City profile
Ottawa, KS
Franklin County · Population 12,678
Ottawa is a town in Franklin County, KS with about 12,678 residents and a typical home value near $166,000. It is 26 miles from Lawrence, KS, which shapes its climate, healthcare access and amenities.
Climate
Climate type
Four seasons
Winter avg
31°F
Summer avg
79°F
Sunny days / yr
215
Home prices & cost of living
Median home price
$166,500
Typical monthly housing
$1,083
Cost of living (100 = U.S.)
77
Taxes
- Property tax
- 1.29%
- State income tax (top)
- 5.58%
- Social Security
- Not taxed
- Pensions
- Partly exempt
- Sales tax (state + avg. local)
- 8.65%
FEMA natural hazard risk
Relatively Low · county score 44/100
Top hazards: Ice storm, Winter weather, Hail
Nearest major airport
57 mi to Kansas City International Airport (MCI)
Political lean (2024 county vote)
Leans Republican · 29% Democratic / 69% Republican
Community
Population
12,678
Black population
1.7%
County
Franklin County
Detailed crime figures are available for our 201 hand-researched cities.
2025–2026 trends
2026 market trends
- ▸Home insurance premiums are rising quickly here
- ▸Climate/cost risks to check: hail, tornadoes
Highlights
- About 12,678 residents
- Typical home value about $166,000
- 26 miles from Lawrence, KS
Trade-offs
- Smaller community with fewer local amenities
- Scores for this place are estimated from Census data and the nearest major city
Figures are estimates from public sources (see How we match). Verify before making decisions.