RANK #67 / 996 · POP 72,105 · KS
PROJECTED GROWTH: +3.2%
Riley County, Kansas, is defined by the presence of Kansas State University and Fort Riley, a major U.S. Army post, both located in its largest city and county seat, Manhattan. Manhattan, often called "The Little Apple," blends small-town character with the activity of a college town. The county is situated in the Flint Hills, a region known for its tallgrass prairie ecosystem, offering outdoor recreation opportunities at places like Tuttle Creek State Park and the Konza Prairie. Commuting within the county is generally short, with an average travel time of 16.3 minutes.
Life in Riley County offers a mix of community and access to amenities, with public schools in the county receiving high ratings. The presence of Kansas State University significantly shapes the local economy, contributing over $1.3 billion in economic impact to the Manhattan region (which includes Geary, Pottawatomie, and Riley counties) and supporting thousands of jobs. This influence extends to various sectors, including education, research, and local businesses. While the county benefits from these large institutions, there is also a focus on diversifying the economy and addressing challenges such as the need for affordable housing.
Above national median (4.7x)
Well below national median
Below-average climate & terrain
Above national median (13x)
Housing is fairly valued at 5.6x relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Fort Riley Solar Project (Phases 1-3)
Corvias, Onyx Renewables (Sunstone Energy Development)
|
$50M | Completed |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Riley County has a Boom Town Index score of 93/100, ranking #67 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +0.5% and a median household income of $56,327, it's an above-average county on economic indicators.
The median home value in Riley County is $231,000 with median rent at $1,016/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.2438, which is less affordable than the national average.
Population growth: -0.7% year-over-year. Job growth: +0.5%. Home values changed +4.7% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 6.32% of Riley County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.