Fort Riley, Kansas Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Fort Riley, Kansas had a total population of 8,606, the 42nd largest community in Kansas, with a median household income of $54,362, which is 27% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 10.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Unemployment rate of 18.6% is notably above the national average.
Fort Riley Quick Facts
How Fort Riley Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 8,595 | 8,606 | +0.1% |
| Median household income | $52,823 | $54,362 | +2.9% |
How Fort Riley Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 45 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Fort Riley Rankings in Kansas
Explore Kansas Rankings
Other Cities in Riley County
Cities Similar to Fort Riley
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chanute | 8,598 | $50,882 | $78,000 | 21.6% | 17.3% |
| Independence | 8,422 | $51,069 | $88,800 | 28.7% | 18.4% |
| Coffeyville | 8,662 | $45,670 | $60,800 | 14.5% | 21.1% |
| Parsons | 9,425 | $52,428 | $71,700 | 21.7% | 20.9% |
| Fort Scott | 7,555 | $52,159 | $100,500 | 23.0% | 13.5% |
Population Overview
Fort Riley is a small city located in Kansas, within Riley County. The total population is 8,606. It ranks as the 42nd most populous out of 721 Census-designated places in Kansas.
Age Demographics
The median age in Fort Riley is 23.1 years. This is 38% lower than the state median of 37.4 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Fort Riley is $54,362. This is 27% lower than the state median of $74,275. It is also 33% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 10.7%. This is 5% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.3%. The unemployment rate is 18.6%. This is 377% higher than the state rate of 3.9%. 1.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 97% lower than the state average of 67.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Fort Riley is White (non-Hispanic), making up 49.9% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 23.4%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (19.5% vs 5.1%). The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (23.4% vs 13.6%). The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (4.6% vs 2.9%).
Education
18.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 49% lower than the state rate of 35.6%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 99.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Fort Riley, Kansas is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Kansas state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 721 Census-designated places in Kansas. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Fort Riley, Kansas?
Fort Riley, Kansas has a population of 8,606 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Fort Riley, KS?
The median household income in Fort Riley is $54,362, which is 33% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Fort Riley, KS?
The poverty rate in Fort Riley is 10.7%. This means approximately 547 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Fort Riley, Kansas?
Fort Riley's population is 49.9% White, 19.5% Black, 23.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 4.6% Asian.
What is the median home value in Fort Riley, KS?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median home value estimate for Fort Riley — there are too few owner-occupied homes in the ACS sample. The national median is $332,700.
How educated is Fort Riley, Kansas?
18.2% of adults (25+) in Fort Riley hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 2.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.