County · Kansas
Russell County, Kansas
Russell County, Kansas. Russell County had 6,581 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 1.6% since 2020, while Kansas grew 1.3%. It holds 20 places (8 cities, villages and boroughs and 12 towns and townships) and 2 census tracts. GEOID 20167.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
6,581
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 6,691 · ACS 2020-2024: 6,679
Median household income
$62,392
±$10,596 (90% margin)
Kansas: $74,275
Median home value
$119,000
±$16,621 (90% margin)
Kansas: $217,200
Median gross rent
$805
±$97 (90% margin)
Kansas: $1,060
How many people live in Russell County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 6,691 residents in Russell County. The Census Bureau estimates 6,581 for July 1, 2025, down 1.6% since 2020, while Kansas grew 1.3%. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 6,679 over 886 square miles of land.
| Measure | Russell County | Kansas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 6,679 | 2,947,197 | −269 |
| Households | 3,100±146 | 1,174,060 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.12±0.10 | 2.44 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 3,674±14 | 1,293,635 | −204 |
Russell County's population since 2000
From 7,370 in 2000 to 6,581 in 2025: down 10.7%. 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 Russell County?
Russell 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 Russell with 4,286 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Russell | 4,401 | $56,832 |
|---|---|---|
| Big Creek Township, Russell County | 549 | $70,625 |
| Fairview Township, Russell County | 416 | $55,417 |
| Gorham | 376 | $68,200 |
| Lucas | 332 | $43,125 |
| Luray Township | 224 | $58,750 |
| Center Township, Russell CountyGEOID 2016712150 | 220 | $61,270 |
| Plymouth TownshipGEOID 2016756925 | 214 | $98,750 |
| Grant Township, Russell CountyGEOID 2016728100 | 177 | $136,471 |
| LurayGEOID 2043250 | 166 | $52,500 |
| DorranceGEOID 2018325 | 146 | $82,639 |
| Paradise TownshipGEOID 2016754350 | 138 | $81,667 |
| Lincoln Township, Russell CountyGEOID 2016741125 | 109 | not published |
| Bunker HillGEOID 2009225 | 103 | $70,625 |
| Waldo TownshipGEOID 2016774600 | 83 | $66,667 |
| Russell TownshipGEOID 2016761850 | 81 | not published |
| Winterset TownshipGEOID 2016780125 | 53 | not published |
| ParadiseGEOID 2054325 | 35 | $66,071 |
| WaldoGEOID 2074575 | 30 | $65,833 |
| Fairfield TownshipGEOID 2016722200 | 26 | 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 Russell County?
The median resident of Russell County is 44.4 years old; 21.9% are under 18 and 26.1% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 89.5%, then non-Hispanic residents of two or more races at 5.3%. 1.7% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Russell County | Kansas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 44.4±0.7 | 37.4 | −4.7 |
| Under 18 years | 21.9%±0.8 pts | 23.8% | – |
| 65 years and over | 26.1%±0.6 pts | 17.0% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 4.1% | 13.6% | +0.7 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 89.5%±1.0 pts | 72.7% | −2.8 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.4%±0.4 pts | 5.2% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.4%±0.3 pts | 2.9% | – |
| 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%±0.4 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 5.3%±1.1 pts | 4.8% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 1.7%±1.1 pts | 7.4% | – |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 1.3%±0.8 pts | 12.1% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 8.4%±2.4 pts | 6.8% | – |
| With a disability | 15.5%±3.0 pts | 13.5% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 6.9%±3.9 pts | 8.8% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 94.2%±1.9 pts | 92.0% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 19.7%±3.6 pts | 35.6% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 6.9%±2.4 pts | 13.4% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.7%±2.2 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 Russell County earn?
Half of Russell County's 3,100 households earn less than $62,392 a year (±$10,596), against $74,275 in Kansas. In 2015-2019 it was $55,125 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 14.7% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Russell County | Kansas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $62,392±$10,596 | $74,275 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $77,916±$8,780 | $100,417 | – |
| Per capita income | $36,019±$3,891 | $40,978 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 14.7%±4.3 pts | 11.3% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 22.5%±10.1 pts | 13.1% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 15.2%±4.5 pts | 6.8% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 90.8%±3.1 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 Russell County?
Owners occupy 75.1% of Russell County's occupied homes and renters 24.9%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $119,000 by its owner (±$16,621). The median renter pays $805 a month including utilities, and 23.6% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Russell County | Kansas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $119,000±$16,621 | $217,200 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $805±$97 | $1,060 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 23.6%±11.6 pts | 34.5% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,553±$93 | $1,689 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 75.1%±5.0 pts | 67.2% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 3,674±14 | 1,293,635 | −204 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.1%±0.3 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 11.5%±10.0 pts | 6.2% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 87.8%±3.7 pts | 71.8% | – |
| Mobile homes | 3.0%±1.4 pts | 4.0% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.2%±0.2 pts | 1.4% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 25.9%±5.4 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 Russell County building?
Builders took permits for 30 new housing units across Russell County in 2025 (30 single-family), 4.6 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 Russell County get to work?
80.9% of Russell County's workers drive alone and 8.1% work from home. The average trip to work takes 13.2 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 1.8%.
| Measure | Russell County | Kansas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 68.2%±3.3 pts | 66.1% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 1.8%±1.1 pts | 3.9% | −4.8 pts |
| Drove alone to work | 80.9%±4.1 pts | 75.4% | – |
| Carpooled | 8.6%±2.7 pts | 8.7% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.5%±0.9 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Walked | 0.3%±0.5 pts | 2.3% | – |
| Worked from home | 8.1%±3.5 pts | 11.8% | +5.3 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 13.2 min±1.9 | 19.7 min | −3.6 min |
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 Russell County's census tracts?
Russell County is divided into 2 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $59,500 (Tract 9738) to $65,795 (Tract 9739).
| Tract 973820167973800 | 4,367±218 | $59,500 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 973920167973900 | 2,312±218 | $65,795 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Russell County compare with Kansas's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 54th of 105 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 51st of 105 |
| Residents per square mile | 58th of 105 |
| Median household income | 64th of 105 |
| Median home value | 56th of 105 |
| Median gross rent | 45th of 104 |
| Poverty rate | 19th of 102 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 93rd of 105 |
| Median age | 26th 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 Russell 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.