Pottawatomie County's housing market bucked some national trends last month with an increase in home sales and prices, though rising inventory levels suggest a gradual shift toward balance, according to the latest report from the Flint Hills Association of REALTORS®. The data, prepared by the Wichita State University Center for Real Estate and released on August 7, highlights a resilient local market even as broader U.S. conditions show signs of cooling.

In July 2025, closed home sales in Pottawatomie County rose 14.8% to 31 units from 27 a year earlier, with total sales volume climbing 13.1% to $10.9 million. The median sale price jumped 13.4% to $365,000, outpacing the national average and reflecting strong local demand. Year-to-date, however, sales are down 4.3% to 157 units, though volume is up 2.5% to $55.5 million, and the median price has increased 9.2% to $345,000.

Homes in the county are selling quickly, with median days on market dropping 84.2% to just 6 days from 38 in July 2024. Sellers achieved 99.0% of list price (up slightly from 98.9%) and 98.6% of original price. Active listings grew 14% to 57 units, pushing months' supply to 2.4 (up 9.1% from 2.2), while new listings surged 32.4% to 45 with a median price of $368,402 (up 11.4%). Contracts written dipped 7.1% to 26, and pending contracts fell 5.1% to 37 at month's end.

These local gains contrast with a national housing market that continues to cool in 2025, characterized by surging inventory and decelerating price growth. Nationally, active listings jumped nearly 25% year-over-year in July, edging the market toward greater balance, while home values rose a modest 0.3% to an average of $368,581. Price declines are emerging in some regions, particularly in the South and West, with overall growth slowing to sub-2% in recent months and home prices hitting record highs in June despite falling sales.

Experts point to higher mortgage rates and economic uncertainty as factors tempering buyer activity nationwide, though Pottawatomie's proximity to Manhattan and Fort Riley may sustain its relative strength. With inventory building locally—albeit at a slower pace than the national surge—the report indicates potential for more buyer-friendly conditions in the coming months.

The city of Wamego experienced a 2.5% decline in local sales tax collections for July 2025, dropping to $118,662.35 compared to $121,667.25 in July 2024, according to the Kansas Department of Revenue. Pottawatomie County overall saw a similar 2.6% decrease, collecting $648,987.60, down from $666,177.57, reflecting broader economic headwinds affecting retail activity during the summer months across the region.

Wamego's 1.75% city sales tax, combined with Pottawatomie County's 1.0% rate (total combined rate of 9.25% including state rates), contributed to a $3,004.90 decrease in July revenue for the city. The decline comes despite Wamego's vibrant downtown corridor and local attractions that typically draw visitors during summer months. County-wide collections dropped by $17,189.97, highlighting the seasonal nature of local retail activity even in communities with established tourism draws like the Wamego Tulip Festival venue and local dining establishments.

Comparing Wamego and Pottawatomie County's results to neighboring areas reveals varied regional performance:

• Wabaunsee County, with a 1.5% tax rate, saw a 4.9% decline in July 2025 collections, dropping to $86,713.46 from $91,230.20. The county's smaller economic base continues to limit revenue generation, with no major urban centers to anchor collections. Wabaunsee's decline exceeded Pottawatomie's percentage drop, indicating weaker retail fundamentals.
• Riley County, with a 0.7% tax rate, bucked the regional trend with a modest 1.8% increase, collecting $648,303.88 in July 2025, up from $636,805.28. The county's performance was bolstered by Manhattan's college town economy and steady consumer activity. The city of Manhattan, with a 1.95% city tax rate (total combined rate of 9.15% in Riley County), demonstrates the stabilizing effect of a diversified economic base centered around Kansas State University.
• Abilene (Dickinson County), with a 0.5% city tax rate atop a 1.75% county rate (total combined rate of 9.0%), posted a 3.7% increase in July 2025, collecting $100,313.03, up from $96,707.57. The city's continued growth reflects sustained tourism tied to the Eisenhower Presidential Library and heritage tourism attractions, making it more resilient to seasonal fluctuations.

Wamego's 2.5% decline was moderate compared to regional variations and outperformed the county's overall 2.6% drop, demonstrating the resilience of its concentrated downtown business district. The city still generated higher absolute revenue ($118,662.35) than larger communities like Abilene ($100,313.03), underscoring Wamego's economic strength despite the monthly downturn.

Statewide, Kansas recorded challenging conditions for sales tax collections in July 2025, with combined retail sales and compensating use tax receipts totaling $291.8 million, down 4.4% from July 2024. Both Wamego's 2.5% decline and Pottawatomie County's 2.6% decrease significantly outperformed the state's 4.4% drop, demonstrating the relative strength of the local economy. Wamego's total sales tax rate of 9.25% continues to support substantial revenue generation despite monthly fluctuations, with the city's downtown business district and tourism infrastructure showing underlying resilience compared to broader state trends.