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Lawrence, KS Metro Area

Lawrence, KS · Metro Area

120,302Population

A metropolitan statistical area of 1 county, part of the Kansas City-Overland Park-Kansas City, MO-KS combined area. The counties are tied together by commuting: people live in one and work in another.

Median household income
$69,746
Median home value
$309,400
Land area
457 sq mi
263 people per sq mi

Market now

Counties in this metro area

Central counties hold the urban core; outlying counties are linked to it by commuting.

CountyRolePopulationMedian incomeMedian home value
Douglas County, KSCentral120,302$69,746$309,400

Largest cities and towns

13 places in our city pages lie in this area.

PlaceTypePopulationMedian income
Lawrence, KSCity96,051$65,009
Eudora (Township), KS—7,823$118,632
Palmyra, KS—7,758$80,562
Eudora, KSCity6,119$118,184
Baldwin City, KSCity4,911$72,941
Wakarusa, KS—2,313$99,375
Lecompton (Township), KS—1,648$95,500
Willow Springs, KS—1,533$90,817
Kanwaka, KS—1,386$125,938
Marion, KS—962$108,333
Lecompton, KSCity736$68,977
Clinton, KS—507$120,750
Grant, KS—321$62,417

Also in the Kansas City-Overland Park-Kansas City, MO-KS combined area

Demographic Rates

Poverty Rate
14.7%
Unemployment
4.2%
College Educated
53.2%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1701, S2301, S1501

Race & Ethnicity

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table B02001, B03003

Income Profile

Median Household Income
$69,746
Mean Household Income
$96,109

Income Distribution

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1901, S1902, S1903, B19013, B19113

Sex Distribution

Male
49.6%
Female
50.4%

Population Split

Male49.6%
Female50.4%

The sex distribution of a population provides insight into the demographic balance of a community. Significant skews in this ratio can be influenced by local industries (e.g., military bases, mining, or tech hubs), educational institutions, or migration patterns. Understanding this balance is essential for planning public health initiatives and social services.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S0101

Ancestry

German28.2%
English15.3%
Irish14.3%
Mexican4.8%
Italian3.1%
Scottish3.0%
French2.6%
Polish1.8%
African1.0%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table B04006

Immigration & Nativity

Nativity Status

6.0%Foreign Born
94.0%Native Born

Citizenship Status

Naturalized40.6%
Non-Citizen59.4%

Period of Entry

2010 or Later54.0%
Before 201046.0%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table B05001, B05002

Housing Characteristics

Total Housing Units
53,675
Median Rent
$1,099/mo
Median Home Value
$309,400
Median Year Built
1988

Housing Tenure

Housing Types

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table DP04

Education Enrollment

Total Enrolled
41,611
College Enrollment
47.0%
High School
10.1%
College Educated
53.2%

K-12 Enrollment

Higher Education

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1401, S1501

Transportation & Commute

Mean Commute Time
20.8 min
Drive Alone Rate
68.6%
Public Transit
2.4%
Work From Home
15.6%

Commute Mode

Vehicle Ownership

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S0801, B08141

Age Distribution

Under 18
17.5%
18-34 Years
36.8%
35-64 Years
31.8%
65+ Years
13.9%

Population Composition

Under 1817.5%
18-3436.8%
35-6431.8%
65+13.9%

The age distribution of a community impacts local services, school requirements, and the labor market. A higher percentage of youth suggests a need for schools and family services, while a larger senior population may indicate a retirement destination or a need for healthcare services.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S0101

Household Composition

Married Couples
41.5%
Single Parent
4.0%
Living Alone
32.7%
Avg Size
2.21

Household Types

Married Couples41.5%
Single Parent4.0%
Living Alone32.7%

Household composition offers insights into the social fabric of a community. A high percentage of married couples often correlates with stability and higher household incomes, while a significant number of single-person households may indicate a younger transient population or an aging community.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1101

Economic Profile

Per Capita Income
$40,695
SNAP Usage
5.3%
Health Insurance
91.8%

Household Income Breakdown

Under $25k17.5%
$25k - $50k17.6%
$50k - $100k29.6%
$100k+35.4%

Key Industries

Manufacturing
7.5%
Retail Trade
10.7%
Education & Health Care
30.4%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1901, S2201, DP03

Health & Disability

Disability Rate

11.2%With Disability

Percentage of the civilian noninstitutionalized population with a disability.

Health Insurance Coverage

91.8%With Coverage

Percentage of the civilian noninstitutionalized population with health insurance coverage.

Why this matters: High disability rates may indicate a need for accessible infrastructure and specialized healthcare services. Health insurance coverage is a key indicator of a community's access to preventative care and financial resilience against medical emergencies.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1810, S2701

Technology Access

Broadband Internet
92.0%vs ~90% National Avg
Computer Ownership
97.4%vs ~95% National Avg
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S2801

Cost of Living & Housing

Cost of Living Scale

Lower is better
90.2
0130
Below average< 97
Near average97 - 103
Above average> 103

Prices compared with the US average (100). 105 means about 5% more expensive than average.

Housing Affordability

Higher is better
140.8
0200
Hard to Afford< 80
Moderate80 - 100
Affordable> 100

100 means a family earning the median family income just qualifies to buy the median-value home (20% down, 30-year loan at 6.72%).

Source: BEA Regional Price Parities · NAR affordability formula with Census ACS 2020–2024 incomes and home values and the Freddie Mac 30-year rate (2024)