Elk County Demographics

A map of Elk County's Population by Race

Elk County, Kansas has an estimated population of 2,453, a slight decrease from the 2,483 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 87.4% White, 6.2% Multiracial, 4.5% Hispanic, 1.6% Native American/Other, 0.2% Asian, and 0.1% Black. This demographic dot map shows the population of Elk County, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Elk has become more racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is considerably less diverse than Kansas overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Elk County, that probability was 20.1% in 2020 and 23.0% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Elk County is ranked the 94th most populous county in Kansas, out of 105 counties. Elk County was ranked the 94th most populous county in the 2020 Census.

Elk County's White Population

2,144 residents of Elk County, or 87.4% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Elk County is considerably higher than in Kansas overall, where 72.7% of the population is White. Elk County ranks 37th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 105 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Elk County's White population has declined by an estimated 3.2%. White residents' share of Elk County's population has decreased from 89.2% to 87.4%.

Elk County is more White than neighboring Chautauqua County (80.1% White), Montgomery County (76.5% White), and Cowley County (76.9% White). Elk County is less White than neighboring Greenwood County (90.9% White), and Wilson County (90.4% White).

Elk County's Black Population

2 residents of Elk County, or 0.1% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Elk County is lower than in Kansas overall, where 5.2% of the population is Black. Elk County ranks 101st statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 105 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Elk County's Black population has grown by an estimated 100.0%. Black residents' share of Elk County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.1%.

Elk County is less Black than neighboring Chautauqua County (0.8% Black), Greenwood County (0.7% Black), Wilson County (0.2% Black), Montgomery County (3.8% Black), and Cowley County (2.4% Black).

Elk County's Asian Population

6 residents of Elk County, or 0.2% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Elk County is slightly lower than in Kansas overall, where 2.9% of the population is Asian. Elk County ranks 93rd statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 105 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Elk County's Asian population has grown by an estimated 100.0%. Asian residents' share of Elk County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.2%.

Elk County is more Asian than neighboring Chautauqua County (0.1% Asian), Greenwood County (0% Asian), and Wilson County (0% Asian). Elk County is less Asian than neighboring Cowley County (1.5% Asian).

Elk County's Hispanic Population

110 residents of Elk County, or 4.5% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Elk County is lower than in Kansas overall, where 13.6% of the population is Hispanic. Elk County ranks 69th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 105 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Elk County's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 8.9%. Hispanic residents' share of Elk County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 4.5%.

Elk County is more Hispanic than neighboring Greenwood County (4% Hispanic), and Wilson County (3.8% Hispanic). Elk County is less Hispanic than neighboring Chautauqua County (5% Hispanic), Montgomery County (8.1% Hispanic), and Cowley County (12.2% Hispanic).

Elk County's Native American/Other Population

40 residents of Elk County, or 1.6% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Elk County is comparable to the share in Kansas overall, where 0.9% of the population is Native American/Other. Elk County ranks 10th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 105 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Elk County's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 7.0%. Native American/Other residents' share of Elk County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 1.6%.

Elk County is more Native American/Other than neighboring Greenwood County (1.4% Native American/Other), and Wilson County (0.9% Native American/Other). Elk County is less Native American/Other than neighboring Chautauqua County (5.8% Native American/Other), Montgomery County (2.8% Native American/Other), and Cowley County (1.7% Native American/Other).

Elk County's Multiracial Population

151 residents of Elk County, or 6.2% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Elk County is comparable to the share in Kansas overall, where 4.8% of the population is Multiracial. Elk County ranks 30th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 105 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Elk County's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 24.8%. Multiracial residents' share of Elk County's population has increased from 4.9% to 6.2%.

Elk County is more Multiracial than neighboring Greenwood County (3% Multiracial), Wilson County (4.7% Multiracial), and Cowley County (5.3% Multiracial). Elk County is less Multiracial than neighboring Chautauqua County (8.2% Multiracial), and Montgomery County (8.7% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.