County · Kansas
Ottawa County, Kansas
Ottawa County, Kansas. Ottawa County had 5,744 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 0.3% since 2020, slower than Kansas (+1.3%). It holds 28 places (5 cities, villages and boroughs, 20 towns and townships and 3 census-designated) and 2 census tracts. GEOID 20143.
Ottawa County is one of the 2 counties of the Salina, KS micropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
5,744
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 5,735 · ACS 2020-2024: 5,819
Median household income
$74,018
±$12,077 (90% margin)
Kansas: $74,275
Median home value
$166,000
±$8,615 (90% margin)
Kansas: $217,200
Median gross rent
$809
±$96 (90% margin)
Kansas: $1,060
How many people live in Ottawa County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 5,735 residents in Ottawa County. The Census Bureau estimates 5,744 for July 1, 2025, up 0.3% since 2020, slower than Kansas (+1.3%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 5,819 over 721 square miles of land.
| Measure | Ottawa County | Kansas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 5,819 | 2,947,197 | −3 |
| Households | 2,408±82 | 1,174,060 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.37±0.08 | 2.44 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 2,693±25 | 1,293,635 | −95 |
Ottawa County's population since 2000
From 6,163 in 2000 to 5,744 in 2025: down 6.8%. 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 Ottawa County?
Ottawa County holds 28 places: 5 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places), 20 towns and townships (county subdivisions with their own government) and 3 census-designated places. The largest is Minneapolis with 1,907 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Minneapolis | 1,946 | $57,702 |
|---|---|---|
| Bennington Township | 1,219 | $85,556 |
| Bennington | 622 | $74,375 |
| Morton Township, Ottawa CountyGEOID 2014348500 | 404 | $84,107 |
| Sheridan Township, Ottawa County | 402 | $59,044 |
| Delphos | 302 | $58,824 |
| TescottGEOID 2070250 | 265 | $68,250 |
| Concord Township, Ottawa CountyGEOID 2014315175 | 247 | $210,900 |
| Culver TownshipGEOID 2014316725 | 239 | not published |
| Richland Township, Ottawa CountyGEOID 2014359500 | 207 | $64,479 |
| Fountain TownshipGEOID 2014324075 | 160 | $105,208 |
| Lincoln Township, Ottawa CountyGEOID 2014340950 | 155 | $80,833 |
| CulverGEOID 2016700 | 114 | not published |
| Buckeye Township, Ottawa CountyGEOID 2014308975 | 98 | not published |
| Blaine Township, Ottawa CountyGEOID 2014307150 | 95 | not published |
| AdaGEOID 2000225 | 86 | $105,208 |
| Center Township, Ottawa CountyGEOID 2014311975 | 85 | $85,583 |
| Garfield Township, Ottawa CountyGEOID 2014325725 | 79 | $21,643 |
| Grant Township, Ottawa CountyGEOID 2014327900 | 75 | not published |
| Logan Township, Ottawa CountyGEOID 2014342050 | 74 | $111,500 |
| Chapman TownshipGEOID 2014312575 | 69 | $97,361 |
| NilesGEOID 2050600 | 56 | not published |
| Stanton Township, Ottawa CountyGEOID 2014367950 | 50 | not published |
| WellsGEOID 2076550 | 45 | not published |
| Sherman Township, Ottawa CountyGEOID 2014365025 | 43 | not published |
| Ottawa Township, Ottawa CountyGEOID 2014353600 | 36 | not published |
| Henry TownshipGEOID 2014331325 | 36 | not published |
| Durham TownshipGEOID 2014319075 | 16 | 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 Ottawa County?
The median resident of Ottawa County is 42.4 years old; 23.5% are under 18 and 21.0% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 92.9%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 3.3%.
| Measure | Ottawa County | Kansas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 42.4±0.5 | 37.4 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 23.5%±0.9 pts | 23.8% | – |
| 65 years and over | 21.0%±0.3 pts | 17.0% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 3.3% | 13.6% | +0.6 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 92.9%±0.2 pts | 72.7% | −1.2 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.4%±0.4 pts | 5.2% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 2.9% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.5%±0.3 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.5 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 2.8%±0.5 pts | 4.8% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.5 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 0.7%±0.5 pts | 7.4% | – |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 2.0%±0.9 pts | 12.1% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 6.8%±1.2 pts | 6.8% | – |
| With a disability | 12.7%±1.7 pts | 13.5% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 6.6%±2.5 pts | 8.8% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 94.9%±1.4 pts | 92.0% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 27.7%±3.5 pts | 35.6% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 6.6%±1.8 pts | 13.4% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 0.8%±0.5 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 Ottawa County earn?
Half of Ottawa County's 2,408 households earn less than $74,018 a year (±$12,077), against $74,275 in Kansas. In 2015-2019 it was $67,422 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 10.4% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Ottawa County | Kansas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $74,018±$12,077 | $74,275 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $88,878±$5,814 | $100,417 | – |
| Per capita income | $36,666±$2,325 | $40,978 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 10.4%±2.6 pts | 11.3% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 10.7%±5.1 pts | 13.1% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 7.4%±3.7 pts | 6.8% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 88.2%±3.0 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 Ottawa County?
Owners occupy 77.2% of Ottawa County's occupied homes and renters 22.8%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $166,000 by its owner (±$8,615). The median renter pays $809 a month including utilities, and 36.9% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Ottawa County | Kansas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $166,000±$8,615 | $217,200 | +$35,916 |
| Median gross rent | $809±$96 | $1,060 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 36.9%±11.3 pts | 34.5% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,513±$192 | $1,689 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 77.2%±3.7 pts | 67.2% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 2,693±25 | 1,293,635 | −95 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.4%±0.6 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 1.1%±1.6 pts | 6.2% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 86.5%±3.2 pts | 71.8% | – |
| Mobile homes | 3.5%±1.3 pts | 4.0% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.1%±0.8 pts | 1.4% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 30.6%±4.1 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 Ottawa County building?
Builders took permits for 7 new housing units across Ottawa County in 2025 (7 single-family), 1.2 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 Ottawa County get to work?
80.0% of Ottawa County's workers drive alone and 7.7% work from home. The average trip to work takes 23.8 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 2.9%.
| Measure | Ottawa County | Kansas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 64.1%±2.5 pts | 66.1% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 2.9%±1.7 pts | 3.9% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 80.0%±3.0 pts | 75.4% | – |
| Carpooled | 7.6%±2.2 pts | 8.7% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.5%±0.5 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Walked | 3.3%±1.9 pts | 2.3% | – |
| Worked from home | 7.7%±2.0 pts | 11.8% | no clear change |
| Mean travel time to work | 23.8 min±2.8 | 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 Ottawa County's census tracts?
Ottawa County is divided into 2 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $62,226 (Tract 857) to $87,625 (Tract 856).
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Ottawa County compare with Kansas's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 59th of 105 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 20th of 105 |
| Residents per square mile | 56th of 105 |
| Median household income | 22nd of 105 |
| Median home value | 28th of 105 |
| Median gross rent | 42nd of 104 |
| Poverty rate | 58th of 102 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 26th of 105 |
| Median age | 44th 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 Ottawa 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.