Elk County, Kansas Population 2026

Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates · 94th-largest in Kansas

The population of Elk County, Kansas is 2,464 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 94th-largest county in Kansas. The median household income is $56,087, the median home value is $60,900, and the median age is 49.6.

The population of Elk County has declined 15.1% since 2010 (2,868 → 2,436), a -1.16% annualized rate.

Elk County within Kansas · Source: US Census TIGER/Line via us-atlas

2,464

Population

-1.16%

Annual growth

People / sq mi

$56,087

Median Income

$60,900

Median Home Value

Elk County covers 644 sq mi of land at 3.8 people per square mile.

About Elk County, KS

Housing cost is the defining feature of Elk County: the median home is valued at $60,900. Elk County is a county in Kansas with a population of 2,464.

Earnings trail the nation, with the median household making $56,087, below the US median of $78,538. Poverty sits at 14.3%, above the national 12.4%. Real estate is inexpensive, with a typical home worth only $60,900, with typical rent around $534.

Degree attainment is mid-range for US counties: 20.6% of adults hold a four-year degree, below the national 35.0%. About 6.1% of the workforce is home-based, below the national 14.0%, and the average commute runs about 37 minutes each way.

Elk County Population History (2010-2024)

The county of Elk County had a population of 2,868 in 2010 and 2,436 in 2024, a -15.1% growth over 14 years. The peak was 2,868 in 2010. Average annual growth rate: -1.14%.

Elk County population, 2010–2024 · Source: U.S. Census Bureau — decennial census & Population Estimates

2,436

Population (2024)

2,868

Population (2010)

2,868

Peak (2010)

-1.14%

Avg Annual Growth

Year	Population	Change	Annual %	Source
2010	2,868	-	-	estimate
2011	2,786	-82	-2.86%	estimate
2012	2,662	-124	-4.45%	estimate
2013	2,634	-28	-1.05%	estimate
2014	2,695	+61	+2.32%	estimate
2015	2,572	-123	-4.56%	estimate
2016	2,514	-58	-2.26%	estimate
2017	2,511	-3	-0.12%	estimate
2018	2,470	-41	-1.63%	estimate
2019	2,507	+37	+1.50%	estimate
2020	2,472	-35	-1.40%	estimate
2021	2,431	-41	-1.66%	estimate
2022	2,448	+17	+0.70%	estimate
2023	2,478	+30	+1.23%	estimate
2024	2,436	-42	-1.69%	estimate

Race & Ethnicity

White	90.8%
Black or African American	0.1%
Asian	0.0%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)	4.3%
Two or More Races	0.0%

Age & Sex

49.6

Median Age

49.6%

Female

50.4%

Male

28.2%

Age 65+

Age Distribution

Under 5

4.7%

5–9

6.1%

10–14

7.7%

15–19

5.6%

20–24

3.1%

25–34

9.7%

35–44

8.2%

45–54

11.0%

55–59

6.7%

60–64

9.0%

65–74

15.6%

75–84

9.0%

85+

3.6%

Children (under 15): 18.5% · Seniors (65+): 28.2%

Income & Poverty

Median household income	$56,087$-16,552 vs state
Mean household income	$66,434
Per-capita income	$29,323
Poverty rate	14.3%+6.6% vs state
Unemployment rate	1.8%
Employment-to-population	49.4%

Top Industries by Employment

Professional & business services

27.7%

Agriculture

14.2%

Construction

8.6%

Manufacturing

7.4%

Retail trade

6.4%

Information

6.3%

Finance & real estate

6.2%

Public administration

5.8%

The largest employment sector in Elk County is professional & business services, accounting for 27.7% of workers.

How residents commute

0.0%

Drive alone

4.7%

Carpool

75.8%

Public transit

6.1%

Work from home

37.1 min

Avg commute

Housing

$60,900$-142,500 vs state

Median home value

$534

Median rent

77.6%

Homeownership rate

1,502

Total housing units

71.6%

Occupied

28.4%

Vacant

22.4%

Renter-occupied

Social & access

91.1%

With health insurance

84.1%

With broadband internet

30.9%

Foreign-born

8.6%

Veterans (18+)

24.3%

With a disability

98.8%

Speak language other than English at home

Education

92.0%

High School+

20.6%

Bachelor's+

Largest cities in Kansas

Wichita (396,488)Overland Park (197,199)Kansas City (154,776)Olathe (143,720)Topeka (126,103)Lawrence (95,459)Shawnee (68,175)Lenexa (57,986)Manhattan (53,951)Salina (46,432)All Kansas cities →

Other counties in Kansas

Johnson County (614,764)Sedgwick County (524,810)Shawnee County (178,315)Wyandotte County (167,277)Douglas County (119,547)Leavenworth County (82,493)Riley County (71,710)Butler County (67,916)Reno County (61,693)Saline County (53,801)All Kansas counties →

Part of Kansas

Kansas demographic profile All Kansas data →

Metro areas in Kansas

Kansas City (2,202,006)Wichita (648,935)Topeka (232,724)Joplin (202,258)Manhattan (133,413)St. Joseph (120,609)Lawrence (119,547)All US metros →

County rankings

US Counties by Population Richest US Counties by Median Household Income Expensive US Counties by Home Value Educated US Counties Counties With Highest Poverty Rates Youngest US Counties by Median Age Oldest US Counties by Median Age Cheapest US Counties by Median Home Value Racially Diverse US Counties Counties With Largest Hispanic Population All rankings →

Frequently Asked Questions

Elk County, Kansas has a population of 2,464 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 94th-largest county in Kansas. Population density is 4 people per square mile.

The population of Elk County has declined 15.1% since 2010 (2,868 → 2,436), a -1.16% annualized rate.

The median household income in Elk County, Kansas is $56,087, with mean (average) household income of $66,434 and per-capita income of $29,323. 14.3% of residents live below the federal poverty level.

In Elk County, the largest racial and ethnic groups are White (90.8%), Hispanic or Latino (4.3%), Black or African American (0.1%). Figures are from the US Census Bureau's 2023 ACS 5-year estimates and reflect self-reported responses.

The median age in Elk County, Kansas is 49.6 years. Residents are 49.6% female and 50.4% male.

The median home value in Elk County is $60,900 and median monthly rent is $534. 77.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. The county has 1,502 total housing units, 28.4% of which are vacant.

The largest employment sector in Elk County, Kansas is professional, scientific, and management services, employing 27.7% of workers. The unemployment rate is 1.8%.

Wichita is among the largest cities associated with Elk County, Kansas, with a population of 396,488.