Median Age
33 Years
Largest Age Group
20-29 Years
Approximately 19% of Residents
Under 20
26%
Over 65
16%
Emporia, KS
Area Guide
Avg Rent
$640
Population
24,263
Renter Mix
47% Rent
Savor a rich history, cultural events, and numerous cycling opportunities
Suburban
•
Affordable
•
Historic
Situated in eastern central Kansas, Emporia is the county seat of Lyon County and home to Emporia State University. A wealth of parks and recreation centers offer plenty to do in Emporia in addition to the surrounding Flint Hills, which offer some of the best road cycling opportunities in the United States. A close-knit cycling community coupled with the terrain of the Flint Hills earns Emporia the nickname of the Gravel Grinding Capital of the World, hosting the annual Dirty Kanza 200 every year.
Touting a distinct small-town vibe, Emporia displays a proud history at the William Allen White House, Red Rocks State Historic Site, and the streets and shops of Historic Downtown Emporia. Residents bond at numerous annual events in Emporia, including the Glass Blown Open Disc Golf Tournament, Cinco de Mayo Celebration, Flatland Cruisers Car Show, All Veterans Tribute, Lyon County Free Fair, and the Christmas Parade as well as various events at Emporia State University. Getting around from Emporia is simple with access to U.S. 50 and Interstates 35 and 335. Kansas City, Wichita, and Topeka are all within a two-hour drive from Emporia as well.
Explore the City
Residents marvel over animals at the David Traylor Zoo.
A quiet lifestyle awaits you in Emporia.
There are many different home styles in Emporia.
Demographics
Median Household Income
$48,246
Average: $62,138
Education
5,287
Residents Have a Degree
Job Market
12,997
Workers Employed
Age Distribution
Get a sense of this area's population profile.
Housing Distribution
Emporia has more homeowners than renters.
Renters
47%
Non-Renters
53%
Education Distribution
Review this city's overall education levels.
Bachelor's or Higher
16%
Other Education
84%
Rent Trends
As of July 2026, the average apartment rent in Emporia, KS is $474 for a studio, $640 for one bedroom, $726 for two bedrooms, and $1,093 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in Emporia has increased by 1.6% in the past year.
Property Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Apartment
$640/month
587 Sq Ft
Cost of Living
The cost of living in Emporia, KS is 15.2% lower than the national average. Generally, housing in Emporia is 29.3% less expensive than the national average, with rent falling between $474 - $1,093. You can expect to pay 4.2% less for groceries, 33.5% less for utilities, and 16.7% less for transportation.
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Learn More About Emporia
Getting Around
Explore how walkable, bikeable, drivable, and transit-friendly Emporia, KS is for everyday living.
Somewhat Walkable
Walkability
20
/ 100
Exceptionally Drivable
Drivability
100
/ 100
Somewhat Bikeable
Bikeability
20
/ 100
Scores provided by
Schools
Public
Grades PK-5
386 Students
Public
Grades PK-5
385 Students
Public
Grades PK-5
288 Students
Public
Grades PK-5
288 Students
Public
Grades PK-5
401 Students
Public
Grades 6-8
900 Students
Public
Grades PK-8
424 Students
Public
Grades PK-8
424 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
1,510 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
1,510 Students
School data provided by
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Data provided by
GreatSchools.org
© 2026. All rights reserved.
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Data provided by
GreatSchools.org
© 2026. All rights reserved.
Points of Interest
Shopping Centers
Parks and Recreation
- David Traylor Zoo
- Schmidt Museum of Natural History
- Johnston Geology Museum
Colleges
Top Apartments in Emporia
Houses for Rent in Emporia
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Methodology
† Our analysis of utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, home prices, and other goods and services is sourced from the Cost of Living Index, a respected benchmark published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) that provides a thorough overview of living expenses across different regions.
Rent data is provided by CoStar Group’s Market Trend reports. As the industry leader in commercial real estate information, analytics, and news, CoStar conducts extensive research to produce and maintain a comprehensive database of commercial real estate information. We combine this data with public record to provide the most up-to-date rental information available.
Consumer goods, services, and home prices are sourced from the Cost of Living Index published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER). The data on this page is updated quarterly. It was last published in June 2026.
Demographic information comes from Neustar and combines detailed address data with U.S. Census and American Community Survey statistics to produce reliable local estimates.