County · Kansas
Geary County, Kansas
Geary County, Kansas. Geary County had 36,338 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 1.1% since 2020, while Kansas grew 1.3%. It holds 12 places (3 cities, villages and boroughs, 8 towns and townships and 1 census-designated) and 11 census tracts. GEOID 20061.
Geary County is one of the 3 counties of the Manhattan, KS metropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
36,338
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 36,739 · ACS 2020-2024: 35,815
Median household income
$59,317
±$2,523 (90% margin)
Kansas: $74,275
Median home value
$172,700
±$13,229 (90% margin)
Kansas: $217,200
Median gross rent
$1,104
±$30 (90% margin)
Kansas: $1,060
How many people live in Geary County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 36,739 residents in Geary County. The Census Bureau estimates 36,338 for July 1, 2025, down 1.1% since 2020, while Kansas grew 1.3%. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 35,815 over 385 square miles of land.
| Measure | Geary County | Kansas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 35,815 | 2,947,197 | +1,790 |
| Households | 14,158±327 | 1,174,060 | +1,474 |
| Average household size | 2.46±0.06 | 2.44 | −0.15 |
| Housing units | 15,939±47 | 1,293,635 | +595 |
Geary County's population since 2000
From 27,947 in 2000 to 36,338 in 2025: up 30.0%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Geary County?
Geary County holds 12 places: 3 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places), 8 towns and townships (county subdivisions with their own government) and 1 census-designated place. The largest is Junction City with 22,583 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Junction City | 22,932 | $61,181 |
|---|---|---|
| Smoky Hill Township, Geary County | 9,143 | $50,922 |
| Jefferson Township, Geary County | 2,159 | $41,667 |
| Milford Township | 1,698 | $93,889 |
| Grandview Plaza | 1,697 | $41,871 |
| Fort Riley | 9,230 | $54,362 |
| Milford | 408 | $79,250 |
| Lyon Township, Geary CountyGEOID 2006143500 | 250 | $132,727 |
| Liberty Township, Geary CountyGEOID 2006140050 | 185 | $46,484 |
| Wingfield TownshipGEOID 2006180025 | 163 | $131,429 |
| Blakely TownshipGEOID 2006107275 | 113 | $59,643 |
| Jackson Township, Geary CountyGEOID 2006134775 | 96 | not published |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Geary County?
The median resident of Geary County is 27.1 years old; 31.8% are under 18 and 8.7% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 54.9%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 16.9%. 7.7% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Geary County | Kansas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 27.1±0.3 | 37.4 | +0.7 |
| Under 18 years | 31.8% | 23.8% | – |
| 65 years and over | 8.7%±0.2 pts | 17.0% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 16.9% | 13.6% | +0.7 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 54.9%±0.9 pts | 72.7% | −1.7 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 14.4%±1.2 pts | 5.2% | −3.3 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 2.8%±0.5 pts | 2.9% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.4%±0.2 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 1.0%±0.2 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 9.2%±1.6 pts | 4.8% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.4%±0.3 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 7.7%±1.2 pts | 7.4% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 14.1%±1.4 pts | 12.1% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 20.5%±1.9 pts | 6.8% | – |
| With a disability | 15.2%±1.6 pts | 13.5% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 7.7%±1.5 pts | 8.8% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 93.0%±1.4 pts | 92.0% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 26.2%±2.4 pts | 35.6% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 8.2%±1.5 pts | 13.4% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 12.7%±2.2 pts | 3.0% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Geary County earn?
Half of Geary County's 14,158 households earn less than $59,317 a year (±$2,523), against $74,275 in Kansas. In 2015-2019 the median was $65,390 in 2024 dollars, so it fell by $6,073 after inflation. 18.0% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Geary County | Kansas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $59,317±$2,523 | $74,275 | −$6,073 |
| Mean household income | $70,877±$3,268 | $100,417 | – |
| Per capita income | $28,780±$1,165 | $40,978 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 18.0%±2.2 pts | 11.3% | +5.0 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 24.8%±3.7 pts | 13.1% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 9.2%±1.9 pts | 6.8% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 94.1%±1.4 pts | 90.7% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Geary County?
Owners occupy 43.5% of Geary County's occupied homes and renters 56.5%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $172,700 by its owner (±$13,229). The median renter pays $1,104 a month including utilities, and 31.7% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Geary County | Kansas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $172,700±$13,229 | $217,200 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $1,104±$30 | $1,060 | −$197 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 31.7%±4.9 pts | 34.5% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,664±$88 | $1,689 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 43.5%±2.8 pts | 67.2% | +5.6 pts |
| Housing units | 15,939±47 | 1,293,635 | +595 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 4.7%±3.1 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 6.0%±2.4 pts | 6.2% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 49.8%±2.8 pts | 71.8% | – |
| Mobile homes | 5.8%±1.0 pts | 4.0% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.4%±0.3 pts | 1.4% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 12.0%±2.1 pts | 15.4% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Geary County building?
Builders took permits for 120 new housing units across Geary County in 2025 (82 single-family), 3.3 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Geary County get to work?
76.1% of Geary County's workers drive alone and 5.9% work from home. The average trip to work takes 17.5 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 6.9%.
| Measure | Geary County | Kansas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 71.4%±1.9 pts | 66.1% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 6.9%±1.8 pts | 3.9% | +2.4 pts |
| Drove alone to work | 76.1%±2.9 pts | 75.4% | – |
| Carpooled | 8.7%±2.1 pts | 8.7% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.7%±0.6 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Walked | 6.2%±1.1 pts | 2.3% | – |
| Worked from home | 5.9%±1.7 pts | 11.8% | +3.5 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 17.5 min±1.0 | 19.7 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What are Geary County's census tracts?
Geary County is divided into 11 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $43,419 (Tract 7) to $86,522 (Tract 8.02).
| Tract 120061000100 | 2,498±377 | $51,418 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 220061000200 | 2,498±596 | $57,965 |
| Tract 320061000300 | 4,316±639 | $57,010 |
| Tract 4.0120061000401 | 3,750±403 | $58,833 |
| Tract 4.0220061000402 | 1,981±405 | $83,750 |
| Tract 520061000500 | 2,482±352 | $59,282 |
| Tract 6.0120061000601 | 5,683±312 | $50,133 |
| Tract 6.0220061000602 | 3,067±312 | $62,292 |
| Tract 720061000700 | 2,816±332 | $43,419 |
| Tract 8.0120061000801 | 2,615±421 | $86,346 |
| Tract 8.0220061000802 | 4,109±590 | $86,522 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Geary County compare with Kansas's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 13th of 105 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 45th of 105 |
| Residents per square mile | 8th of 105 |
| Median household income | 79th of 105 |
| Median home value | 23rd of 105 |
| Median gross rent | 5th of 104 |
| Poverty rate | 5th of 102 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 33rd of 105 |
| Median age | 104th of 105 |
Source: PlainCities ranks from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Geary County are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' school search.