County · Kansas
Chautauqua County, Kansas
Chautauqua County, Kansas. Chautauqua County had 3,321 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 1.8% since 2020, while Kansas grew 1.3%. It holds 10 places (6 cities, villages and boroughs and 4 towns and townships) and 1 census tract. GEOID 20019.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
3,321
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 3,379 · ACS 2020-2024: 3,370
Median household income
$56,438
±$4,556 (90% margin)
Kansas: $74,275
Median home value
$65,500
±$7,791 (90% margin)
Kansas: $217,200
Median gross rent
$708
±$76 (90% margin)
Kansas: $1,060
How many people live in Chautauqua County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 3,379 residents in Chautauqua County. The Census Bureau estimates 3,321 for July 1, 2025, down 1.8% since 2020, while Kansas grew 1.3%. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 3,370 over 639 square miles of land.
| Measure | Chautauqua County | Kansas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 3,370 | 2,947,197 | +47 |
| Households | 1,356±96 | 1,174,060 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.42±0.17 | 2.44 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 1,975±16 | 1,293,635 | −173 |
Chautauqua County's population since 2000
From 4,359 in 2000 to 3,321 in 2025: down 23.8%. 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 Chautauqua County?
Chautauqua County holds 10 places: 6 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 4 towns and townships (county subdivisions with their own government). The largest is Sedan with 976 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Sedan | 1,000 | $46,827 |
|---|---|---|
| Cedar Vale | 476 | $44,816 |
| Belleville Township, Chautauqua County | 458 | $53,162 |
| Little Caney TownshipGEOID 2001941525 | 330 | $82,708 |
| ChautauquaGEOID 2012675 | 108 | not published |
| PeruGEOID 2055525 | 101 | $39,615 |
| NiotazeGEOID 2050750 | 90 | $73,047 |
| Center Township, Chautauqua CountyGEOID 2001911575 | 81 | $80,313 |
| ElginGEOID 2020125 | 60 | not published |
| Lafayette TownshipGEOID 2001937650 | 27 | 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 Chautauqua County?
The median resident of Chautauqua County is 45.2 years old; 22.0% are under 18 and 24.0% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 80.1%, then non-Hispanic residents of two or more races at 8.2%.
| Measure | Chautauqua County | Kansas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 45.2±1.1 | 37.4 | −2.7 |
| Under 18 years | 22.0% | 23.8% | – |
| 65 years and over | 24.0%±0.6 pts | 17.0% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 5.0% | 13.6% | +1.1 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 80.1%±1.7 pts | 72.7% | −5.9 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.8%±0.9 pts | 5.2% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 2.9% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 3.5%±1.5 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.9 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 8.2%±1.1 pts | 4.8% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 2.3%±1.6 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 0.8%±0.6 pts | 7.4% | – |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 1.8%±1.1 pts | 12.1% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 5.1%±1.4 pts | 6.8% | – |
| With a disability | 22.3%±2.4 pts | 13.5% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 11.4%±2.8 pts | 8.8% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 90.2%±2.5 pts | 92.0% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 18.6%±3.3 pts | 35.6% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 4.4%±1.5 pts | 13.4% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.0%±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 Chautauqua County earn?
Half of Chautauqua County's 1,356 households earn less than $56,438 a year (±$4,556), against $74,275 in Kansas. In 2015-2019 the median was $49,595 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $6,844 after inflation. 14.9% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Chautauqua County | Kansas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $56,438±$4,556 | $74,275 | +$6,844 |
| Mean household income | $78,337±$9,914 | $100,417 | – |
| Per capita income | $33,548±$3,542 | $40,978 | +$5,289 |
| People below the poverty line | 14.9%±3.6 pts | 11.3% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 18.6%±7.8 pts | 13.1% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 14.0%±4.4 pts | 6.8% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 82.1%±4.1 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 Chautauqua County?
Owners occupy 82.0% of Chautauqua County's occupied homes and renters 18.0%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $65,500 by its owner (±$7,791). The median renter pays $708 a month including utilities, and 27.5% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Chautauqua County | Kansas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $65,500±$7,791 | $217,200 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $708±$76 | $1,060 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 27.5%±16.9 pts | 34.5% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,211±$198 | $1,689 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 82.0%±4.1 pts | 67.2% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 1,975±16 | 1,293,635 | −173 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.8%±0.9 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 0.0%±11.6 pts | 6.2% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 79.1%±4.1 pts | 71.8% | – |
| Mobile homes | 16.6%±4.0 pts | 4.0% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.7%±1.3 pts | 1.4% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 33.2%±4.7 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 Chautauqua County building?
Builders took permits for 1 new housing units across Chautauqua County in 2025 (1 single-family), 0.3 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 Chautauqua County get to work?
76.6% of Chautauqua County's workers drive alone and 3.9% work from home. The average trip to work takes 22.2 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 3.6%.
| Measure | Chautauqua County | Kansas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 54.3%±2.5 pts | 66.1% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 3.6%±2.0 pts | 3.9% | −3.2 pts |
| Drove alone to work | 76.6%±4.9 pts | 75.4% | – |
| Carpooled | 12.0%±4.1 pts | 8.7% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0%±2.1 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Walked | 5.6%±2.3 pts | 2.3% | – |
| Worked from home | 3.9%±1.6 pts | 11.8% | no clear change |
| Mean travel time to work | 22.2 min±2.9 | 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 Chautauqua County's census tracts?
Chautauqua County is a single census tract.
| Tract 964620019964600 | 3,370 | $56,438 |
|---|
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Chautauqua County compare with Kansas's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 78th of 105 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 59th of 105 |
| Residents per square mile | 72nd of 105 |
| Median household income | 92nd of 105 |
| Median home value | 104th of 105 |
| Median gross rent | 76th of 104 |
| Poverty rate | 16th of 102 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 100th of 105 |
| Median age | 22nd 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 Chautauqua 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.