Riley County, Kansas Demographics 2026

Population Overview

Riley County is located in Kansas with a total population of 71,710. It is the 7th most populous county out of 105 in Kansas. The county encompasses 1 Census-designated place.

Age Demographics

The median age in Riley County is 25.2 years. This is 32% lower than the state median of 37.2 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Riley County is $59,560. This is 18% lower than the state median of $72,639. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 24% lower. The poverty rate stands at 22.0%. This is 91% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.5%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 4.7%. This is 20% higher than the state rate of 3.9%. The median home value is $231,200. Housing costs are 14% higher than the state median of $203,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.9x. 44.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 33% lower than the state average of 66.9%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Riley County is White (non-Hispanic), making up 74.1% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 9.9%.

Education

48.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Riley County in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 36% higher than the state rate of 35.2%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 96.1%. Notably, 21.7% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.