Lawrence is a city in Kansas with about 95,459 residents. Lawrence was founded in 1854 and sits in Douglas County. The median age is 29.2 and the median household income is $62,838. Homes carry a median value of $269,500, and about 43% of residents own where they live. White residents make up the largest share of the population (73.7%). Around 55% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and the typical commute runs about 20 minutes.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (5-year).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (5-year).
Housing
Property report
Median home value
$269,500
Median gross rent
$1,054/mo
Owner-occupied
42.9%
Median year built
1988
Households
40,959
Avg. household size
2.14
Area-level figures. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS (5-year). Parcel-level records coming next.
Education
Schools
Schools: Below average
Lawrence has 20 public schools — 13 elementary, 4 middle, 2 high.
Student proficiency · grade 8, 5 schools
Reading33%
Math30%
% of students at or above proficient on state assessments.
Lawrence Free State HighHighGrades 9–12
Lawrence HighHighGrades 9–12
Billy Mills Middle SchoolMiddleGrades 6–8
Lawrence Liberty Memorial Central Mid SchoolMiddleGrades 6–8
Lawrence Southwest Middle SchoolMiddleGrades 6–8
Lawrence West Middle SchoolMiddleGrades 6–8
Broken Arrow ElemElementary
Cordley ElemElementary
Deerfield ElemElementary
Hillcrest ElemElementary
Langston Hughes ElemElementary
New York ElemElementaryGrades -1–5
Pinckney ElemElementary
Prairie Park ElemElementary
Public schools + grade-8 proficiency. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education (NCES directory + EDFacts assessments), via Urban Institute.
Safety
Crime
violent crime59% below national
Lawrence157
Kansas436
United States386
↓ 65% lower than 2021
2021–2023
property crime60% below national
Lawrence781
Kansas2,084
United States1,952
↓ 67% lower than 2021
2021–2023
Rate per 100,000 residents/year, Lawrence Police Department, 2023. Source: FBI UCR/NIBRS (Crime Data Explorer).
Environment
Environmental hazards
Toxic-release sites and regulated facilities in and around Lawrence.
Data source being added: U.S. EPA — Toxics Release Inventory (public). We show real, sourced figures only — never estimates.
Risk
Natural disaster risk
Relatively Low
Top hazards · Douglas County
Winter weatherVery High
Ice stormRelatively High
LightningRelatively High
Strong windRelatively High
TornadoRelatively High
Cold waveRelatively Moderate
County-level natural-hazard risk. Source: FEMA National Risk Index.
Context
Neighborhood info
Lawrence is in Douglas County — see county-wide risk, demographics, and registry.
Lawrence was founded in 1854 and sits in Douglas County. Elevation ~264 m.
Map of Lawrence
Lawrence, KS
Where Lawrence is
Historic places
51 on the National Register of Historic Places.
English Lutheran ChurchGoodrich, Eugene F., HouseMcCurdy, Witter S., HouseGreenlee, Michael D., HouseBell, George and Annie, HouseMiller, Robert H., HouseBlood, Col. James, HouseDouglas County Courthouse
Source: Dru Sjodin National Sex Offender Public Website (NSOPW) and state registries. Public record. This information is provided for public awareness. Using it to harass, threaten, or discriminate against any registrant, or for any purpose prohibited by law, is illegal. Verify against the official registry record before relying on it.
Common questions
Lawrence — frequently asked
What is the population of Lawrence, Kansas?
Lawrence has a population of about 95,459, according to the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (5-year).
What is the average home value in Lawrence?
The median home value in Lawrence is $269,500, and the median gross rent is $1,054/month (U.S. Census ACS).
Is Lawrence safe? What is the crime rate?
Lawrence Police Department reported a violent-crime rate of about 157 per 100,000 residents in 2023 — lower than the U.S. rate of 386. Source: FBI UCR/NIBRS.
What natural-disaster risks does Lawrence face?
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Douglas County as "Relatively Low" overall, with top hazards including winter weather, ice storm, lightning.
How many schools are in Lawrence?
Lawrence has 20 public schools (13 elementary, 4 middle, 2 high). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education, NCES.
How many registered sex offenders are in Lawrence?
Public registry data lists 14 registered sex offenders in or near Lawrence. This is neighborhood-safety information from the public state registry.