Riley County Demographics

A map of Riley County's Population by Race

Race	2024 Pop	2020 Pop	2024 %	2020 %
White	52,983	51,807	73.6%	72.0%
Hispanic	7,205	7,470	10.0%	10.4%
Black	4,569	4,759	6.4%	6.6%
Multiracial	3,533	3,656	4.9%	5.1%
Asian	2,951	3,325	4.1%	4.6%
Native American/Other	705	942	1.0%	1.3%

Riley County, Kansas has an estimated population of 71,946, a less than 1% change from the 71,959 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 73.6% White, 10.0% Hispanic, 6.4% Black, 4.9% Multiracial, 4.1% Asian, and 1.0% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Riley County, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Riley has become less racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is slightly less diverse than Kansas overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Riley County, that probability was 46.2% in 2020 and 43.9% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Riley County is ranked the 7th most populous county in Kansas, out of 105 counties. Riley County was ranked the 7th most populous county in the 2020 Census.

Riley County's White Population

52,983 residents of Riley County, or 73.6% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Riley County is comparable to the share in Kansas overall, where 72.7% of the population is White. Riley County ranks 89th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 105 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Riley County's White population has grown by an estimated 2.3%. White residents' share of Riley County's population has increased from 72.0% to 73.6%.

Riley County is more White than neighboring Geary County (54.9% White). Riley County is less White than neighboring Pottawatomie County (87.1% White), Clay County (90% White), Marshall County (93.3% White), and Dickinson County (88.4% White).

Riley County's Black Population

4,569 residents of Riley County, or 6.4% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Riley County is comparable to the share in Kansas overall, where 5.2% of the population is Black. Riley County ranks 6th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 105 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Riley County's Black population has declined by an estimated 4.0%. Black residents' share of Riley County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 6.4%.

Riley County is more Black than neighboring Pottawatomie County (1.6% Black), Clay County (2.4% Black), Marshall County (0.7% Black), and Dickinson County (0.1% Black). Riley County is less Black than neighboring Geary County (14.4% Black).

Riley County's Asian Population

2,951 residents of Riley County, or 4.1% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Riley County is comparable to the share in Kansas overall, where 2.9% of the population is Asian. Riley County ranks 2nd statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 105 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Riley County's Asian population has declined by an estimated 11.2%. Asian residents' share of Riley County's population has decreased from 4.6% to 4.1%.

Riley County is more Asian than neighboring Geary County (2.8% Asian), Pottawatomie County (0.4% Asian), Clay County (0.6% Asian), Marshall County (0.3% Asian), and Dickinson County (0.2% Asian).

Riley County's Hispanic Population

7,205 residents of Riley County, or 10.0% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Riley County is slightly lower than in Kansas overall, where 13.6% of the population is Hispanic. Riley County ranks 30th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 105 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Riley County's Hispanic population has declined by an estimated 3.5%. Hispanic residents' share of Riley County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 10.0%.

Riley County is more Hispanic than neighboring Pottawatomie County (6.1% Hispanic), Clay County (3.5% Hispanic), Marshall County (2.8% Hispanic), and Dickinson County (5.7% Hispanic). Riley County is less Hispanic than neighboring Geary County (16.9% Hispanic).

Riley County's Native American/Other Population

705 residents of Riley County, or 1.0% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Riley County is comparable to the share in Kansas overall, where 0.9% of the population is Native American/Other. Riley County ranks 18th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 105 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Riley County's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 25.2%. Native American/Other residents' share of Riley County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 1.0%.

Riley County is more Native American/Other than neighboring Clay County (0.5% Native American/Other), Marshall County (0.5% Native American/Other), and Dickinson County (0.5% Native American/Other). Riley County is less Native American/Other than neighboring Geary County (1.8% Native American/Other), and Pottawatomie County (1.1% Native American/Other).

Riley County's Multiracial Population

3,533 residents of Riley County, or 4.9% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Riley County is comparable to the share in Kansas overall, where 4.8% of the population is Multiracial. Riley County ranks 24th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 105 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Riley County's Multiracial population has declined by an estimated 3.4%. Multiracial residents' share of Riley County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 4.9%.

Riley County is more Multiracial than neighboring Pottawatomie County (3.7% Multiracial), Clay County (3% Multiracial), and Marshall County (2.4% Multiracial). Riley County is less Multiracial than neighboring Geary County (9.2% Multiracial), and Dickinson County (5.1% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.