Riley County
KS · Pop. 71,710 · Mixed County
Riley County is a mixed rural-suburban county in Kansas, spanning 610 square miles with 71,710 residents at a density of 117.6 people per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on soybeans, hay, corn. The median home price is $231,000, with an effective property tax rate of 1.43%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 175-day growing season, average summer highs of 87°F and average winter lows of 18.3°F. Annual rainfall averages 33 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Clay County Medical Center is 22.3 miles away, though without an in-county emergency room. Broadband reaches 98% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is high, tornado risk is very high, wildfire risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- Broadband reaches 98% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- A low unemployment rate of 3.4% reflects a stable local job base.
- A median household income of $59,560 anchors the local economy.
Cons
- Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
- Tornado risk is very high, so a storm shelter and wind-resistant structures are practical necessities.
- An effective property tax rate of 1.43% is on the higher side and adds to annual carrying costs.
- The nearest hospital, Clay County Medical Center, is 22.3 miles away, a real consideration for medical needs.
- A poverty rate of 22% reflects a constrained local economy with limited off-farm income options.
At a glance
Riley County, KS is a challenging place to homestead on the data.
- Homestead score
- 23/100
- Median home price
- $231k
- Property tax
- 1.43%
- Growing season
- 175 days (zone 6b)
- Annual rainfall
- 33"
- Broadband
- 98%
- Nearest hospital
- Clay County Medical Center, 22.3 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Riley County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Riley County?
- Riley County is in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 175-day growing season, average summer highs of 87°F, and average winter lows of 18.3°F. The established crops are soybeans, hay, corn.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $231,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.43%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 98% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Clay County Medical Center is 22.3 miles away, without an in-county emergency room; there are 3 hospitals in the county.
Explore Kansas Resources
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More counties in Kansas
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The closest counties to Riley County by distance, including across state lines.
Data sources
Verified
Figures are sourced from public datasets: U.S. Census Bureau — ACS 5-year & Gazetteer, USDA NASS Census of Agriculture, USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals (1991–2020), FEMA National Risk Index, FCC Broadband Data Collection, BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, HIFLD Hospitals. Always confirm specifics locally before relying on them. See our methodology for how the homestead score is calculated.
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