County · Kansas
Meade County, Kansas
Meade County, Kansas. Meade County had 3,852 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 5.1% since 2020, while Kansas grew 1.3%. It holds 9 places (3 cities, villages and boroughs and 6 towns and townships) and 2 census tracts. GEOID 20119.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
3,852
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 4,055 · ACS 2020-2024: 3,903 ±166
Median household income
$71,852
±$6,233 (90% margin)
Kansas: $74,275
Median home value
$148,900
±$17,630 (90% margin)
Kansas: $217,200
Median gross rent
$790
±$46 (90% margin)
Kansas: $1,060
How many people live in Meade County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 4,055 residents in Meade County. The Census Bureau estimates 3,852 for July 1, 2025, down 5.1% since 2020, while Kansas grew 1.3%. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 3,903 over 978 square miles of land.
| Measure | Meade County | Kansas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 3,903±166 | 2,947,197 | −277 |
| Households | 1,502±102 | 1,174,060 | −187 |
| Average household size | 2.54±0.15 | 2.44 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 1,898±69 | 1,293,635 | no clear change |
Meade County's population since 2000
From 4,631 in 2000 to 3,852 in 2025: down 16.8%. 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 Meade County?
Meade County holds 9 places: 3 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 6 towns and townships (county subdivisions with their own government). The largest is Meade Center Township with 1,674 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Meade Center Township | 1,737 | $75,107 |
|---|---|---|
| Meade | 1,505 | $75,321 |
| West Plains Township | 1,177 | $72,273 |
| Plains | 1,037 | $71,136 |
| Fowler | 534 | $47,679 |
| Mertilla TownshipGEOID 2011946025 | 196 | $104,286 |
| Cimarron Township, Meade CountyGEOID 2011913325 | 67 | not published |
| Crooked Creek TownshipGEOID 2011916450 | 48 | $250,000 or more |
| Sand Creek TownshipGEOID 2011962925 | 26 | $130,000 |
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 Meade County?
The median resident of Meade County is 38.8 years old; 26.0% are under 18 and 18.2% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 69.8%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 24.3%. 11.4% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Meade County | Kansas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 38.8±3.4 | 37.4 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 26.0%±1.5 pts | 23.8% | – |
| 65 years and over | 18.2%±1.7 pts | 17.0% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 24.3%±1.6 pts | 13.6% | +3.8 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 69.8%±2.1 pts | 72.7% | −5.7 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.4%±0.4 pts | 5.2% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 1.8%±1.0 pts | 2.9% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 1.6%±0.7 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.8 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 1.7%±0.7 pts | 4.8% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.3%±0.3 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 11.4%±2.4 pts | 7.4% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 23.2%±3.3 pts | 12.1% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 3.8%±1.6 pts | 6.8% | – |
| With a disability | 12.4%±2.4 pts | 13.5% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 10.5%±3.6 pts | 8.8% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 88.7%±3.4 pts | 92.0% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 26.5%±4.2 pts | 35.6% | +6.2 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 8.8%±2.6 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 Meade County earn?
Half of Meade County's 1,502 households earn less than $71,852 a year (±$6,233), against $74,275 in Kansas. In 2015-2019 it was $73,000 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 11.0% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Meade County | Kansas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $71,852±$6,233 | $74,275 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $108,362±$27,314 | $100,417 | – |
| Per capita income | $44,251±$10,796 | $40,978 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 11.0%±3.6 pts | 11.3% | +4.5 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 14.4%±8.6 pts | 13.1% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 6.5%±2.9 pts | 6.8% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 88.5%±3.8 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 Meade County?
Owners occupy 74.0% of Meade County's occupied homes and renters 26.0%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $148,900 by its owner (±$17,630). The median renter pays $790 a month including utilities, and 23.6% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Meade County | Kansas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $148,900±$17,630 | $217,200 | +$29,769 |
| Median gross rent | $790±$46 | $1,060 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 23.6%±10.0 pts | 34.5% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,637±$182 | $1,689 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 74.0%±4.5 pts | 67.2% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 1,898±69 | 1,293,635 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 2.2%±2.0 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 7.8%±5.9 pts | 6.2% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 87.1%±3.0 pts | 71.8% | – |
| Mobile homes | 6.8%±2.4 pts | 4.0% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.0%±1.6 pts | 1.4% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 30.5%±5.5 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 Meade County building?
Builders took permits for 1 new housing units across Meade 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 Meade County get to work?
73.2% of Meade County's workers drive alone and 7.8% work from home. The average trip to work takes 17.2 minutes.
| Measure | Meade County | Kansas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 60.9%±3.8 pts | 66.1% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 1.5%±1.3 pts | 3.9% | – |
| Drove alone to work | 73.2%±4.9 pts | 75.4% | – |
| Carpooled | 13.4%±4.4 pts | 8.7% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.2%±0.4 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Walked | 5.0%±2.2 pts | 2.3% | – |
| Worked from home | 7.8%±2.9 pts | 11.8% | no clear change |
| Mean travel time to work | 17.2 min±1.7 | 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 Meade County's census tracts?
Meade County is divided into 2 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $69,271 (Tract 9667) to $73,490 (Tract 9666).
| Tract 966620119966600 | 2,509±164 | $73,490 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 966720119966700 | 1,394±161 | $69,271 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Meade County compare with Kansas's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 73rd of 105 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 96th of 105 |
| Residents per square mile | 77th of 105 |
| Median household income | 25th of 105 |
| Median home value | 37th of 105 |
| Median gross rent | 50th of 104 |
| Poverty rate | 51st of 102 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 31st of 105 |
| Median age | 76th 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 Meade 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.