Living in Ottawa, Kansas
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Ottawa · Census data 2020–2024
Ottawa has 12,678 residents with a median age of 36.9. The median household income is $71,699 (3% lower than the Kansas median), the median home value is $166,500, the median rent is $1,032/month.
Ottawa at a glance
- Population
- 12,678
- Median age
- 36.9State: 37.4
- Median household income
- $71,699State: $74,275
- Median home value
- $166,500State: $217,200
- Median rent
- $1,032/moState: $1,060
- Homeowners
- 59.8%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 25.8%
- Average commute
- 20 min
Is Ottawa a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 23% lower than the state median; unemployment of 2.9%; a poverty rate of 9.1%.
Cons: Median household income 3% lower than the Kansas median; an average commute of 20 minutes.
The weather is best in May–June and September–October.
Cost of living in Ottawa
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Ottawa the median home value is $166,500, 50% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,032 per month, which is 25% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,583 a month in housing costs.
Ottawa median household income
The median household income in Ottawa is $71,699 and the income per person is $33,124. 9.1% of residents live below the poverty line (Kansas: 11.3%).
Housing in Ottawa: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 5,583
- Owner-occupied
- 59.8%
- Renter-occupied
- 40.2%
- Vacant
- 6.3%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1967
- Average household size
- 2.32
Ottawa demographics
- Population
- 12,678
- Median age
- 36.9
- Under 18
- 22.8%
- 65 and older
- 14.9%
- Households
- 5,233
- Foreign-born
- 2.1%
- Veterans
- 9.3%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Ottawa ›
Education in Ottawa
25.8% of adults 25 and older in Ottawa have a bachelor's degree or higher (Kansas: 35.6%), and 9.2% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Ottawa
- Unemployment rate
- 2.9%State: 3.9%
- Average commute
- 20 minState: 20 min
- Work from home
- 9.6%
- Drive alone
- 75%
- Public transit
- 0.1%
- Walk to work
- 1.6%
- Homes with broadband
- 90.1%
Ottawa vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ottawa | 12,678 | $71,699 | $166,500 | $1,032 |
| Princeton | 236 | $64,500 | $108,300 | $1,125 |
| Rantoul | 130 | $60,000 | $120,200 | — |
| Pomona | 1,088 | $51,875 | $145,800 | $821 |
| Wellsville | 2,216 | $83,750 | $180,000 | $1,247 |
| Baldwin City | 4,911 | $72,941 | $249,500 | $858 |
| Richmond | 503 | $56,078 | $96,200 | — |
| Williamsburg | 372 | $73,125 | $105,700 | $1,125 |
| Quenemo | 353 | $50,833 | $53,800 | $831 |
More for people moving to Ottawa
Ottawa ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Ottawa: FAQ
What is the median household income in Ottawa, KS?
The median household income in Ottawa is $71,699, 3% 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 Ottawa?
The median home value in Ottawa is $166,500, compared with $217,200 in Kansas.
How much is rent in Ottawa?
The median gross rent in Ottawa is $1,032 per month, about 25% of household income.
Is Ottawa, KS a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 23% lower than the state median; unemployment of 2.9%; a poverty rate of 9.1%. Minuses: median household income 3% lower than the Kansas median; an average commute of 20 minutes.
What is the median age in Ottawa?
The median age in Ottawa is 36.9 years (Kansas: 37.4).
How long is the commute in Ottawa?
The average commute to work in Ottawa is 20 minutes; 9.6% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Ottawa?
The unemployment rate in Ottawa is 2.9% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Ottawa?
25.8% of adults in Ottawa 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.
Last updated: