Smith Center, KS

Kansas

Smith Center is a small town in Kansas with a population of 1,585. Residents earn $53,963 per year, which is 28% below the national average.

3.9 /5.0
B+ Good
1,585 Population 1,289/sq mi density
$53,963 Median Income $32,635 per capita
$84,600 Home Value $98,770 Zillow
$646 Median Rent
53°F Avg Temperature
B+
Overall
3.9 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.0 / 5.0
$53,963 median income, 1.4% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$84,600 home value, $646/mo rent
C+
Education
2.7 / 5.0
21.8% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $53,963
28% lower than US avg
Home Value $84,600
70% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 21.8%
35% lower than US avg
Median Rent $646
44% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 40.7%
27% higher than US avg
Unemployment 1.4%
61% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 6.5%
48% lower than US avg

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

People

Population1,585
Median Age46.8 yrs
Density1,289/mi²
Male / Female50% / 50%
Largest GroupWhite 93%

Economy

A
Median Income$53,963
Per Capita$32,635
Unemployment1.4%
Poverty6.5%
County GDP$221M
Commute10 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$84,600
Rent$646
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$98,770

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity40.7%
UninsuredN/A
Depression22.4%
Heart Disease5.7%

Climate

Avg Temp53°F
AQI39 (Good)
Rain26.1 in/yr
Elevation1,807 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+21.8%
High School+93.9%
School Score5.80

Community

2024 VoteR 84% / D 15%
Commute10 min
Libraries4

Is Smith Center a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Smith Center receives an overall livability score of 3.9 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, a low poverty rate. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes, high obesity rates. Smith Center offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Smith Center is $53,963, 28% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.4%. Only 6.5% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 10 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Smith Center is $84,600, 70% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $646 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 1.6x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

21.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 93.9% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.8/10.

Climate & Weather

Smith Center experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 53°F. Winters average 27°F in January while summers reach 79°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 26.1 inches, including 18.3 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39.

Smith Center has a population of 1,585 with a density of 1,289 people per square mile. The median age is 46.8 years, 20% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (93.4%), with 2.1% Hispanic.

Population

1,585
Total Population
1,289
People / sq mi
46.8yrs
Median Age
20% above US avg
1.2mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 50.1%
Female 49.9%

Race & Ethnicity

Smith Center vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only98.3%
25% above US avg
Spanish1.7%
87% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Smith Center vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Smith Center is $53,963, which is 28% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 1.4% (below the 3.6% US average). 6.5% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 10 minutes.

Income: Smith Center vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$53,963
28% below US avg
Per Capita Income$32,635
Avg Weekly Wage$806
IRS Avg AGI$59,026

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment1.4%
61% below US avg
Poverty Rate6.5%
48% below US avg
Establishments (County)164
County GDP$221M

Business (County)

Restaurants6
Healthcare8
Retail28
Manufacturing3

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$2,740
22% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate3.24%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time10.1 min
Work from Home3.1%

Walkability

The median home value in Smith Center is $84,600, 70% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $646 (44% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $98,770.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$84,600
70% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$98,770

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$646
44% 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-Occupied79.3%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$2,740
22% below US avg
Effective Rate3.24%
In Smith Center, 40.7% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 22.4% report depression. 28.1% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Smith Center vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity40.7%
27% above US avg
Diabetes9.7%
Heart Disease5.7%
High Blood Pressure31.4%
Asthma10.5%
COPD6.9%
Stroke3.0%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking18.3%
Physical Inactivity28.1%
Depression22.4%
Mental Distress18.4%
Physical Distress12.8%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate88.8%
Checkup Rate74.2%
Premature Death6,337/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.8/10
Exercise Access63.9%
Healthcare Facilities8

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Safety Score

Smith Center has an average annual temperature of 53°F (12°C). Winters average 27°F in January while summers reach 79°F in July. Annual precipitation is 26.1 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39.

Temperature

27°F Jan (-3°C) 79°F Jul (26°C)
Annual Average53.1°F
2% below US avg
January Average27°F (-3°C)
July Average79°F (26°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall26.1 inches
31% below US avg
Snowfall18.3 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median39.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,807 ft (551 m)
Area1.2 sq mi (3.2 km²)
Population Density1,289/sq mi
Coordinates39.7739°N, 98.7835°W
County FIPS20183
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural. 21.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (35% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 68.5-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 83.5%
D 15%

Winner: Republican by 68.5 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+21.8%
35% below US avg
High School+93.9%
School Test Score5.80
C+ Education Grade (2.7/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 9Nonmetro — Rural
Population Density1,289/sq mi
Total Area1.2 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Alt Fuel Stations1
Public Libraries4
Healthcare Facilities8
Restaurants6
Retail Stores28

Safety & Disasters

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute10.1 min
Work from Home3.1%

Nearby Cities

Compare Smith Center with another city: