Population 35,815 · Census ACS 2020–24
Choose a measure to map it.Tap a measure to map it. Swipe the row for more. Arrows show the change since 2006–10.
Median age by neighborhoodHistory and comparison ↓︎
Younger residents
Older residents
Colorblind friendly
off
More maps of Geary County: Best Neighborhoods · Walk Grade · Household income · Home prices · Race · Politics · Traffic noise · Internet
Population and households in Geary County
Household size in Geary County
| Period | Geary County | Kansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.82 | 2.54 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.98 | 2.58 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.66 | 2.56 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.68 | 2.53 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.14 | −0.01 | −0.03 |
Households in Geary County average 2.68 people, about the same as the country as a whole (2.65). The typical household here is bigger than in Kansas overall, where it has 2.53 people. Household size has dropped from 2.82 in 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in Geary County
| Period | Geary County | Kansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 29.5 | 37.4 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 26.6 | 37.8 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 28.4 | 38.5 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 28.5 | 38.8 | 40.1 |
| Change | −1.0 | +1.4 | +2.3 |
Geary County is young: half of its residents are under 28.5, compared with a national median of 40.1. The population tilts toward young adults and children. Since 2006–10, the median age has dropped from 29.5, even as the national median rose. Geary County has the youngest population of any Kansas county.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in Geary County
| Period | Geary County | Kansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 16.1% | 10.8% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 11.8% | 10.9% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 13.6% | 10.4% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 15.8% | 10.5% | 11.6% |
| Change | −0.3 pts | −0.4 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are common in Geary County: 15.8% of all households, against 11.6% nationally. Only six of Kansas' 105 counties have a higher share of single-parent households.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in Geary County
Renters in Geary County
| Period | Geary County | Kansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 50.1% | 30.6% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 55.4% | 32.9% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 62.1% | 33.7% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 56.5% | 32.8% | 34.8% |
| Change | +6.4 pts | +2.3 pts | +1.5 pts |
Most households in Geary County rent: 56.5% of occupied homes are rented, far above the national share of 34.8%. Expect more apartments, and more turnover, than in owner-heavy areas. Since 2006–10, the renter share has risen 6.4 points, a much bigger shift than nationally. Geary County has the highest share of renters of any Kansas county.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in Geary County
| Period | Geary County | Kansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 15.0% | 10.1% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 12.1% | 10.4% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 15.9% | 11.3% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 10.4% | 9.7% | 9.6% |
| Change | −4.6 pts | −0.4 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy in Geary County is close to the national rate: 10.4% of homes are empty, against 9.6%. Vacancy is down 4.6 points from 2006–10, as it has nationally.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in Geary County
| Period | Geary County | Kansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1972 | 1971 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1980 | 1972 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1990 | 1973 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1987 | 1976 | 1980 |
| Change | +15 | +5 | +6 |
The housing in Geary County is younger than the country's: half of it was built after 1987, against 1980 nationally. The median year built has moved up from 1972 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. Newer construction is concentrated in the north, while the center has the oldest housing. Of Kansas' 105 counties, only two have newer homes.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in Geary County
| Period | Geary County | Kansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $823 | $769 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $1,025 | $858 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $1,026 | $950 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,210 | $1,159 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$387 | +$390 | +$606 |
Rent in Geary County runs $1,210 a month at the median, utilities included, well below the U.S. median of $1,571. Rents are up $387 a month from 2006–10, a 47% rise, a slower climb than the nation's. Rent takes 28.4% of the typical renter's income, just under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent. Among Kansas' 105 counties, though, only three have higher rents.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in Geary County
Bachelor's degrees in Geary County
| Period | Geary County | Kansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 20.9% | 30.8% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 19.8% | 31.7% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 22.8% | 33.6% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 26.6% | 35.6% | 35.6% |
| Change | +5.7 pts | +4.8 pts | +7.2 pts |
Just over a quarter of adults 25 and older in Geary County (26.6%) have a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national share of 35.6%. Since 2006–10, the share with a degree has risen 5.7 points, in line with the national trend. College graduates are most concentrated in the southwest and least in the center.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in Geary County
| Period | Geary County | Kansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 92.2% | 89.5% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 91.9% | 90.0% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 94.3% | 90.8% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 93.5% | 91.7% | 89.3% |
| Change | +1.3 pts | +2.2 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion in Geary County is above the national rate: 93.5% of adults have a diploma, against 89.3%. Since 2006–10, the share with a diploma has edged up 1.3 points, a smaller shift than nationally.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in Geary County
| Period | Geary County | Kansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 7.7% | 6.1% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 9.8% | 6.7% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 4.9% | 4.1% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 8.4% | 4.0% | 5.4% |
| Change | +0.7 pts | −2.1 pts | −2.7 pts |
Finding work has been harder in Geary County: 8.4% of the labor force was out of work and looking, well above the national rate of 5.4%. No other Kansas county has higher unemployment. Since 2006–10, unemployment has edged up 0.7 points, even as the national rate fell.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
Geary County compared with nearby counties
| County | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Geary County | 2.68 | 28.5 | 15.8% | 56.5% | 10.4% | 1987 | $1,210 | 26.6% | 93.5% | 8.4% |
| Riley County | 2.32 | 30.7 | 9.1% | 53.9% | 9.5% | 1987 | $1,125 | 46.9% | 96.7% | 4.6% |
| Wabaunsee County | 2.62 | 43.9 | 5.8% | 18.9% | 13.8% | 1962 | $917 | 26.2% | 95.9% | 4.4% |
| Ottawa County | 2.37 | 42.5 | 9.5% | 22.8% | 12.0% | 1970 | $818 | 28.0% | 94.9% | 3.0% |
| Shawnee County | 2.36 | 40.6 | 12.1% | 33.2% | 8.2% | 1972 | $1,100 | 31.1% | 92.7% | 4.3% |
| Lincoln County | 2.25 | 44.5 | 7.0% | 19.6% | 22.7% | 1941 | $634 | 26.2% | 96.7% | 2.5% |
| Douglas County | 2.26 | 35.2 | 7.6% | 49.9% | 8.6% | 1983 | $1,161 | 51.9% | 95.8% | 4.5% |
| Russell County | 2.21 | 45.4 | 11.2% | 24.9% | 16.6% | 1957 | $783 | 20.4% | 94.4% | 1.8% |
| Johnson County | 2.57 | 39.9 | 7.6% | 31.5% | 5.2% | 1988 | $1,613 | 57.6% | 96.5% | 3.1% |
| Wyandotte County | 2.83 | 35.5 | 16.4% | 38.0% | 10.8% | 1964 | $1,241 | 21.3% | 81.3% | 5.8% |
| Jackson County | 2.42 | 38.5 | 12.8% | 40.9% | 9.1% | 1971 | $1,337 | 33.3% | 91.3% | 4.6% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Lincoln County, OK · Pettis County, MO · Perry County, PA · Pasquotank County, NC · Ottawa County, OH · Osage County, OK · Nelson County, KY · Mower County, MN · Montrose County, CO · Logan County, IL
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up Geary County. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
No other site shows detail at this level for free. We are able to keep this site free by receiving a small commission from the referring links on this page. Please share or cite this page if you aren’t able to otherwise support our work.