The latest city and county population estimates released by the U.S. Census Bureau show Kansas’ overall population rose – to 2,911,505 as of July 1, 2018, from 2,910,689 the previous year – but populations in Hutchinson and Reno County continued to slip.
In the last federal census in April 2010, Reno County had 64,511 residents and Hutchinson, 42,080. The latest estimates for mid-2018 put Reno County at 62,342 residents and Hutchinson at 40,623.
Population declines in western Kansas cities were common but not universal. The mid-2018 estimates for Dodge City, 27,329; Garden City, 26,546; Great Bend, 15,170; Liberal, 19,495; Hays, 20,852; Larned, 3,772; and McPherson, 13,077, were all declines. Urban areas weren’t guaranteed growth in Kansas. For example, the mid-2018 estimates for Topeka, 125,904, and for Wichita, 389,255, and for Manhattan, 54,959, fell below the prior year’s estimates. Johnson, Douglas, Leavenworth, Wyandotte, and Sedgwick counties all experienced growth from mid-2017 to mid-2018.
“Investing in all communities – both rural and urban – is critical to our state’s future,” Gov. Laura Kelly said in a statement to The News. “That’s why I created the Office of Rural Prosperity to help support rural communities and address their unique needs. By working together, we can leverage the strengths and opportunities available in rural and western Kansas. I look forward to working with Lt. Gov. Lynn Rogers and local partners to invest in schools, roads, broadband and more to encourage growth.”
(Read more: Local – The Hutchinson News)