County · Kansas
Rush County, Kansas
Rush County, Kansas. Rush County had 2,845 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 3.7% since 2020, while Kansas grew 1.3%. It holds 20 places (8 cities, villages and boroughs and 12 towns and townships) and 1 census tract. GEOID 20165.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
2,845
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 2,956 · ACS 2020-2024: 2,947 ±160
Median household income
$59,970
±$4,386 (90% margin)
Kansas: $74,275
Median home value
$83,600
±$7,015 (90% margin)
Kansas: $217,200
Median gross rent
$711
±$127 (90% margin)
Kansas: $1,060
How many people live in Rush County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 2,956 residents in Rush County. The Census Bureau estimates 2,845 for July 1, 2025, down 3.7% since 2020, while Kansas grew 1.3%. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 2,947 over 718 square miles of land.
| Measure | Rush County | Kansas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 2,947±160 | 2,947,197 | no clear change |
| Households | 1,387±85 | 1,174,060 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.07±0.11 | 2.44 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 1,679±63 | 1,293,635 | −179 |
Rush County's population since 2000
From 3,551 in 2000 to 2,845 in 2025: down 19.9%. 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 Rush County?
Rush County holds 20 places: 8 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 12 towns and townships (county subdivisions with their own government). The largest is La Crosse-Brookdale Township with 1,304 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| La Crosse-Brookdale Township | 1,341 | $55,781 |
|---|---|---|
| La Crosse | 1,266 | $53,750 |
| Pioneer Township, Rush County | 362 | $59,766 |
| OtisGEOID 2053525 | 296 | $63,194 |
| Hampton-Fairview Township | 248 | $55,625 |
| Lone Star TownshipGEOID 2016542500 | 237 | $65,577 |
| Center Township, Rush CountyGEOID 2016512125 | 204 | $66,250 |
| BisonGEOID 2006950 | 179 | $65,822 |
| McCrackenGEOID 2043700 | 152 | $38,281 |
| Rush CenterGEOID 2061775 | 141 | $70,750 |
| Big Timber TownshipGEOID 2016506775 | 138 | $53,500 |
| Garfield Township, Rush CountyGEOID 2016525800 | 112 | $75,625 |
| Banner Township, Rush CountyGEOID 2016504075 | 109 | $57,813 |
| LiebenthalGEOID 2040400 | 92 | $51,250 |
| Alexander-Belle Prairie TownshipGEOID 2016501087 | 76 | not published |
| AlexanderGEOID 2001050 | 54 | not published |
| Union Township, Rush CountyGEOID 2016572350 | 52 | not published |
| Illinois Township, Rush CountyGEOID 2016533750 | 52 | not published |
| TimkenGEOID 2070625 | 38 | not published |
| Pleasantdale TownshipGEOID 2016556325 | 25 | $250,000 or more |
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 Rush County?
The median resident of Rush County is 45.2 years old; 20.0% are under 18 and 24.8% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 87.4%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 6.5%. 1.1% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Rush County | Kansas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 45.2±2.3 | 37.4 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 20.0%±2.7 pts | 23.8% | – |
| 65 years and over | 24.8%±2.0 pts | 17.0% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 6.5%±1.1 pts | 13.6% | +3.3 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 87.4%±1.8 pts | 72.7% | −5.0 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.4%±0.6 pts | 5.2% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±1.0 pts | 2.9% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.5%±0.4 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±1.0 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 5.2%±1.5 pts | 4.8% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±1.0 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 1.1%±0.6 pts | 7.4% | – |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 5.0%±1.9 pts | 12.1% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 7.6%±2.2 pts | 6.8% | – |
| With a disability | 14.7%±3.0 pts | 13.5% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 7.2%±2.1 pts | 8.8% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 90.0%±2.5 pts | 92.0% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 21.2%±4.1 pts | 35.6% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 6.4%±1.8 pts | 13.4% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 3.2%±1.9 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 Rush County earn?
Half of Rush County's 1,387 households earn less than $59,970 a year (±$4,386), against $74,275 in Kansas. In 2015-2019 it was $59,050 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 11.1% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Rush County | Kansas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $59,970±$4,386 | $74,275 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $97,122±$18,726 | $100,417 | – |
| Per capita income | $48,000±$9,737 | $40,978 | +$15,323 |
| People below the poverty line | 11.1%±3.0 pts | 11.3% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 10.5%±6.5 pts | 13.1% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 6.3%±2.5 pts | 6.8% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 90.3%±2.6 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 Rush County?
Owners occupy 77.6% of Rush County's occupied homes and renters 22.4%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $83,600 by its owner (±$7,015). The median renter pays $711 a month including utilities, and 45.9% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Rush County | Kansas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $83,600±$7,015 | $217,200 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $711±$127 | $1,060 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 45.9%±14.7 pts | 34.5% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,119±$128 | $1,689 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 77.6%±5.1 pts | 67.2% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 1,679±63 | 1,293,635 | −179 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 2.5%±1.9 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 0.6%±1.0 pts | 6.2% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 93.2%±2.5 pts | 71.8% | – |
| Mobile homes | 3.6%±1.9 pts | 4.0% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.1%±0.2 pts | 1.4% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 42.9%±4.6 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 Rush County building?
Builders took permits for 2 new housing units across Rush County in 2025 (2 single-family), 0.7 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 Rush County get to work?
79.7% of Rush County's workers drive alone and 7.0% work from home. The average trip to work takes 22.4 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 3.6%.
| Measure | Rush County | Kansas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 63.5%±3.8 pts | 66.1% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 3.6%±2.1 pts | 3.9% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 79.7%±5.7 pts | 75.4% | – |
| Carpooled | 7.9%±2.6 pts | 8.7% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Walked | 5.1%±3.3 pts | 2.3% | – |
| Worked from home | 7.0%±3.9 pts | 11.8% | no clear change |
| Mean travel time to work | 22.4 min±3.5 | 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 Rush County's census tracts?
Rush County is a single census tract.
| Tract 972320165972300 | 2,947±160 | $59,970 |
|---|
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Rush County compare with Kansas's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 80th of 105 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 81st of 105 |
| Residents per square mile | 78th of 105 |
| Median household income | 75th of 105 |
| Median home value | 97th of 105 |
| Median gross rent | 74th of 104 |
| Poverty rate | 49th of 102 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 79th of 105 |
| Median age | 22nd 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 Rush 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.