Fort Scott, Kansas, has been identified as the poorest town in Kansas in recent discussions and reports in 2025. This small city, located in Bourbon County and serving as the county seat, reflects significant economic challenges that many small towns in the Midwest face. Its population as of 2025 is around 7,550 to 7,580 residents, and it experiences a modest population growth or slight decline depending on the source but remains a modest-sized community by Kansas standards.
Economically, Fort Scott struggles with income levels below state and national averages. The median household income is reported to be about $60,799, which is lower than many other parts of Kansas but not as low as some earlier figures suggested. The per capita income averages around $31,273. Despite these figures looking moderately better than expected for a “poorest town,” the poverty rate sits at approximately 10.9%, meaning more than one in ten residents live below the poverty line. This rate is somewhat reflective of the broader economic challenges facing Bourbon County and similar rural areas in Kansas.
Demographically, Fort Scott is predominantly White (about 88-90%), with small percentages of African American, multiracial, Hispanic, Asian, and other racial or ethnic groups making up the remainder of the population. The median age is about 39 years, balancing a mix of families, working adults, and retirees. Household sizes average around 2.2 to 2.8 persons, signifying a range of family and individual living arrangements.
Fort Scott’s economy depends heavily on several key sectors. Healthcare and social assistance employ roughly 16.4% of the workforce, followed by manufacturing (13.6%), education (11.9%), and accommodation and food services (11.1%). The presence of healthcare institutions like Mercury Kansas Services provides some economic stability, employing hundreds of staff and contributing millions annually to the local economy.
Despite these employment opportunities, Fort Scott faces challenges typical of small, post-industrial towns. There is a shortage of affordable, moderately priced housing needed to attract and retain skilled workers, which hampers growth and development. The median home value is relatively low compared to national averages, reflecting economic distress and limiting wealth accumulation through homeownership for many residents.
The city’s poverty levels are especially pronounced among certain demographics; for example, children and the elderly experience higher rates of poverty. Estimates show that about 21% of residents under 18 live in poverty, while the elderly face roughly 16-17% poverty rates. These figures illustrate the vulnerabilities in important population segments.
Education is another focal point. Fort Scott Community College, the oldest community college in Kansas, serves as a vital educational resource. The local public school district and a handful of private and religious schools provide primary and secondary education. Nevertheless, educational attainment levels indicate room for improvement, with only about 13.9% of the population holding a bachelor’s degree or higher.
Social factors, combined with economic difficulties, contribute to a cycle of poverty that is difficult to address. Unemployment rates hover around 4.6%, which is slightly lower than the national average, but underemployment and low wages are ongoing concerns.
Fort Scott stands out in Kansas primarily due to its relatively high poverty rates and economic challenges despite having some institutional anchors and stable employment in healthcare and education. Its struggles with housing affordability, income disparities, and poverty among vulnerable groups underscore the town’s label as the poorest in the state. These challenges reflect broader patterns affecting many rural and small-town communities across Kansas and the Midwest as they navigate the shifting economic landscape of the 21st century.
Sources
(https://worldpopulationreview.com/us-cities/kansas/fort-scott)
(https://www.kansas-demographics.com/fort-scott-demographics)
(https://www.worldatlas.com/cities/fort-scott-kansas.html)
(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_Scott,_Kansas)
(https://www.khi.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Poverty-Rate-by-Racial-and-Ethnic-Group-in-Kansas-Web.pdf)
