About Junction City, KS

Junction City is where the Smoky Hill River and the Republican River combine to form the Kansas River. The city’s history goes back to the 1850s, during a period of westward expansion. Kansas was the pathway for many settlers traveling west under the protection of the Buffalo Soldiers, who were the US cavalry and stationed at, still active, Fort Riley Army base.

Today, Junction City has all the amenities for a comfortable life. Its parks, trails, playgrounds, and easy river access give plenty of opportunities for outdoor recreation and outings. Locals benefit from modern healthcare facilities with reasonable costs. There is quality education from elementary school to middle school to high school and on through to university level, with Kansas State University only a short twenty-minute commute north to Manhattan (Kansas, that is).

For families, Junction City is appealing. The cost of living and housing is less compared to other urban areas, which helps those living on a tight budget. Its relatively small size fosters a sense of community where neighbors tend to know one another and enjoy more freedom in exploring local parks and public spaces.

There are close ties with Fort Riley, which has a larger population living and working on base than found in the town. The community is diverse, multicultural, and down-to-earth at the same time.

What To Do in Junction City, KS

History buffs will find many sites of interest, and outdoor enthusiasts love this part of Kansas.

Parks: Heritage Park has memorials, fountains, and community events to schmooze with the locals. Freedom Park honors military heritage and is home to a WWII weapon called the Atomic Cannon. South Park is a family-friendly neighborhood park with open fields, sports courts, and playgrounds perfect for casual fun (dogs on leash allowed).

Museums: The U.S. Cavalry Museum (on Fort Riley base) showcases the history of the U.S. Cavalry. The Geary County Historical Society is in a former church building, and the exhibits show the history from pioneering days.

Historic Sites: The First Territorial Capitol State Historic Site was the state’s first capital in 1855. Spring Valley Historic Site, with a cabin, a one-room schoolhouse, and a church, preserves the early settler life in Geary County.

Outdoor Recreation: Milford State Park is where to go for camping, boating, fishing, and wildlife viewing around Kansas’ largest lake, Lake Milford. The Milford Nature Center is an educational wildlife center with live animals, nature trails, and interactive programs about Kansas nature.

Working in Junction City, KS

Retail stores, manufacturers, construction companies, and schools are the main sectors that support the local economy. The 4.8% unemployment rate is higher than the US unemployment rate of 4.3%. The annual median household income is $58,402. That amount is nearly $25,000 lower than the national median household income of $83,730.

The economy is growing less than the rest of the country. The anticipated job growth rate for the next ten years is an anemic 20%, which is much less than the national growth rate of 33.5%.

Industries creating the most jobs are retail stores (15.1%), healthcare/social aid (13.5%), education (11.0%), light manufacturing (10.2%), public admin (7.4%), other services (7.1%), and hospitality (6.3%).

Junction City, KS Neighborhoods

The neighborhoods on the west and southwest of the town have the pricier homes. For the budget-conscious who want to have lower housing costs, here are the neighborhoods to consider:

Junction City North: This neighborhood has Freeman Field airport. The median real estate price to buy a home here is $159,215. This amount is more expensive than 30.4% of other cities in Kansas. The homes are a mixture of owner-occupied and rental units. The average rent is $1,360. The vacancy rate is 24.6%, making it super easy to find a place. You get a bargain if you don’t mind planes flying over.

Junction City Northeast: This is a more rural area. The median real estate price is $203,288. The average rental price is $1,287. The vacancy rate is 24.1%.

Junction City Northwest: This area has some small lakes. The median real estate price is $205,073. The average rental price is $1,375. The vacancy rate is 15.2%.

City Center: This area is for those who like living downtown. The median sales price for a home in this area is $221,299. The average rent is reasonable at $1,156. The vacancy rate is 17.9%.

Junction City, KS School District

Geary County Schools is the local school district. The school district invests $19,315 per student per year on educational services. At 11-to-one, the student-to-teacher ratio is excellent.

Choose from these private schools:

• Apostolic Academy (PK to 12th)

• St. Xavier Catholic School (PK to 12th)

• Immanuel Lutheran School (NS to PK)

There are no colleges in town. The nearest ones are 18 miles north, in Manhattan. The biggest one is Kansas State University (public, four-year). There are two more to consider, Manhattan Area Technical College (public two-year) and Manhattan Christian College (private four-year).

Moving to Junction City, KS Resource Guide

The city government is comprised of a mayor, a vice mayor, and the members of the City Commission. Members choose the mayor and vice mayor. Junction City's official website has more details.

Go to the online resource info and calendar to learn about all the recreational activities.

Junction City, KS Housing

The median sales price of a home in Junction City is $235,500. Home prices have been strongly trending higher, up to +27.3% higher each year. It is a seller’s market because more buyers are looking for homes than the number of homes that are listed for sale. Housing costs are 4% more than other Kansas cities, but 20% less than the American average. The cost of living is 3% higher when compared to other place in Kansas and 8% lower than the rest of the USA.

Military Bases Near Junction City, KS

Here are the military bases within 50 miles of Junction City:

• Fort Riley U.S. Army base (just north of town)

• Kansas Army National Guard — Junction City Armory (in town)

• U.S. Army Reserve (in Manhattan 18 miles north)