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CITY

Independence

Kansas · 8,193 residents (2025 est.) · 7.669 sq mi
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#154Fastest shrinkingof 6,642-9.9%
The short version

Independence has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $51,069. Population has declined 14% since 2000. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $88,800. 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 38.3
US median: 38.9
Less educated
29% 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
8,422
−14%since 2000
from 9,846 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,098 / sq mi
−14%since 2000
from 1,284 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
38.3
+2%since 2000
from 37.4 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:8,193 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
8K9K9K10K10K1990201020202024Independence
20248K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$51,069
−5%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $29,574 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$28,742
+85%since 2000
from $15,496 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
32.1%
+12.9 ptssince 2009
from 19.3% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
18.4%
+5.4 ptssince 2000
from 13.1% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.405
−11%since 2010
from 0.455 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade19%
US avg: 9.9%
Information11.5%
US avg: 10.8%
Finance & insurance6.3%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical5.2%
US avg: 5.1%
Wholesale trade5.2%
US avg: 6.9%
Other services1.6%
US avg: 6.7%
Education & health services1%
US avg: 0.9%
Arts, entertainment, food0.8%
US avg: 1.9%
Transportation & warehousing0.8%
US avg: 2.2%
Public administration0.7%
US avg: 4.8%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.7%
US avg: 1.6%
Manufacturing0.7%
US avg: 0.4%
Construction0%
US avg: 1.2%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$88,800
+1%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $48,100 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$789
+4%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $415 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
69.6%
+5.0 ptssince 2000
from 64.6% in 2000
30.4% rent
Vacancy rate
18.8%
+4.5 ptssince 2009
from 14.3% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
14.3%
−5.1 ptssince 2009
from 19.4% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
44.8%
+7.3 ptssince 2009
from 37.5% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
1.7
+7%since 2000
from 1.6 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
31
RELATED:See current rent listings in Independence on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic84.9%(8,364)
Black7.1%(703)
Hispanic / Latino3.8%(378)
Asian0.6%(57)
Other0%
Diversity Score27.3%(2,684)
2024
White, non-Hispanic82.4%(6,936)
Black1.9%(163)
Hispanic / Latino8.1%(678)
Asian0%(0)
Other7.7%(645)
Diversity Score38.6%(3,253)
Diversity Score
39
+42%since 2000
from 27 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
28.7%
+9.6 ptssince 2000
from 19.0% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
92.6%
+9.8 ptssince 2000
from 82.8% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
12.4%
+5.5 ptssince 2000
from 6.9% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
16.9 min
+79%since 2000
from 9.5 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
80.6%
−4.0 ptssince 2009
from 84.6% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
12.3%
+1.7 ptssince 2009
from 10.6% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
3.9%
+1.6 ptssince 2009
from 2.3% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
1.6%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 1.8% 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
6.7%
−1.3 ptssince 2009
from 8.0% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
7.0%
−7.2 ptssince 2011
from 14.3% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
62.4%
−3.7 ptssince 2011
from 66.1% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
25.0%
+2.6 ptssince 2009
from 22.4% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
34.6%
−28.8 ptssince 2009
from 63.4% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
50.8%
+6.0 ptssince 2009
from 44.8% in 2009
Female
49.2%
−6.0 ptssince 2009
from 55.2% in 2009
Foreign born
2.0%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 2.2% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
8.0%
−35.8 ptssince 2009
from 43.9% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
20.0%
+3.0 ptssince 2012
from 17.0% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
11.8%
−68.3 ptssince 2013
from 80.1% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
89.1%
+18.5 ptssince 2017
from 70.6% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
95.1%
+0.2 ptssince 2016
from 94.9% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
3.8%
+0.4 ptssince 2016
from 3.4% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Independence

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Pop 7,895
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Head to head

Compare Independence to nearby cities

INDEPENDENCE VS
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Income$45,670−11%
Home value$60,800−32%
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SEE FULL COMPARISON →
INDEPENDENCE VS
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Home value$71,700−19%
Population9,315+14%
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INDEPENDENCE VS
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Home value$78,000−12%
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INDEPENDENCE VS
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Income$58,869+15%
Home value$167,200+88%
Population38,278+367%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Independence, Kansas?

Independence, Kansas has about 8,422 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Independence, Kansas?

The typical household in Independence, Kansas earns about $51,069 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Independence, Kansas expensive?

In Independence, Kansas, the median home is worth about $88,800, and the typical rent is about $789 a month.

How educated are people in Independence, Kansas?

About 28.7% of adults age 25 and over in Independence, Kansas hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Independence, Kansas?

About 18.4% of people in Independence, Kansas live below the federal poverty line.

Has Independence, Kansas grown since 1990?

Yes, Independence, Kansas has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 1,590 residents, a change of about -16 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 →