Riley
Kansas

What stands out

If you had to describe Riley County in numbers, start here: homeownership is among the lowest in America (44%), the average commute is in the bottom 3% of American counties (14 minutes), and high-school completion is in the top 3% of American counties (96%). Within Kansas it ranks 2nd of 105 counties for homeownership, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Riley County, Kansas. 72,105 people live here with you. The population held steady at 0.2% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -800).

Kansas stopped taxing Social Security entirely in 2024 and consolidated its brackets, and property taxes fall heavily on homeowners because agricultural land is assessed on use value. Johnson County, in the Kansas City suburbs, has the state's best-rated schools and highest home prices. The state sits squarely in Tornado Alley.

Money

The typical household here brings in $56,327 a year, lower than 63% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $52,341. Unemployment runs 2.7%, lower than 76% of American counties. 11% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 14 minutes each way.

Kansas takes 5.4% of that median income in state income tax, about $3,056 a year.

Home

The median home costs $275K, pricier than 63% of American counties, about 2.8 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $957 a month. Property tax is 1.47% of home value, roughly $3,383 a year on that median home, higher than 84% of American counties. 44% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.4 per 1,000 residents, lower than 77% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 11 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 80.1 years, longer than 91% of American counties. There are 150 active physicians in the county, about 20.8 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 4.0 of 5 stars. 10.0% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 3.28 where 3.0 is national grade level, higher than 74% of American counties. 96% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Democratic by 3 points. 43% of eligible voters turned out. Under Kansas law you can carry a concealed handgun without a permit, abortion is protected by state law, and marijuana is illegal.

Weather and risk

The year averages 56°F, highs near 66 and lows near 45, colder than 51% of American counties. About 29 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 76 out of 100, riskier than 76% of American counties; the county has had 17 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 280 Mbps down, faster than 89% of American counties. There are 6 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.6 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 3 breweries, 4 museums.