Ellis County, KS

County

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2024 Population

28,920

US Senator

Jerry Moran

Republican Party

US Senator

Roger Marshall

Republican Party

2024 Median Age

33.2

2.15% 1-year increase

2024 Poverty Rate

18.3%

3.45% 1-year increase

2024 Median Household Income

$63,084

5.33% 1-year growth

2024 Median Property Value

$216,300

2.46% 1-year growth

2024 Employed Population

16,454

0.345% 1-year decline

About

None of the households in Ellis County, KS reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

98.4% of the residents in Ellis County, KS are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Ellis County, KS are Fort Hays State University (3,350 degrees awarded in 2023) and Hays Academy of Hair Design (51 degrees).

In 2024, the median property value in Ellis County, KS was $216,300, and the homeownership rate was 63.2%.

Most people in Ellis County, KS drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 12.9 minutes. The average car ownership in Ellis County, KS was 2 cars per household.

Ellis County, KS borders Ness County, KS, Osborne County, KS, Rooks County, KS, Rush County, KS, Russell County, KS, and Trego County, KS.

United States Kansas Hays, KS

Population & Diversity

Ellis County, KS is home to a population of 28.9k people, from which 98.4% are citizens. As of 2024, 2.4% of Ellis County, KS residents were born outside of the country (695 people).

In 2024, there were 31.9 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (25.1k people) in Ellis County, KS than any other race or ethnicity. There were 788 Two Races Including Other (Hispanic) and 574 Two Races Excluding Other, & Three or More Races (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

98.4%

2024 Citizenship

98.2%

2023 Citizenship

As of 2024, 98.4% of Ellis County, KS residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.2%. In 2023, the percentage of US citizens in Ellis County, KS was 98.2%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been increasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Ellis County, KS compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Ellis County, KS

White (Non-Hispanic)
25.1k ± 160
Two Races Including Other (Hispanic)
788 ± 275
Two Races Excluding Other, & Three or More Races (Non-Hispanic)
574 ± 133

7.3%

Hispanic Population

2.11k people

7.3% of the people in Ellis County, KS are hispanic (2.11k people).

The following chart shows the 8 races represented in Ellis County, KS as a share of the total population.

Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for Kansas.

Most Common Origin

Mexico
83,075 ± 6,976 people
India
12,929 ± 2,785 people
Vietnam
10,325 ± 2,490 people

In 2023, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Kansas was Mexico, the natal country of 83,075 Kansas residents, followed by India with 12,929 and Vietnam with 10,325.

Foreign-Born Population

2.4%

2024 Foreign-Born Population

695 people

2.81%

2023 Foreign-Born Population

812 people

As of 2024, 2.4% of Ellis County, KS residents (695 people) were born outside of the United States, which is approximately the same as the national average of 14%. In 2023, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Ellis County, KS was 2.81%, meaning that the rate has been decreasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Ellis County, KS compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
362 ± 141
Gulf War (2001-)
162 ± 82
Gulf War (1990s)
145 ± 82

Ellis County, KS has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 2.23 times greater than any other conflict.

The chart shows the distribution of veterans by conflict in Ellis County, KS.

Economy

The economy of Ellis County, KS employs 16.5k people. In 2024, the largest industries in Ellis County, KS were Health Care & Social Assistance (2,842 people), Educational Services (2,691 people), and Retail Trade (2,076 people), and the highest paying industries were Utilities ($104,167), Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($62,270), and Finance & Insurance ($60,116).

Employment

Occupations

16.5k

2024 Value

± 973

−0.345%

1 Year decline

± 8.28%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in Ellis County, KS declined at a rate of −0.345%, from 16.5k employees to 16.5k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Ellis County, KS, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (1,736 people), Management Occupations (1,707 people), and Education Instruction, & Library Occupations (1,471 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Ellis County, KS.

Unemployment Insurance Claims

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Kansas.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in Kansas (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

Industries

Employment by Industries

16.5k

2024 Value

± 973

−0.345%

1 Year decline

± 8.28%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in Ellis County, KS declined at a rate of −0.345%, from 16.5k employees to 16.5k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Ellis County, KS, are Health Care & Social Assistance (2,842 people), Educational Services (2,691 people), and Retail Trade (2,076 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Ellis County, KS, though some of these residents may live in Ellis County, KS and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Median Earnings by Industry

$41,615

Median earning men ± $4,346

$31,158

Median earning women ± $1,837

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2024 are Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($80,511), Information ($74,113), and Transportation & Warehousing, & Utilities ($62,232).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2024 are Wholesale Trade ($250,001), Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting, & Mining ($73,125), and Information ($56,189).

Employment by Industry Sector

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Kansas.

Y-Axis

3.11%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

As of February 2023, there are 1.44M people employed in Kansas. This represents a 3.11% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

Right after the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, during April 2020, a general dip can be seen across industry sectors, resulting in an overall decline in employment by 10.9%.

The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in Kansas.

Establishments by Size

The industries with the most establishments

85
Construction
63
Retail Trade
59
Health Care and Social Assistance

The visualization shows the distribution of establishments by industry and by size according to the number of employees.

The visualization shows the number of establishments and its share across establishment sizes.

Payroll by Industry Sector

The industries with the highest total annual payroll

$160k
Health Care and Social Assistance
$61k
Retail Trade
$57k
Manufacturing

The chart shows the total annual payroll and the average annual payroll by industry.

Civics

In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in Kansas went to Donald J. Trump with 57.2% of the vote. The runner-up was Kamala Harris (41%), followed by Robert Kennedy (1.23%).

Jerry Moran and Roger Marshall are the senators currently representing the state of Kansas. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

Kansas is currently represented by 4 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Elections

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

Voting results are not available for Ellis County, KS. Showing the available data for Kansas.

2024 Election Results

Donald J. Trump (57.2%)
Republican Party
Kamala Harris (41%)
Democratic Party
Robert Kennedy (1.23%)
Independent Party

In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in Kansas went to Donald J. Trump with 57.2% of the vote. The runner-up was Kamala Harris (41%), followed by Robert Kennedy (1.23%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Kansas for each registered party from 1976 to 2024.

Senator Elections

US Senators from Kansas

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for Kansas.

Jerry Moran

Senator from Kansas

Assumed office on January 3, 2011

Roger Marshall

Senator from Kansas

Assumed office on January 3, 2021

Jerry Moran and Roger Marshall are the senators currently representing Kansas.

In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

The following chart shows elected senators in Kansas over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

Education

In 2023, universities in Ellis County, KS awarded 3,401 degrees. The student population of Ellis County, KS in 2023 is skewed towards women, with 4,787 male students and 8,130 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Ellis County, KS are White (1,838 and 54.9%), Unknown (1,109 and 33.1%), Hispanic or Latino (215 and 6.43%), and Black or African American (97 and 2.9%).

The largest universities in Ellis County, KS by number of degrees awarded are Fort Hays State University (3,350 and 98.5%) and Hays Academy of Hair Design (51 and 1.5%).

The most popular majors in Ellis County, KS are General Finance (409 and 12%), Operations Management & Supervision (235 and 6.91%), and International Economics (230 and 6.76%).

The median tuition cost for a public four year colleges is $4,437 for in-state students and $15,615 for out-of-state students.

Admissions & Enrollments

Applicants, Admissions & Enrolled

University

Measure

In 2023 in Ellis County, KS, the percentage of applicants admitted was 91.8%, while the percentage of admitted who enrolled was 44.4%. The number of students enrolled in 2023 was 12,917 (37.1% men and 62.9% women).

The line chart shows the evolution of the percentage of applicants admitted, admitted who enrolled or the number of students enrolled according to the option selected in the upper button.

Enrollments by Gender and Races

Universities

In 2023 there were 12,917 students enrolled in Ellis County, KS, 37.1% men and 62.9% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 7,168 records, of which 66.4% were women and 33.6% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

General Finance
409 degrees awarded
Operations Management & Supervision
235 degrees awarded
International Economics
230 degrees awarded

In 2023, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Ellis County, KS was General Finance with 409 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Bachelors Degree from schools in Ellis County, KS according to their major.

Universities

Gender

Race

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

Fort Hays State University
3,350 degrees awarded
Hays Academy of Hair Design
51 degrees awarded

In 2023, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was Fort Hays State University with 3,350 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

University

In 2023, 1,174 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Ellis County, KS, which is 0.527 times less than the 2,227 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2023, the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 1,838 degrees mean that there were 1.66 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Unknown, with 1,109 degrees awarded.

Awarded Degrees over Time

The graph shows the evolution of awarded degrees by degrees. Under the paragraphs, the average number of awarded degrees by university in each degree is shown.

Tuition

Average Net Price by Sector

Universities

Public, 4-year or above ($4,437) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2023.

Public, 4-year or above ($1,196) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2023.

Public, 4-year or above ($1,000) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

The graph shows the average net price by sector and year.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Ellis County, KS was $216,300 in 2024, which is 0.65 times smaller than the national average of $332,700. Between 2023 and 2024 the median property value increased from $211,100 to $216,300, a 2.46% increase. The homeownership rate in Ellis County, KS is 63.2%, which is lower than the national average of 65.2%.

People in Ellis County, KS have an average commute time of 12.9 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Ellis County, KS is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

In 2025, 13.7% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Ellis County, KS. From 2014 to 2025, the indicator grew 1.5%.

Housing

Property

$216,300

Median Property Value 2024

±$12,126

$7,742

Median Property Taxes

±$597

The following chart display owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Ellis County, KS the largest share of households pay taxes in the $3k+ range.

The chart underneath the paragraph shows the property taxes in Ellis County, KS compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies.

Rent vs Own

63.2%

Homeownership

2024

65.7%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2024

In 2024, 63.2% of the housing units in Ellis County, KS were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 62.4%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in Ellis County, KS compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Equity

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$63,084

Median Household Income

± $5,107

12.3k

Number of Households

± 848

In 2024, the median household income of the 12.3k households in Ellis County, KS grew to $63,084 from the previous year's value of $59,889.

The following chart displays the households in Ellis County, KS distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the $75k - $100k range.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Ellis County, KS is from Kansas.

0.458

2023 Wage GINI in Kansas

0.462

2022 Wage GINI in Kansas

In 2023, the income inequality in Kansas was 0.458 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.893% decline from 2022 to 2023, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for Kansas was lower than than the national average of 0.476. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in Kansas in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in Kansas across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2024

Drove Alone (78.3%)
Walked (7.75%)
Carpooled (6.84%)

In 2024, 78.3% of workers in Ellis County, KS drove alone to work, followed by those who walked to work (7.75%) and those who carpooled to work (6.84%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

Commute Time

12.9 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Ellis County, KS have a shorter commute time (12.9 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.4 minutes). Additionally, 1.12% of the workforce in Ellis County, KS have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Ellis County, KS compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Ellis County, KS distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Ellis County, KS have 2 cars.

Poverty

Severe Housing Problems

In 2025, 13.7% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Ellis County, KS. From 2014 to 2025, the indicator grew 1.5%.

The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the population living with severe housing problems.

Poverty & Diversity

18.3% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Ellis County, KS (5.04k out of 27.5k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.5%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Males 18 - 24, followed by Females 18 - 24 and then Females 25 - 34.

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Ellis County, KS is White, followed by Hispanic and Black.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

Children in Poverty

In 2025, 11.5% of the children was living in poverty in Ellis County, KS. From 2014 to 2025, the indicator declined 2.2%.

The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the children living in poverty.

Social Needs

Data only available at the state level.

Most prevalent states

California
35,798 individuals
New York
5,087 individuals
Florida
4,915 individuals

In 2017, California had the highest estimated number of chronically homeless individuals in the nation, at 35,798. New York has the second highest (5,087), followed by Florida (4,915).

The following map shows the estimated number of chronically homeless individuals by state over multiple years.

Security

Crimes & Accidents

Indicator

In 2022, the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population was 294 in Ellis County, KS. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator grew 14.3 per 100,000 population.

The graph shows the trend in the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population.

Health

92.7% of the population of Ellis County, KS has health coverage, with 55% on employee plans, 9.76% on Medicaid, 12.5% on Medicare, 14.5% on non-group plans, and 0.933% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in Ellis County, KS see 1,599 patients per year on average, which represents a 0% change from the previous year (1,599 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 998 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 272 patients per year.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 50.1% were men and 49.9% were women.

Coverage

Patient to Clinician Ratios

1,599 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Ellis County, KS

Primary care physicians in Ellis County, KS see an average of 1,599 patients per year. This represents a 0% change from the previous year (1,599 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in Ellis County, KS in comparison to its neighboring geographies.

Health Care Diversity

In 2024, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 22.7% under 18 years, 29.7% between 18 and 34 years, 31.9% between 35 and 64 years, and 15.6% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 50.1% were men and 49.9% were women.

The following chart shows the number of people with health coverage by gender.

Uninsured People

7.29%

Uninsured

55%

Employer Coverage

9.76%

Medicaid

12.5%

Medicare

14.5%

Non-Group

0.933%

Military or VA

Between 2023 and 2024, the percent of uninsured citizens in Ellis County, KS grew by 1.1% from 7.21% to 7.29%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Ellis County, KS changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.

Health Indicators

Health Outcomes

Indicator

In 2021, the number of deaths among residents under age 18 per 100,000 population was 48.6 in Ellis County, KS.

The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Ellis County, KS.

Health Behaviors

Indicator

In 2025, the percentage of the adult population (age 18 and older) that reports a body mass index (BMI) greater than or equal to 30 kg/m2 (age-adjusted) was 41.4% in Ellis County, KS.

The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Ellis County, KS.