Paola, KS

Kansas · Metropolitan Area

Paola is a small city in Kansas with a population of 5,757. Residents earn $73,281 per year, which is 2% below the national average.

3.4 /5.0
B Good
5,757 Population 1,086/sq mi density
$73,281 Median Income $39,914 per capita
$195,000 Home Value $364,683 Zillow
$1,069 Median Rent
55°F Avg Temperature
107 Violent Crime/100K 3,177 property/100K
B
Overall
3.4 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A+
Economy
4.5 / 5.0
$73,281 median income, 1.1% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$195,000 home value, $1,069/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
107 violent crimes/100K (72% below avg)
B
Education
3.3 / 5.0
28.7% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $73,281
2% lower than US avg
Home Value $195,000
31% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 107/100K
72% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 28.7%
15% lower than US avg
Median Rent $1,069
8% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 35.5%
11% higher than US avg
Unemployment 1.1%
69% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 2.5%
80% lower than US avg

How Paola Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population5,757
Median Age44.3 yrs
Density1,086/mi²
Male / Female47% / 53%
Largest GroupWhite 94%

Economy

A+
Median Income$73,281
Per Capita$39,914
Unemployment1.1%
Poverty2.5%
County GDP$1,433M
Commute25 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$195,000
Rent$1,069
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$364,683

Crime

F
Violent107/100K
Property3,177/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault71/100K
Burglary408/100K

Health

Obesity35.5%
UninsuredN/A
Depression22.7%
Heart Disease5.3%

Climate

Avg Temp55°F
AQI39 (Good)
Rain41.4 in/yr
Elevation914 ft

Education

B
Bachelor's+28.7%
High School+88.7%
School Score5.80

Community

2024 VoteR 69% / D 29%
Commute25 min
Libraries3

Is Paola a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Paola receives an overall livability score of 3.4 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low unemployment, low crime rates, affordable housing, a low poverty rate. Paola offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Paola is $73,281, roughly in line with the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.1%. Only 2.5% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 25 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Paola is $195,000, 31% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $1,069 per month. At just 2.7x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

Paola is a very safe community with a violent crime rate of 107 per 100,000 residents — well below the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 3,177 per 100,000, 62% above the national average.

Education

28.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 88.7% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.8/10.

Climate & Weather

Paola experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 55°F. Winters average 29°F in January while summers reach 79°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 41.4 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39.

Paola has a population of 5,757 with a density of 1,086 people per square mile. The median age is 44.3 years, 14% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (94.1%), with 1.8% Black.

Population

5,757
Total Population
1,086
People / sq mi
44.3yrs
Median Age
14% above US avg
5.3mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 47.4%
Female 52.6%

Race & Ethnicity

Paola vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only98.1%
25% above US avg
Spanish1.9%
86% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Paola vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Paola is $73,281, which is 2% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 1.1% (below the 3.6% US average). 2.5% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 25 minutes.

Income: Paola vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$73,281
2% below US avg
Per Capita Income$39,914
Avg Weekly Wage$1,031
IRS Avg AGI$90,818

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment1.1%
69% below US avg
Poverty Rate2.5%
80% below US avg
Establishments (County)966
County GDP$1,433M

Business (County)

Restaurants60
Healthcare68
Retail81
Manufacturing21

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$5,781
65% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.96%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time25.3 min
Work from Home7.1%

Walkability

The median home value in Paola is $195,000, 31% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,069 (8% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $364,683.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$195,000
31% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$364,683
Median List Price$254,500

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$254,500
$/Sq Ft$157
Homes Sold12
Sale-to-List Ratio0.0%
Price Drops20.8%

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,069
8% below US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$702
1 Bedroom$753
2 Bedrooms$947
3 Bedrooms$1,223
4 Bedrooms$1,397

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied65.8%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$5,781
65% above US avg
Effective Rate2.96%
In Paola, 35.5% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 22.7% report depression. 24.2% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Paola vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity35.5%
11% above US avg
Diabetes9.2%
Heart Disease5.3%
High Blood Pressure29.4%
Asthma10.4%
COPD6.2%
Stroke2.8%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking17.1%
Physical Inactivity24.2%
Depression22.7%
Mental Distress17.8%
Physical Distress11.8%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate89.1%
Checkup Rate73.4%
Premature Death8,638/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.5/10
Exercise Access70.4%
Healthcare Facilities68
Paola has a violent crime rate of 107 per 100,000 residents, 72% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 3,177 per 100,000 (62% above US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

Crime Rates: Paola vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Total Violent106.5/100K
72% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape17.8/100K
Robbery17.8/100K
Assault71.0/100K

Property Crime

Total Property3,177.1/100K
62% above US avg
Burglary408.2/100K
Theft2,626.9/100K
Vehicle Theft142.0/100K
Arson35.5/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)4

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Paola has an average annual temperature of 55°F (13°C). Winters average 29°F in January while summers reach 79°F in July. Annual precipitation is 41.4 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39.

Temperature

29°F Jan (-2°C) 79°F Jul (26°C)
Annual Average55.0°F
2% above US avg
January Average29°F (-2°C)
July Average79°F (26°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall41.4 inches
9% above US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median39.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation914 ft (279 m)
Area5.3 sq mi (13.7 km²)
Population Density1,086/sq mi
Coordinates38.5789°N, 94.8604°W
County FIPS20121
It is classified as Metro — 1 million+. 28.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (15% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 39.5-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 68.8%
D 29.3%

Winner: Republican by 39.5 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+28.7%
15% below US avg
High School+88.7%
School Test Score5.80
B Education Grade (3.3/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 1Metro — 1 million+
Population Density1,086/sq mi
Total Area5.3 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries3
Healthcare Facilities68
Restaurants60
Retail Stores81

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)4
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute25.3 min
Work from Home7.1%

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