2024 Kansas Statistical Abstract now available

LAWRENCE — The Kansas Statistical Abstract 2024 is now available online. This data compendium is published annually by the Institute for Policy & Social Research at the University of Kansas. It includes information on a wide range of topics about Kansas, with information in downloadable tables, maps and graphs.

“The Kansas Statistical Abstract is the go-to resource for understanding the state of Kansas. Covering every measurable topic from agriculture to the economy and to voting, the KSA provides tables, charts and maps that lead to a greater understanding of our state — where it’s been and where it’s heading,” said Donna Ginther, Roy A. Roberts and Regents Distinguished Professor of Economics and director of IPSR.

The KSA serves as a vital resource for understanding the state's evolving landscape. According to the latest population data, Kansas' total estimated population reached 2,970,606 by July 2024. This represents a 1.1% increase in population from April 2020 (Population Growth, Kansas and the U.S., 1860-2024, Selected Years). These demographic insights are fundamental for shaping effective policies related to urban and rural development, resource allocation and the provision of public services.

Kansas' agricultural sector continues to play a significant role at both the state and national levels, as highlighted in the 2024 data:

• The state ranked first in the U.S. for all wheat produced, with a total of 307.45 million bushels, accounting for 22.8% of the national output.
• Similarly, Kansas ranked first nationally for sorghum grain produced, yielding 182 million bushels, which represents a substantial 52.9% of the U.S. total. 
• The state maintained a strong presence in the livestock industry, ranking third in the U.S. for total cattle and calves inventory and third for cattle on feed (Agriculture in Kansas, Rank and Percent of U.S. Total, 2024). 

This data helps highlight the state's significant contribution to national food security and provides crucial context for agricultural policies, trade negotiations and economic planning.

IPSR updates and publishes the Kansas Statistical Abstract annually. This work ties in with IPSR’s role as the lead agency for the Kansas State Data Center, a partnership among the U.S. Census Bureau and a network of coordinating and affiliate agencies in Kansas.

“The Kansas Statistical Abstract (KSA) is a valuable resource for Kansas communities. Having one easy-to-access source for economic, demographic and environmental data allows not only policymakers but all Kansans to make informed decisions. With the wide variety of data that the KSA provides, it’s a compendium for everyone,” said Xan Wedel, senior research data engineer at IPSR and lead author of the KSA.

The KSA includes state, county and city-level data for Kansas on agriculture; banking and finance; business, industry and exports; climate; communications and information; courts, crime and public safety; education; employment and earnings; energy and natural resources; government; housing and construction; income; parks and recreation; population; transportation; and vital statistics and health. The KSA is available for download at no cost to users, and users can download the entire document or individual tables, maps and graphs at the IPSR Data Library.