7th most populous of 105
With 72,557 residents in 2024, Riley County ranks 7th by population among Kansas's 105 counties and is home to 2.4% of the state's residents.
Riley County is home to 72,557 people (2024 estimate) on 610 square miles of land. This page brings together official U.S. Census Bureau population estimates since 2000, the components of change—births, deaths and migration—American Community Survey indicators on income, housing, poverty and education, BEA economic accounts and BLS unemployment.
Key indicators
Population
72,557
July 1, 2024 estimate
2020 Census base
71,959
April 1, 2020
Change since 2020
+0.8%
2020–2024
Land area
610 mi²
1,579 km²
Population density
119.0 /mi²
2024 estimate ÷ land area
Births
680
Year to July 1, 2024
Deaths
360
Year to July 1, 2024
Natural change
+320
Births minus deaths, 2024
Net migration
+554
Domestic + international, 2024
Per capita personal income
$55,837
BEA, 2024
Gross domestic product
$3.8 billion
BEA, current dollars, 2024
Median household income
$61,098
ACS 2020–2024 5-year
Poverty rate
19.9%
ACS 2020–2024 5-year
Bachelor’s degree or higher
48.9%
Age 25+, ACS 2020–2024 5-year
Foreign-born residents
6.7%
ACS 2020–2024 5-year
Median home value
$237,100
ACS 2020–2024 5-year
Unemployment rate
3.1%
BLS annual average, 2024
Historical data
Pick an indicator to see its long-run evolution.
Population
2000–202472,557▲ 15%
U.S. Census Bureau: intercensal estimates 2000–2009, Vintage 2020 (2010–2019) and Vintage 2024 (2020–2024), July 1.
Data summary
| Indicator | Value | Year and source |
|---|---|---|
| Population estimate | 72,557 | 2024 · U.S. Census Bureau |
| Population, 2010 Census | 71,115 | 2010 · U.S. Census Bureau |
| Population, 2000 | 63,237 | July 1, 2000 · Census intercensal |
| Change since 2000 | +14.7% | 2000–2024 · Census |
| International migration | +851 | 2024 · Census Vintage 2024 |
| Domestic migration | −297 | 2024 · Census Vintage 2024 |
| Birth rate | 9.4 per 1,000 | 2024 · calculated |
| Death rate | 5.0 per 1,000 | 2024 · calculated |
| Population rank in Kansas | 7th of 105 | 2024 · calculated |
| Per capita personal income | $55,837 | BEA, 2024 · official |
| Gross domestic product | $3.8 billion | BEA, current dollars, 2024 · official |
| Median household income | $61,098 | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Poverty rate | 19.9% | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Bachelor’s degree or higher | 48.9% | Age 25+, ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Foreign-born residents | 6.7% | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Median home value | $237,100 | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Median gross rent | $1,046/month | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Median age | 25.5 years | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Households | 27,695 | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Owner-occupied homes | 46.1% | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
Riley County in context
Comparable indicators for Riley County, Kansas and the United States.
| Indicator | County | Kansas | U.S. | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Population change 2020–2024 | +0.8% | +1.1% | +2.6% | Census Vintage 2024 |
| Birth rate (per 1,000) | 9.4 | 11.4 | 10.6 | 2024 |
| Death rate (per 1,000) | 5.0 | 9.7 | 9.1 | 2024 |
| Net migration rate (per 1,000) | 7.6 | 4.7 | 8.2 | 2024 |
| Population density (/mi²) | 119.0 | 36.3 | 96.3 | 2024 |
| Per capita personal income | $55,837 | $65,856 | $73,204 | BEA, 2024 |
| Median household income | $61,098 | $74,275 | $80,734 | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Poverty rate | 19.9% | 11.3% | 12.5% | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Bachelor’s degree or higher | 48.9% | 35.6% | 35.7% | Age 25+, ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Foreign-born residents | 6.7% | 7.4% | 14.1% | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Median home value | $237,100 | $217,200 | $332,700 | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Median gross rent | $1,046/month | $1,060/month | $1,413/month | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Median age | 25.5 years | 37.4 years | 38.9 years | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Owner-occupied homes | 46.1% | 67.2% | 65.2% | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
Cities & towns
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Did you know? Riley County
A quarter century of change
Its population went from 63,237 in 2000 to 72,557 in 2024, a change of +14.7%, compared with +10.3% for Kansas as a whole.
Births and deaths
In the year to July 2024 the county recorded 680 births and 360 deaths, so births outnumbered deaths by 320.
Peak population in 2012
Annual Census estimates since 2000 put the county's highest population at 77,545 in 2012. The 2024 figure is 4,988 lower.
7th in density
Riley County has about 119.0 residents per square mile of land, ranking 7th of 105 counties; Kansas averages 36.3.
Household income rank
With a median household income of $61,098 (ACS 2020–2024 5-year), the county ranks 70th of 105 Kansas counties; the state median is $74,275.
Size of the economy
Its economy produced $3.8 billion of GDP in 2024 (BEA), 9th largest among 105 Kansas counties.
Latest economic growth
Real GDP grew 0.9% in 2024, adjusted for inflation (BEA, chained 2017 dollars).
Sources and methodology
- U.S. Census Bureau — County population totals and components, Vintage 2024
- U.S. Census Bureau — County estimates 2010–2020
- U.S. Census Bureau — Intercensal estimates 2000–2010
- U.S. Census Bureau — Gazetteer files (land area)
- U.S. Census Bureau — American Community Survey 2020–2024 5-year
- U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis — Regional economic accounts
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — LAUS