County · Kansas
Smith County, Kansas
Smith County, Kansas. Smith County had 3,566 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 0.2% since 2020, while Kansas grew 1.3%. It holds 30 places (6 cities, villages and boroughs and 24 towns and townships) and 2 census tracts. GEOID 20183.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
3,566
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 3,570 · ACS 2020-2024: 3,552
Median household income
$59,135
±$5,249 (90% margin)
Kansas: $74,275
Median home value
$94,100
±$9,616 (90% margin)
Kansas: $217,200
Median gross rent
$635
±$75 (90% margin)
Kansas: $1,060
How many people live in Smith County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 3,570 residents in Smith County. The Census Bureau estimates 3,566 for July 1, 2025, down 0.2% since 2020, while Kansas grew 1.3%. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 3,552 over 895 square miles of land.
| Measure | Smith County | Kansas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 3,552 | 2,947,197 | −75 |
| Households | 1,578±85 | 1,174,060 | −123 |
| Average household size | 2.21±0.12 | 2.44 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 2,024±21 | 1,293,635 | −220 |
Smith County's population since 2000
From 4,536 in 2000 to 3,566 in 2025: down 21.4%. 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 Smith County?
Smith County holds 30 places: 6 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 24 towns and townships (county subdivisions with their own government). The largest is Center Township, Smith County with 1,778 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, Smith County | 1,771 | $56,354 |
|---|---|---|
| Smith Center | 1,571 | $56,007 |
| Cedar Township, Smith County | 484 | $67,727 |
| Kensington | 399 | $54,583 |
| Oak TownshipGEOID 2018351650 | 233 | $60,000 |
| Lebanon | 178 | $41,250 |
| Houston TownshipGEOID 2018333225 | 139 | $68,125 |
| Harvey Township, Smith CountyGEOID 2018330550 | 93 | $63,750 |
| GaylordGEOID 2026000 | 87 | $57,083 |
| Lane Township, Smith CountyGEOID 2018338450 | 86 | $58,250 |
| Lincoln Township, Smith CountyGEOID 2018341200 | 73 | $203,438 |
| Harlan Township, Smith CountyGEOID 2018330100 | 70 | not published |
| Washington Township, Smith CountyGEOID 2018375775 | 61 | not published |
| Dor TownshipGEOID 2018318300 | 49 | $193,317 |
| Banner Township, Smith CountyGEOID 2018304100 | 48 | not published |
| Webster TownshipGEOID 2018376275 | 47 | not published |
| Valley Township, Smith CountyGEOID 2018373175 | 46 | not published |
| AtholGEOID 2003025 | 41 | not published |
| White Rock Township, Smith CountyGEOID 2018378000 | 37 | not published |
| Blaine Township, Smith CountyGEOID 2018307200 | 37 | not published |
| Pawnee Township, Smith CountyGEOID 2018354825 | 36 | not published |
| Logan Township, Smith CountyGEOID 2018342275 | 35 | not published |
| Pleasant Township, Smith CountyGEOID 2018356300 | 33 | not published |
| Garfield Township, Smith CountyGEOID 2018325825 | 31 | not published |
| Swan TownshipGEOID 2018369625 | 28 | not published |
| Martin TownshipGEOID 2018345000 | 22 | not published |
| Cora TownshipGEOID 2018315525 | 21 | not published |
| Crystal Plains TownshipGEOID 2018316575 | 20 | not published |
| German TownshipGEOID 2018326150 | 19 | not published |
| CedarGEOID 2011325 | 11 | 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 Smith County?
The median resident of Smith County is 49.1 years old; 20.0% are under 18 and 29.3% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 93.3%, then non-Hispanic residents of two or more races at 3.0%.
| Measure | Smith County | Kansas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 49.1±1.0 | 37.4 | −2.3 |
| Under 18 years | 20.0%±0.7 pts | 23.8% | – |
| 65 years and over | 29.3%±0.4 pts | 17.0% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 2.6% | 13.6% | +0.4 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 93.3%±0.2 pts | 72.7% | −1.4 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.2 pts | 5.2% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.2 pts | 2.9% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.3%±0.3 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 | 3.0%±0.5 pts | 4.8% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.3%±0.3 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 0.8%±0.7 pts | 7.4% | – |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 1.2%±0.6 pts | 12.1% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 9.2%±2.0 pts | 6.8% | – |
| With a disability | 16.6%±2.7 pts | 13.5% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 6.6%±2.2 pts | 8.8% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 95.6%±1.3 pts | 92.0% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 25.6%±3.8 pts | 35.6% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 6.8%±1.5 pts | 13.4% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.8%±0.9 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 Smith County earn?
Half of Smith County's 1,578 households earn less than $59,135 a year (±$5,249), against $74,275 in Kansas. In 2015-2019 it was $53,448 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 7.3% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Smith County | Kansas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $59,135±$5,249 | $74,275 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $80,326±$6,156 | $100,417 | – |
| Per capita income | $36,266±$2,283 | $40,978 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 7.3%±1.7 pts | 11.3% | −4.0 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 6.2%±4.2 pts | 13.1% | – |
| Households receiving SNAP | 5.6%±1.7 pts | 6.8% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 85.5%±4.0 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 Smith County?
Owners occupy 84.8% of Smith County's occupied homes and renters 15.2%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $94,100 by its owner (±$9,616). The median renter pays $635 a month including utilities, and 30.2% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Smith County | Kansas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $94,100±$9,616 | $217,200 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $635±$75 | $1,060 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 30.2%±10.8 pts | 34.5% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,126±$107 | $1,689 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 84.8%±3.0 pts | 67.2% | +7.7 pts |
| Housing units | 2,024±21 | 1,293,635 | −220 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.4%±0.6 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 22.6%±11.2 pts | 6.2% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 88.6%±3.1 pts | 71.8% | – |
| Mobile homes | 3.9%±2.3 pts | 4.0% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.7%±0.8 pts | 1.4% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 41.0%±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 Smith County building?
Builders took permits for 0 new housing units across Smith 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 Smith County get to work?
77.3% of Smith County's workers drive alone and 3.9% work from home. The average trip to work takes 14.3 minutes.
| Measure | Smith County | Kansas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 60.9%±3.2 pts | 66.1% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 0.6%±0.5 pts | 3.9% | – |
| Drove alone to work | 77.3%±3.5 pts | 75.4% | – |
| Carpooled | 10.9%±2.2 pts | 8.7% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.4%±0.5 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Walked | 5.8%±3.1 pts | 2.3% | – |
| Worked from home | 3.9%±1.6 pts | 11.8% | no clear change |
| Mean travel time to work | 14.3 min±1.9 | 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 Smith County's census tracts?
Smith County is divided into 2 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $56,493 (Tract 4758) to $62,434 (Tract 4759).
| Tract 475820183475800 | 1,787±107 | $56,493 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 475920183475900 | 1,765±107 | $62,434 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Smith County compare with Kansas's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 76th of 105 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 27th of 105 |
| Residents per square mile | 80th of 105 |
| Median household income | 81st of 105 |
| Median home value | 86th of 105 |
| Median gross rent | 93rd of 104 |
| Poverty rate | 87th of 102 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 42nd of 105 |
| Median age | 5th 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 Smith 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.