COUNTY · 2000 CENSUS

Cowley County

Kansas · 36,291 residents · 1,125.738 sq mi

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Part of the Arkansas City micropolitan area

The short version

Cowley County has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $34,406. Population has held roughly steady since 1990. Median home value is $55,200.

At a glance

Lower income

below the US median

US median: $42,589

Mid-age

median age 37.0

US median: 35.2

Less educated

18% hold a bachelor's degree

US average: 24%

Stable housing

home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted

US median home: $120,530

Section 01

Population & growth

Total population

36,291

−2%since 1990

from 36,915 in 1990

1990 – 2025

Population density

32 / sq mi

−2%since 1990

from 33 / sq mi in 1990

US average: 242

Median age

37.0

+6%since 1990

from 35.0 in 1990

US average: 35.2

Population, 1990 – 2024

202434K

Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income

$34,406

+4%inflation adjusted, since 1990

from $25,047 in 1990

US average: $42,589

1990 – 2024

Per capita income

$17,509

+51%since 1990

from $11,624 in 1990

US average: $21,522

Poverty rate

12.9%

+2.3 ptssince 1990

from 10.6% in 1990

US average: 12.4%

Section 03

Housing

Median home value

$55,200

+12%inflation adjusted, since 1990

from $37,300 in 1990

US average: $120,530

1990 – 2024

Median gross rent

$417

−1%inflation adjusted, since 1990

from $321 in 1990

US average: $602

Owner-occupied

70.8%

−0.4 ptssince 1990

from 71.2% in 1990

29.2% rent

Afford Score

1.6

+8%since 1990

from 1.5 in 1990

1990 – 2024

RELATED:See current rent listings in Cowley County on RentDataNow

Section 04

Race & ethnicity

1990

White, non-Hispanic92.8%(34,264)

Black2.8%(1,037)

Hispanic / Latino2.7%(1,009)

Asian1.1%(417)

Diversity Score22.6%(8,358)

2000

White, non-Hispanic88.4%(32,091)

Black2.7%(971)

Hispanic / Latino3.6%(1,304)

Asian1.5%(550)

Diversity Score19.1%(6,934)

Diversity Score

−16%since 1990

from 23 in 1990

1990 – 2024

Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher

18.3%

+3.3 ptssince 1990

from 14.9% in 1990

US average: 24.4%

High school or higher

85.4%

+8.5 ptssince 1990

from 76.9% in 1990

US average: 80.3%

Graduate degree

5.6%

+0.6 ptssince 1990

from 5.0% in 1990

US average: 8.8%

Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute

15.1 min

−21%since 1990

from 19.1 min in 1990

US average: 17.6

Section 07

Work & employment

No data for the years selected.

Section 08

People & community

No data for the years selected.

Drill deeper

Places similar to Cowley County

Head to head

Compare Cowley County to nearby counties

COWLEY COUNTY VS

Chautauqua County

Income$56,438+64%

Home value$65,500+19%

Population3,321−90%

SEE FULL COMPARISON →

COWLEY COUNTY VS

Kay County

Income$58,423+70%

Home value$124,700+126%

Population43,490+26%

SEE FULL COMPARISON →

COWLEY COUNTY VS

Elk County

Income$64,609+88%

Home value$68,500+24%

Population2,458−93%

SEE FULL COMPARISON →

COWLEY COUNTY VS

Sumner County

Income$63,951+86%

Home value$135,100+145%

Population22,312−35%

SEE FULL COMPARISON →

Frequently asked

How many people live in Cowley County, Kansas?

Cowley County, Kansas has about 36,291 residents according to the 2000 Census.

What is the median household income in Cowley County, Kansas?

The typical household in Cowley County, Kansas earns about $34,406 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Cowley County, Kansas expensive?

In Cowley County, Kansas, the median home is worth about $55,200, and the typical rent is about $417 a month.

How educated are people in Cowley County, Kansas?

About 18.3% of adults age 25 and over in Cowley County, Kansas hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Cowley County, Kansas?

About 12.9% of people in Cowley County, Kansas live below the federal poverty line.

Has Cowley County, Kansas grown since 1990?

Yes, Cowley County, Kansas has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 624 residents, a change of about -2 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 →