Kansas
Report predicts Kansas population will grow by half-million in 50 years • Kansas Reflector
TOPEKA — Kansas’ population is expected to grow by nearly 500,000 people in the next 50 years, and non-white residents are predicted to drive that growth, a research center forecasts.
A report from Wichita State University’s Center for Economic Development and Business Research said the state is predicted to add more than 469,000 residents by 2072, which will amount to a 16% increase from the state’s 2022 population.
It’s a sign that Kansas’ population is breaking out of a period of stagnancy, said Jonathan Norris, a research economist at the center, which is a part of the university’s W. Frank Barton School of Business.
The state’s metropolitan areas — Kansas City, Lawrence, Topeka and Wichita — make up the lionshare of the projected growth, Norris said. But that’s because the state’s rural areas are finding their balance.
Lumped together, rural counties are projected to decline, and metropolitan areas are projected to grow, but historical forecasts indicate rural areas are now experiencing less decline than years past, Norris said.
“The landscape is going to change,” Norris said. “One of the big changes we’re seeing is the increased diversification in those rural areas, too.”
The forecast, which was funded by the Kansas City, Missouri-based nonprofit the Patterson Family Foundation, analyzes mortality, fertility and migration rates along with age and race data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Surveys to reach its population predictions.
Nearly every county in Kansas will see an increase in non-white residents in the next 50 years, the forecast said. Growth rates regardless of race or ethnicity are expected to increase across the state, but Black, Hispanic, Native American, Asian and Pacific-Islander Kansans, among others, will see higher rates of growth than their white counterparts, the forecast indicates.
Norris attributes this to a few things. In part, white Kansans are likely to have lower birth rates than other racial or ethnic groups. It’s also because people are changing the way they fill out their census forms, Norris said. More and more people are identifying with more than one race or ethnicity.
The state’s current population is around 2.9 million people, according to the 2020 census. Per the center’s predictions, it would exceed 3 million in 2032 and reach 3.4 million in 2072.
Births in Kansas have steadily decreased in the past 20 years with few exceptions, according to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment’s 2023 preliminary birth report. However, the center’s forecast predicts the number of children younger than 5 years old will increase by nearly 24% in the next 50 years. The center believes the “growing birth counts will be a powerful driver of population growth beyond 2072,” a Monday news release said.
Kansans older than 65 are projected to experience the most growth in the next 50 years among all age groups with a nearly 23% increase. Population change among younger people — 20 years old and below — will see the most limited growth with a roughly 10% increase.
“Broadly speaking, the changing age composition just means that you’re going to have some different considerations and needs for the workforce,” Norris said.
The forecast, which will be updated annually through 2030, reveals an overall positive outlook on Kansas’ future population changes, Norris said.
He added: “I think this reflects a lot of optimism for the direction of the state over the next 50 years.”
KSHB 41 reporter Fernanda Silva covers stories in the Northland, including Liberty. She also focuses on issues surrounding immigration. Share your story idea with Fernanda.
—
Soccer may be wrapping up in Kansas City, but the city is about to take center stage again.
The new season of “Ted Lasso,” filmed in Kansas City, is just days away, and for families like the Brownes, the excitement is hard to contain.
“My boys were so excited. Like I’ve seen them do a lot of things they like, but I’ve never, ever seen them that level of joy and excitement for days,” Kerry Browne said.
KSHB 41
The show holds a special place for the family, who were among those caught up in the buzz when production came to town last summer.
Fernanda Silva/KSHB
That show has changed me more than anything else has,” Rory Browne McClain said. “
KSHB 41 reporter Fernanda Silva had the chance to ask cast members questions ahead of the new season and brought along a question from the Browne family — what were their favorite parts of Kansas City?
KSHB 41
“For me, it’s the American Jazz Museum,” Jeremy Swift said. He plays Leslie Higgins in the show.
Brendan Hunt, who plays Coach Beard, pointed to CPKC Stadium, where the press conference was held.
Fernanda Silva/KSHB
“I like so much of Kansas City, but truly, honestly, like one of my favorite things is this stadium,” Hunt said.
Juno Temple, “Keeley Jones” in the show, reflected on what the city meant to her personally.
KSHB 41
“I was really moved by this place, and that’s something that I will forever hold close to my heart,” Temple said.
Jason Sudeikis, who plays the show’s title character, spoke about what he hopes Kansas City viewers take away from the new season.
“I’d like to think that they feel, that we from Kansas City feel well represented by the characters and by the characters from Kansas City, the characters that he met in Kansas, like Coach Beard,” Sudeikis said.
KSHB 41
Hunt drew a direct parallel between the World Cup’s effect on Kansas City’s global profile and what viewers are about to see play out on screen.
“It kind of ends up being like, you know, all this media that’s happened the last month of like the world discovering Kansas City and the vibe — like that is exactly what happens to Keely,” Hunt said. “So, you’re about to have déjà vu real hard when this thing comes along.”
For Browne, the timing could not be better.
“I love that the world will get to see what we love about Kansas City,” Browne said.
This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.
—
The Kansas Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at July 10, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Mega Millions numbers from July 10 drawing
02-39-44-46-56, Mega Ball: 23
Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 3 numbers from July 10 drawing
Midday: 4-0-8
Evening: 0-0-3
Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning 2 By 2 numbers from July 10 drawing
Red Balls: 01-03, White Balls: 02-08
Check 2 By 2 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from July 10 drawing
14-42-46-47-57, Bonus: 05
Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize
All Kansas Lottery retailers will redeem prizes up to $599. For prizes over $599, winners can submit winning tickets through the mail or in person at select Kansas Lottery offices.
By mail, send a winner claim form and your signed lottery ticket to:
Kansas Lottery Headquarters
128 N Kansas Avenue
Topeka, KS 66603-3638
(785) 296-5700
To submit in person, sign the back of your ticket, fill out a claim form, and deliver the form along with your signed lottery ticket to Kansas Lottery headquarters. 128 N Kansas Avenue, Topeka, KS 66603-3638, (785) 296-5700. Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes of any amount.
Check previous winning numbers and payouts at Kansas Lottery.
When are the Kansas Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 9:59 p.m. CT Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 10 p.m. CT Tuesday and Friday.
- Pick 3 Midday/Evening: 1:10 p.m. and 9:10 p.m. CT daily.
- 2 By 2: 9:30 p.m. CT daily.
- Lucky for Life: 9:38 p.m. CT daily.
- Lotto America: 9:15 p.m. CT Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
- Super Kansas Cash: 9:10 p.m. CT Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
- Millionaire for Life: 10:15 p.m. CT daily.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Kansas editor. You can send feedback using this form.
WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — Two Kansas parents were charged Thursday in connection with the shooting deaths of their two children.
The Ellsworth County Attorney’s Office charged Aaron French and Makayla French of Brookville with four counts each of aggravated child endangerment.
On March 28, law enforcement responded to a home near Kansas Highway 141 and Avenue N near Kanopolis Lake.
A 5-year-old girl and an 8-year-old boy had been shot, according to the Kansas Bureau of Investigation. The 5-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene. The 8-year-old was taken to a Wichita hospital, where he died almost a week later.
The KBI said a young child in the home picked up a loaded, unsecured shotgun and shot the siblings.
Aaron French, 37, and Makayla French, 28, have been ordered to appear in court on July 28.
For more Kansas news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news by downloading our mobile app and signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track 3 Weather app by clicking here. To watch our shows live on our website, click here.
-
Los Angeles, Ca1 hour ago19-year-old arrested, accused of distributing marijuana to minors across Riverside County
-
Detroit, MI1 hour agoPhillies end the Tigers’ winning streak at 6 with a 4-2 victory
-
San Francisco, CA2 hours agoGiants select Barry Bonds’ nephew Peyton in third round
-
Dallas, TX2 hours agoMark Cuban takes legal action against the Dallas Mavericks ownership over proposed arena deal
-
Miami, FL2 hours agoSouth Florida businesses report economic boom, as FIFA officials estimate a billion dollar economic impact
-
Boston, MA2 hours agoForecast: Looking ahead to toasty temps next week
-
Denver, CO2 hours agoDenver weather: Warming trend continues this weekend and into next week
-
Seattle, WA2 hours agoTech Investor Vinod Khosla to Acquire the NFL’s Seattle Seahawks for $9.6 Billion
