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Regional Profile

Regional Data

Regional Climate
Average Mean High 66  °F
Average Mean Low 44  °F
Average July High Temp. 91  °F
Average January High Temp. 39  °F
Average Annual Rainfall 35.9  Inches
Average Annual Snowfall 13.0  Inches
Source: Monthly Station Climate Summaries, 1971–2000, U.S. National Climatic Data Center

 

Regional Average Distance to Major Cities
City Miles
Dallas, TX 504
Denver, CO 529
Kansas City, MO 76
St. Louis, MO 321
Omaha, NE 180
Source: Google.com/maps

 

Regional Population
1990     405,775
2000     433,512
2010     471,777
2012     483,253
Source: Kansas Labor Information Center,
U.S. Census Bureau, 2011 (latest available data)

 

Regional Age Distribution
Age Group Total Percent
0 to 9 years 13.69%
10 to 19 years 14.74%
20 to 44 years 33.77%
45 to 64 years 25.29%
65+ years 12.50%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Factfinder;
Data is from 2007-2011 American Community Survey

 

Regional Race and Ethnicity
   White 87.9%
   Black or African American 4.5%
American Indian and Alaska Native 1.6%
Asian 1.8%
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander 0.1%
Two or more races 3.1%
Source: 2007-2011 American Community Survey

 

Regional Household Information
  Average Household Size 2.48
  Total Number of Households 183,739
  Married Couple Households 87,982
  Households With Children (Under 18) 57,442
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2007-2011 American Community Survey

 

Regional Income
Average Household Income Per Capita Income
$48,693 $37,044
Source: Kansas Labor Information Center, US Census, 2011

 

Regional Major Employers
Over 1,000 Employees
The University of Kansas 9,872
State of Kansas 7,906
Kansas State University 6,028
Fort Riley Civilian Personnel 5,500
Stormont-Vail HealthCare 4,100
Topeka Public Schools USD #501 2,429
Washburn University 2,112
Westar Energy 2,037
Manhattan/Ogden USD #383 1,450
St. Francis Health Care 1,764
Lawrence Public Schools 1,634
Vangent 1,500
City of Topeka 1,150
Blue Cross Blue Shield 1,445
Colmery O'Neil VA Medical Center 1,427
City of Lawrence 1,020
Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. 1,700
Lawrence Memorial Hospital 1,322
Auburn Washburn Schools, USD #437 1,000
Dillon Stores 1,050
Shawnee County 1,100

 

Regional Current Employement Statistics Data
Title Employment
Total nonfarm 216,300
  Total private 152,600
  Goods-producing 24,000
  Service-providing 192,300
  Private service-providing 128,600
Government 63,900

Source: Kansas Department of Labor in conjunction with U.S. Department of Labor, 2012
annual statistics for Topeka MSA, Lawrence MSA, and Manhattan MSA.

 

Regional Labor Force
Civilian Labor Force 2012 Employment Unemployment Average Unemployment Rate
244,874 230,859 14,015 5.9%
Source: Labor Market Information Services, Kansas Department of Labor, 2012 Annual Data

 

Regional Unemployment Rate
2006 4.1%
2007 3.9%
2008 4.2%
2009 5.8%
2010 6.8%
2011 6.6%
2012 5.9%
Source: Kansas Department of Labor in conjunction with
U.S. Department of Labor, 2012

 

Average of Regional Median Home Values
2009 $121,811
2010 $127,844
2011 $132,144
Source: U.S. Census Bureau,
American Community Survey, 2007-2011

 

Regional Total Housing Units
2009 $196,608
2010 $198,469
2011 $200,490
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2007-2011
American Community Survey

 

Regional Building Permits
1,521
Source U.S. Census Bureau: State and County
QuickFacts, 2011

 

ACCRA Cost of Living Index: 2010 Annual
Average
Chicago, IL 117.1
Denver, CO 104.5
Kansas City, MO-KS Metro 99.5
Little Rock, AR 100.3
Manhattan, KS 92.9
Houston, TX 94.8
Columbus, OH 89.6
Dallas, TX 98.9
Topeka, KS 92.5
Oklahoma, City, OK 90.8
Des Moines, IA 90.2
Omaha, NE 89.6
Springfield, MO 89.9

 

Regional University Enrollment
School Fall 2012
Washburn University 7,204
Kansas University 29,462
Kansas State University 24,378
Emporia State University 5,867
Friends University 245
Baker University 307
Allen Community College/Burlingame Campus 2,898
Highland Community College 3,200
Total Enrollment 73,561

 

Regional Educational Attainment
Individuals 25 years and over  
Less than 9th grade education 2.22%
9-12 grade, no diploma 4.78%
High School graduates (includes equivalency) 33.27%
Some college, no degree 24.79%
Associate’s degree 6.76%
Bachelor's degree 18.01%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2011 American Community Survey

 

Every attempt has been made to provide current, accurate, and consistent data in this database. There may be some differences due to sources, methodologies, or timing of data-assembly.

 

Kansas Research Nexus is a region rich in research resources and human capital. The region encompasses nine Kansas counties including Shawnee, Osage, Douglas, Jefferson, Jackson, Pottawatomie, Riley, Geary and Wabaunsee and the metropolitan areas of Topeka, Lawrence and Manhattan, Kansas, boasting of population of 477,098.

Kansas Research Nexus is the home of the University of Kansas, Kansas State University and Washburn University, with 63,000 students and 13,500 graduates annually. Ground breaking research from these nationally acclaimed universities include the areas of animal health, human health research in cancer cures, food safety, and biomass and clean technology.

Regional Asset Inventory

Lawrence/Douglas County, KS:

  • KU consistently ranks in the top five universities for receiving medical research funding from NIH and is pursuing designation as a National Cancer Institute. It also is a nationally ranked pharmacy school.
  • A hub for energy research relating to areas such as biofuels, petroleum, energy efficient buildings, vehicles, and solar
  • Focus on applied research in information and telecommunications technologies
  • Bioscience & Technology Business Center
  • Lawrence Regional Technology Center
  • K-10 Smart Corridor
  • Lawrence-Douglas County Biosciences Authority

Topeka/Shawnee County, KS:

  • The Hill’s Pet Nutrition Science and Technology Center represents a significant animal science center for dog and cat genomics
  • Key location assets including Central Crossing Commerce Park and the new Kanza Fire Commerce Park…these parks encompass over 1,100 acres of land for manufacturing, distribution and the biosciences
  • The Kanza Education and Science Park will provide over 80 acres of land for biosciences strategically located near the two hospitals
  • Two major hospitals with significant clinical trial activity
  • $1.1 million dollar project to promote innovation and competitiveness
  • Low business operating costs (Economy.com) and affordable cost of living
  • Strong biology, business and entrepreneurship programs at Washburn University
  • Forbes Field – Over 12,000 foot runway
  • All machinery and equipment is exempt from personal property taxes

Manhattan/Riley County, KS:

  • National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF)
  • Biosecurity Research Institute (Pat Roberts Hall)
  • K-State Center for Grain and Animal Health Research, Grain Science and Industry Complex, and College of Veterinary Medicine
  • BIVAP (Bioprocessing and Industrial Value Added Program)
  • NISTAC (National Institute for Strategic Technology Acquisition & Commercialization)
  • Manhattan Regional Airport
  • Fort Riley
  • American Institute of Baking
  • Bioscience incubator
  • Best Small Community in U.S. for Business and Careers (Forbes, 2010)

Other Regional Assets:

  • Geographic location and logistics
  • Skilled workforce
  • High educational attainment rate
  • Four major universities with combined enrollment of 60,000 and over 12,000 graduates per year
  • KCADC
  • Competitive electric power rates
  • Competitive cost of doing business
  • KC Animal Health Corridor – the distance from Manhattan to Lawrence is 1/3 the total length of the 244-mile east/west corridor

Regional Alliance Map

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