Wamego, KS

The Wall Street Journal reported today that Population leaves Heartland Behind. Belleville, Kansas is quoted in the article for having to tear down empty homes.

The map below from the US Census definitely shows the population loss trend in Kansas with tan counties nearly covering 70% of the state. The suburban areas near Kansas City, Topeka, Manhattan and Wichita had the most growth as expected.

Counties with the most growth were

Johnson, Miami counties (Kansas City, Overland Park areas)

Geary County -Manhattan where K-State and Fort Riley are and with new bio-science lab coming more jobs are expected and Geary county expects continued growth - which may help the surrounding counties as well hopefully.

Pottawatomie County - a little surprising but it is adjacent to Geary county and growth in Manhattan due to Kansas State University and the Fort Riley Military Base as the areas two largest employers accounts for spillover. The county contains several cities and towns including Belvue, Blaine, Duluth, Emmett, Fostoria, Havensville, Louisville, East Manhattan, Olsburg, Onaga, St George, St Marys, Wamego, Westmoreland and Wheaton and many are very desirable small town rural Kansas communities.

The Wall Street Journal may say that the Heartland is left behind but Rural Kansans have all heart and these small rural agriculture farming towns will continue to survive even in the adversity of large population losses.