Hays

County:: Ellis County
County Seat:: Yes
Area (mi²):: 8.643
State:: Kansas

Hays is a city located in Ellis County, Kansas. Hays has a 2025 population of 20,982. It is also the county seat of Ellis County. Hays is currently declining at a rate of -0.14% annually and its population has decreased by -0.68% since the most recent census, which recorded a population of 21,126 in 2020.

The average household income in Hays is $78,895 with a poverty rate of 19.89%. The median age in Hays is 30.2 years: 27.9 years for males, and 31.4 years for females.

Demographics

The racial composition of Hays includes 89.98% White, and smaller percentages for other race, Asian, Black or African American, Native American, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander and multiracial populations.

Population by Race

White

Two or more races

Other race

Asian

Black or African American

Native American

Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander

Race	Population	Percentage (of total)
White	18,966	89.98%
Two or more races	936	4.44%
Other race	497	2.36%
Asian	381	1.81%
Black or African American	250	1.19%
Native American	33	0.16%
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander	15	0.07%

Hays Marital Status

Married

Widowed

Divorced

Separated

Never Married

Economics and Income Statistics

Hays' average per capita income is $47,429. Household income levels show a median of $56,861. The poverty rate stands at 19.89%.

Families: A family includes the owner or renter of the home along with everyone related to them - whether through birth, marriage, or adoption. This includes relatives like spouses, children, parents, siblings, grandparents, and any other family members.

Households: A household includes all the people who occupy a housing unit (such as a house or apartment) as their usual place of residence.

Non Families: A nonfamily household is either someone living alone or when the owner/renter lives with people they aren't related to, like roommates.

Name	Median	Mean
Married Families	$93,056	-
Families	$84,544	$100,848
Households	$56,861	$78,895
Non Families	$40,436	$50,629

$47,429

Average Income

$56,861

Median Household Income

19.89%

Poverty Rate