Manhattan: Demographics & People
Census counts 54,239 people in Manhattan, in 22,266 households. Population grew 0.5% from 53,951 (2022) to 54,239 (2024). Median age 25.7 years. (10.8y younger than Kansas). Children under 18 are 15% of the population. Population is 75% White (non-Hispanic) and 8% Hispanic or Latino. The community is somewhat diverse (Simpson index 0.33). 46% of households are family-led. County is gaining 243 residents per year (2022-2023). County health: 31% adult obesity, 13% smoke.
- 2.4 people per household (vs Kansas avg 2.5).
- 54% non-family households (singles, roommates) (vs Kansas 40%).
- 32 dependents per 100 working-age (youth + seniors / 18-64) (vs Kansas 69).
Population & Trend
Population grew 0.5% from 53,951 (2022) to 54,239 (2024) — close to the U.S. annual rate of ~0.6%/yr. Estimated 2026 population: ~54,526 (extrapolated at 0.3%/yr trend). Census Bureau Vintage estimate: 54,910.
| Census data vintage | 2024 |
|---|---|
| Population | 25,348 people |
| Annual growth rate · Population change | 0.5% |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2022) | 53,951 |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2024) | 54,239 |
| Annual growth rate · Population growing | Yes |
| Annual growth rate · Trend category | stable |
| Population | 54,239 people (vs Kansas 58,384) |
| Population Estimate | 54,910 |
| Population Note | Census Place population covers Pottawatomie County, Riley County |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023, Table B01003 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Age Distribution
Median age 25.7y is 13.2 years younger than the U.S. median (38.9y). Children under 18 make up 15% — below the U.S. share of ~22%.
| Age Summary · Median age | 25.7 years (vs Kansas 36.5y) |
|---|---|
| Age Summary · Children Pct | 14.6% |
| Age Summary · Character | young community |
| Age Summary · Total Pop | 54,239 |
| Age Summary · Under 18 | 7,912 |
| Age Summary · 18 To 34 | 26,795.0× |
| Age Summary · 35 To 64 | 14,168.0× |
| Age Summary · 65 Plus | 5,364 |
| Population under 18 | 7,912 |
| Median age | 25.7 years (vs Kansas 36.5y) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2024 — place-level B01001 query · Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-29
Race, Ethnicity & Diversity
Of 54,239 residents, race / ethnicity breaks down by Census ACS counts (a person can identify with one or more groups). The Simpson diversity index is 0.33 (0 = single group, 1 = perfectly even distribution); this is read as somewhat diverse.
| White residents | 42,508 |
|---|---|
| Black residents | 2,452 |
| Asian residents | 2,328 |
| Hispanic or Latino residents | 5,041 |
| Diversity Index · Diversity index (Simpson) | 32.7% |
| Diversity Index · Diversity label | somewhat diverse |
| Diversity Index · Groups counted | 4 |
| Diversity Index · Largest group share | 81.2% |
| Asian population | 4.6% (vs Kansas 3.0%) |
| Black population | 5.0% (vs Kansas 4.9%) |
| Hispanic or Latino population | 8.4% (vs Kansas 12.6%) |
| White (non-Hispanic) population | 75.3% (vs Kansas 73.5%) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Ancestry
Self-reported ancestry from Census ACS — what residents report as their ethnic origin, separate from race. Counts can exceed population because people can list multiple ancestries.
Top (8)
Citizenship & Origin
Where residents were born and their citizenship status (Census ACS). 1.8% are foreign-born — below the U.S. average of 13.9%. 8% have naturalized to U.S. citizenship.
| Residents born in this state | 28,365 |
|---|---|
| Residents born in another state | 20,778 |
| Share born in this state | 52.3% |
| Share born in another state | 47.7% |
| Native-born U.S. citizens | 38.3% |
| Foreign-born residents | 1.8% |
| Naturalized citizens | 7.6% |
| Total foreign-born residents | 4,208 |
| From Europe | 305 |
| From Africa | 2,272 |
Households & Family Composition
22,266 households. Averaging 2.2 people each — smaller than the U.S. average of 2.5. 46% are family households — below the U.S. share of ~65%. Of 9,849 families, 29% are married couples with children.
| Children under 18 | 7,998 |
|---|---|
| Total families | 9,849 |
| Married couples with children | 2,848 |
| Single-parent households | 545 |
| Average household size | 2.18 |
| Women who gave birth (past year) | 9.3% |
| Grandparents living with grandchildren | 308 |
| Grandparents responsible for grandchildren | 81 |
| Family households | 10,212 households (vs Kansas 15,816) |
| Households that are families | 45.9% (vs Kansas 60.5%) |
| Total households | 22,266 households (vs Kansas 24,776) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Residential Stability & Migration
How long residents have lived here and where they came from. 27.1% moved within the county in the past year — the U.S. baseline is roughly 8–10%. The surrounding county is gaining 243 residents per year on net (IRS migration data).
| Moved within the county (past year) | 27.1% |
|---|---|
| Migration · People moving in (annual) | 27,451 |
| Migration · People moving out (annual) | 27,208 |
| Migration · Net migration (in − out) | 243 |
| Migration · Population growing | Yes |
| Migration · Year | 2022-2023 |
Sources: IRS SOI Migration 2021-2022 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Disability
Census ACS measures self-reported functional limitations — vision, hearing, mobility, cognitive, self-care, or independent-living. The U.S. baseline disability rate is about 12–13%; rates trend higher with median age.
| Residents with a disability | 3,250 |
|---|---|
| Disability rate | 6.1% |
Group Quarters
Group quarters are non-household living arrangements counted by the Census — college dormitories, nursing homes, military barracks, group homes, correctional facilities, and similar institutional or shared housing. 6,566 residents live in group quarters (12.1% of population).
| Living in group quarters | 6,566 |
|---|
Veterans
| Veterans Services · Total count | 1 |
|---|
Sources: IRS BMF keyword
Other
| Census Counties | Pottawatomie County, Riley County |
|---|---|
| Congressional District · District | 1 |
| Congressional District · Congress | 118th |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Fips | 20149 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · State Fips | 20 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County Fips | 149 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County | Pottawatomie |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Birth Rate | 10.8% |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Lower Ci | 8.10 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Upper Ci | 14.20 |
| Cdc Mortality · Fips | 20149 |
| Cdc Mortality · County | Pottawatomie County |
| Cdc Mortality · Urban Rural | Small metro |
| Cdc Mortality · Total Deaths 2020 2023 | 496 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Fips | 20149 |
| Cdc Vaccination · County | Pottawatomie County |
| Cdc Vaccination · Dose1 Pop Pct | 48.6% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Series Complete Pct | 44.0% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Booster Pct | 59.1% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Population 2019 | 24,383 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Metro Status | Metro |
| Family Score · Score | 10 |
| Family Score · Schools | 13 |
| Family Score · Childcare Centers | 15 |
| Family Score · Children Pct | 14.6% |
| Family Score · Rating | excellent |
| Town Summary · Key Facts | population 54,239, stable, young community, middle-class, mixed |
| Town Summary · Population | 54,239 people (vs Kansas 58,384) |
| Town Summary · County | Pottawatomie County |
Sources: NCES school congressional district assignment · federal dataset cascade