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CITY

Blue Rapids

Kansas · 909 residents (2025 est.) · 1.985 sq mi
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The short version

Blue Rapids has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $53,214. Population has fallen 20% since 2000, a loss of 218 residents. 19% 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 $68,300. With a median age of 46.3, the population is older than the US median of 38.9. Households here earn about 28% less than the Kansas median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 46.3
US median: 38.9
Less educated
19% 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
870
−20%since 2000
from 1,088 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
438 / sq mi
−20%since 2000
from 548 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
46.3
+12%since 2000
from 41.4 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:909 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
8329451K1K1K1990201020202024Blue Rapids
2024870
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$53,214
−5%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $30,682 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$47,951
+184%since 2000
from $16,859 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
34.4%
+16.2 ptssince 2009
from 18.2% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
5.3%
−7.7 ptssince 2000
from 13.0% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.540
+42%since 2010
from 0.381 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade19.6%
US avg: 9.9%
Information14.6%
US avg: 10.8%
Finance & insurance13.5%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical13.5%
US avg: 5.1%
Other services5.6%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration5.6%
US avg: 4.8%
Wholesale trade4.2%
US avg: 6.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing1.3%
US avg: 1.6%
Arts, entertainment, food1.1%
US avg: 1.9%
Manufacturing0.8%
US avg: 0.4%
Construction0.5%
US avg: 1.2%
Transportation & warehousing0.5%
US avg: 2.2%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.9%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$68,300
+25%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $30,000 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$771
+31%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $324 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
79.1%
+0.8 ptssince 2000
from 78.4% in 2000
20.9% rent
Vacancy rate
7.4%
−2.0 ptssince 2009
from 9.5% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
6.0%
−9.6 ptssince 2009
from 15.7% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
27.7%
−2.0 ptssince 2009
from 29.7% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
1.3
+31%since 2000
from 1.0 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
44
RELATED:See current rent listings in Blue Rapids on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic97.8%(1,064)
Black0.2%(2)
Hispanic / Latino0.6%(6)
Asian0.1%(1)
Other0%
Diversity Score2.1%(23)
2024
White, non-Hispanic93.9%(817)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino4.5%(39)
Asian0%(0)
Other1.6%(14)
Diversity Score14.5%(126)
Diversity Score
14
+595%since 2000
from 2 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
18.9%
+8.9 ptssince 2000
from 10.1% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
86.0%
+6.7 ptssince 2000
from 79.2% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
11.9%
+6.7 ptssince 2000
from 5.2% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
21.7 min
+47%since 2000
from 14.7 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
87.2%
+4.5 ptssince 2009
from 82.7% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
11.1%
+3.2 ptssince 2009
from 7.9% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
0.8%
−3.4 ptssince 2009
from 4.3% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
0.8%
−4.3 ptssince 2009
from 5.1% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
3.3%
−2.0 ptssince 2009
from 5.2% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
0.0%
−3.3 ptssince 2011
from 3.3% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
52.6%
−3.2 ptssince 2011
from 55.8% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
15.9%
−4.4 ptssince 2009
from 20.3% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
34.7%
−21.3 ptssince 2009
from 55.9% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
50.5%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 50.4% in 2009
Female
49.5%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 49.6% in 2009
Foreign born
0.1%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
6.9%
−43.1 ptssince 2009
from 50.1% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
16.9%
+3.8 ptssince 2012
from 13.1% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
3.2%
−80.3 ptssince 2013
from 83.5% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
91.7%
+25.7 ptssince 2017
from 66.0% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
95.9%
−2.0 ptssince 2016
from 97.8% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
3.9%
+2.8 ptssince 2016
from 1.1% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Blue Rapids, Kansas?

Blue Rapids, Kansas has about 870 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Blue Rapids, Kansas?

The typical household in Blue Rapids, Kansas earns about $53,214 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Blue Rapids, Kansas expensive?

In Blue Rapids, Kansas, the median home is worth about $68,300, and the typical rent is about $771 a month.

How educated are people in Blue Rapids, Kansas?

About 18.9% of adults age 25 and over in Blue Rapids, Kansas hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Blue Rapids, Kansas?

About 5.3% of people in Blue Rapids, Kansas live below the federal poverty line.

Has Blue Rapids, Kansas grown since 1990?

Yes, Blue Rapids, Kansas has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 277 residents, a change of about -24 percent over that period.

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

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