11,731 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to McPherson's 13,956 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Teays Valley, WV
13,961 people
Roselle Park, NJ
13,965 people
College Park, GA
13,969 people
McCalla, AL
13,939 people
Brandermill, VA
13,938 people
Rocky Point, NY
13,931 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to McPherson's $77,746 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

West Athens, CA
$77,750 median income
Millsboro, DE
$77,750 median income
Grand Falls Plaza, MO
$77,750 median income
Powers Lake, ND
$77,750 median income
Old Green, OK
$77,750 median income
Leroy, TX
$77,750 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - McPherson, 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 McPherson, KS - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 90.5% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 7.2% White 90.5% Black or African American 2.4% Asian 1.5% American Indian 0.1% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 0.9% Two or more races 4.6% 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 McPherson 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
McPherson (this city) 13,956 $77,746
Great Bend 14,596 $53,323
El Dorado 12,882 $54,828
Ottawa 12,632 $64,655
Census ACS 5-year FIPS KS FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about McPherson, KS?

What is the population of McPherson, KS? +

The population of McPherson, KS stands at 13,956 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

Median annual household income in McPherson runs $77,746, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in McPherson? +

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

McPherson has a total crime rate of 1530.1 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 McPherson, KS? +

Homes in McPherson carry a median value of $204,300, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in McPherson? +

Climate normals put McPherson's yearly average temperature at 55.7°F, 33.6 inches of precipitation, and 14.2 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.