Geary County

Geary County, Kansas — key demographics (latest available, rounded)

Population size

• 2020 Census: ~36,700
• 2023 estimate: ~36,200

Age

• Median age: ~26
• Under 18: ~26%
• 18–34: ~40%
• 35–64: ~26%
• 65+: ~8%

Gender

• Male: ~53%
• Female: ~47%

Race and ethnicity (alone or in combination; Hispanic is any race)

• White: ~63% (White non‑Hispanic: ~50%)
• Black or African American: ~18%
• Hispanic/Latino: ~17%
• Two or more races: ~9%
• Asian: ~3%
• American Indian/Alaska Native: ~1%
• Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander: ~1%

Households and housing

• Total households: ~12,900
• Average household size: ~2.6–2.7
• Family households: ~68% of households
• Married‑couple households: ~48–50%
• Households with children under 18: ~44%
• One‑person households: ~27–30%
• Housing units: ~14,500–14,700
• Occupied units: ~12,900; Owner‑occupied ~42%; Renter‑occupied ~58%

Notes: Figures reflect recent Census/ACS estimates and the county’s large military presence (Fort Riley), which skews younger, slightly more male, and increases racial/ethnic diversity and renter share.

Geary County snapshot

• Population ~36–37K; moderately dense for rural Kansas due to Junction City/Fort Riley; density roughly 70–90 people/mi² (Kansas avg ~35).
• Connectivity: I‑70 corridor and proximity to Fort Riley support strong backbone access; urban areas have cable/fiber options, rural edges rely more on fixed‑wireless/satellite.

Estimated email users

• 25K–28K residents use email (modeled from adult share of population and 90–95% adult email adoption seen in U.S./Kansas benchmarks; teens add a smaller share).

Age distribution (share with email; estimates)

• 18–34: 90–95% (military‑skewed, mobile‑first).
• 35–49: 95–98%.
• 50–64: 90–95%.
• 65+: 80–90% (growing with smartphone adoption).

Gender split

• Roughly even; male/female differences in email use are minimal in state/national surveys.

Digital access trends

• Household internet subscription likely ~85–90%; broadband fastest in Junction City/Fort Riley housing.
• 10–15% of households are smartphone‑only.
• Public/library Wi‑Fi and school networks are important access points.
• Fixed‑wireless coverage is expanding; fiber buildouts continue along main corridors.

Notes

• Figures are modeled from recent U.S./Kansas adoption rates applied to Geary County’s size and urban/military profile; use for planning, not as a census.

Summary: Mobile phone usage in Geary County, Kansas

Overall picture

• Geary County (pop. roughly 36–37k) is anchored by Junction City and Fort Riley. The county is younger, more transient, and more racially diverse than Kansas overall. Those traits correlate with heavier mobile dependence and lower fixed-broadband take-up than the state average.

User estimates (order-of-magnitude, methodology-based)

• Adult smartphone users: 22k–24k. Assumes ~24k–26k adults (18+) and 90–92% smartphone ownership among adults (Pew national rates applied locally).
• Teen smartphone users: ~3k–4k. Assumes high teen ownership (roughly 90%+) among 12–17-year-olds.
• Total smartphone users: approximately 25k–28k countywide, or about 70–78% of the total population.
• Smartphone-only/home internet via cellular:
  • Households that rely primarily or exclusively on a cellular data plan for home internet are likely higher than the Kansas average. A reasonable range for Geary County is ~20–27% of households versus ~12–18% statewide, given the area’s age mix, renter share, and on-base housing patterns.
  • Individual-level “mobile-only” reliance is also likely above the state average, especially among younger adults, renters, and lower-income households.

How Geary County differs from Kansas overall

• Younger population: Median age is notably lower (mid/late 20s versus upper 30s statewide). More 18–34-year-olds implies higher smartphone adoption and more mobile-only internet use.
• Higher renter share and residential churn: Military postings drive frequent moves and shorter lease terms, which reduce incentives to install fixed broadband and increase use of flexible mobile plans.
• More racial/ethnic diversity: Higher shares of Black and Hispanic residents than the state average; nationally, these groups report slightly higher mobile-only reliance, which likely contributes locally.
• Lower fixed-broadband subscription rates: Compared with Kansas overall, a larger slice of households either lack wired service or choose not to subscribe, substituting with mobile data or fixed wireless.
• Plan mix and churn: Expect above-average prepaid and month-to-month subscriptions and higher porting rates due to military rotation schedules.

Demographic context (directional, relevant to usage)

• Age: Larger 18–34 cohort; sizable teen population.
• Housing tenure: Renter rate materially above the state average.
• Income/education: Median household income modestly below the Kansas median; education mix skewed to some college/associate among enlisted families. These factors often correlate with higher mobile reliance.
• Household composition: More multi-line family plans and shared data plans among military families; single young adults also common, often choosing prepaid.

Digital infrastructure touchpoints

• Cellular coverage:
  • All three national carriers are present; coverage is strong along I‑70 and US‑77 and in Junction City/Fort Riley. 5G low-band is widespread; mid-band 5G is concentrated in population centers and major corridors.
  • Rural southern/eastern parts of the county and Flint Hills terrain can produce dead zones or capacity drops, especially indoors and in valleys.
  • On-base facilities typically have engineered coverage (DAS/small cells) in key buildings, but signal quality varies by structure and security constraints.
• Backhaul and tower siting:
  • Macrocells cluster along highways, rail, and the city core; additional small cells appear near high-traffic venues and new developments. Seasonal training and event loads can stress capacity.
• Home internet alternatives:
  • Junction City has cable and pockets of fiber; surrounding areas rely on DSL, fixed wireless, and satellite. Where wired options are limited or expensive, households default to smartphone hotspots or mobile broadband.
  • Fixed wireless (licensed and unlicensed) is a meaningful supplement in fringe areas; it reduces but does not eliminate mobile-only behavior.
• Public access and affordability:
  • Libraries, schools, and municipal buildings provide Wi‑Fi that partially offsets data costs.
  • With the federal Affordable Connectivity Program winding down in 2024, some households have shifted from discounted wired plans back to mobile-only solutions.

Implications for planning and service design

• Expect higher demand for robust mid-band 5G capacity in Junction City/Fort Riley and along I‑70, plus targeted in‑building solutions at large multi-dwelling units and base facilities.
• Outreach and plans tailored to movers, renters, and military families (easy activation, device financing, prepaid/flexible terms) will outperform statewide “set-and-forget” wired bundles.
• Digital equity work should emphasize affordable fixed options and device support to reduce mobile-only reliance where it hampers homework, telehealth, or remote work.

Notes on method and uncertainty

• Estimates combine ACS population/household structure with national smartphone ownership (Pew) and typical county–state differentials observed for young, military-influenced counties. Use local ACS S2801 (Internet Subscription) and FCC availability maps to refine figures, and carrier-reported 5G maps plus drive tests to confirm coverage and capacity hotspots.

Here’s a concise, data‑informed snapshot of social media use in Geary County, Kansas. Because county‑level platform data aren’t published, figures are estimates based on Geary County demographics (Census/ACS) and U.S. usage benchmarks (Pew Research Center 2023–2024), adjusted for the county’s younger, more male population. Treat platform percentages as ±5 percentage points.

Population and connectivity

• Population: ~36,000 (2023 est.). Male ≈55%, female ≈45%.
• Younger skew: roughly one‑third of residents are 18–34; sizable teen population due to young families at/near Fort Riley.
• Broadband: about 85–90% of households have broadband (ACS range for similar Kansas counties).

Estimated user base

• Adults (18+): ~26,500. Adults using at least one social platform: ~70–80% → ~19,000–21,000.
• Teens (13–17): ~3,000–3,500; ~85–95% use at least one platform → ~2,600–3,200.
• Total 13+ social media users: roughly 22,000–24,000.

Most‑used platforms (local estimates, adults)

• YouTube: ~80–85% of adults
• Facebook: ~65–70%
• Instagram: ~45–50% overall; 70%+ among 18–29
• TikTok: ~35–40% overall; 55–65% among 18–29
• Snapchat: ~30–35% overall; 60%+ among 18–29
• Pinterest: ~30–35% (skews female)
• LinkedIn: ~25–30%
• WhatsApp: ~25–30%
• X (Twitter): ~18–22%
• Reddit: ~20–22%
• Nextdoor: ~10–15% (lower in smaller markets)

Age patterns

• Teens (13–17): Heavy on YouTube; TikTok and Snapchat are core daily apps; Instagram widely used; Facebook minimal.
• 18–29: Video‑first (YouTube, TikTok, Reels); Snapchat/Instagram for messaging and stories; Facebook mostly for groups/marketplace.
• 30–49: Facebook remains the hub (groups, events, marketplace); Instagram growing; YouTube for how‑tos, product research, fitness.
• 50+: Facebook and YouTube dominate; limited TikTok/Instagram adoption but rising via short‑form video.

Gender breakdown (what to expect)

• Overall users mirror county’s sex ratio (~55% men / 45% women).
• Platform skews (national patterns likely apply locally): Pinterest female‑majority; Reddit and X more male; Instagram/TikTok slightly female‑leaning; Facebook and YouTube near even.

Behavioral trends to know

• Community and information: Facebook Groups are central for local news, school and base‑adjacent updates, events, buy/sell/trade, severe weather alerts. Marketplace is heavily used.
• Video consumption: Short‑form (Reels/TikTok/Shorts) drives discovery among 18–34; YouTube remains the default for tutorials, gaming, fitness, and product research.
• Messaging habits: Facebook Messenger and Snapchat are primary; WhatsApp present for keeping in touch across moves/deployments/family out of state.
• Posting/engagement windows: Peaks on weeknights (7–10 p.m.) and weekends; secondary spikes around lunch (11:30 a.m.–1 p.m.). Younger users also check early mornings.
• Local discovery and trust: People ask for recommendations in Facebook Groups more than they search on X/Reddit; reviews and word‑of‑mouth matter.
• Creative that performs: Short, vertical video; clear value (deals, openings, events); community ties (schools, youth sports, military‑friendly messaging); authentic UGC and before/after clips.

Notes on sources/method

• Demographics: U.S. Census Bureau/ACS for Geary County (population, age, sex, broadband).
• Platform usage: Pew Research Center, Social Media Use in 2024 (adults) and Teens, Social Media and Technology 2023; applied to local age/sex mix to create county estimates.