Riley, Kansas Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Riley, Kansas had a total population of 943, the 212th largest city in Kansas, with a median household income of $93,750, which is 26% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 4.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 4.9% — among the lowest in Kansas.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.7x.
Riley Quick Facts
How 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 | 826 | 943 | +14.2% |
| Median household income | $78,125 | $93,750 | +20.0% |
| Median home value | $164,000 | $163,100 | -0.5% |
How 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 less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 45 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Riley Rankings in Kansas
Explore Kansas Rankings
Other Cities in Riley County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manhattan | 54,239 | $60,172 | 23.3% | $246,700 |
| Fort Riley | 8,606 | $54,362 | 10.7% | N/A |
| Ogden | 1,696 | $68,421 | 5.9% | $156,800 |
| Leonardville | 514 | $77,083 | 7.4% | $110,400 |
| Keats | 182 | $36,557 | 0.0% | N/A |
| Randolph | 178 | $82,500 | 12.9% | $150,000 |
Cities Similar to Riley
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wilroads Gardens | 955 | N/A | $93,400 | 2.5% | 36.8% |
| Benton | 927 | $88,750 | $196,400 | 41.8% | 2.8% |
| Galva | 1,002 | $91,167 | $206,700 | 27.2% | 5.4% |
| St. George | 1,039 | $100,956 | $253,500 | 43.8% | 5.3% |
| Americus | 955 | $73,542 | $124,100 | 27.8% | 11.0% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 943, Riley's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.
Population Overview
Riley is a small community located in Kansas, within Riley County. The total population is 943. It ranks as the 212th most populous out of 721 Census-designated places in Kansas.
Age Demographics
The median age in Riley is 37.3 years. This is about the same as the state median of 37.4 years. With 28.7% of the population under 18, Riley has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Riley is $93,750. This is 26% higher than the state median of $74,275. It is also 16% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 4.9%. This is 57% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.3%. This exceptionally low poverty rate indicates strong economic prosperity across the community. The unemployment rate is 2.6%. This is 33% lower than the state rate of 3.9%. The median home value is $163,100. Housing costs are 25% lower than the state median of $217,200. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.7x, Riley is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 89.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 33% higher than the state average of 67.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
Riley has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 88.9% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 4.1%. The Hispanic or Latino population (4.1%) is well below the state average of 13.6%.
Education
30.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 15% 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 96.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for 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 Riley, Kansas?
Riley, Kansas has a population of 943 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Riley, KS?
The median household income in Riley is $93,750, which is 16% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Riley, KS?
The poverty rate in Riley is 4.9%. This means approximately 46 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Riley, Kansas?
Riley's population is 88.9% White, 0.0% Black, 4.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Riley, KS?
The median home value in Riley is $163,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.7x.
How educated is Riley, Kansas?
30.3% of adults (25+) in Riley hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 8.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.