By: The Pottawatomie County Economic Development Corporation (PCEDC) | 1.27.26
2025 wrapped up with strong labor statistics for Pottawatomie County, and some anticipated slowing in home sales and building permits. Interestingly, sales tax collections also slowed in the final month of the year, although 2025 and 2024 sales and use tax collections totals are nearly the same for the county.
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Pottawatomie County Employment & Workforce
Although October labor force data was unavailable (due to government shutdown/delays), November and December labor force data for Pottawatomie county was strong, with over 13,900 working or looking for work at the end of the year. The December unemployment rate for the county fell at 3.1%, below the (non-seasonally adjusted) state unemployment rate of 3.4%.
Pottawatomie County Sales Tax and Retail Sales Data
Sales tax totals for Q4 2024 and 2025 were nearly equal, with the total for the final quarter of 2024 just slightly outperforming 2025 by around $3,500. Interestingly, while sales tax revenue jumped up to over $511,000 in December in 2024, 2025 totals were significantly lower for the same month; Pottawatomie County sales and use tax totals were $519,931, $467,812, and $478,773 for October, November, and December, respectively. Although fourth quarter figures came in lower than 2024, the full year 2025 sales and use tax total for the county still fell $68,892.86 higher than the year prior, which is a promising indicator of overall growth. However, a slowing at the end of the year could be an indicator of consumer uncertainty; that said, December totals for Manhattan rose from $38,011.01 in December 2024 to $43,144.86 In December of 2025, so there was still growth in sales tax collection in the general area.
Pottawatomie County Housing Trends
As can often be expected in the winter months, Pottawatomie County home sales slowed down as we neared the end of the year. Riley County, somewhat surprisingly, did see around 70 home sales in December, however, which was the county’s highest total of all months in Q4. Although Median home sale prices for both counties have stayed fairly steady over the past few years, median sale prices in Pottawatomie County dropped below $300,000 at the end of the year.
According to the county, 172 building permits were issued this year, which is a slight decrease from the 176 issued in 2024. That said, however, the outlook for housing-specific development is stronger in 2025, with 106 permits having been issued for dwellings in 2025, significantly outpacing the 82 issued last year. While housing remains a national and local concern, residential development is a positive – and something we’ve noted as crucial for several communities in Pottawatomie County through recent housing assessments.
National & Global Concerns
Census Bureau Data Shows One-Person Households are Reaching a High
As is becoming more common in a number of wealthy countries, more Americans are living alone now than ever, according to a recent article from Sherwood News. The article, based on Census Bureau survey stats, reports that one-person households have nearly reached 40 million, with the share of 1-person households reaching an all-time high of 29% in 2025. This shift likely has roots in changes to social norms and incomes, and is particularly relevant as we discuss needs for housing and residential development.
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