Median Age
38 Years
Largest Age Group
20-29 Years
Approximately 14% of Residents
Under 20
26%
Over 65
18%
Ottawa
Ottawa, KS Area Guide
Avg Rent
$819
Population
13,454
Renter Mix
43% Rent
A classic prairie town with Kansas’ most distinctive cities at arm’s reach
Historic
•
Rural
•
Historic
•
College
•
Safe
•
Low Crime
•
Ottawa is a picturesque small city located 25 miles due south of Lawrence and about 50 miles from both Kansas City and Topeka. Downtown Ottawa follows Main Street between the Marais Des Cygnes River and City Park, creating a thriving business district amid the city’s beautifully preserved historic buildings. The private Ottawa University serves around 600 students at its main campus near the center of the city, with the surrounding neighborhoods offering countless rental options within just a short walk.
Demographics
Median Household Income
$60,396
Average: $70,721
Education
2,895
Residents Have a Degree
Job Market
6,935
Workers Employed
Age Distribution
Get a sense of this area's population profile.
Housing Distribution
Ottawa has more homeowners than renters.
Renters
43%
Non-Renters
57%
Education Distribution
Review this city's overall education levels.
Bachelor's or Higher
18%
Other Education
82%
Rent Trends
As of May 2026, the average apartment rent in Ottawa, KS is $819 for one bedroom, $931 for two bedrooms, and $1,558 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in Ottawa has increased by 4.2% in the past year.
Property Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Apartment
$819/month
681 Sq Ft
Getting Around
Explore how walkable, bikeable, drivable, and transit-friendly Ottawa, KS is for everyday living.
Fairly Walkable
Walkability
40
/ 100
Exceptionally Drivable
Drivability
100
/ 100
Fairly Bikeable
Bikeability
50
/ 100
Scores provided by
Schools
Public
Grades PK-5
387 Students
Public
Grades PK-5
359 Students
Public
Grades PK-5
360 Students
Eugene Field Elementary School
Public
Grades PK-5
283 Students
Public
Grades 6-8
498 Students
Public
Grades 6-12
727 Students
Public
Grades 6-12
727 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
Top Apartments in Ottawa
Houses for Rent in Ottawa
Search Nearby Rentals
Nearby City Rentals
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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 February 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.