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CITY

Cottonwood Falls

Kansas · 860 residents (2025 est.) · 0.644 sq mi
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Part of the Emporia micropolitan area
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The short version

Cottonwood Falls has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $50,750. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 23% 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 $85,100. Households here earn about 32% 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
23% 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
1,041
+8%since 2000
from 966 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,616 / sq mi
+8%since 2000
from 1,500 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
40.2
+4%since 2000
from 38.6 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:860 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
7318499671K1K1990201020202024Cottonwood Falls
20241K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$50,750
−4%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $28,947 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$26,871
+77%since 2000
from $15,166 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
29.0%
+11.0 ptssince 2009
from 18.0% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
9.1%
−2.5 ptssince 2000
from 11.6% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.377
−3%since 2010
from 0.389 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade21.3%
US avg: 9.9%
Information13.2%
US avg: 10.8%
Finance & insurance6.9%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical6.9%
US avg: 5.1%
Wholesale trade6.5%
US avg: 6.9%
Transportation & warehousing4.2%
US avg: 2.2%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing4%
US avg: 1.6%
Manufacturing3.5%
US avg: 0.4%
Other services0.8%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration0.8%
US avg: 4.8%
Construction0.4%
US avg: 1.2%
Arts, entertainment, food0.4%
US avg: 1.9%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.9%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$85,100
+5%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $44,700 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$838
+29%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $357 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
84.3%
+14.4 ptssince 2000
from 69.9% in 2000
15.7% rent
Vacancy rate
15.8%
+2.5 ptssince 2009
from 13.3% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
11.9%
−12.7 ptssince 2009
from 24.6% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
27.3%
−2.3 ptssince 2009
from 29.5% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
1.7
+9%since 2000
from 1.5 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
35
RELATED:See current rent listings in Cottonwood Falls on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic93.7%(905)
Black2.3%(22)
Hispanic / Latino2.4%(23)
Asian0.2%(2)
Other0%
Diversity Score11.9%(115)
2024
White, non-Hispanic81.7%(851)
Black2.6%(27)
Hispanic / Latino11.4%(119)
Asian0%(0)
Other4.2%(44)
Diversity Score39.5%(411)
Diversity Score
40
+232%since 2000
from 12 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
23.0%
+9.6 ptssince 2000
from 13.3% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
89.4%
+1.7 ptssince 2000
from 87.7% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
3.2%
−0.5 ptssince 2000
from 3.6% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
21.2 min
+47%since 2000
from 14.4 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
80.6%
−0.5 ptssince 2009
from 81.1% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
8.3%
+3.8 ptssince 2009
from 4.5% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
7.0%
−0.6 ptssince 2009
from 7.6% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
4.0%
−2.7 ptssince 2009
from 6.8% 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
4.3%
+1.2 ptssince 2009
from 3.1% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
1.6%
−6.0 ptssince 2011
from 7.6% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
56.0%
−2.5 ptssince 2011
from 58.4% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
17.5%
−7.7 ptssince 2009
from 25.2% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
30.7%
−30.8 ptssince 2009
from 61.5% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
53.2%
+10.1 ptssince 2009
from 43.1% in 2009
Female
46.8%
−10.1 ptssince 2009
from 56.9% in 2009
Foreign born
5.5%
+3.8 ptssince 2009
from 1.7% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
6.8%
−39.0 ptssince 2009
from 45.9% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
13.3%
+2.1 ptssince 2012
from 11.2% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
5.5%
−74.4 ptssince 2013
from 79.9% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
85.0%
+13.2 ptssince 2017
from 71.8% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
96.2%
Unchangedsince 2016
from 96.2% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
3.8%
+0.4 ptssince 2016
from 3.3% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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Compare Cottonwood Falls to nearby cities

COTTONWOOD FALLS VS
Emporia
Income$52,704+4%
Home value$132,700+56%
Population24,137+2707%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
COTTONWOOD FALLS VS
El Dorado
Income$59,180+17%
Home value$120,300+41%
Population12,696+1376%
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COTTONWOOD FALLS VS
Junction City
Income$61,181+21%
Home value$171,500+102%
Population22,583+2526%
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COTTONWOOD FALLS VS
Newton
Income$68,885+36%
Home value$156,400+84%
Population18,353+2034%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Cottonwood Falls, Kansas?

Cottonwood Falls, Kansas has about 1,041 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Cottonwood Falls, Kansas?

The typical household in Cottonwood Falls, Kansas earns about $50,750 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Cottonwood Falls, Kansas expensive?

In Cottonwood Falls, Kansas, the median home is worth about $85,100, and the typical rent is about $838 a month.

How educated are people in Cottonwood Falls, Kansas?

About 23.0% of adults age 25 and over in Cottonwood Falls, Kansas hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Cottonwood Falls, Kansas?

About 9.1% of people in Cottonwood Falls, Kansas live below the federal poverty line.

Has Cottonwood Falls, Kansas grown since 1990?

Yes, Cottonwood Falls, Kansas has grown since 1990. The population has added about 152 residents, a change of about 17 percent over that period.

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

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