City profile · Kansas · Census ACS 2023

Ottawa, KS

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

12,632
Residents
$64,655
Median income
$165,700
Median home
$1,020
Median rent (state)

Ottawa - the verdict

Out of every US city with 1,000+ residents, Ottawa places in the 42nd percentile for household income and the 54th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

42nd
percentile, household income
32nd
percentile, home value
21st
percentile, median rent
54th
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: Ottawa, KS

12,632 people live in Ottawa, Kansas - a small town by U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. The typical household in Ottawa brings in $64,655 a year, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 9.7%. Typical homes in Ottawa are valued around $165,700, and the median resident age is 36.5 years. Educational attainment runs 27.5% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 65.8% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Housing supply pressure shows in Census Building Permit Survey data: 50 residential units were authorized in 2024 (Rapid Growth), up 43% from five years earlier. Ottawa reports a comparatively low crime rate: per-100,000 total crime stands at 1259.7 in FBI UCR data, below the national average (a voluntary reporting program, read this as reporting activity, not a definitive danger score). The annual average temperature per NOAA climate normals runs 54.5°F with 39.9 inches of precipitation per year and 9.2 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 $1,020 monthly. Monthly utility costs average around $217 across Kansas, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. Commute times here average 19.5 minutes, with 75.8% driving alone and 9.3% working from home, per Census ACS commuting data. FEMA's National Risk Index rates natural-hazard exposure at 43.7 out of 100 (Low).

Population

12,632 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Kansas

Median Household Income

$64,655 /yr

Poverty 9.7%

Cost of Living Index (state)

90.1 (US=100)

Well Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Kansas average

How does Ottawa compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 42% higher than other cities
Home value 32% pricier than other cities
Median rent 21% pricier than other cities
Safety 54% 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: Ottawa ranks #45 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 Ottawa'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.

42ndIncome percentile
54thSafety percentile

42nd percentile nationally for median household income · 54th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Ottawa's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Ottawa'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 57 Avg. percentile National median
Ottawa'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 Ottawa's home value compares nationally

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

$165,700 Among the most affordable more affordable than 68% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $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. Ottawa $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 - Ottawa, KS Ottawa, KS's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Ottawa, 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 Ottawa, KS median $64,655/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%
Ottawa, 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 Ottawa, KS. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 27.5%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 9.7%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 65.8%

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

Population
12,632
Median Income
$64,655
Median Home Value
$165,700
Median Age
36.5
Poverty Rate
9.7%
Labor force participation
65.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
27.5%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
1259.7
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
149.6
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
1110.1
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
54.5°F
Annual Precipitation
39.9"
Annual Snowfall
9.2"

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 →
12,550 residents12,600 residents12,650 residents12,700 residents12,750 residents 202020212022202320242025 12,632 residents 12,716 residents ▲ +0.7%
Ottawa's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📈 Rapid Growth
Total Permits (2024)
50
housing units authorized
Single-Family
40
detached homes
Multifamily
10
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
4
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 35
2020 45
2021 37
2022 41
2023 45
2024 50

Permit volume increased 43% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
19.5 minutes
Drive Alone
75.8%
Carpool
9.0%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
1.5%
Work from Home
9.3%
Other
4.4%

Based on 6,359 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 Ottawa sits in

Cost of Living Index
90.1
Well Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,020/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
43.7 / 100
Low
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Kansas

El Dorado
12,882 people
Arkansas City
11,909 people
Winfield
11,731 people
McPherson
13,956 people
Lansing
11,229 people
Haysville
11,117 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Ottawa's 12,632 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Minooka, IL
12,632 people
Sedro-Woolley, WA
12,633 people
Blackfoot, ID
12,628 people
Wilmington, OH
12,637 people
Wickliffe, OH
12,639 people
Diamond Springs, CA
12,642 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Ottawa's $64,655 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Rosita, TX
$64,654 median income
South Miami Heights, FL
$64,657 median income
Airway Heights, WA
$64,659 median income
Crystal City, MO
$64,650 median income
Pevely, MO
$64,660 median income
Winchester, VA
$64,648 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Ottawa, 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 Ottawa, KS - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 90.5% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 4.1% White 90.5% Black or African American 1.4% Asian 1.1% American Indian 0.5% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 0.8% Two or more races 5.8% 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 Ottawa 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
Ottawa (this city) 12,632 $64,655
El Dorado 12,882 $54,828
Arkansas City 11,909 $53,475
Winfield 11,731 $58,140
Census ACS 5-year FIPS KS FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Ottawa, KS?

What is the population of Ottawa, KS? +

Ottawa, KS counts 12,632 residents according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

Ottawa households earn a median of $64,655 annually, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Ottawa? +

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

Ottawa has a total crime rate of 1259.7 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 Ottawa, KS? +

The median home value in Ottawa is $165,700, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Ottawa? +

Climate normals put Ottawa's yearly average temperature at 54.5°F, 39.9 inches of precipitation, and 9.2 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 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.