Kensington, KS

Full City Profile · Kansas · Phillips County County

4.1 /5.0
A Great
572 Population 1,682/sq mi density
$59,107 Median Income $32,489 per capita
$58,200 Home Value $133,508 Zillow
$604 Median Rent 30.9% income on rent
52°F Avg Temperature
A
Overall
4.1 / 5.0
Strong
A
Economy
4.2 / 5.0
$59,107 median income, 1.2% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$58,200 home value, $604/mo rent
B
Education
3.1 / 5.0
26.2% bachelor's degree or higher
Kensington experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 52°F (11°C). Winters average 26°F in January while summers reach 78°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 25.7 inches. The area receives 18.3 inches of snow annually.

Temperature

26°F Jan (-3°C) 78°F Jul (26°C)
Annual Average52.1°F
4% below US avg
January Average26°F (-3°C)
July Average78°F (26°C)

Geography

Elevation1,777 ft (542 m)
Area0.3 sq mi (0.9 km²)
Population Density1,682/sq mi
Coordinates39.7667°N, 99.0329°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
CountyPhillips County County
Nearest AirportHays Regional (HYS)
65 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 25.7"
32% below US avg
Snowfall 18.3"
Wettest Month (May) 4.19"
Driest Month (Jan) 0.53"

Air Quality

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskVery Low
Risk Score40.5 / 100
Social Vulnerability74.5 / 100
Community Resilience49.8 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado Relatively Low
Earthquake Very Low
Wildfire Very Low
Flood Very Low
Hail Relatively High
Strong Wind Relatively Moderate
Heat Wave Very Low
Winter Weather Relatively Moderate
Lightning Relatively Low
Ice Storm Relatively Moderate
Drought Relatively High
Cold Wave Very Low
Landslide Very Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

148 earthquakes (M2.5+) within 150 km since 1990. Strongest: M4.6. Most recent: M2.5 on Aug 25, 2025.

Jun 22, 2019 2 km SSE of Zurich, Kansas M4.6 70 km
Jul 17, 2022 8 km WSW of Superior, Nebraska M3.8 78 km
Jun 12, 2017 5 km SE of Mankato, Kansas M3.7 74 km
Jun 12, 2017 8 km NNE of Jewell, Kansas M3.7 79 km
Jun 13, 2017 6 km SE of Mankato, Kansas M3.6 75 km
May 6, 2021 5 km S of Formoso, Kansas M3.6 89 km
Jun 1, 2025 9 km S of Hill City, Kansas M3.5 88 km
May 30, 1991 5 km SE of Zurich, Kansas M3.5 71 km
Aug 9, 2021 Kansas M3.5 55 km
May 31, 2019 2 km SSE of Zurich, Kansas M3.5 70 km
May 21, 2017 7 km ESE of Mankato, Kansas M3.4 77 km
Jun 25, 2025 10 km NW of Woodston, Kansas M3.4 32 km
Apr 4, 2017 3 km SSE of Mankato, Kansas M3.4 72 km
Sep 18, 2023 Nebraska M3.4 76 km
Jul 26, 2022 8 km WSW of Superior, Nebraska M3.4 78 km
Jul 15, 1992 19 km WNW of Schoenchen, Kansas M3.3 120 km
Sep 16, 2016 8 km N of Ellis, Kansas M3.3 96 km
Apr 7, 2017 7 km ESE of Mankato, Kansas M3.3 77 km
Sep 14, 2016 10 km N of Ellis, Kansas M3.3 93 km
Jul 29, 2021 11 km SSE of Esbon, Kansas M3.3 57 km
Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990-2025)

Tornado History

611 tornadoes (EF0+) within 100 km since 1950. Strongest: EF4. Total: 3 fatalities, 58 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Fatalities
Jun 15, 1992 EF4 80 km 0
Mar 13, 1990 EF4 53 km 0
May 10, 1985 EF4 11 km 0
May 10, 1985 EF4 50 km 0
Jun 4, 1955 EF4 51 km 0
May 27, 2013 EF3 43 km 0
Jun 20, 2011 EF3 58 km 0
Jun 20, 2011 EF3 64 km 0
Jun 20, 2011 EF3 78 km 0
May 29, 2008 EF3 91 km 0
May 29, 2008 EF3 69 km 0
Jun 3, 1999 EF3 66 km 0
Jun 6, 1993 EF3 99 km 0
May 7, 1993 EF3 75 km 0
Jun 15, 1992 EF3 81 km 0
Apr 11, 1991 EF3 50 km 0
Mar 13, 1990 EF3 85 km 0
Sep 18, 1986 EF3 92 km 0
May 10, 1985 EF3 78 km 0
May 16, 1977 EF3 88 km 0
Source: NOAA SPC (EF0+, 1950-2024)

Wildfire History

17 wildfires (100+ acres) within 100 km. Largest: FOUR COUNTY (122,971 ac, 2021).

Year Name Acres Distance
2021 FOUR COUNTY 122,971 76 km
2022 NORTH BRANCH 10,926 66 km
1989 UNNAMED 6,328 81 km
2017 GORHAM 4,054 94 km
2017 FELLHOELTER 1,664 51 km
2024 CODELL RD 1,609 85 km
2009 CRAIG NALER 1,464 89 km
2010 H-RX-F KIR NON NFP 1,435 17 km
2022 KIRWIN SOUTHEAST RX 1,367 19 km
2020 PRAIRIE DOG 1,257 79 km
2016 KSKIR RX WUI FY16 RESOURCE MANAGEMENT BURNS 1,123 19 km
2011 W-RX-F NON FUNDED TREATMENT_KSKIR 1,083 19 km
2023 NERBR-HFR-FY23-RX-PETERSON 1,061 96 km
2002 UNNAMED 1,057 39 km
1993 UNNAMED 1,029 86 km
2008 H RX F BOTTOMS 1,009 19 km
1989 UNNAMED 1,009 32 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN (100+ acres)

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 26°F (-3°C) 0.5 in Coldest, Driest
February 30°F (-1°C) 0.8 in
March 41°F (5°C) 1.4 in
April 51°F (10°C) 2.2 in
May 62°F (16°C) 4.2 in Wettest
June 74°F (23°C) 3.3 in
July 78°F (26°C) 4.0 in Warmest
August 76°F (24°C) 3.4 in
September 67°F (19°C) 2.2 in
October 53°F (12°C) 1.9 in
November 40°F (4°C) 1.1 in
December 29°F (-2°C) 0.9 in

Kensington has a seasonal temperature swing of 52°F / from 26°F in January to 78°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 25.7 inches, with May being the wettest month (4.2") and January the driest (0.5").

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