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Hays, KS
City in Ellis County, Kansas. ZIP codes: 67601.
Population
21,143
Land area
8.7sq mi
People per sq mi
2,419
ZIP codes
1
Hays and its ZIP codes
Hays at a glance
- Hays is about 67 times as dense as Kansas as a whole.
- It is the 21st most populous of 721 cities and towns in Kansas.
- Households here earn a median of $58,459 a year, 21% less than the Kansas figure of $74,275.
- A typical owner-occupied home is valued at $225,500 (4% above Kansas) and median rent is $922 a month.
Local data for Hays, KS
Counts from official public data
- Hospitals1
- Emergency Rooms1
- Nursing Homes2
- Schools9
- Colleges2
- Libraries1
- Banks10
- Post Offices1
- Parks17
- Grocery Stores5
- Restaurants98
- Affordable Housing4
- Home Health Agencies1
- Hospice Care1
- Dialysis Centers1
- Rehab & Long-Term Care Hospitals1
- Community Health Centers3
- Mental Health & Addiction Treatment2
- Private Schools2
- Community Colleges & Trade Schools1
- Toxic Release Facilities2
- Historic Places7
Housing and community stats
Hays, KS, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Median household income
$58,459
Poverty rate
20.1%
Median home value
$225,500
Median rent
$922/mo
Homeownership
58.5%
Bachelor's or higher
42.7%
Median age
30.2
Average commute
11.1 min
Largest reported origins and ancestries: German Americans (9,261), Irish Americans (2,694), Mexican Americans (1,346).
Economy and federal money
Jobs, pay, income and spending are for Ellis County. PPP loans are for Hays.
Unemployment rate
3.6%
Aug 2026, +0.2 pts in a year
Average annual pay
$48,960
15,211 jobs, 2025
Income per person
$58,325
BEA, 2024
Federal spending
$215M
FY 2026, $7,425 per person
PPP loans
$87.2M
1,576 loans, 9,754 jobs reported
How people get to work
Hays, KS, workers 16 and older. American Community Survey 5-year estimates
- Drove alone77.1%
- Carpooled6.7%
- Public transit0.0%
- Walked9.9%
- Bicycle0.0%
- Taxi, ride-hailing, motorcycle or other1.0%
- Worked from home5.2%
Average one-way commute: 11.1 minutes for people who do not work from home.
Environment and hazard risk
Hays, KS, from FEMA, NOAA and EPA
Natural hazard risk
Very Low
Top: hail
Storm events since 1996
1,032
Countywide, mostly hail
Flood insurance policies
107
0.9% of homes, county
July high / Jan low
93° / 20°F
24.8 inches of rain a year
Hazards, floods and storm historyCheck a flood zone7 historic places
Health statistics
Share of adults in Hays, KS, CDC PLACES estimates
Obesity
36.2%
U.S. 33.3% +2.9 pts
Diabetes
8.7%
U.S. 12.1% -3.4 pts
Smoking
12.9%
U.S. 12.8% about the same
Uninsured (18-64)
9.3%
U.S. 11.1% -1.8 pts
ZIP codes in Hays
1 in or overlapping Hays. Population shown
Cities near Hays
| Name | Distance | Land area (sq mi) |
|---|---|---|
| MunjorCensus-designated place | 5.9 mi | 2.3 |
| CatharineCensus-designated place | 6.5 mi | 1.8 |
| VictoriaCity | 9.8 mi | 0.6 |
| SchoenchenCity | 12 mi | 0.1 |
| EllisCity | 13 mi | 1.7 |
| GorhamCity | 16 mi | 0.2 |
| LiebenthalCity | 16 mi | 0.1 |
| CodellCensus-designated place | 23 mi | 0.8 |
| OgallahCensus-designated place | 23 mi | 1.6 |
| PlainvilleCity | 24 mi | 1.2 |
| La CrosseCity | 24 mi | 1 |
| ZurichCity | 25 mi | 0.2 |
| McCrackenCity | 25 mi | 1 |
| RussellCity | 25 mi | 4.9 |
| GalatiaCity | 26 mi | 0.4 |
| NatomaCity | 26 mi | 0.4 |
Frequently asked questions
- What county is Hays, KS in?
- Hays is in Ellis County, Kansas.
- What ZIP codes are in Hays, KS?
- ZIP codes in or overlapping Hays include 67601.
- What is the population of Hays, KS?
- About 21,143 people live in Hays, based on American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
- What cities are near Hays?
- Nearby places include Munjor (5.9 mi), Catharine (6.5 mi), Victoria (9.8 mi), Schoenchen (12 mi), Ellis (13 mi).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau (TIGER/Line boundaries, American Community Survey) · Data as of 12/31/2023