Paola, KS Demographics

A map of Paola's Population by Race

Race	2024 Pop	2020 Pop	2024 %	2020 %
White	5,427	5,003	94.1%	86.7%
Multiracial	154	341	2.7%	5.9%
Black	95	132	1.6%	2.3%
Hispanic	57	214	1.0%	3.7%
Asian	21	22	0.4%	0.4%
Native American/Other	16	56	0.3%	1.0%

Paola, Kansas has an estimated population of 5,770, a less than 1% change from the 5,768 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 94.1% White, 2.7% Multiracial, 1.6% Black, 1.0% Hispanic, 0.4% Asian, and 0.3% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Paola, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Paola has become considerably less 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 Paola, that probability was 24.2% in 2020 and 11.4% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Paola is ranked the 60th most populous place in Kansas, out of 740 places. This ranking is based on the Census definition of a place, which includes incorporated places like cities, towns, and villages, as well as unincorporated census-designated places (CDPs). Paola was ranked the 58th most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Paola's White Population

5,427 residents of Paola, or 94.1% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Paola is significantly higher than in Kansas overall, where 72.7% of the population is White. Paola ranks 436th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 740 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Paola's White population has grown by an estimated 8.5%. White residents' share of Paola's population has increased from 86.7% to 94.1%.

Paola is more White than neighboring Somerset (62.5% White), Osawatomie (78.4% White), Fontana (75.1% White), and Spring Hill (88% White). Paola is less White than neighboring Hillsdale (100% White).

Paola's Black Population

95 residents of Paola, or 1.6% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Paola is slightly lower than in Kansas overall, where 5.2% of the population is Black. Paola ranks 84th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 740 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Paola's Black population has declined by an estimated 28.0%. Black residents' share of Paola's population has decreased from 2.3% to 1.6%.

Paola is more Black than neighboring Hillsdale (0% Black), Somerset (0% Black), Fontana (0% Black), and Spring Hill (0.2% Black). Paola is less Black than neighboring Osawatomie (6.8% Black).

Paola's Asian Population

21 residents of Paola, or 0.4% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Paola is slightly lower than in Kansas overall, where 2.9% of the population is Asian. Paola ranks 253rd statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 740 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Paola's Asian population has declined by an estimated 4.5%. Asian residents' share of Paola's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.4%.

Paola is more Asian than neighboring Hillsdale (0% Asian), Somerset (0% Asian), Osawatomie (0.2% Asian), and Fontana (0% Asian). Paola is less Asian than neighboring Spring Hill (1.9% Asian).

Paola's Hispanic Population

57 residents of Paola, or 1.0% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Paola is considerably lower than in Kansas overall, where 13.6% of the population is Hispanic. Paola ranks 390th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 740 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Paola's Hispanic population has declined by an estimated 73.4%. Hispanic residents' share of Paola's population has decreased from 3.7% to 1.0%.

Paola is more Hispanic than neighboring Hillsdale (0% Hispanic), and Somerset (0% Hispanic). Paola is less Hispanic than neighboring Osawatomie (3.9% Hispanic), Fontana (21.5% Hispanic), and Spring Hill (5.7% Hispanic).

Paola's Native American/Other Population

16 residents of Paola, or 0.3% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Paola is comparable to the share in Kansas overall, where 0.9% of the population is Native American/Other. Paola ranks 297th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 740 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Paola's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 71.4%. Native American/Other residents' share of Paola's population has decreased from 1.0% to 0.3%.

Paola is more Native American/Other than neighboring Hillsdale (0% Native American/Other), Somerset (0% Native American/Other), Osawatomie (0.1% Native American/Other), and Spring Hill (0.2% Native American/Other). Paola is less Native American/Other than neighboring Fontana (1.7% Native American/Other).

Paola's Multiracial Population

154 residents of Paola, or 2.7% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Paola is slightly lower than in Kansas overall, where 4.8% of the population is Multiracial. Paola ranks 206th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 740 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Paola's Multiracial population has declined by an estimated 54.8%. Multiracial residents' share of Paola's population has decreased from 5.9% to 2.7%.

Paola is more Multiracial than neighboring Hillsdale (0% Multiracial), and Fontana (1.7% Multiracial). Paola is less Multiracial than neighboring Somerset (37.5% Multiracial), Osawatomie (10.5% Multiracial), and Spring Hill (4% 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.