1st Advantage MortgageRiley County households have a median income of $61,098 and median rent of $1,046 a month (ACS 2020 to 2024). Those figures describe the county, not you: compare at least three written offers by APR and total cost, and confirm the lender's license before you apply.
On this page
- Riley County by the numbers
- Renting and owning in Riley County
- Paychecks and income spread in Riley County
- Employment and commuting in Riley County
- Riley County next to its neighbors
- Cities, towns and CDPs in Riley County
- Room for a loan payment in Riley County
- Borrowing situations common in Riley County
- Who lives in Riley County, in numbers
- Before you sign
- Licensing and complaints for Riley County
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
Riley County by the numbers
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Riley County's population at 71,946; only 6 of Kansas's 105 county-level areas are larger. It covers 610 square miles of land, or about 118 people per square mile. For statistical purposes it belongs to the Manhattan, KS metro area, as delineated by the Office of Management and Budget in July 2023. The Census Bureau counts 8 places in the county (5 incorporated, 3 census-designated); the largest is Manhattan, with about 54,239 residents, or 75% of the county.
Renting and owning in Riley County
A typical Riley County rental runs $1,046 a month including utilities. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 51% of renter households here. Home values center on $237,100, or 3.9 years of median income. Owners occupy 46% of homes. Median construction year: 1984.
| Measure | Riley County | Kansas | Median U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $1,046/mo | $1,060/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $237,100 | $217,200 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 46% | 67% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 51% | 43% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 23% | 22% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 5.0% | 4.0% | n/a |
For the many renters in Riley County, deposits, moving costs and card balances are typical reasons to borrow. Keep the amount small and the term short. When half or more of renters are already stretched, a new payment needs a stress test: what happens if a paycheck is a week late?
Paychecks and income spread in Riley County
Half of Riley County households take in less than $61,098 a year and half take in more, 18% below the Kansas median of $74,275. Only 69 Kansas counties post a higher median.
| Yearly household income | Riley County | Gap to Kansas |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 29.1% | +7.4 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 42.5% | +0.2 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 21.1% | -5.3 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 7.3% | -2.3 pts |
The spread is wide: 28% of Riley County households make $100,000 or more, and 29% make less than $35,000. The poverty rate is 19.9%, 9 points higher than the state's 11.3%. For a borrower in Riley County, the county median is only context: a lender looks at the income you can document, so pay stubs, benefit letters or tax returns matter more than any average.
Employment and commuting in Riley County
By the Census industry count, 36% of employed Riley County residents work in education and health care and 12% in arts, lodging and food service. Compared with Kansas, the county leans toward education and health care (36% against 25%). The survey's unemployment rate for Riley County averages 3.8% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 3.9%). 5% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 11% work from home. Households without a car make up 4.0% of the total (5.1% statewide).
| Sector | Riley County | Compared with Kansas |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 36.4% | +11.4 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 12.2% | +4.8 pts |
| Retail trade | 10.3% | -0.3 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 9.7% | -0.3 pts |
| Construction | 5.6% | -0.8 pts |
| Finance, insurance and real estate | 5.1% | -1.5 pts |
If your hours swing with the season or with overtime, size a loan payment against your base pay, not your best month.
Riley County next to its neighbors
Six nearby counties, 20 to 37 miles away by the straight-line distance between their centers. Pottawatomie County leads the group on income ($92,325), Geary County trails ($59,317), and Riley County out-earns 1 of the six.
| Neighbor | Distance | Income | Rent | Own |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Riley County | - | $61,098 | $1,046/mo | 46% |
| Geary County, KS | 20 mi | $59,317 | $1,104/mo | 44% |
| Pottawatomie County, KS | 22 mi | $92,325 | $924/mo | 82% |
| Clay County, KS | 24 mi | $66,176 | $937/mo | 78% |
| Marshall County, KS | 36 mi | $68,419 | $690/mo | 80% |
| Wabaunsee County, KS | 37 mi | $76,908 | $780/mo | 81% |
| Dickinson County, KS | 37 mi | $68,417 | $901/mo | 79% |
Cities, towns and CDPs in Riley County
The table lists the 8 largest of 8 Census places in Riley County, by population. Together all 8 hold about 57,752 people, so roughly 20% of residents live outside any named place. Incomes vary by place: $93,750 at the median in Riley, $60,172 in Manhattan. Rent is cheapest in Manhattan ($1,003) and steepest in Riley ($1,203). This guide covers each of the 8 places and the rural areas around them.
| Name | Kind | Pop. | Income | Rent | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manhattan | city | 54,239 | $60,172 | $1,003 | 10 mi |
| Ogden | city | 1,696 | $68,421 | $1,128 | 13 mi |
| Riley | city | 943 | $93,750 | $1,203 | 5 mi |
| Leonardville | city | 514 | $77,083 | $1,013 | 9 mi |
| Keats | CDP | 182 | $36,557 | n/a | 5 mi |
| Randolph | city | 178 | $82,500 | $1,000 | 10 mi |
| Bala | CDP | 0 | n/a | n/a | 12 mi |
| Zeandale | CDP | 0 | n/a | n/a | 18 mi |
Room for a loan payment in Riley County
Here is the Riley County median household run through a simple DTI check. Your numbers will differ.
- Monthly gross at the median, Riley County: $5,092
- 21% goes to median rent ($1,046)
- 35% debt-to-income limit: $736 left for all other debt payments
- $1,245: what a 45% ratio leaves once rent is paid
Lenders set their own limits and look beyond the ratio. The DTI calculator uses your figures instead of Riley County's.
Borrowing situations common in Riley County
Where the Riley County numbers stand out, and why it matters for a loan:
- Lower-cost alternatives. In a county with 20% in poverty, nonprofit credit counseling may beat a loan (options).
- Rent squeeze. 51% of renters spend 30%+ of income on rent; borrow only if the loan cuts what you pay overall.
- Fraud. Gift cards, wire transfers or fees to unlock a loan mean walk away (report it).
Who lives in Riley County, in numbers
College graduates make up 49% of the adult population. The uninsured rate is 7.0%, against 8.8% for Kansas.
| Indicator | Riley County | All of Kansas | U.S. county median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 25.5 | 37.4 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 48.9% | 35.6% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 3.0% | 8.0% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 7.0% | 8.8% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 4.0% | 5.1% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 11.2% | 11.8% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 19.9% | 11.3% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 3.8% | 3.9% | 4.4% |
| Trip time | Share |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 60.4% |
| 15 to 29 min | 26.5% |
| 30 to 44 min | 7.6% |
| 45 to 59 min | 2.0% |
| 60+ min | 3.5% |
Before you sign
A short checklist for Riley County borrowers:
- Write down what the expense costs; a smaller loan costs less.
- Prequalify with soft pulls where offered, then compare in writing.
- Look the lender up with the state regulator first.
- Confirm the first due date before setting up autopay.
Licensing and complaints for Riley County
Riley County borrowers fall under statewide rules, enforced by the Kansas Office of the State Bank Commissioner. A CFPB complaint gets forwarded to the company for a response. More on Kansas: Kansas personal loans.
Related local guides
The Kansas guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Riley County earn?
The median is $61,098; 28% earn $100,000 or more and 29% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
How does Riley County rent compare with Kansas?
$1,046 locally, close to the state figure.
I live in a small Riley County town. Is this my guide?
Yes. If your town has no city guide, this county page is the local one; it covers Manhattan, Ogden, Riley, Leonardville, Keats and 3 more.
Does living in Riley County change what I qualify for?
Not in our fit check, which uses only the amount, credit range, income and payments you enter, the same for a Riley County resident as anyone. Lenders decide under fair-lending law.
Who do I complain to about a lender in Riley County?
Start with the Kansas Office of the State Bank Commissioner, then the CFPB complaint portal. Keep copies of every message.