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CITY · 2010 ACS

Hays

Kansas · 20,510 residents · 8.643 sq mi
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The short version

Hays has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $44,227. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. Median home value has risen by half since 2000, reaching $137,400. At a median age of 29.1, residents skew younger than the country as a whole. 39% of adults hold a bachelor's degree, well above the US average, yet household income trails the national figure — a profile common to graduate-student tracts and academic hubs.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $52,703
Younger
median age 29.1
US median: 37.2
More educated
39% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 28%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $225,659
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
20,510
+2%since 2000
from 20,013 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
2,373 / sq mi
+2%since 2000
from 2,316 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 261
Median age
29.1
−2%since 2000
from 29.7 in 2000
US average: 37.2
Population, 1990 – 2024
17K18K19K20K21K1990201020202024Hays
202421K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$44,227
+11%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $31,501 in 2000
US average: $52,703
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$24,536
+32%since 2000
from $18,565 in 2000
US average: $27,286
Households earning $100K+
24.0%
+2.2 ptssince 2009
from 21.8% in 2009
US average: 33.3%
Poverty rate
15.6%
+0.7 ptssince 2000
from 14.9% in 2000
US average: 13.8%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.465
US average: 0.461
Workforce by industry, 2010
Information15.1%
US avg: 11.5%
Retail trade5.7%
US avg: 10.9%
Wholesale trade5.2%
US avg: 7.2%
Other services5%
US avg: 7%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing4.1%
US avg: 1.9%
Public administration3.4%
US avg: 4.9%
Transportation & warehousing3.1%
US avg: 3.1%
Finance & insurance3%
US avg: 5.1%
Manufacturing2.9%
US avg: 0.5%
Arts, entertainment, food1.8%
US avg: 2.4%
Professional, scientific, technical1.5%
US avg: 4.2%
Education & health services1.5%
US avg: 0.9%
Construction1.2%
US avg: 1.4%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$137,400
+22%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $89,300 in 2000
US average: $225,659
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$617
+13%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $431 in 2000
US average: $853
Owner-occupied
35.4%
−22.2 ptssince 2000
from 57.6% in 2000
44.7% rent
Vacancy rate
7.2%
−0.4 ptssince 2009
from 7.7% in 2009
US average: 12.1%
Owner cost-burdened
19.7%
+1.3 ptssince 2009
from 18.4% in 2009
US average: 30.9%
Renter cost-burdened
46.6%
−3.5 ptssince 2009
from 50.1% in 2009
US average: 46.8%
Afford Score
3.1
+10%since 2000
from 2.8 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Hays on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic94.4%(18,885)
Black0.7%(149)
Hispanic / Latino2.6%(527)
Asian1.1%(217)
Other0%
Diversity Score10.9%(2,186)
2010
White, non-Hispanic90.7%(18,596)
Black1.1%(217)
Hispanic / Latino4.7%(963)
Asian1.8%(376)
Other1.6%(321)
Diversity Score21.5%(4,411)
Diversity Score
22
+97%since 2000
from 11 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
38.8%
+5.9 ptssince 2000
from 32.9% in 2000
US average: 27.9%
High school or higher
92.1%
+2.6 ptssince 2000
from 89.6% in 2000
US average: 84.9%
Graduate degree
13.7%
+1.5 ptssince 2000
from 12.3% in 2000
US average: 10.2%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
12.0 min
+14%since 2000
from 10.6 min in 2000
US average: 25.2
Drive alone to work
80.3%
−2.4 ptssince 2009
from 82.8% in 2009
US average: 76.2%
Carpooled to work
10.4%
+0.5 ptssince 2009
from 9.9% in 2009
US average: 10.4%
Public transit
0.4%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 0.1% in 2009
US average: 4.7%
Worked from home
2.7%
+0.3 ptssince 2009
from 2.4% in 2009
US average: 4.1%
Walked to work
5.0%
+0.8 ptssince 2009
from 4.2% in 2009
US average: 2.8%
Biked to work
0.6%
+0.3 ptssince 2009
from 0.3% in 2009
US average: 0.5%
No vehicle available
7.6%
+0.5 ptssince 2009
from 7.1% in 2009
US average: 8.7%
Section 07

Work & employment

Self-employed
17.1%
−3.1 ptssince 2009
from 20.2% in 2009
US average: 12.9%
Management & professional
31.9%
−31.7 ptssince 2009
from 63.6% in 2009
US average: 35.2%
Section 08

People & community

Male
48.8%
+1.2 ptssince 2009
from 47.6% in 2009
Female
51.2%
−1.2 ptssince 2009
from 52.4% in 2009
Foreign born
1.8%
+0.4 ptssince 2009
from 1.4% in 2009
US average: 12.8%
Veterans
9.8%
−37.3 ptssince 2009
from 47.1% in 2009
US average: 9.9%
Drill deeper

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Compare Hays to nearby cities

HAYS VS
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Income$54,139+22%
Home value$133,900−3%
Population14,266−33%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
HAYS VS
Dodge City
Income$68,721+55%
Home value$151,700+10%
Population27,653+30%
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HAYS VS
Salina
Income$61,783+40%
Home value$173,200+26%
Population46,094+117%
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HAYS VS
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Income$58,687+33%
Home value$125,000−9%
Population39,595+86%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Hays, Kansas?

Hays, Kansas has about 20,510 residents according to the 2010 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Hays, Kansas?

The typical household in Hays, Kansas earns about $44,227 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Hays, Kansas expensive?

In Hays, Kansas, the median home is worth about $137,400, and the typical rent is about $617 a month.

How educated are people in Hays, Kansas?

About 38.8% of adults age 25 and over in Hays, Kansas hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Hays, Kansas?

About 15.6% of people in Hays, Kansas live below the federal poverty line.

Has Hays, Kansas grown since 1990?

Yes, Hays, Kansas has grown since 1990. The population has added about 2,743 residents, a change of about 15 percent over that period.

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

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