Located nearly in the center of the U.S., the six-letter corn-belt state of Kansas is estimated to have a population of approximately 2,963,308 people as of 2023, making the "Jayhawk state" the 36th-most-populated in the U.S. Kansas' population shows slight growth of 3.86% since 2010, the 14th-lowest increase in the U.S. In terms of total area, however, Kansas is the 15th-largest state, covering 82,278 square miles (mi²). This blend of a large area with a smallish population gives Kansas a population density of 36 people per square mile (mi²), the 10th-lowest in the nation and substantially under the national density of 96 people/mi².
Kansas has more than 6,000 ghost towns due to a trend called rural flight, in which residents migrate from the countryside to the cities. This migration often reflects the evolving job market and industrial growth. The towns, however, appear relatively healthy. Wichita, the state's largest city, boasts a population of 402,080 and is home to the state's largest airport: Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport.
Kansas entered the Union in January 1861, a little over two months before the start of the Civil War and seven years after it became a territory under the aptly named Kansas-Nebraska Act. The state is strongly Republican in presidential elections; it hasn't voted for a Democrat since 1964, when Lyndon Johnson won the presidency in a landslide. In 2020, Donald Trump won 56% to 42% over Biden.
According to a 2022 study from the U.S. Census Bureau, this state's local governments consist of 103 counties, 1,891 cities, towns, and villages, and 1,468 special districts.
Two counties operate under a unified government with a locality: Wyandotte County, which includes Kansas City, and Greeley County, which consists of the City of Tribune.
In terms of age, the Kansas population is very similar to that of the United States. The population under 18 is estimated at around 25%, while the percentage of persons 65 years and over is currently 14.6%. This means Kansas will have an aging population like much of the country in the coming years. The median age in Kansas is approximately 36.2 years, with a slight gender gap in the population, with 50.3% females and 49.7% males.
Regarding religious preferences, Kansas is 76% inclined toward Christian-based faiths, 4% non-Christian-based faiths, and 20% unaffiliated with any religion.
According to the most recent ACS, the racial composition of Kansas was:
White: 81.4%
Two or more races: 6.12%
Black or African American: 5.64%
Other race: 3.03%
Asian: 3%
Native American: 0.74%
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander: 0.07%
Muslims are under 7,000.
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