Salina and Saline County Show Steady Sales Tax Growth in September

The city of Salina posted modest but consistent growth with a 2.4% increase in local sales tax collections for September 2025, reaching $1,498,033.24 compared to $1,462,373.55 in September 2024, according to the Kansas Department of Revenue. Saline County overall demonstrated similar steady performance with a 2.6% gain, collecting $1,893,226.68, up from $1,844,545.86, continuing the region's pattern of reliable economic activity through the late summer and early fall period.

Salina's $35,659.69 increase in revenue represents the city's third consecutive month of year-over-year growth, following July's 5.2% gain and August's 7.7% surge. The month-over-month improvement of 2.7% from August to September indicates sustained consumer activity, though at a more moderate pace than the summer months. Saline County's 1.5% local sales tax rate, implemented in April 2021, contributed to a $48,680.82 increase in September revenue, with the county's 3.0% month-over-month gain from August maintaining positive momentum.

Comparing Salina and Saline County's results to neighboring areas reveals the region's continued competitive positioning:

• McPherson experienced a slight 0.5% decline to $302,792.56 from $304,169.93 in September 2024, struggling to maintain traction as the city's collections dipped modestly. This marks a continuation of McPherson's challenging year, having also declined 6.8% in August.
• Dickinson County and Riley County both posted minimal gains of 0.8% and 0.7% respectively, with Dickinson collecting $432,571.89 and Riley collecting $668,960.41. These tepid growth rates fell well short of Saline County's 2.6% performance, demonstrating the relative strength of Salina's regional economic pull.
• Manhattan showed solid 3.0% growth to $2,366,975.30, slightly outpacing Salina's 2.4% gain but reflecting its larger university-anchored economic base. The city's $68,326.39 increase in absolute terms was roughly double Salina's gain, though both cities demonstrated healthy consumer spending patterns.
• Abilene delivered an exceptional 56.8% surge to $160,880.86, up from $102,571.58 in September 2024. This remarkable $58,309.28 increase represents the strongest percentage growth in the region, though the underlying drivers of such dramatic growth remain unclear given the city's smaller revenue base.

Salina's 2.4% growth and Saline County's 2.6% increase positioned the region solidly in the middle of regional performance for September 2025. Both jurisdictions outperformed McPherson's decline and the minimal gains in Dickinson and Riley counties, while trailing Manhattan's 3.0% and well behind Abilene's extraordinary 56.8% surge. Salina's collections of nearly $1.5 million monthly continue to demonstrate the city's role as a major retail and service center for north-central Kansas.

The consistent positive performance shown by Salina and Saline County through July, August, and September demonstrates economic stability during a period when many regional competitors have faced headwinds. While September's growth rates moderated from the stronger gains seen in July and August, the three-month pattern of year-over-year increases, combined with positive month-over-month trends, suggests underlying economic fundamentals remain sound.