Population 16,085 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Kearney
Household size in Kearney
| Period | Kearney | Kansas City area | Missouri | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.87 | 2.57 | 2.49 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.87 | 2.60 | 2.52 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.93 | 2.59 | 2.50 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.65 | 2.55 | 2.49 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.22 | −0.02 | −0.00 | −0.03 |
Households in Kearney average 2.65 people, the same as the country as a whole. The typical household here is bigger than in the wider Kansas City area, where it has 2.55 people. Since 2006–10, household size has dropped from 2.87, a much bigger shift than nationally.
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 Kearney
| Period | Kearney | Kansas City area | Missouri | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 35.9 | 37.5 | 38.4 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 38.3 | 37.9 | 39.2 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 41.5 | 38.8 | 40.0 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 42.5 | 39.2 | 40.1 | 40.1 |
| Change | +6.5 | +1.7 | +1.7 | +2.3 |
The median resident of Kearney is 42.5 years old, a bit older than the national median of 40.1. Since 2006–10, the median age has climbed from 35.9, as it has nationally.
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 Kearney
| Period | Kearney | Kansas City area | Missouri | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 11.2% | 11.7% | 11.3% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 11.3% | 11.9% | 11.4% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 9.8% | 11.2% | 10.9% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 6.9% | 10.9% | 11.0% | 11.6% |
| Change | −4.3 pts | −0.8 pts | −0.3 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head only 6.9% of households in Kearney, well below the national share of 11.6%. The single-parent share is down 4.3 points from 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally. Kearney has a lower share of single-parent households than the great majority of Missouri cities.
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 Kearney
Renters in Kearney
| Period | Kearney | Kansas City area | Missouri | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 18.0% | 31.2% | 30.0% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 19.8% | 33.7% | 32.1% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 19.1% | 34.9% | 33.2% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 18.5% | 34.2% | 31.9% | 34.8% |
| Change | +0.5 pts | +3.0 pts | +1.9 pts | +1.5 pts |
Only 18.5% of households in Kearney rent their homes, far below the national share of 34.8%, so most residents are owners who tend to stay put. About three in ten owners (30.5%) have paid off their mortgages, below the national share of 39.8%. Renting is most common in the north and least common in the southwest. The renter share has edged up 0.5 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country.
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 Kearney
| Period | Kearney | Kansas City area | Missouri | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 4.6% | 10.0% | 11.6% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 7.4% | 9.7% | 12.0% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 9.2% | 9.0% | 12.2% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 4.9% | 7.5% | 10.5% | 9.6% |
| Change | +0.3 pts | −2.5 pts | −1.1 pts | −1.8 pts |
Only 4.9% of homes in Kearney are vacant, far below the national rate of 9.6%, which usually means strong demand for housing. Kearney has a lower vacancy rate than the great majority of Missouri cities.
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 Kearney
| Period | Kearney | Kansas City area | Missouri | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1993 | 1976 | 1974 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1991 | 1977 | 1975 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1995 | 1977 | 1976 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1996 | 1980 | 1978 | 1980 |
| Change | +4 | +4 | +4 | +6 |
Kearney has newer housing than the country as a whole: the median home was built in 1996, versus 1980 nationally. The median year built has moved up from 1993 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. Kearney has newer homes than the great majority of Missouri 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 Kearney
| Period | Kearney | Kansas City area | Missouri | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $1,032 | $897 | $740 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $888 | $980 | $816 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $1,109 | $1,095 | $899 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,304 | $1,395 | $1,122 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$272 | +$498 | +$383 | +$606 |
Rent in Kearney runs $1,304 a month at the median, utilities included, below the U.S. median of $1,571. Rents are up $272 a month from 2006–10, a 26% rise, a slower climb than the nation's. The typical renter here spends 24.8% of household income on rent, comfortably under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, and a smaller share than renters pay nationally. Renters on a budget will find the lowest rents in the north; the highest are in the east.
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 Kearney
Bachelor's degrees in Kearney
| Period | Kearney | Kansas City area | Missouri | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 29.5% | 33.5% | 26.0% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 32.0% | 34.1% | 27.3% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 31.2% | 37.1% | 29.6% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 39.8% | 39.7% | 32.6% | 35.6% |
| Change | +10.2 pts | +6.2 pts | +6.6 pts | +7.2 pts |
About four in ten adults 25 and older in Kearney (39.8%) have a bachelor's degree or higher, a bit above the national share of 35.6%. The share with a degree is up 10.2 points from 2006–10, mirroring the country. College graduates are most concentrated in the south and least in the north.
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 Kearney
| Period | Kearney | Kansas City area | Missouri | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 94.5% | 90.5% | 86.8% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 95.9% | 90.9% | 88.3% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 95.7% | 91.8% | 90.0% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 96.7% | 92.9% | 91.8% | 89.3% |
| Change | +2.2 pts | +2.4 pts | +5.1 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion is high in Kearney: 96.7% of adults 25 and older have a diploma or equivalent, well above the national rate of 89.3%. The share with a diploma has risen 2.2 points since 2006–10, as it has nationally. Kearney has a higher share of high school graduates than the great majority of Missouri cities.
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 Kearney
| Period | Kearney | Kansas City area | Missouri | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.9% | 6.8% | 7.4% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 5.1% | 7.6% | 8.4% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 1.4% | 4.0% | 4.6% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 3.9% | 4.0% | 4.1% | 5.4% |
| Change | +1.0 pts | −2.9 pts | −3.3 pts | −2.7 pts |
Jobs have been easier to find in Kearney than nationally: unemployment was 3.9%, against 5.4%. Unemployment has edged up 1.0 points since 2006–10, even as the national rate fell. Each figure pools five years of surveys (2020–24), so it describes that whole stretch rather than today's job market.
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).
Kearney 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kearney | 2.65 | 42.5 | 6.9% | 18.5% | 4.9% | 1996 | $1,304 | 39.8% | 96.7% | 3.9% |
| Chandler | 2.55 | 46.4 | 12.2% | 7.0% | 7.4% | 1986 | $1,257 | 51.3% | 98.9% | 14.4% |
| Holt | 2.84 | 44.0 | 6.1% | 10.2% | 13.5% | 1986 | $1,077 | 31.9% | 93.3% | 1.2% |
| Prathersville | 2.45 | 52.5 | 4.7% | 15.6% | 9.6% | 1977 | $1,101 | 45.6% | 96.2% | 3.7% |
| Excelsior Springs | 2.70 | 37.5 | 10.1% | 27.3% | 10.7% | 1971 | $1,043 | 17.8% | 86.3% | 5.3% |
| Missouri City | 2.57 | 43.1 | 1.8% | 10.8% | 6.3% | 1979 | $1,225 | 34.6% | 94.9% | 5.5% |
| Lilly | 2.54 | 52.7 | 2.6% | 8.5% | 9.5% | 1996 | $1,036 | 32.5% | 91.3% | 0.1% |
| Excelsior Estates | 2.70 | 41.8 | 8.3% | 25.1% | 6.7% | 1978 | $923 | 29.9% | 88.8% | 1.3% |
| Paradise | 2.85 | 36.3 | 4.8% | 9.4% | 2.4% | 2004 | $1,244 | 32.0% | 94.0% | 0.0% |
| Liberty | 2.63 | 39.2 | 9.3% | 24.9% | 5.3% | 1984 | $1,202 | 39.4% | 95.5% | 4.0% |
| South Liberty | 2.65 | 37.7 | 0.3% | 8.1% | 4.6% | 1980 | $1,300 | 27.7% | 94.0% | 6.5% |
All figures 2020–24.
Cities with similar populations: Callahan, FL · Cody, WY · Cloquet, MN · Clarksdale, MS · Cidra, PR · Chicago Ridge, IL · Cherry Hill Mall, NJ · Channahon, IL · Cedar Springs, MI · Canton, NC
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 Kearney. 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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