Fort Riley, KS

Kansas · Metropolitan Area

Fort Riley is a small city in Kansas with a population of 8,595. Residents earn $52,823 per year, which is 30% below the national average.

3.4 /5.0
B Good
8,595 Population 1,341/sq mi density
$52,823 Median Income $26,992 per capita
$222,100 Home Value
$1,283 Median Rent
55°F Avg Temperature
B
Overall
3.4 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.5 / 5.0
$52,823 median income, 2.8% unemployment
A
Affordability
4.3 / 5.0
$222,100 home value, $1,283/mo rent
C
Education
2.4 / 5.0
17.1% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $52,823
30% lower than US avg
Home Value $222,100
21% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 17.1%
49% lower than US avg
Median Rent $1,283
10% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 34.7%
8% higher than US avg
Unemployment 2.8%
22% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 14.7%
19% higher than US avg

How Fort Riley Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population8,595
Median Age22.3 yrs
Density1,341/mi²
Male / Female68% / 32%
Largest GroupWhite 58%

Economy

B+
Median Income$52,823
Per Capita$26,992
Unemployment2.8%
Poverty14.7%
County GDP$3,747M
Commute8 min

Housing

A
Home Value$222,100
Rent$1,283
OwnershipN/A

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity34.7%
UninsuredN/A
Depression19.4%
Heart Disease6.3%

Climate

Avg Temp55°F
AQI39 (Good)
Rain32.9 in/yr
Elevation1,310 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+17.1%
High School+99.4%
School Score5.80

Community

2024 VoteR 58% / D 40%
Commute8 min
Libraries1

Is Fort Riley a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Fort Riley receives an overall livability score of 3.4 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes. Fort Riley offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Fort Riley is $52,823, 30% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.8%. 14.7% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 8 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Fort Riley is $222,100, 21% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $1,283 per month. A price-to-income ratio of 4.2x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Education

17.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 99.4% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.8/10.

Climate & Weather

Fort Riley experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 55°F. Winters average 29°F in January while summers reach 79°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 32.9 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39.

Fort Riley has a population of 8,595 with a density of 1,341 people per square mile. The median age is 22.3 years, 43% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (57.8%), with 2.2% Hispanic, 23.6% Black.

Population

8,595
Total Population
1,341
People / sq mi
22.3yrs
Median Age
43% below US avg
6.4mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 67.6%
Female 32.4%

Race & Ethnicity

Fort Riley vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only91.2%
16% above US avg
Spanish8.8%
34% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Fort Riley vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Fort Riley is $52,823, which is 30% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 2.8% (below the 3.6% US average). 14.7% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 8 minutes.

Income: Fort Riley vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$52,823
30% below US avg
Per Capita Income$26,992
Avg Weekly Wage$978
IRS Avg AGI$52,433

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment2.8%
22% below US avg
Poverty Rate14.7%
19% above US avg
Establishments (County)744
County GDP$3,747M

Business (County)

Restaurants75
Healthcare51
Retail92
Manufacturing13

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,313
23% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.94%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time7.6 min
Work from Home4.4%

Walkability

The median home value in Fort Riley is $222,100, 21% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,283 (10% above US avg).

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$222,100
21% below US avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,283
10% above US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$702
1 Bedroom$753
2 Bedrooms$947
3 Bedrooms$1,223
4 Bedrooms$1,397

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied2.2%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,313
23% above US avg
Effective Rate1.94%
In Fort Riley, 34.7% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 19.4% report depression. 33.1% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Fort Riley vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity34.7%
8% above US avg
Diabetes13.9%
Heart Disease6.3%
High Blood Pressure34.4%
Asthma10.1%
COPD6.9%
Stroke3.8%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking16.2%
Physical Inactivity33.1%
Depression19.4%
Mental Distress17.7%
Physical Distress14.3%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate99.2%
Checkup Rate74.5%
Premature Death12,127/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment6.4/10
Exercise Access79.0%
Healthcare Facilities51

Crime Rates: Fort Riley vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)4
FEMA Disasters91

Safety Score

Fort Riley has an average annual temperature of 55°F (13°C). Winters average 29°F in January while summers reach 79°F in July. Annual precipitation is 32.9 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39.

Temperature

29°F Jan (-2°C) 79°F Jul (26°C)
Annual Average54.7°F
1% above US avg
January Average29°F (-2°C)
July Average79°F (26°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall32.9 inches
13% below US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median39.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,310 ft (399 m)
Area6.4 sq mi (16.6 km²)
Population Density1,341/sq mi
Coordinates39.1063°N, 96.8125°W
County FIPS20061
It is classified as Metro — under 250K. 17.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (49% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 17.6-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 57.7%
D 40.1%

Winner: Republican by 17.6 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+17.1%
49% below US avg
High School+99.4%
School Test Score5.80
C Education Grade (2.4/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 3Metro — under 250K
Population Density1,341/sq mi
Total Area6.4 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries1
Healthcare Facilities51
Restaurants75
Retail Stores92

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)4
FEMA Disaster Declarations91

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute7.6 min
Work from Home4.4%

Nearby Cities

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