Population 3,903 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Meade County
Household size in Meade County
| Period | Meade County | Kansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.56 | 2.54 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.44 | 2.58 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.41 | 2.56 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.56 | 2.53 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.00 | −0.01 | −0.03 |
Households in Meade County run a little small, averaging 2.56 people against 2.65 nationally, which usually means more singles and couples and fewer children. The picture is much the same across Kansas. Compared with other Kansas counties, though, Meade County has larger households than most.
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 Meade County
| Period | Meade County | Kansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 38.1 | 37.4 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 39.4 | 37.8 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 39.6 | 38.5 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 39.6 | 38.8 | 40.1 |
| Change | +1.5 | +1.4 | +2.3 |
At 39.6, the median age in Meade County is close to the national median of 40.1, so its age mix looks much like the country's. The median age has climbed from 38.1 in 2006–10, but in a place this small, much of that may be survey noise rather than real change.
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 Meade County
| Period | Meade County | Kansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 9.3% | 10.8% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 14.4% | 10.9% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 10.6% | 10.4% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 15.1% | 10.5% | 11.6% |
| Change | +5.9 pts | −0.4 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are common in Meade County: 15.1% of all households, against 11.6% nationally. Only eight of Kansas' 105 counties have a higher share of single-parent households.
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 Meade County
Renters in Meade County
| Period | Meade County | Kansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 21.8% | 30.6% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 30.2% | 32.9% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 30.8% | 33.7% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 26.0% | 32.8% | 34.8% |
| Change | +4.2 pts | +2.3 pts | +1.5 pts |
Just over a quarter of households in Meade County rent their homes (26.0%), below the national share of 34.8%; the rest own. About six in ten owners (58.6%) have paid off their mortgages, well above the national share of 39.8%. Compared with other Kansas counties, though, Meade County has a higher share of renters than most.
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 Meade County
| Period | Meade County | Kansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 11.1% | 10.1% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 8.5% | 10.4% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 15.2% | 11.3% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 20.9% | 9.7% | 9.6% |
| Change | +9.8 pts | −0.4 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy is high in Meade County: 20.9% 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. Meade County has a higher vacancy rate than the great majority of Kansas counties.
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 Meade County
| Period | Meade County | Kansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1956 | 1971 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1958 | 1972 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1957 | 1973 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1958 | 1976 | 1980 |
| Change | +2 | +5 | +6 |
The housing in Meade County 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. Compared with other Kansas counties, Meade County has older homes than most.
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 Meade County
| Period | Meade County | Kansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $534 | $769 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $620 | $858 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $630 | $950 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $826 | $1,159 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$292 | +$390 | +$606 |
A typical rental in Meade County costs $826 a month with utilities, well below the national median of $1,571. The typical renter here spends 20.5% of household income on rent, comfortably under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, and a smaller share than renters pay nationally.
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 Meade County
Bachelor's degrees in Meade County
| Period | Meade County | Kansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 20.9% | 30.8% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 22.0% | 31.7% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 20.2% | 33.6% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 26.5% | 35.6% | 35.6% |
| Change | +5.7 pts | +4.8 pts | +7.2 pts |
Just over a quarter of adults 25 and older in Meade County (26.5%) have a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national share of 35.6%. Compared with other Kansas counties, though, Meade County has a higher share of college graduates than most.
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 Meade County
| Period | Meade County | Kansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 85.7% | 89.5% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 86.6% | 90.0% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 80.2% | 90.8% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 88.7% | 91.7% | 89.3% |
| Change | +3.0 pts | +2.2 pts | +4.3 pts |
About as many adults in Meade County have finished high school as nationally: 88.7%, against 89.3%. The rate is lower than in Kansas overall (91.7%). Meade County has a lower share of high school graduates than the great majority of Kansas counties.
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 Meade County
| Period | Meade County | Kansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 3.8% | 6.1% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 3.2% | 6.7% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 1.3% | 4.1% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 1.4% | 4.0% | 5.4% |
| Change | −2.4 pts | −2.1 pts | −2.7 pts |
The job market in Meade County has been strong: just 1.4% of the labor force was out of work and looking, well below the national rate of 5.4%. Because the Census pools five years of responses (2020–24), these rates smooth over short swings and lag the current 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).
Meade County compared with nearby counties
| County | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Meade County | 2.56 | 39.6 | 15.1% | 26.0% | 20.9% | 1958 | $826 | 26.5% | 88.7% | 1.4% |
| Clark County | 2.45 | 42.1 | 8.4% | 26.4% | 23.8% | 1947 | $785 | 31.1% | 91.7% | 2.9% |
| Stevens County | 2.79 | 39.2 | 15.7% | 25.5% | 16.6% | 1974 | $946 | 22.4% | 76.2% | 3.7% |
| Comanche County | 2.07 | 50.1 | 7.9% | 26.6% | 18.8% | 1948 | $613 | 20.5% | 96.1% | 1.7% |
| Barber County | 2.21 | 40.0 | 4.9% | 19.0% | 24.3% | 1955 | $700 | 27.0% | 95.9% | 1.4% |
| Baca County | 2.05 | 46.5 | 8.5% | 28.5% | 15.7% | 1969 | $646 | 24.4% | 88.1% | 0.7% |
| Harper County | 2.37 | 40.8 | 8.3% | 24.9% | 24.3% | 1956 | $743 | 23.4% | 91.0% | 1.9% |
| Sumner County | 2.54 | 40.6 | 9.6% | 24.9% | 13.7% | 1964 | $891 | 25.7% | 94.4% | 5.4% |
| Cowley County | 2.44 | 39.4 | 12.3% | 31.9% | 14.3% | 1964 | $905 | 24.1% | 90.6% | 4.3% |
| Las Animas County | 2.11 | 47.2 | 9.6% | 31.4% | 18.7% | 1969 | $991 | 20.4% | 90.6% | 5.3% |
| Chautauqua County | 2.42 | 45.1 | 10.9% | 18.0% | 29.1% | 1964 | $780 | 18.2% | 90.1% | 3.2% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Potter County, SD · Lanier County, GA · Las Marias Municipio, PR · Latimer County, OK · Lawrence County, MS · Lee County, AR · Lee County, KY · Lewis County, KY · Lewis County, TN · Lincoln County, AR
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 Meade County. 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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