City profile · Kansas · Census ACS 2023

Oberlin, KS

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

1,763
Residents
$47,813
Median income
$77,400
Median home
$877
Median rent (state)

Oberlin - the verdict

Out of every US city with 1,000+ residents, Oberlin places in the 16th percentile for household income and the 66th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

16th
percentile, household income
3rd
percentile, home value
2nd
percentile, median rent
66th
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: Oberlin, KS

Oberlin is a small town in Kansas, home to 1,763 residents per U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Median household income here is $47,813 per year, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 8.3%. Oberlin's housing stock carries a median value of $77,400, and the median resident age is 53.2 years. Educational attainment runs 31.6% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 55.4% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

In 2024, 2 residential building permits were authorized in Oberlin (Low Activity), per Census BPS data. Oberlin reports a comparatively low crime rate: FBI UCR figures show 939.9 crimes per 100,000 residents, below the national average (reporting is voluntary across agencies, so treat this as reporting activity rather than a definitive danger score). NOAA climate normals record an annual average temperature of 52.1°F with 21.8 inches of precipitation per year and 25.2 inches of snowfall.

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). 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). Natural-hazard exposure scores 11.3 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Very Low).

Population

1,763 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Kansas

Median Household Income

$47,813 /yr

Poverty 8.3%

Cost of Living Index (state)

90.1 (US=100)

Well Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Kansas average

How does Oberlin compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 16% higher than other cities
Home value 3% pricier than other cities
Median rent 2% pricier than other cities
Safety 66% safer than other cities

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

National percentiles can mask local variation. Looking only at Kansas, Oberlin ranks #30 of 109 Kansas cities by lowest crime rate - a narrower, more locally useful cut than the national comparison above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

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

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

Median Household Income
#431 of 527
18th percentile in Kansas
Median Gross Rent
#264 of 552
0th percentile in Kansas
Median Home Value
#364 of 527
31st percentile in Kansas
Poverty Rate
#234 of 552
57th percentile in Kansas
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#98 of 552
82nd 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.

16thIncome percentile
66thSafety percentile

16th percentile nationally for median household income · 66th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Oberlin's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Oberlin'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
Oberlin'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 Oberlin's home value compares nationally

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

$77,400 Among the most affordable more affordable than 97% 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. Oberlin $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 - Oberlin, KS Oberlin, KS's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Oberlin, 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 Oberlin, KS median $47,813/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%
Oberlin, 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 Oberlin, KS. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 31.6%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 8.3%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 55.4%

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

Population
1,763
Median Income
$47,813
Median Home Value
$77,400
Median Age
53.2
Poverty Rate
8.3%
Labor force participation
55.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
31.6%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
939.9
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
501.3
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
438.6
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.

Climate

Avg Temperature
52.1°F
Annual Precipitation
21.8"
Annual Snowfall
25.2"

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 →
1,580 residents1,600 residents1,620 residents1,640 residents 202020212022202320242025 1,628 residents 1,606 residents ▼ -1.4%
Oberlin's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

🏗️ Low Activity
Total Permits (2024)
2
housing units authorized
Single-Family
2
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
1.1
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 0
2020 0
2021 1
2022 0
2023 3
2024 2

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
67.4%
Carpool
1.7%
Public Transit
6.1%
Walk
3.1%
Work from Home
21.6%

Based on 801 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 Oberlin 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
11.3 / 100
Very Low
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Kansas

Plainville
1,766 people
Oswego
1,770 people
Towanda
1,748 people
Edgerton
1,787 people
Elkhart
1,732 people
Grandview Plaza
1,801 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Oberlin's 1,763 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Cassopolis, MI
1,763 people
North Lewisburg, OH
1,763 people
Blossburg, PA
1,763 people
Cameron, WI
1,763 people
Red Lake, AZ
1,764 people
Monon, IN
1,764 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Oberlin's $47,813 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Barnes City, IA
$47,813 median income
Chatham, MI
$47,813 median income
Daggett, MI
$47,813 median income
Kingsville, OH
$47,813 median income
Niles, MI
$47,815 median income
Hillsdale, MI
$47,817 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Oberlin, 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 Oberlin, KS - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 91.3% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 4.3% White 91.3% Black or African American 1.8% Asian 0.0% American Indian 0.5% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 3.0% Two or more races 3.5% 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 Oberlin 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
Oberlin (this city) 1,763 $47,813
Plainville 1,766 $60,526
Oswego 1,770 $51,701
Towanda 1,748 $71,048
Census ACS 5-year FIPS KS FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Oberlin, KS?

What is the population of Oberlin, KS? +

Oberlin, KS counts 1,763 residents according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

Median annual household income in Oberlin runs $47,813, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Oberlin? +

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

Oberlin has a total crime rate of 939.9 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 Oberlin, KS? +

A typical home in Oberlin is worth $77,400, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Oberlin? +

Oberlin has an average annual temperature of 52.1°F, 21.8 inches of precipitation, and 25.2 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.