Fort Riley Soldier Numbers to Fluctuate Amid Deployments

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Officials at Fort Riley, home to the 1st Infantry Division, are planning for significant fluctuations in the number of soldiers stationed at the Kansas base over the next two years as units deploy and return. The total Army soldier population at Fort Riley is estimated to range from a high of 14,000 to a low of 6,000 during this period, not counting family members, civilian employees, and Air Force personnel.

Why it matters

The shifting troop levels at Fort Riley will have a significant impact on the regional economy, which relies heavily on the presence of the military base and its personnel. Businesses and service providers in the surrounding communities will need to adapt to these changes in the local population.

The details

According to a recent report from Fort Riley officials, the base's 'troops on station' estimate is tentative but provides a snapshot of the 1st Infantry Division's activities and the effect on the local area. Fort Riley's total Army soldier population is around 14,000, in addition to 15,482 family members, 4,475 civilian employees, and about 100 Air Force airmen.

• Over the next two years, Fort Riley is expected to see a high of 14,000 soldiers on post and a low of 6,000 soldiers on base.