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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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