Population Data
Pottawatomie County has a very favorable location within the rapidly growing I-70 corridor in Kansas. Additionally, our community’s location with respect to Manhattan, Kansas State University, Tuttle Creek Lake, and Fort Riley is a key asset driving development and creating additional development opportunities. Development and growth are oriented east and west within the county. Regions to the north and south are increasingly rural and agricultural, with farmland to the north and rangeland to the south. With a trend of population growth, Pottawatomie County is unlike the majority of rural Great Plains communities that are experiencing depopulation.
Pottawatomie County, KS, Population at a Glance
| Population (April 1, 2020 – Census Data) | 25,348 |
| Population Growth (2010-2020) | 3,744 (17.3%) |
| Median Age (2010) | 34.8 |
Pottawatomie County City Populations
While some of Pottawtaomie County’s smaller communities have had generally stagnant populations, several communities have experienced notable population growth in recent decades. Specifically, the populations of Wamego and St. Mary’s have steadily grown. St. George has also seen notable population increases in the last few decades.
In terms of economic development, these population growths are seen as both a testament and a contributor to the quality of life and economic opportunities in these communities. County-wide population growth, like we’ve seen in Pottawtaomie County in recent years, is also connected with development and advancement of the greater Manhattan, KS, metropolitan area.
Pottawatomie County, KS, Population Demographics
With a median age of 35.5 (source: census reporter), the Pottawtaomie County population is fairly evenly distributed across age ranges. A majority of the population is aged between 18 and 64.
The Pottawatomie County population is evenly split between male and female. In terms of race and ethnicity, a large majority of the Pottawatomie County population is white.
Population Changes and Projections in Kansas
Consistent with recent population growth, Pottawtaomie county is expected to continue growing over the next years. The following maps, developed by the Wichita State University Center for Economic Development and Business Research, show projections for populations across Kansas counties in the coming years.
