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CITY · 2020 ACS

Hays

Kansas · 21,116 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 $52,135. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $182,100. At a median age of 30.7, residents skew younger than the country as a whole.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Younger
median age 30.7
US median: 38.8
More educated
41% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 36%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
21,116
+6%since 2000
from 20,013 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
2,443 / sq mi
+6%since 2000
from 2,316 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
30.7
+3%since 2000
from 29.7 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
17K18K19K20K21K1990201020202024Hays
202421K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$52,135
+10%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $31,501 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$29,044
+56%since 2000
from $18,565 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
35.5%
+13.7 ptssince 2009
from 21.8% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
15.3%
+0.4 ptssince 2000
from 14.9% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Information12.3%
US avg: 11.1%
Other services5.9%
US avg: 6.6%
Wholesale trade5.7%
US avg: 6.7%
Retail trade4.1%
US avg: 10%
Finance & insurance3.3%
US avg: 5.5%
Public administration3.3%
US avg: 4.7%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing3.2%
US avg: 1.7%
Professional, scientific, technical3%
US avg: 4.7%
Arts, entertainment, food2.9%
US avg: 2%
Transportation & warehousing2.8%
US avg: 2.5%
Construction2.1%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing1.1%
US avg: 0.5%
Education & health services0.3%
US avg: 0.8%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$182,100
+36%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $89,300 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$720
+11%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $431 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
55.3%
−2.4 ptssince 2000
from 57.6% in 2000
44.7% rent
Afford Score
3.5
+23%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)
2020
White, non-Hispanic85.8%(18,108)
Black1.4%(297)
Hispanic / Latino7.3%(1,538)
Asian1.1%(241)
Other2.6%(541)
Diversity Score28.8%(6,072)
Diversity Score
29
+163%since 2000
from 11 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
41.0%
+8.0 ptssince 2000
from 32.9% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
95.0%
+5.5 ptssince 2000
from 89.6% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
15.4%
+3.1 ptssince 2000
from 12.3% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
10.1 min
−4%since 2000
from 10.6 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
85.8%
+3.1 ptssince 2009
from 82.8% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
5.5%
−1.6 ptssince 2009
from 7.1% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
4.1%
+0.1 ptssince 2011
from 4.1% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
70.6%
−6.3 ptssince 2011
from 76.8% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
37.5%
−26.1 ptssince 2009
from 63.6% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
49.0%
+1.5 ptssince 2009
from 47.6% in 2009
Female
51.0%
−1.5 ptssince 2009
from 52.4% in 2009
Foreign born
3.7%
+2.3 ptssince 2009
from 1.4% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
6.4%
−84.4 ptssince 2013
from 90.8% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

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Compare Hays to nearby cities

HAYS VS
Great Bend
Income$54,139+4%
Home value$133,900−26%
Population14,266−33%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
HAYS VS
Dodge City
Income$68,721+32%
Home value$151,700−17%
Population27,653+30%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
HAYS VS
Salina
Income$61,783+19%
Home value$173,200−5%
Population46,094+117%
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HAYS VS
Hutchinson
Income$58,687+13%
Home value$125,000−31%
Population39,595+86%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Hays, Kansas?

Hays, Kansas has about 21,116 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Hays, Kansas?

The typical household in Hays, Kansas earns about $52,135 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 $182,100, and the typical rent is about $720 a month.

How educated are people in Hays, Kansas?

About 41.0% 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 15.3% 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 3,349 residents, a change of about 19 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 →