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CITY

Baxter Springs

Kansas · 3,823 residents (2025 est.) · 3.149 sq mi
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The short version

Baxter Springs has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $51,404. Population has fallen 16% since 2000, a loss of 747 residents. 12% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 36%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $92,900. The poverty rate of 24.3% is well above the national figure. Households here earn about 31% less than the Kansas median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Mid-age
median age 40.2
US median: 38.9
Less educated
12% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
3,855
−16%since 2000
from 4,602 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,224 / sq mi
−16%since 2000
from 1,461 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
40.2
+12%since 2000
from 35.9 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:3,823 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
4K4K4K4K5K1990201020202024Baxter Springs
20244K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$51,404
−2%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $28,768 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$24,550
+78%since 2000
from $13,789 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
24.4%
+14.2 ptssince 2009
from 10.2% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
24.3%
+14.1 ptssince 2000
from 10.2% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.400
+3%since 2010
from 0.389 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade19.4%
US avg: 9.9%
Information11.5%
US avg: 10.8%
Wholesale trade4.5%
US avg: 6.9%
Finance & insurance4.3%
US avg: 5.9%
Other services3.8%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration3.8%
US avg: 4.8%
Professional, scientific, technical3.6%
US avg: 5.1%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing1.8%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction1.8%
US avg: 1.2%
Transportation & warehousing1.5%
US avg: 2.2%
Arts, entertainment, food0.8%
US avg: 1.9%
Education & health services0.7%
US avg: 0.9%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$92,900
+1%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $50,600 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$754
+6%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $389 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
74.5%
+6.9 ptssince 2000
from 67.6% in 2000
25.5% rent
Vacancy rate
15.1%
−0.9 ptssince 2009
from 16.0% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
24.5%
+5.9 ptssince 2009
from 18.6% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
44.1%
−20.5 ptssince 2009
from 64.6% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
1.8
+3%since 2000
from 1.8 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
40
RELATED:See current rent listings in Baxter Springs on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic87.4%(4,021)
Black1%(44)
Hispanic / Latino1.3%(60)
Asian0.2%(9)
Other0%
Diversity Score6.7%(308)
2024
White, non-Hispanic82.2%(3,167)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino6.1%(234)
Asian0.6%(25)
Other11.1%(429)
Diversity Score38.6%(1,489)
Diversity Score
39
+477%since 2000
from 7 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
12.0%
+1.8 ptssince 2000
from 10.3% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
85.4%
+7.9 ptssince 2000
from 77.5% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
0.8%
−1.7 ptssince 2000
from 2.5% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
18.6 min
+32%since 2000
from 14.0 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
85.8%
+11.4 ptssince 2009
from 74.3% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
7.2%
−9.7 ptssince 2009
from 16.9% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
3.4%
−0.6 ptssince 2009
from 4.0% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
1.2%
−1.9 ptssince 2009
from 3.1% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.5%
+0.5 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
10.0%
+5.4 ptssince 2009
from 4.7% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
5.6%
+0.7 ptssince 2011
from 4.9% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
62.8%
+1.4 ptssince 2011
from 61.4% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
18.4%
+3.7 ptssince 2009
from 14.7% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
29.4%
−34.2 ptssince 2009
from 63.7% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
50.1%
+5.2 ptssince 2009
from 44.9% in 2009
Female
49.9%
−5.2 ptssince 2009
from 55.1% in 2009
Foreign born
1.2%
+0.9 ptssince 2009
from 0.3% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
6.5%
−38.6 ptssince 2009
from 45.1% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
16.5%
−0.2 ptssince 2012
from 16.7% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
14.9%
−68.5 ptssince 2013
from 83.4% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
85.6%
+26.9 ptssince 2017
from 58.7% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
98.9%
+0.5 ptssince 2016
from 98.4% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
0.1%
−0.7 ptssince 2016
from 0.8% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

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Head to head

Compare Baxter Springs to nearby cities

BAXTER SPRINGS VS
Miami
Income$46,410−10%
Home value$107,600+16%
Population12,893+237%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
BAXTER SPRINGS VS
Joplin
Income$52,097+1%
Home value$168,300+81%
Population53,930+1311%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
BAXTER SPRINGS VS
Carl Junction
Income$82,879+61%
Home value$218,300+135%
Population8,484+122%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
BAXTER SPRINGS VS
Webb City
Income$65,469+27%
Home value$169,100+82%
Population13,459+252%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Baxter Springs, Kansas?

Baxter Springs, Kansas has about 3,855 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Baxter Springs, Kansas?

The typical household in Baxter Springs, Kansas earns about $51,404 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Baxter Springs, Kansas expensive?

In Baxter Springs, Kansas, the median home is worth about $92,900, and the typical rent is about $754 a month.

How educated are people in Baxter Springs, Kansas?

About 12.0% of adults age 25 and over in Baxter Springs, Kansas hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Baxter Springs, Kansas?

About 24.3% of people in Baxter Springs, Kansas live below the federal poverty line.

Has Baxter Springs, Kansas grown since 1990?

Yes, Baxter Springs, Kansas has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 496 residents, a change of about -11 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

How we source and harmonize this data →