Kansas recorded a modest increase in its total population during 2025, reaching 2,977,220 residents, according to the annual population certification released by the Kansas Division of the Budget on July 1, 2026. This figure represents a net increase of 6,614 people compared to the 2024 data, which relies on unadjusted U.S. Census Bureau estimates.
Despite the state-level growth, the data highlights localized economic and demographic challenges in rural and regional areas. Eleven Kansas counties experienced a population decline of more than 100 residents between 2024 and 2025. These counties span various regions of the state, suggesting that population pressure is not uniform.
Douglas County, located in the northeast, saw the most significant absolute decline, losing 1,069 residents. Finney County in the southwest followed, with a decrease of 849 residents. Other impacted counties include Lyon (-254), Montgomery (-282), and McPherson (-270), among others. Smaller counties such as Rooks and Ottawa also reported losses exceeding the 100-resident threshold.
The state-level growth trend suggests that while Kansas continues to attract new residents or retain them in certain urban or developing hubs, the demographic shift away from specific rural and mid-sized counties remains a point of concern for local administrators tasked with managing infrastructure, public services, and economic development planning.