Population 10,897 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Independence
Household size in Independence
| Period | Independence | Kansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.44 | 2.54 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.48 | 2.58 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.27 | 2.56 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.32 | 2.53 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.12 | −0.01 | −0.03 |
Independence is a place of small households, averaging 2.32 people against 2.65 for the U.S., which points to many singles, couples and roommates and relatively few children. Household size has dropped from 2.44 in 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally. The biggest households, usually families with children, are concentrated in the southwest.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in Independence
| Period | Independence | Kansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 38.3 | 37.4 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 38.0 | 37.8 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 40.2 | 38.5 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 39.3 | 38.8 | 40.1 |
| Change | +0.9 | +1.4 | +2.3 |
At 39.3, the median age in Independence is close to the national median of 40.1, so its age mix looks much like the country's. Since 2006–10, the median age has climbed from 38.3, in line with the national trend.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in Independence
| Period | Independence | Kansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 16.4% | 10.8% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 16.0% | 10.9% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 11.7% | 10.4% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 8.9% | 10.5% | 11.6% |
| Change | −7.5 pts | −0.4 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head about one in twelve households in Independence (8.9%), below the national share of 11.6%. The single-parent share has fallen 7.5 points since 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in Independence
Renters in Independence
| Period | Independence | Kansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 31.8% | 30.6% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 33.5% | 32.9% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 34.8% | 33.7% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 28.3% | 32.8% | 34.8% |
| Change | −3.5 pts | +2.3 pts | +1.5 pts |
Nearly three in ten households in Independence rent their homes (28.3%), below the national share of 34.8%; the rest own. About half of owners (51.1%) have paid off their mortgages, well above the national share of 39.8%. Rentals cluster in the southeast; owners are most common in the northwest. The renter share is down 3.5 points from 2006–10, even as the national share rose.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in Independence
| Period | Independence | Kansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 12.0% | 10.1% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 15.5% | 10.4% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 16.6% | 11.3% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 15.2% | 9.7% | 9.6% |
| Change | +3.2 pts | −0.4 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy is high in Independence: 15.2% of homes are empty, far above the national rate of 9.6%. In resort and lake areas that usually means seasonal and vacation homes; elsewhere it can point to weak demand. Vacancy has risen 3.2 points since 2006–10, even as the national rate fell.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in Independence
| Period | Independence | Kansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1956 | 1971 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1954 | 1972 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1958 | 1973 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1958 | 1976 | 1980 |
| Change | +2 | +5 | +6 |
The housing in Independence is old by national standards: the median home dates to 1958, against 1980 for the U.S., so buyers will find more older houses, some of them due for updates. The newest homes are mostly in the southwest, the oldest in the east. Independence has older homes than at least four in five Kansas cities.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in Independence
| Period | Independence | Kansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $549 | $769 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $607 | $858 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $707 | $950 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $825 | $1,159 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$275 | +$390 | +$606 |
Rent in Independence runs $825 a month at the median, utilities included, well below the U.S. median of $1,571. Rent has climbed $275 a month since 2006–10, up 50%, a slower climb than the nation's. Rent takes 27.5% of the typical renter's income, just under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent. The priciest rents are in the northeast; the most affordable are in the south.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in Independence
Bachelor's degrees in Independence
| Period | Independence | Kansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 25.6% | 30.8% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 20.4% | 31.7% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 22.6% | 33.6% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 28.0% | 35.6% | 35.6% |
| Change | +2.4 pts | +4.8 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are less common in Independence than nationally: 28.0% of adults 25 and older have a bachelor's or higher, against 35.6%. The share with a degree has risen 2.4 points since 2006–10, in line with the national trend.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in Independence
| Period | Independence | Kansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 88.5% | 89.5% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 90.6% | 90.0% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 91.9% | 90.8% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 92.8% | 91.7% | 89.3% |
| Change | +4.3 pts | +2.2 pts | +4.3 pts |
Just over nine in ten adults in Independence have finished high school (92.8%), above the national rate of 89.3%. Kansas as a whole looks much the same. The share with a diploma has risen 4.3 points since 2006–10, in line with the national trend.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in Independence
| Period | Independence | Kansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 10.4% | 6.1% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 11.3% | 6.7% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 2.9% | 4.1% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 6.1% | 4.0% | 5.4% |
| Change | −4.4 pts | −2.1 pts | −2.7 pts |
At 6.1%, unemployment in Independence is close to the national rate of 5.4%. The rate is higher than in Kansas overall (4.0%). Since 2006–10, unemployment has fallen 4.4 points, in line with the national trend.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
Independence compared with nearby cities
| City | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Independence | 2.32 | 39.3 | 8.9% | 28.3% | 15.2% | 1958 | $825 | 28.0% | 92.8% | 6.1% |
| Fruitland | 2.36 | 47.6 | 6.3% | 28.1% | 14.1% | 1964 | $774 | 29.5% | 90.7% | 3.1% |
| Lehunt | 2.52 | 45.8 | 4.2% | 17.7% | 13.5% | 1978 | $895 | 36.7% | 96.4% | 6.7% |
| Sycamore | 2.34 | 45.8 | 4.5% | 24.0% | 15.8% | 1980 | $919 | 30.7% | 95.1% | 6.4% |
| Corbin | 2.40 | 43.1 | 8.1% | 28.4% | 14.2% | 1965 | $839 | 24.0% | 89.8% | 2.7% |
| Jefferson | 2.60 | 51.7 | 5.1% | 5.5% | 19.0% | 1975 | $564 | 17.9% | 91.8% | 1.5% |
| Liberty | 2.25 | 53.8 | 6.9% | 20.8% | 18.8% | 1960 | $793 | 30.3% | 85.4% | 0.7% |
| Cherryvale | 2.43 | 34.5 | 16.4% | 33.9% | 10.6% | 1958 | $707 | 15.5% | 89.5% | 2.8% |
| Wayside | 3.09 | 39.8 | 15.6% | 8.2% | 30.9% | 1973 | $742 | 26.7% | 91.6% | 9.4% |
| Elk City | 2.11 | 52.3 | 4.6% | 16.6% | 21.3% | 1977 | $700 | 32.7% | 91.8% | 6.9% |
| Mound Valley | 2.86 | 31.1 | 11.9% | 12.3% | 9.1% | 1978 | $727 | 17.0% | 88.9% | 1.8% |
All figures 2020–24.
Cities with similar populations: Granite Falls, WA · Gunnison, CO · Guanica, PR · Groton, MA · Grosse Pointe Farms, MI · Grosse Ile, MI · Grinnell, IA · Greenwell Springs, LA · Greenville, WI · Greenville, AL
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up Independence. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
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