County · Kansas
Bourbon County, Kansas
Bourbon County, Kansas. Bourbon County had 14,319 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 0.3% since 2020, while Kansas grew 1.3%. It holds 19 places (6 cities, villages and boroughs, 11 towns and townships and 2 census-designated) and 5 census tracts. GEOID 20011.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
14,319
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 14,360 · ACS 2020-2024: 14,394
Median household income
$59,238
±$7,304 (90% margin)
Kansas: $74,275
Median home value
$113,800
±$7,418 (90% margin)
Kansas: $217,200
Median gross rent
$752
±$47 (90% margin)
Kansas: $1,060
How many people live in Bourbon County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 14,360 residents in Bourbon County. The Census Bureau estimates 14,319 for July 1, 2025, down 0.3% since 2020, while Kansas grew 1.3%. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 14,394 over 635 square miles of land.
| Measure | Bourbon County | Kansas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 14,394 | 2,947,197 | −214 |
| Households | 5,840±205 | 1,174,060 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.40±0.08 | 2.44 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 6,756±29 | 1,293,635 | −358 |
Bourbon County's population since 2000
From 15,379 in 2000 to 14,319 in 2025: down 6.9%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Bourbon County?
Bourbon County holds 19 places: 6 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places), 11 towns and townships (county subdivisions with their own government) and 2 census-designated places. The largest is Fort Scott with 7,500 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Fort Scott | 7,552 | $52,159 |
|---|---|---|
| Scott Township, Bourbon County | 2,219 | $72,109 |
| Marion Township, Bourbon County | 1,110 | $70,714 |
| Marmaton Township, Bourbon CountyGEOID 2001144900 | 724 | $110,625 |
| Freedom Township, Bourbon CountyGEOID 2001124600 | 585 | $51,875 |
| Mill Creek Township, Bourbon CountyGEOID 2001146675 | 488 | $54,545 |
| Drywood TownshipGEOID 2001118750 | 366 | $105,000 |
| Osage Township, Bourbon CountyGEOID 2001153100 | 348 | $40,833 |
| Bronson | 304 | $72,222 |
| Franklin Township, Bourbon CountyGEOID 2001124300 | 304 | $73,611 |
| UniontownGEOID 2072525 | 293 | $53,750 |
| Pawnee Township, Bourbon CountyGEOID 2001154775 | 280 | not published |
| Timberhill TownshipGEOID 2001170600 | 263 | $34,091 |
| FultonGEOID 2024925 | 165 | $48,750 |
| Walnut Township, Bourbon CountyGEOID 2001174850 | 121 | $93,571 |
| MapletonGEOID 2044550 | 96 | $33,409 |
| RedfieldGEOID 2058725 | 90 | $33,958 |
| DevonGEOID 2017900 | 71 | not published |
| GarlandGEOID 2025900 | 31 | not published |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Bourbon County?
The median resident of Bourbon County is 39.1 years old; 25.0% are under 18 and 20.0% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 88.8%, then non-Hispanic residents of two or more races at 5.2%. 1.8% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Bourbon County | Kansas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 39.1±1.3 | 37.4 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 25.0%±0.4 pts | 23.8% | – |
| 65 years and over | 20.0%±0.5 pts | 17.0% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 3.1% | 13.6% | +0.4 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 88.8%±0.3 pts | 72.7% | −1.3 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 1.7%±0.4 pts | 5.2% | −1.1 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.8%±0.5 pts | 2.9% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.2 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 5.2%±0.6 pts | 4.8% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.3%±0.3 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 1.8%±0.9 pts | 7.4% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 3.0%±1.2 pts | 12.1% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 6.1%±1.2 pts | 6.8% | – |
| With a disability | 15.7%±2.3 pts | 13.5% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 8.3%±1.9 pts | 8.8% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 90.8%±2.7 pts | 92.0% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 23.9%±3.3 pts | 35.6% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 7.2%±2.2 pts | 13.4% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.7%±0.8 pts | 3.0% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Bourbon County earn?
Half of Bourbon County's 5,840 households earn less than $59,238 a year (±$7,304), against $74,275 in Kansas. In 2015-2019 it was $54,048 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 13.6% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Bourbon County | Kansas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $59,238±$7,304 | $74,275 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $76,360±$4,456 | $100,417 | – |
| Per capita income | $31,131±$1,794 | $40,978 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 13.6%±2.8 pts | 11.3% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 18.8%±6.4 pts | 13.1% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 7.8%±2.5 pts | 6.8% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 87.6%±2.6 pts | 90.7% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Bourbon County?
Owners occupy 74.0% of Bourbon County's occupied homes and renters 26.0%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $113,800 by its owner (±$7,418). The median renter pays $752 a month including utilities, and 28.9% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Bourbon County | Kansas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $113,800±$7,418 | $217,200 | +$12,022 |
| Median gross rent | $752±$47 | $1,060 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 28.9%±8.2 pts | 34.5% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,201±$64 | $1,689 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 74.0%±3.8 pts | 67.2% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 6,756±29 | 1,293,635 | −358 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.8%±1.2 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 5.5%±5.5 pts | 6.2% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 80.9%±2.9 pts | 71.8% | – |
| Mobile homes | 8.2%±2.3 pts | 4.0% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.4%±0.4 pts | 1.4% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 34.9%±3.5 pts | 15.4% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Bourbon County building?
Builders took permits for 10 new housing units across Bourbon County in 2025 (4 single-family), 0.7 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Bourbon County get to work?
69.1% of Bourbon County's workers drive alone and 11.1% work from home. The average trip to work takes 19.6 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 5.3%.
| Measure | Bourbon County | Kansas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 61.7%±3.0 pts | 66.1% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 5.3%±2.5 pts | 3.9% | +3.0 pts |
| Drove alone to work | 69.1%±4.3 pts | 75.4% | – |
| Carpooled | 14.5%±3.4 pts | 8.7% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.1%±0.4 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Walked | 1.5%±1.2 pts | 2.3% | – |
| Worked from home | 11.1%±3.1 pts | 11.8% | no clear change |
| Mean travel time to work | 19.6 min±2.3 | 19.7 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What are Bourbon County's census tracts?
Bourbon County is divided into 5 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $51,154 (Tract 9560) to $84,107 (Tract 9557).
| Tract 955620011955600 | 2,410±302 | $54,303 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 955720011955700 | 2,049±323 | $84,107 |
| Tract 955820011955800 | 3,887±386 | $59,758 |
| Tract 955920011955900 | 3,342±382 | $65,500 |
| Tract 956020011956000 | 2,706±401 | $51,154 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Bourbon County compare with Kansas's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 34th of 105 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 28th of 105 |
| Residents per square mile | 32nd of 105 |
| Median household income | 80th of 105 |
| Median home value | 65th of 105 |
| Median gross rent | 62nd of 104 |
| Poverty rate | 29th of 102 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 57th of 105 |
| Median age | 73rd of 105 |
Source: PlainCities ranks from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Bourbon County are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' school search.