Fastest growing cities in Kansas
Population growth in the United States is slowing. From 2010 to 2020, the population grew by just 7.4%—the lowest rate since the 1930s. Declining birth rates, an aging population, and fewer immigrants are all contributing to historically slow growth rates. But depending on where you are in the country, it might not always feel that way.
In every state, there were cities that experienced cumulative population gains over the course of the decade. But when you look at the growth rates from year to year, cities across the country are following a similar trajectory. Small, medium, and large cities all saw declining growth since 2016. Some of the largest cities—those with populations over 1 million—have actually seen a decrease in overall population, not just slower population growth.
Stacker compiled a list of the fastest-growing cities in Kansas using data from the U.S. Census Bureau. Cities are ranked by the highest population growth from 2010 to 2020.
Many cities experienced their most significant growth within the first few years of the decade. Experts postulate that the housing bubble burst in tandem with economic hardships of the Great Recession pushed many people of home-buying age to the cities. A decade later, in the wake of the pandemic, the U.S. is in a similar position.
#20. Dodge City
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +1,490
--- #2,605 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 5.7%
--- #143 among cities in Kansas, #11,188 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 27,788
--- #15 largest city in Kansas, #1,611 largest city nationwide
#19. Bel Aire
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +1,679
--- #2,406 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 25.5%
--- #49 among cities in Kansas, #4,499 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 8,262
--- #44 largest city in Kansas, #4,704 largest city nationwide
#18. Garden City
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +2,101
--- #2,074 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 8.1%
--- #122 among cities in Kansas, #9,817 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 28,151
--- #14 largest city in Kansas, #1,592 largest city nationwide
#17. Leavenworth
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +2,177
--- #2,025 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 6.2%
--- #135 among cities in Kansas, #10,852 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 37,351
--- #12 largest city in Kansas, #1,178 largest city nationwide
#16. Junction City
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +2,190
--- #2,018 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 10.6%
--- #104 among cities in Kansas, #8,631 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 22,932
--- #20 largest city in Kansas, #2,004 largest city nationwide
#15. Leawood
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +2,580
--- #1,765 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 8.2%
--- #119 among cities in Kansas, #9,730 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 33,902
--- #13 largest city in Kansas, #1,316 largest city nationwide
#14. Maize
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +2,659
--- #1,726 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 86.4%
--- #9 among cities in Kansas, #1,048 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 5,735
--- #59 largest city in Kansas, #6,006 largest city nationwide
#13. Basehor
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +2,704
--- #1,703 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 64.5%
--- #19 among cities in Kansas, #1,601 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 6,896
--- #50 largest city in Kansas, #5,348 largest city nationwide
#12. Spring Hill
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +3,004
--- #1,584 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 60.7%
--- #22 among cities in Kansas, #1,748 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 7,952
--- #45 largest city in Kansas, #4,839 largest city nationwide
#11. Manhattan
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +3,494
--- #1,372 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 6.9%
--- #130 among cities in Kansas, #10,463 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 54,100
--- #9 largest city in Kansas, #786 largest city nationwide
#10. Andover
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +3,899
--- #1,259 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 35.5%
--- #37 among cities in Kansas, #3,224 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 14,892
--- #25 largest city in Kansas, #2,944 largest city nationwide
#9. Derby
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +4,716
--- #1,060 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 22.6%
--- #57 among cities in Kansas, #5,055 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 25,625
--- #16 largest city in Kansas, #1,760 largest city nationwide
#8. Gardner
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +5,746
--- #890 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 32.8%
--- #40 among cities in Kansas, #3,523 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 23,287
--- #18 largest city in Kansas, #1,966 largest city nationwide
#7. Shawnee
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +7,245
--- #723 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 12.1%
--- #96 among cities in Kansas, #7,988 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 67,311
--- #7 largest city in Kansas, #596 largest city nationwide
#6. Lawrence
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +8,508
--- #614 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 9.8%
--- #110 among cities in Kansas, #8,949 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 94,934
--- #6 largest city in Kansas, #359 largest city nationwide
#5. Lenexa
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +10,345
--- #498 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 22.0%
--- #61 among cities in Kansas, #5,179 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 57,434
--- #8 largest city in Kansas, #737 largest city nationwide
#4. Kansas City
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +12,582
--- #393 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 8.7%
--- #116 among cities in Kansas, #9,481 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 156,607
--- #3 largest city in Kansas, #170 largest city nationwide
#3. Olathe
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +20,516
--- #197 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 17.0%
--- #78 among cities in Kansas, #6,400 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 141,290
--- #4 largest city in Kansas, #198 largest city nationwide
#2. Wichita
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +23,807
--- #154 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 6.4%
--- #133 among cities in Kansas, #10,734 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 397,532
--- #1 largest city in Kansas, #48 largest city nationwide
#1. Overland Park
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +26,723
--- #126 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 15.7%
--- #81 among cities in Kansas, #6,754 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 197,238
--- #2 largest city in Kansas, #129 largest city nationwide
