County · Kansas
Wilson County, Kansas
Wilson County, Kansas. Wilson County had 8,299 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 3.8% since 2020, while Kansas grew 1.3%. It holds 19 places (7 cities, villages and boroughs, 11 towns and townships and 1 census-designated) and 4 census tracts. GEOID 20205.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
8,299
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 8,624 · ACS 2020-2024: 8,505
Median household income
$60,677
±$6,601 (90% margin)
Kansas: $74,275
Median home value
$93,500
±$6,580 (90% margin)
Kansas: $217,200
Median gross rent
$736
±$74 (90% margin)
Kansas: $1,060
How many people live in Wilson County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 8,624 residents in Wilson County. The Census Bureau estimates 8,299 for July 1, 2025, down 3.8% since 2020, while Kansas grew 1.3%. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 8,505 over 570 square miles of land.
| Measure | Wilson County | Kansas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 8,505 | 2,947,197 | −183 |
| Households | 3,517±197 | 1,174,060 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.37±0.13 | 2.44 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 4,493±29 | 1,293,635 | −189 |
Wilson County's population since 2000
From 10,332 in 2000 to 8,299 in 2025: down 19.7%. 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 Wilson County?
Wilson County holds 19 places: 7 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places), 11 towns and townships (county subdivisions with their own government) and 1 census-designated place. The largest is Neodesha with 2,188 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Neodesha | 2,275 | $50,792 |
|---|---|---|
| Fredonia | 2,151 | $59,125 |
| Neodesha TownshipGEOID 2020549675 | 598 | $124,010 |
| Cedar Township, Wilson County | 569 | $56,339 |
| Center Township, Wilson CountyGEOID 2020512225 | 527 | $78,214 |
| Colfax Township, Wilson CountyGEOID 2020514825 | 389 | $86,458 |
| Altoona | 354 | $48,875 |
| Fall River Township, Wilson CountyGEOID 2020522825 | 328 | $88,229 |
| Verdigris TownshipGEOID 2020573500 | 278 | not published |
| Newark TownshipGEOID 2020550200 | 234 | $36,000 |
| BuffaloGEOID 2009150 | 217 | $68,750 |
| Guilford TownshipGEOID 2020529200 | 189 | $41,250 |
| Pleasant Valley Township, Wilson CountyGEOID 2020556650 | 178 | $100,500 |
| Chetopa Township, Wilson CountyGEOID 2020513000 | 157 | $169,375 |
| Prairie Township, Wilson CountyGEOID 2020557425 | 102 | $71,146 |
| BenedictGEOID 2006000 | 69 | $46,250 |
| CoyvilleGEOID 2016150 | 60 | not published |
| LafontaineGEOID 2037675 | 58 | $52,692 |
| New AlbanyGEOID 2050150 | 57 | $82,813 |
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 Wilson County?
The median resident of Wilson County is 42.7 years old; 23.9% are under 18 and 23.1% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 90.4%, then non-Hispanic residents of two or more races at 4.7%. 1.8% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Wilson County | Kansas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 42.7±1.2 | 37.4 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 23.9% | 23.8% | – |
| 65 years and over | 23.1%±0.3 pts | 17.0% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 3.8% | 13.6% | +0.6 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 90.4%±0.7 pts | 72.7% | −1.6 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.2 pts | 5.2% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 2.9% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.8%±0.4 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 | 4.7%±0.7 pts | 4.8% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.3 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 1.8%±0.8 pts | 7.4% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 2.6%±0.7 pts | 12.1% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 7.9%±1.3 pts | 6.8% | – |
| With a disability | 18.9%±2.7 pts | 13.5% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 7.2%±1.7 pts | 8.8% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 90.3%±1.9 pts | 92.0% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 19.9%±3.3 pts | 35.6% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 4.6%±1.3 pts | 13.4% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 0.8%±0.7 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 Wilson County earn?
Half of Wilson County's 3,517 households earn less than $60,677 a year (±$6,601), against $74,275 in Kansas. In 2015-2019 it was $59,493 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 15.5% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Wilson County | Kansas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $60,677±$6,601 | $74,275 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $77,777±$5,354 | $100,417 | – |
| Per capita income | $33,560±$3,090 | $40,978 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 15.5%±2.8 pts | 11.3% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 14.3%±4.6 pts | 13.1% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 10.0%±2.2 pts | 6.8% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 83.6%±3.3 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 Wilson County?
Owners occupy 77.7% of Wilson County's occupied homes and renters 22.3%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $93,500 by its owner (±$6,580). The median renter pays $736 a month including utilities, and 33.7% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Wilson County | Kansas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $93,500±$6,580 | $217,200 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $736±$74 | $1,060 | −$95 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 33.7%±10.7 pts | 34.5% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,203±$83 | $1,689 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 77.7%±3.8 pts | 67.2% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 4,493±29 | 1,293,635 | −189 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 2.6%±2.3 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 5.0%±4.8 pts | 6.2% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 83.9%±2.9 pts | 71.8% | – |
| Mobile homes | 10.7%±2.7 pts | 4.0% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.2%±0.3 pts | 1.4% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 28.6%±3.6 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 Wilson County building?
Builders took permits for 16 new housing units across Wilson County in 2025 (14 single-family), 1.9 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 Wilson County get to work?
81.8% of Wilson County's workers drive alone and 4.2% work from home. The average trip to work takes 20.3 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 3.0%.
| Measure | Wilson County | Kansas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 60.6%±2.6 pts | 66.1% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 3.0%±1.3 pts | 3.9% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 81.8%±4.1 pts | 75.4% | – |
| Carpooled | 10.3%±3.5 pts | 8.7% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.1%±0.2 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Walked | 1.5%±0.9 pts | 2.3% | – |
| Worked from home | 4.2%±1.5 pts | 11.8% | no clear change |
| Mean travel time to work | 20.3 min±2.0 | 19.7 min | +4.1 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 Wilson County's census tracts?
Wilson County is divided into 4 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $56,667 (Tract 974) to $71,146 (Tract 972).
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Wilson County compare with Kansas's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 45th of 105 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 82nd of 105 |
| Residents per square mile | 40th of 105 |
| Median household income | 72nd of 105 |
| Median home value | 87th of 105 |
| Median gross rent | 66th of 104 |
| Poverty rate | 12th of 102 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 91st of 105 |
| Median age | 41st 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 Wilson 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.