Manhattan At-a-Glance
LIFE IN MANHATTAN
130,285+
23
54,604+
95.9%
51.8%
METRO POPULATION
MEDIAN AGE
POPULATION
HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATE*
BACHELOR’S DEGREE*
*Percent of persons age 25 years +
TOP CITY RANKINGS
No. 1 on a list of best Town-Gown Relationships
FORBES: BEST SMALL PLACES FOR BUSINESS AND CAREERS
TOP 10 BEST PLACES TO RETIRE YOUNG
OTHER RANKINGS
TOP 100 PLACES TO LIVE IN AMERICA
-LIVABILITY
ONE OF THE TOP 50 COLLEGE TOWNS IN AMERICA
-Best College Reviews
ONE OF THE TOP 10 PLACES TO RETIRE
-Money Magazine
ATTRACTIONS
29
PARKS
160+
MEDIAN RESTAURANTS, BARS AND COFFEE SHOPS
170
MILES OF TRAILS
586
BIKE RACKS
COMMUTES
14.7 MIN
MEAN TRAVEL TIME TO WORK
1 HR
DRIVE TO TOPEKA
2 HR
DRIVE TO KANSAS CITY OR WICHITA
3 HR
DRIVE TO OMAHA
1.5 HR
FLIGHT TO DALLAS
LARGEST EMPLOYERS
KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY
Kansas State University is the leading employer in Manhattan, with more than 6,000 employees on the campus that serves more than 22,795 students. KSU has a vision to become a Top 50 public research university by 2025 and boasts top athletics programs that attract large crowds to the Manhattan area.
FORT RILEY
Fort Riley is home to the 1st Infantry Division, known as the “Big Red One,” and employs more than 3,500 civilian personnel.
National Bio and Agro-defense Facility
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is working with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to bring online a new National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF) in Manhattan, Kansas.
KANSAS DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
The Kansas Department of Agriculture (KDA) is the nation’s first state department of agriculture. The agency is devoted to the total support of agriculture in Kansas.
KEY PRIVATE EMPLOYERS
COST OF LIVING
$213,200
MEDIAN HOME VALUE
$50,957
MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD INCOME
$1,605
MEDIAN SELECTED MONTHLY OWNER COSTS WITH A MORTGAGE
$619
MEDIAN SELECTED MONTHLY OWNER COSTS WITHOUT A MORTGAGE
$911
MEDIAN GROSS RENT
POTT. COUNTY TAXES
State of Kansas sales tax
6.50%
County General Purpose
1.00%
City General Purpose
1.00%
City Street Maintenance
0.20%
City Recreation and Trails
0.25%
Total sales tax rate (2020)
8.95%
RILEY COUNTY TAXES
State of Kansas sales tax
6.50%
County General Purpose
0.50%
County Roads, Bridges & Economic Development
0.50%
City General Purpose
1.00%
City Street Maintenance
0.20%
City Recreation and Trails
0.25%
Total sales tax rate (2020)
8.95%
PURPOSE OF LOCAL TAXES
City Recreation and Trails Tax
In 2017, Manhattan community members voted for a 0.25% sales tax increase to fund indoor recreation facilities, improvements to CiCo park, and trails.
Street Maintenance Sales Tax
In 2016, Manhattan community members voted for a 0.20% sales tax increase to fund street repairs and Safe Routes to School projects.
County Roads, Bridges, and Economic Development Sales Tax
In 2012, Manhattan community members voted for a 0.5% sales tax increase in Riley County to fund county roads, bridges, and economic development initiatives. It expires in 2022.
Economic Recovery & Relief Sales Tax (Starting 2023)
In 2020, Manhattan community members voted for a 0.5% sales tax increase in Pottawatomie County for debt and infrastructure, economic development, and workforce housing starting in 2023. It will expire in 2033.