County · Kansas
Douglas County, Kansas
Douglas County, Kansas. Douglas County had 120,920 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 1.8% since 2020, in line with Kansas (+1.3%). It holds 13 places (4 cities, villages and boroughs and 9 towns and townships) and 27 census tracts. GEOID 20045.
Douglas County is the county of the Lawrence, KS metropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
120,920
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 118,785 · ACS 2020-2024: 120,302
Median household income
$69,746
±$2,954 (90% margin)
Kansas: $74,275
Median home value
$309,400
±$10,713 (90% margin)
Kansas: $217,200
Median gross rent
$1,099
±$33 (90% margin)
Kansas: $1,060
How many people live in Douglas County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 118,785 residents in Douglas County. The Census Bureau estimates 120,920 for July 1, 2025, up 1.8% since 2020, in line with Kansas (+1.3%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 120,302 over 456 square miles of land.
| Measure | Douglas County | Kansas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 120,302 | 2,947,197 | +12 |
| Households | 50,406±600 | 1,174,060 | +3,470 |
| Average household size | 2.21±0.03 | 2.44 | −0.17 |
| Housing units | 53,675±67 | 1,293,635 | +3,330 |
Douglas County's population since 2000
From 99,962 in 2000 to 120,920 in 2025: up 21.0%. 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 Douglas County?
Douglas County holds 13 places: 4 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 9 towns and townships (county subdivisions with their own government). The largest is Lawrence with 96,367 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Lawrence | 94,934 | $65,009 |
|---|---|---|
| Eudora Township | 7,734 | $118,632 |
| Palmyra Township | 7,575 | $80,562 |
| Eudora | 6,408 | $118,184 |
| Baldwin City | 4,826 | $72,941 |
| Wakarusa Township | 2,102 | $99,375 |
| Lecompton Township | 1,669 | $95,500 |
| Willow Springs Township | 1,517 | $90,817 |
| Kanwaka TownshipGEOID 2004536075 | 1,401 | $125,938 |
| Marion Township, Douglas CountyGEOID 2004544700 | 845 | $108,333 |
| Clinton TownshipGEOID 2004514325 | 626 | $120,750 |
| Lecompton | 588 | $68,977 |
| Grant Township, Douglas CountyGEOID 2004527650 | 382 | $62,417 |
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 Douglas County?
The median resident of Douglas County is 31.6 years old; 17.5% are under 18 and 13.9% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 76.0%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 7.2%. 6.0% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Douglas County | Kansas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 31.6±0.2 | 37.4 | +1.8 |
| Under 18 years | 17.5% | 23.8% | – |
| 65 years and over | 13.9%±0.1 pts | 17.0% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 7.2% | 13.6% | +0.9 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 76.0%±0.4 pts | 72.7% | −2.4 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 4.2%±0.4 pts | 5.2% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 4.3%±0.4 pts | 2.9% | −0.9 pts |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 1.0%±0.2 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 6.8%±0.7 pts | 4.8% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.5%±0.2 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 6.0%±0.7 pts | 7.4% | −1.1 pts |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 8.8%±0.8 pts | 12.1% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 5.2%±0.6 pts | 6.8% | – |
| With a disability | 11.2%±0.7 pts | 13.5% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 8.2%±0.9 pts | 8.8% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 95.6%±0.8 pts | 92.0% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 53.2%±1.8 pts | 35.6% | +3.6 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 24.5%±1.6 pts | 13.4% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 5.3%±0.7 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 Douglas County earn?
Half of Douglas County's 50,406 households earn less than $69,746 a year (±$2,954), against $74,275 in Kansas. In 2015-2019 it was $73,146 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 14.7% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Douglas County | Kansas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $69,746±$2,954 | $74,275 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $96,109±$3,556 | $100,417 | – |
| Per capita income | $40,695±$1,375 | $40,978 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 14.7%±1.3 pts | 11.3% | −3.3 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 8.4%±2.2 pts | 13.1% | −3.8 pts |
| Households receiving SNAP | 5.3%±0.9 pts | 6.8% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 92.0%±1.4 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 Douglas County?
Owners occupy 50.1% of Douglas County's occupied homes and renters 49.9%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $309,400 by its owner (±$10,713). The median renter pays $1,099 a month including utilities, and 41.8% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Douglas County | Kansas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $309,400±$10,713 | $217,200 | +$64,000 |
| Median gross rent | $1,099±$33 | $1,060 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 41.8%±3.0 pts | 34.5% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,984±$71 | $1,689 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 50.1%±1.2 pts | 67.2% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 53,675±67 | 1,293,635 | +3,330 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.0%±0.6 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 5.5%±1.4 pts | 6.2% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 53.5%±1.4 pts | 71.8% | – |
| Mobile homes | 1.7%±0.4 pts | 4.0% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 2.5%±0.8 pts | 1.4% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 10.8%±1.2 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 Douglas County building?
Builders took permits for 377 new housing units across Douglas County in 2025 (230 single-family), 3.1 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 Douglas County get to work?
68.6% of Douglas County's workers drive alone and 15.6% work from home. The average trip to work takes 20.8 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 4.2%.
| Measure | Douglas County | Kansas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 69.0%±1.2 pts | 66.1% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 4.2%±0.8 pts | 3.9% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 68.6%±1.9 pts | 75.4% | – |
| Carpooled | 7.3%±1.1 pts | 8.7% | – |
| Public transportation | 2.4%±0.6 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Walked | 4.1%±0.6 pts | 2.3% | – |
| Worked from home | 15.6%±1.3 pts | 11.8% | +11.2 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 20.8 min±0.9 | 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 Douglas County's census tracts?
Douglas County is divided into 27 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $13,625 (Tract 4) to $139,375 (Tract 6.02).
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Douglas County compare with Kansas's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 5th of 105 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 10th of 105 |
| Residents per square mile | 5th of 105 |
| Median household income | 32nd of 105 |
| Median home value | 2nd of 105 |
| Median gross rent | 6th of 104 |
| Poverty rate | 19th of 102 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 2nd of 105 |
| Median age | 102nd 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 Douglas 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.