Living in Emporia, Kansas
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Emporia · Census data 2020–2024
Emporia has 24,131 residents with a median age of 30.2. The median household income is $52,704 (29% lower than the Kansas median), the median home value is $132,700, the median rent is $815/month.
Emporia at a glance
- Population
- 24,131
- Median age
- 30.2State: 37.4
- Median household income
- $52,704State: $74,275
- Median home value
- $132,700State: $217,200
- Median rent
- $815/moState: $1,060
- Homeowners
- 49.9%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 24.4%
- Average commute
- 12 min
Is Emporia a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 39% lower than the state median; an average commute of 12 minutes; unemployment of 2%.
Cons: Median household income 29% lower than the Kansas median; a poverty rate of 17.8%.
The weather is best in May–June and September–October.
Cost of living in Emporia
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Emporia the median home value is $132,700, 60% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $815 per month, which is 26.2% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,259 a month in housing costs.
Emporia median household income
The median household income in Emporia is $52,704 and the income per person is $27,304. 17.8% of residents live below the poverty line (Kansas: 11.3%).
Housing in Emporia: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 11,538
- Owner-occupied
- 49.9%
- Renter-occupied
- 50.1%
- Vacant
- 10%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1969
- Average household size
- 2.22
Emporia demographics
- Population
- 24,131
- Median age
- 30.2
- Under 18
- 21.4%
- 65 and older
- 14.1%
- Households
- 10,385
- Foreign-born
- 13.6%
- Veterans
- 5.1%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Emporia ›
Education in Emporia
24.4% of adults 25 and older in Emporia have a bachelor's degree or higher (Kansas: 35.6%), and 10.7% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Emporia
- Unemployment rate
- 2%State: 3.9%
- Average commute
- 12 minState: 20 min
- Work from home
- 6.1%
- Drive alone
- 76.7%
- Public transit
- 0%
- Walk to work
- 4.7%
- Homes with broadband
- 90%
Emporia vs nearby towns
More for people moving to Emporia
Emporia ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Emporia: FAQ
What is the median household income in Emporia, KS?
The median household income in Emporia is $52,704, 29% lower than the Kansas median of $74,275 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Emporia?
The median home value in Emporia is $132,700, compared with $217,200 in Kansas.
How much is rent in Emporia?
The median gross rent in Emporia is $815 per month, about 26.2% of household income.
Is Emporia, KS a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 39% lower than the state median; an average commute of 12 minutes; unemployment of 2%. Minuses: median household income 29% lower than the Kansas median; a poverty rate of 17.8%.
What is the median age in Emporia?
The median age in Emporia is 30.2 years (Kansas: 37.4).
How long is the commute in Emporia?
The average commute to work in Emporia is 12 minutes; 6.1% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Emporia?
The unemployment rate in Emporia is 2% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Emporia?
24.4% of adults in Emporia have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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