Riley ZIP Codes — Riley County, KS

There is one unique ZIP code in Riley, Kansas and it is 66531. Area code: 785.

ZIP codes

35.25

sq mi land

0.03

sq mi water

785

area code

Riley, KS ZIP code map

About Riley, KS

Riley is a small but charming city located in Riley County, Kansas. Known for its friendly atmosphere and tight-knit community, this city offers a peaceful living environment. With a ZIP code of 66531, Riley serves as a quaint destination for those seeking a slice of rural life in the heartland of America.

Location & geography

Riley, Kansas, is situated in the northeastern part of the state, making it easily accessible from several surrounding cities. Neighboring cities include Manhattan, which is approximately 10 miles to the west; Wamego, about 12 miles to the south; and Fort Riley, located just a few miles north. The city covers a land area of 35.25 square miles and features a minimal water area of 0.03 square miles, contributing to its predominantly flat terrain.

Community & economy

The character of Riley is defined by its close community ties and a relaxed atmosphere ideal for families and individuals alike. The local economy is supported primarily by agriculture, with farming and related industries playing an important role in daily life. Residents of Riley enjoy small-town comforts, including local events, parks, and friendly neighborhood gatherings.

Transportation

Highway K-18 serves as a vital connector for those traveling in and out of Riley, providing convenient access to larger urban areas. The nearest major airport is Manhattan Regional Airport, which is about 10 miles away, offering regional flights for travelers. Public transportation options may be limited, making personal vehicles the primary mode of transit for residents.

History

Riley was founded in the late 19th century as part of the expansion into Kansas during the settlement period. Historically, the city has been known for its agricultural contributions, supporting both local farming and food production industries. Significant events in its development have included the establishment of community programs and landmarks that celebrate its rural heritage.

Did you know?

An interesting aspect of Riley is its integration with Fort Riley, a nearby military base, which influences the local economy and community activities. Additionally, the city's location makes it a convenient point for exploring the natural beauty of the surrounding Flint Hills region.

ZIP codes for Riley, KS (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
66531	Riley	Riley	View map

Demographics & statistics

1,425

Population

37.8

Median age

$74,492

Median household income

$34,903

Per capita income

$174,900

Median home value

$1,071

Median monthly rent

92.3%

Home ownership

1.3%

Poverty rate

0.9%

Unemployment

583

Housing units

34.8%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

Under 5

5–9

10–14

15–19

20–24

25–34

102

111

35–44

130

45–54

55–59

60–64

65–74

75–84

85+

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	368	25.8%
18 and over	1,057	74.2%
65 and over	227	15.9%
Median age	37.8 years

Race & ethnicity

White 97.8%

Two or more races 2.2%

Group	Count	%
White	1,394	97.8%
Two or more races	31	2.2%

Household income

Under $10k 0.4%

$10k–$15k 1.1%

$15k–$25k 1.6%

$25k–$35k 5.3%

$35k–$50k 23.8%

$50k–$75k 19.0%

$75k–$100k 9.1%

$100k–$150k 21.6%

$150k–$200k 16.5%

$200k+ 1.6%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	0.4%
$10k–$15k	1.1%
$15k–$25k	1.6%
$25k–$35k	5.3%
$35k–$50k	23.8%
$50k–$75k	19.0%
$75k–$100k	9.1%
$100k–$150k	21.6%
$150k–$200k	16.5%
$200k+	1.6%
Median income	$74,492

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 1.6%

$50k–$100k 9.5%

$100k–$150k 13.3%

$150k–$200k 31.7%

$200k–$300k 32.1%

$300k–$500k 9.9%

$500k–$1M 2.0%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$174,900
Median rent / month	$1,071
Owner occupied	92.3%
Renter occupied	7.7%
Vacant	12.5%
Single-family detached	78.6%
Large apartment buildings	1.0%
Mobile homes	18.2%
Median rooms	6.2
Avg household size (owned)	2.62

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.2%
2010–2019	9.9%
2000–2009	11.5%
1990–1999	21.8%
1980–1989	0.8%
1970–1979	6.1%
1960–1969	6.9%
1950–1959	10.6%
1940–1949	4.5%
1939 or earlier	27.8%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	0.5%
1 bedroom	0.8%
2 bedrooms	18.7%
3 bedrooms	47.0%
4 bedrooms	25.3%
5+ bedrooms	7.7%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	0.5%
1 vehicle	11.0%
2 vehicles	47.7%
3 or more	40.8%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	3.8%
Electricity	7.1%
Propane / LP gas	72.8%
Fuel oil	1.5%
Wood	14.3%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	436	79.7%
Cohabiting couple	8	1.5%
Male householder, no spouse	40	7.3%
Female householder, no spouse	63	11.5%
Households with children under 18	193	35.3%
Households with seniors (65+)	209	38.2%
Average household size	2.61

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	18.7%	11.2%
Married	72.2%	75.2%
Separated	1.4%	0.0%
Widowed	0.0%	3.3%
Divorced	7.7%	10.2%

Education

Less than 9th grade 0.4%

Some HS, no diploma 0.9%

HS graduate 20.6%

Some college, no degree 27.9%

Associate's degree 15.4%

Bachelor's degree 30.2%

Graduate / professional 4.6%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	98.7%
Bachelor's or higher	34.8%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	27	10.6%
Kindergarten	13	5.1%
Elementary school	137	53.9%
High school	58	22.8%
College / grad school	19	7.5%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 28.7%

Professional & management 14.0%

Finance & real estate 9.3%

Other services 7.6%

Arts, food & hospitality 6.4%

Retail trade 6.3%

Construction 5.9%

Transportation & utilities 5.9%

Public administration 5.9%

Manufacturing 3.7%

Agriculture & mining 3.1%

Wholesale trade 2.0%

Information 1.3%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	47.5%
Service	15.9%
Sales & office	16.3%
Natural resources & construction	8.9%
Production & transportation	11.5%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	58.3%
Government	29.6%
Self-employed	9.9%
Unpaid family workers	2.3%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	75.3%
Carpool	11.4%
Public transit	0.0%
Walk	1.7%
Other means	0.4%
Avg commute (minutes)	26.5

Poverty

All people 1.3%

Under 18 years 2.2%

18 and over 1.0%

Married-couple families 0.0%

Female-led households 7.1%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	40.8%
Retirement income	39.9%
Supplemental Security	6.4%
Cash public assistance	0.5%
Food stamps / SNAP	1.3%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	27.0%
High cholesterol	30.6%
Heart disease	4.8%
Stroke	2.1%
Asthma	8.8%
Arthritis	20.7%
Kidney disease	2.2%
Pulmonary disease	4.8%
Cancer	6.1%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	21.2%
No physical activity	17.1%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	29.0%
Fair or poor health	9.6%
Poor mental health	13.0%
Poor physical health	7.7%
No health insurance	11.0%
Visited doctor (checkup)	73.2%
Visited dentist	74.3%
Cholesterol screening	89.7%
Teeth loss	8.2%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	84	7.9%

Disability	%
Any disability	10.9%
Under 18	4.1%
18–64 years	14.3%
65 and over	9.7%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	88.2%
Public insurance	24.2%
Uninsured under 19	0.0%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	1,281	89.9%
Spanish	3	0.2%
Other Indo-European	0	0.0%
Asian & Pacific Islander	3	0.2%
Other languages	0	0.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	1,423	99.9%
Born in same state	1,383	97.1%
Born in different state	1,014	71.2%
Foreign born	40	2.8%
Naturalized citizen	2	0.1%
Not a US citizen	0	0.0%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
French	208	14.6%
Arab	68	4.8%
Italian	65	4.6%
German	23	1.6%

Ancestry	Count	%
English	12	0.8%
Polish	10	0.7%
Dutch	10	0.7%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	38.4%
Internet access	98.4%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2025 estimates.

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Riley, KS have?

Riley, KS has one ZIP code: 66531. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.