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CITY

Paola

Kansas · 5,880 residents (2025 est.) · 5.299 sq mi
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The short version

Paola has roughly average household income, with a median household income of $74,662. Population has grown 15% since 2000. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $210,800. With a median age of 45.0, the population is older than the US median of 38.9.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 45.0
US median: 38.9
Less educated
26% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 32%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
5,770
+15%since 2000
from 5,011 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,089 / sq mi
+15%since 2000
from 946 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
45.0
+28%since 2000
from 35.2 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:5,880 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
5K5K5K6K6K1990201020202024Paola
20246K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$74,662
+10%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $37,285 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$43,378
+95%since 2000
from $22,191 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
49.3%
+29.8 ptssince 2009
from 19.5% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
7.8%
−1.2 ptssince 2000
from 9.0% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.445
+15%since 2010
from 0.386 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Wholesale trade8.8%
US avg: 6.9%
Information8.8%
US avg: 10.8%
Retail trade8.2%
US avg: 9.9%
Other services6.1%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration5.4%
US avg: 4.8%
Finance & insurance4.5%
US avg: 5.9%
Transportation & warehousing4.3%
US avg: 2.2%
Professional, scientific, technical3.3%
US avg: 5.1%
Arts, entertainment, food2.3%
US avg: 1.9%
Education & health services1.3%
US avg: 0.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$210,800
+32%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $87,800 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,091
+16%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $518 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
65.0%
+2.4 ptssince 2000
from 62.5% in 2000
35.0% rent
Vacancy rate
5.1%
+1.1 ptssince 2009
from 4.1% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
19.5%
−3.8 ptssince 2009
from 23.3% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
45.3%
+4.3 ptssince 2009
from 41.1% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
2.8
+20%since 2000
from 2.4 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
36
RELATED:See current rent listings in Paola on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic92.1%(4,616)
Black3.4%(172)
Hispanic / Latino2.1%(104)
Asian0.3%(15)
Other0%
Diversity Score14.2%(710)
2024
White, non-Hispanic94.1%(5,427)
Black1.6%(95)
Hispanic / Latino1%(57)
Asian0.4%(21)
Other2.9%(170)
Diversity Score14.3%(823)
Diversity Score
14
+1%since 2000
from 14 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
26.4%
+5.8 ptssince 2000
from 20.6% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
88.1%
+1.2 ptssince 2000
from 86.9% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
9.9%
+3.9 ptssince 2000
from 6.0% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
25.7 min
+46%since 2000
from 17.6 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
77.8%
−6.0 ptssince 2009
from 83.8% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
11.2%
+2.3 ptssince 2009
from 8.9% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
−0.7 ptssince 2009
from 0.7% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
7.3%
+2.4 ptssince 2009
from 4.9% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
3.0%
+1.3 ptssince 2009
from 1.7% 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
4.8%
−4.9 ptssince 2009
from 9.7% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
4.2%
−1.9 ptssince 2011
from 6.1% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
64.3%
−3.6 ptssince 2011
from 67.8% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
17.7%
+6.6 ptssince 2009
from 11.1% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
36.8%
−27.7 ptssince 2009
from 64.5% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
48.1%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 48.1% in 2009
Female
51.9%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 51.9% in 2009
Foreign born
0.4%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.3% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
6.6%
−39.9 ptssince 2009
from 46.5% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
18.3%
+3.3 ptssince 2012
from 15.0% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
12.2%
−77.7 ptssince 2013
from 89.9% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
80.1%
+8.6 ptssince 2017
from 71.5% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
99.6%
+1.7 ptssince 2016
from 97.8% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
0.1%
−2.1 ptssince 2016
from 2.2% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Paola, Kansas?

Paola, Kansas has about 5,770 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Paola, Kansas?

The typical household in Paola, Kansas earns about $74,662 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Paola, Kansas expensive?

In Paola, Kansas, the median home is worth about $210,800, and the typical rent is about $1,091 a month.

How educated are people in Paola, Kansas?

About 26.4% of adults age 25 and over in Paola, Kansas hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Paola, Kansas?

About 7.8% of people in Paola, Kansas live below the federal poverty line.

Has Paola, Kansas grown since 1990?

Yes, Paola, Kansas has grown since 1990. The population has added about 1,072 residents, a change of about 23 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 →