County · Kansas
Ness County, Kansas
Ness County, Kansas. Ness County had 2,617 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 2.4% since 2020, while Kansas grew 1.3%. It holds 15 places (5 cities, villages and boroughs and 10 towns and townships) and 1 census tract. GEOID 20135.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
2,617
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 2,687 · ACS 2020-2024: 2,653
Median household income
$68,616
±$8,501 (90% margin)
Kansas: $74,275
Median home value
$89,700
±$15,095 (90% margin)
Kansas: $217,200
Median gross rent
$538
±$63 (90% margin)
Kansas: $1,060
How many people live in Ness County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 2,687 residents in Ness County. The Census Bureau estimates 2,617 for July 1, 2025, down 2.4% since 2020, while Kansas grew 1.3%. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 2,653 over 1,075 square miles of land.
| Measure | Ness County | Kansas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 2,653 | 2,947,197 | −223 |
| Households | 1,161±58 | 1,174,060 | −108 |
| Average household size | 2.23±0.11 | 2.44 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 1,440±66 | 1,293,635 | −272 |
Ness County's population since 2000
From 3,454 in 2000 to 2,617 in 2025: down 24.2%. 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 Ness County?
Ness County holds 15 places: 5 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 10 towns and townships (county subdivisions with their own government). The largest is Center Township, Ness County with 1,325 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Center Township, Ness County | 1,340 | $64,583 |
|---|---|---|
| Ness City | 1,329 | $64,583 |
| Bazine Township | 394 | $64,420 |
| Nevada Township | 343 | $63,750 |
| Bazine | 282 | $57,167 |
| Ransom | 260 | $44,000 |
| Ohio Township, Ness CountyGEOID 2013552400 | 165 | $68,229 |
| Franklin Township, Ness CountyGEOID 2013524475 | 100 | $96,771 |
| UticaGEOID 2072650 | 99 | $66,875 |
| Forrester TownshipGEOID 2013523875 | 93 | not published |
| Eden Township, Ness CountyGEOID 2013519775 | 77 | $95,694 |
| Waring TownshipGEOID 2013575400 | 69 | not published |
| Johnson TownshipGEOID 2013535550 | 54 | $64,375 |
| Highpoint TownshipGEOID 2013532100 | 52 | not published |
| BrownellGEOID 2008675 | 23 | 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 Ness County?
The median resident of Ness County is 45.1 years old; 19.8% are under 18 and 25.0% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 79.9%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 14.9%. 8.8% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Ness County | Kansas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 45.1±3.7 | 37.4 | −4.9 |
| Under 18 years | 19.8%±2.1 pts | 23.8% | – |
| 65 years and over | 25.0%±2.6 pts | 17.0% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 14.9%±1.3 pts | 13.6% | +4.7 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 79.9%±1.8 pts | 72.7% | −7.4 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±1.1 pts | 5.2% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.2 pts | 2.9% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.5%±0.5 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±1.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 4.3%±0.9 pts | 4.8% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.3 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 8.8%±3.6 pts | 7.4% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 14.2%±2.5 pts | 12.1% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 5.9%±1.9 pts | 6.8% | – |
| With a disability | 13.6%±2.9 pts | 13.5% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 8.0%±3.1 pts | 8.8% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 92.4%±3.1 pts | 92.0% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 25.0%±4.1 pts | 35.6% | +5.6 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 4.6%±2.0 pts | 13.4% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 0.6%±0.6 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 Ness County earn?
Half of Ness County's 1,161 households earn less than $68,616 a year (±$8,501), against $74,275 in Kansas. In 2015-2019 it was $69,524 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 11.2% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Ness County | Kansas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $68,616±$8,501 | $74,275 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $98,174±$15,175 | $100,417 | – |
| Per capita income | $45,085±$6,444 | $40,978 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 11.2%±3.8 pts | 11.3% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 16.9%±11.0 pts | 13.1% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 3.3%±2.1 pts | 6.8% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 89.0%±3.4 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 Ness County?
Owners occupy 81.6% of Ness County's occupied homes and renters 18.4%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $89,700 by its owner (±$15,095). The median renter pays $538 a month including utilities, and 16.7% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Ness County | Kansas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $89,700±$15,095 | $217,200 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $538±$63 | $1,060 | −$234 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 16.7%±9.9 pts | 34.5% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,212±$111 | $1,689 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 81.6%±4.0 pts | 67.2% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 1,440±66 | 1,293,635 | −272 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.6%±1.5 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 17.7%±11.4 pts | 6.2% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 89.0%±3.3 pts | 71.8% | – |
| Mobile homes | 4.4%±2.2 pts | 4.0% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.3%±0.5 pts | 1.4% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 26.5%±4.2 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 Ness County building?
Builders took permits for 0 new housing units across Ness County in 2025 (0 single-family), 0.0 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 Ness County get to work?
75.2% of Ness County's workers drive alone and 7.6% work from home. The average trip to work takes 15.6 minutes.
| Measure | Ness County | Kansas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 65.1%±3.4 pts | 66.1% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 0.8%±1.0 pts | 3.9% | – |
| Drove alone to work | 75.2%±3.8 pts | 75.4% | – |
| Carpooled | 12.4%±3.1 pts | 8.7% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0%±2.0 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Walked | 4.1%±2.0 pts | 2.3% | – |
| Worked from home | 7.6%±2.7 pts | 11.8% | no clear change |
| Mean travel time to work | 15.6 min±2.4 | 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 Ness County's census tracts?
Ness County is a single census tract.
| Tract 956320135956300 | 2,653 | $68,616 |
|---|
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Ness County compare with Kansas's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 88th of 105 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 65th of 105 |
| Residents per square mile | 98th of 105 |
| Median household income | 35th of 105 |
| Median home value | 90th of 105 |
| Median gross rent | 104th of 104 |
| Poverty rate | 47th of 102 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 46th of 105 |
| Median age | 24th 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 Ness 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.