Population 7,885 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Thomas County
Household size in Thomas County
| Period | Thomas County | Kansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.37 | 2.54 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.41 | 2.58 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.19 | 2.56 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.49 | 2.53 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.12 | −0.01 | −0.03 |
Households in Thomas County run a little small, averaging 2.49 people against 2.65 nationally, which usually means more singles and couples and fewer children. That is in line with the rest of Kansas. Since 2006–10, household size has climbed from 2.37, even as the national average fell.
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 Thomas County
| Period | Thomas County | Kansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 36.8 | 37.4 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 37.5 | 37.8 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 39.8 | 38.5 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 35.5 | 38.8 | 40.1 |
| Change | −1.3 | +1.4 | +2.3 |
With a median age of just 35.5, Thomas County is far younger than the country as a whole (40.1), a population that tilts toward young adults, many of them living alone or as couples. Since 2006–10, the median age has dropped from 36.8, even as the national median rose. Only nine of Kansas' 105 counties are younger.
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 Thomas County
| Period | Thomas County | Kansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 7.1% | 10.8% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 9.5% | 10.9% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 6.5% | 10.4% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 8.9% | 10.5% | 11.6% |
| Change | +1.7 pts | −0.4 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are less common in Thomas County than nationally: 8.9%, against 11.6%. The single-parent share is up 1.7 points from 2006–10, even as the national share fell.
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 Thomas County
Renters in Thomas County
| Period | Thomas County | Kansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 34.9% | 30.6% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 27.4% | 32.9% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 32.4% | 33.7% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 24.8% | 32.8% | 34.8% |
| Change | −10.1 pts | +2.3 pts | +1.5 pts |
Thomas County is largely a place of homeowners: only 24.8% of households rent, far below the national share of 34.8%. Owner-heavy areas like this tend to see less turnover. Among homeowners, 46.9% have no mortgage at all, above the national share of 39.8%. The renter share has fallen 10.1 points since 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 Thomas County
| Period | Thomas County | Kansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 15.7% | 10.1% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 11.6% | 10.4% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 7.4% | 11.3% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 11.0% | 9.7% | 9.6% |
| Change | −4.7 pts | −0.4 pts | −1.8 pts |
About as many homes sit empty in Thomas County as nationally: 11.0%, against 9.6%. Vacancy is down 4.7 points from 2006–10, in line with the national trend.
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 Thomas County
| Period | Thomas County | Kansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1968 | 1971 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1968 | 1972 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1966 | 1973 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1966 | 1976 | 1980 |
| Change | −2 | +5 | +6 |
Thomas County is a place of older homes: half were built before 1966, while the national median is 1980. That means established neighborhoods, and more houses that may need updating.
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 Thomas County
| Period | Thomas County | Kansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $572 | $769 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $522 | $858 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $655 | $950 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $773 | $1,159 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$201 | +$390 | +$606 |
Rent in Thomas County runs $773 a month at the median, utilities included, well below the U.S. median of $1,571. Rent has climbed $201 a month since 2006–10, up 35%, a slower climb than the nation's. Rent takes 29.9% of the typical renter's income, just under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent.
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 Thomas County
Bachelor's degrees in Thomas County
| Period | Thomas County | Kansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 23.9% | 30.8% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 30.4% | 31.7% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 23.1% | 33.6% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 38.0% | 35.6% | 35.6% |
| Change | +14.1 pts | +4.8 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are about as common in Thomas County as nationally: 38.0% of adults 25 and older have a bachelor's or higher, against 35.6%. Since 2006–10, the share with a degree has risen 14.1 points, mirroring the country. Only five of Kansas' 105 counties have a higher share of college graduates.
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 Thomas County
| Period | Thomas County | Kansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 87.3% | 89.5% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 93.4% | 90.0% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 93.6% | 90.8% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 96.6% | 91.7% | 89.3% |
| Change | +9.3 pts | +2.2 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion is high in Thomas County: 96.6% of adults 25 and older have a diploma or equivalent, well above the national rate of 89.3%. The share with a diploma is up 9.3 points from 2006–10, in line with the national trend. Only three of Kansas' 105 counties have a higher share of high school graduates.
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 Thomas County
| Period | Thomas County | Kansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 4.7% | 6.1% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 2.7% | 6.7% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 2.8% | 4.1% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 0.7% | 4.0% | 5.4% |
| Change | −3.9 pts | −2.1 pts | −2.7 pts |
The job market in Thomas County has been strong: just 0.7% of the labor force was out of work and looking, well below the national rate of 5.4%. Few Kansas counties have lower unemployment: only nine of 105. Unemployment has fallen 3.9 points since 2006–10, 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).
Thomas 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thomas County | 2.49 | 35.5 | 8.9% | 24.8% | 11.0% | 1966 | $773 | 38.0% | 96.6% | 0.7% |
| Sheridan County | 2.44 | 42.0 | 3.7% | 23.2% | 14.7% | 1968 | $715 | 24.9% | 95.9% | 0.7% |
| Sherman County | 2.27 | 38.9 | 12.1% | 34.5% | 19.1% | 1963 | $977 | 21.8% | 91.2% | 0.5% |
| Graham County | 1.96 | 50.3 | 12.5% | 21.2% | 17.4% | 1957 | $767 | 28.5% | 95.0% | 4.2% |
| Kit Carson County | 2.39 | 39.5 | 6.3% | 27.4% | 15.3% | 1967 | $1,129 | 21.1% | 91.1% | 2.8% |
| Rooks County | 2.17 | 45.5 | 7.6% | 25.7% | 18.5% | 1952 | $670 | 23.7% | 94.3% | 2.1% |
| Osborne County | 2.11 | 45.9 | 9.9% | 22.8% | 21.9% | 1951 | $648 | 24.1% | 93.8% | 1.6% |
| Mitchell County | 2.12 | 45.1 | 6.8% | 31.0% | 13.0% | 1956 | $616 | 26.7% | 93.7% | 0.1% |
| Elbert County | 2.83 | 44.9 | 6.2% | 5.0% | 5.1% | 1997 | $1,953 | 36.5% | 96.5% | 3.5% |
| Douglas County | 2.76 | 40.2 | 7.4% | 22.6% | 4.5% | 2003 | $2,606 | 62.2% | 97.7% | 3.5% |
| Clay County | 2.24 | 42.6 | 12.8% | 22.0% | 10.8% | 1962 | $1,011 | 25.9% | 93.4% | 1.2% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Monroe County, AR · Osage County, MO · Osage County, KS · Oregon County, MO · Ontonagon County, MI · Oneida County, ID · Oliver County, ND · Oldham County, TX · Monroe County, KY · Monroe County, IA
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 Thomas 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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