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Colby, KS
City in Thomas County, Kansas.
Population
5,387
Land area
3.7sq mi
People per sq mi
1,466
ZIP codes
0
Colby and its ZIP codes
Colby at a glance
- Colby is about 41 times as dense as Kansas as a whole.
- By population, it ranks 62nd among 721 cities and towns in Kansas.
- The median household income is $63,494, 15% below the Kansas median of $74,275.
- A typical owner-occupied home is valued at $163,000 (25% below Kansas) and median rent is $750 a month.
Local data for Colby, KS
Counts from official public data
Housing and community stats
Colby, KS, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Median household income
$63,494
Poverty rate
8.0%
Median home value
$163,000
Median rent
$750/mo
Homeownership
67.1%
Bachelor's or higher
37.0%
Median age
32.3
Average commute
9.7 min
Largest reported origins and ancestries: German Americans (1,852), Irish Americans (663), Mexican Americans (398).
Economy and federal money
Jobs, pay, income and spending are for Thomas County. PPP loans are for Colby.
Unemployment rate
3.1%
Aug 2026, +0.1 pts in a year
Average annual pay
$50,081
4,102 jobs, 2025
Income per person
$63,921
BEA, 2024
Federal spending
$69.64M
FY 2026, $8,782 per person
How people get to work
Colby, KS, workers 16 and older. American Community Survey 5-year estimates
- Drove alone82.8%
- Carpooled4.1%
- Public transit0.0%
- Walked2.5%
- Bicycle0.3%
- Taxi, ride-hailing, motorcycle or other0.0%
- Worked from home10.2%
Average one-way commute: 9.7 minutes for people who do not work from home.
Environment and hazard risk
Colby, KS, from FEMA, NOAA and EPA
Natural hazard risk
Very Low
Top: hail
Storm events since 1996
1,094
Countywide, mostly hail
Flood insurance policies
17
0.4% of homes, county
July high / Jan low
91° / 15°F
20.4 inches of rain a year
Hazards, floods and storm historyCheck a flood zone3 historic places
Health statistics
Share of adults in Colby, KS, CDC PLACES estimates
Obesity
35.6%
U.S. 33.3% +2.3 pts
Diabetes
9.9%
U.S. 12.1% -2.2 pts
Smoking
13.4%
U.S. 12.8% +0.6 pts
Uninsured (18-64)
8.7%
U.S. 11.1% -2.4 pts
Cities near Colby
| Name | Distance | Land area (sq mi) |
|---|---|---|
| LevantCensus-designated place | 8 mi | 1 |
| GemCity | 8.6 mi | 0.3 |
| MenloCity | 17 mi | 0.1 |
| RexfordCity | 17 mi | 0.3 |
| BrewsterCity | 18 mi | 0.3 |
| MonumentCensus-designated place | 19 mi | 0.5 |
| OakleyCity | 21 mi | 1.9 |
| WinonaCity | 24 mi | 0.3 |
| EdsonCensus-designated place | 27 mi | 0.7 |
| SeldenCity | 28 mi | 0.3 |
| GrinnellCity | 28 mi | 0.5 |
| AtwoodCity | 30 mi | 1.1 |
Frequently asked questions
- What county is Colby, KS in?
- Colby is in Thomas County, Kansas.
- What is the population of Colby, KS?
- About 5,387 people live in Colby, based on American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
- What cities are near Colby?
- Nearby places include Levant (8 mi), Gem (8.6 mi), Menlo (17 mi), Rexford (17 mi), Brewster (18 mi).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau (TIGER/Line boundaries, American Community Survey) · Data as of 12/31/2023