Pawnee County, Kansas Population 2026

Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates · 56th-largest in Kansas

The population of Pawnee County, Kansas is 6,220 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 56th-largest county in Kansas. The median household income is $63,625, the median home value is $102,400, and the median age is 44.9.

The population of Pawnee County has declined 13.9% since 2010 (6,979 → 6,012), a -1.06% annualized rate.

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

6,220

Population

-1.06%

Annual growth

People / sq mi

$63,625

Median Income

$102,400

Median Home Value

Pawnee County covers 754 sq mi of land at 8.2 people per square mile.

About Pawnee County, KS

The poverty rate is what most separates Pawnee County from the typical county: 1.9% of residents live below the federal poverty line, against 12.4% nationally. Pawnee County is a county in Kansas with a population of 6,220.

Household earnings are middling, with a median of $63,625 — below the US median of $78,538. Poverty is among the lowest of comparable US counties, at 1.9% — below the national 12.4%. Home prices sit near the bottom of the range at $102,400, with typical rent around $806.

Roughly 18.8% of adults have a bachelor’s, below the national 35.0%. About 11.5% of workers primarily work from home, below the national 14.0%, and the average commute runs about 20 minutes each way.

Pawnee County Population History (2010-2024)

The county of Pawnee County had a population of 6,979 in 2010 and 6,012 in 2024, a -13.9% growth over 14 years. The peak was 6,979 in 2010. Average annual growth rate: -1.06%.

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

6,012

Population (2024)

6,979

Population (2010)

6,979

Peak (2010)

-1.06%

Avg Annual Growth

Year	Population	Change	Annual %	Source
2010	6,979	-	-	estimate
2011	6,977	-2	-0.03%	estimate
2012	6,865	-112	-1.61%	estimate
2013	6,863	-2	-0.03%	estimate
2014	6,823	-40	-0.58%	estimate
2015	6,772	-51	-0.75%	estimate
2016	6,716	-56	-0.83%	estimate
2017	6,673	-43	-0.64%	estimate
2018	6,554	-119	-1.78%	estimate
2019	6,384	-170	-2.59%	estimate
2020	6,248	-136	-2.13%	estimate
2021	6,240	-8	-0.13%	estimate
2022	6,153	-87	-1.39%	estimate
2023	6,068	-85	-1.38%	estimate
2024	6,012	-56	-0.92%	estimate

Race & Ethnicity

White	87.5%
Black or African American	6.8%
Asian	0.0%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)	2.7%
Two or More Races	0.0%

Age & Sex

44.9

Median Age

45.9%

Female

54.1%

Male

22.1%

Age 65+

Age Distribution

Under 5

3.8%

5–9

3.4%

10–14

5.2%

15–19

6.7%

20–24

2.7%

25–34

14.5%

35–44

13.8%

45–54

12.1%

55–59

5.8%

60–64

9.9%

65–74

12.7%

75–84

7.1%

85+

2.3%

Children (under 15): 12.4% · Seniors (65+): 22.1%

Income & Poverty

Median household income	$63,625$-9,014 vs state
Mean household income	$90,081
Per-capita income	$39,318
Poverty rate	1.9%-5.8% vs state
Unemployment rate	0.6%
Employment-to-population	52.3%

Top Industries by Employment

Professional & business services

26.9%

Agriculture

13.9%

Retail trade

9.2%

Public administration

9.2%

Manufacturing

7.4%

Construction

5.5%

Finance & real estate

5.1%

Arts, entertainment & food

4.0%

The largest employment sector in Pawnee County is professional & business services, accounting for 26.9% of workers.

How residents commute

0.1%

Drive alone

3.4%

Carpool

69.5%

Public transit

11.5%

Work from home

20.2 min

Avg commute

Housing

$102,400$-101,000 vs state

Median home value

$806

Median rent

64.1%

Homeownership rate

3,045

Total housing units

79.3%

Occupied

20.7%

Vacant

35.9%

Renter-occupied

Social & access

88.9%

With health insurance

93.0%

With broadband internet

25.1%

Foreign-born

8.0%

Veterans (18+)

23.8%

With a disability

97.9%

Speak language other than English at home

Education

89.4%

High School+

18.8%

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

Pawnee County, Kansas has a population of 6,220 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 56th-largest county in Kansas. Population density is 8 people per square mile.

The population of Pawnee County has declined 13.9% since 2010 (6,979 → 6,012), a -1.06% annualized rate.

The median household income in Pawnee County, Kansas is $63,625, with mean (average) household income of $90,081 and per-capita income of $39,318. 1.9% of residents live below the federal poverty level.

In Pawnee County, the largest racial and ethnic groups are White (87.5%), Black or African American (6.8%), Hispanic or Latino (2.7%). Figures are from the US Census Bureau's 2023 ACS 5-year estimates and reflect self-reported responses.

The median age in Pawnee County, Kansas is 44.9 years. Residents are 45.9% female and 54.1% male.

The median home value in Pawnee County is $102,400 and median monthly rent is $806. 64.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. The county has 3,045 total housing units, 20.7% of which are vacant.

The largest employment sector in Pawnee County, Kansas is professional, scientific, and management services, employing 26.9% of workers. The unemployment rate is 0.6%.

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