County · Kansas
Ellis County, Kansas
Ellis County, Kansas. Ellis County had 29,075 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 0.5% since 2020, slower than Kansas (+1.3%). It holds 10 places (4 cities, villages and boroughs, 4 towns and townships and 2 census-designated) and 8 census tracts. GEOID 20051.
Ellis County is the county of the Hays, KS micropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
29,075
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 28,934 · ACS 2020-2024: 28,920
Median household income
$63,084
±$5,107 (90% margin)
Kansas: $74,275
Median home value
$216,300
±$12,126 (90% margin)
Kansas: $217,200
Median gross rent
$943
±$68 (90% margin)
Kansas: $1,060
How many people live in Ellis County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 28,934 residents in Ellis County. The Census Bureau estimates 29,075 for July 1, 2025, up 0.5% since 2020, slower than Kansas (+1.3%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 28,920 over 900 square miles of land.
| Measure | Ellis County | Kansas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 28,920 | 2,947,197 | +145 |
| Households | 12,251±259 | 1,174,060 | +707 |
| Average household size | 2.23±0.05 | 2.44 | −0.16 |
| Housing units | 13,287±31 | 1,293,635 | no clear change |
Ellis County's population since 2000
From 27,507 in 2000 to 29,075 in 2025: up 5.7%. 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 Ellis County?
Ellis County holds 10 places: 4 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places), 4 towns and townships (county subdivisions with their own government) and 2 census-designated places. The largest is Hays with 21,258 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Hays | 21,116 | $58,459 |
|---|---|---|
| Big Creek Township, Ellis County | 2,077 | $90,333 |
| Ellis | 1,958 | $73,000 |
| Victoria | 1,129 | $77,500 |
| Herzog Township | 839 | $77,944 |
| Buckeye Township, Ellis County | 391 | $68,693 |
| MunjorGEOID 2049200 | 232 | not published |
| SchoenchenGEOID 2063425 | 170 | $63,750 |
| CatharineGEOID 2011025 | 113 | not published |
| Freedom Township, Ellis CountyGEOID 2005124625 | 106 | $88,000 |
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 Ellis County?
The median resident of Ellis County is 33.2 years old; 20.1% are under 18 and 16.0% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 86.9%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 7.3%. 2.4% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Ellis County | Kansas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 33.2±0.6 | 37.4 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 20.1%±0.2 pts | 23.8% | – |
| 65 years and over | 16.0%±0.3 pts | 17.0% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 7.3% | 13.6% | +1.6 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 86.9%±0.6 pts | 72.7% | −2.5 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 1.3%±0.3 pts | 5.2% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 1.6%±0.3 pts | 2.9% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.1 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 | 2.8%±0.7 pts | 4.8% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 2.4%±0.6 pts | 7.4% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 6.2%±1.2 pts | 12.1% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 3.8%±0.8 pts | 6.8% | – |
| With a disability | 11.0%±1.2 pts | 13.5% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 7.3%±1.3 pts | 8.8% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 94.9%±1.2 pts | 92.0% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 38.9%±2.7 pts | 35.6% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 14.4%±1.9 pts | 13.4% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 2.7%±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 Ellis County earn?
Half of Ellis County's 12,251 households earn less than $63,084 a year (±$5,107), against $74,275 in Kansas. In 2015-2019 it was $65,083 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 18.3% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Ellis County | Kansas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $63,084±$5,107 | $74,275 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $89,365±$12,683 | $100,417 | – |
| Per capita income | $37,483±$5,295 | $40,978 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 18.3%±2.4 pts | 11.3% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 15.4%±4.2 pts | 13.1% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 6.0%±1.6 pts | 6.8% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 92.9%±1.7 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 Ellis County?
Owners occupy 63.2% of Ellis County's occupied homes and renters 36.8%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $216,300 by its owner (±$12,126). The median renter pays $943 a month including utilities, and 42.8% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Ellis County | Kansas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $216,300±$12,126 | $217,200 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $943±$68 | $1,060 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 42.8%±6.2 pts | 34.5% | +9.3 pts |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,583±$79 | $1,689 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 63.2%±3.0 pts | 67.2% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 13,287±31 | 1,293,635 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.6%±0.7 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 3.5%±1.9 pts | 6.2% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 70.5%±2.7 pts | 71.8% | – |
| Mobile homes | 4.2%±1.6 pts | 4.0% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.2%±0.7 pts | 1.4% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 12.8%±2.0 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 Ellis County building?
Builders took permits for 110 new housing units across Ellis County in 2025 (42 single-family), 3.8 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 Ellis County get to work?
78.3% of Ellis County's workers drive alone and 6.2% work from home. The average trip to work takes 12.9 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 3.2%.
| Measure | Ellis County | Kansas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 72.0%±1.9 pts | 66.1% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 3.2%±1.2 pts | 3.9% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 78.3%±2.7 pts | 75.4% | – |
| Carpooled | 6.8%±1.4 pts | 8.7% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Walked | 7.7%±1.9 pts | 2.3% | – |
| Worked from home | 6.2%±1.6 pts | 11.8% | no clear change |
| Mean travel time to work | 12.9 min±1.1 | 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 Ellis County's census tracts?
Ellis County is divided into 8 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $32,153 (Tract 729.02) to $79,399 (Tract 728.01).
| Tract 72620051072600 | 2,607±227 | $77,926 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 727.0120051072701 | 5,180±434 | $67,383 |
| Tract 727.0220051072702 | 2,649±366 | $66,250 |
| Tract 728.0120051072801 | 4,741±449 | $79,399 |
| Tract 728.0220051072802 | 3,658±448 | $66,376 |
| Tract 729.0120051072901 | 3,409±417 | $44,590 |
| Tract 729.0220051072902 | 3,647±349 | $32,153 |
| Tract 73020051073000 | 3,029±226 | $70,547 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Ellis County compare with Kansas's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 21st of 105 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 18th of 105 |
| Residents per square mile | 23rd of 105 |
| Median household income | 60th of 105 |
| Median home value | 10th of 105 |
| Median gross rent | 16th of 104 |
| Poverty rate | 4th of 102 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 4th of 105 |
| Median age | 97th 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 Ellis 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.