By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post
Ellis County was one of only 25 counties of 105 in the state that gained population during the last 10 years, according to U.S. Census data released last week.
Ellis County's population rose by a modest 1.7 percent, only 482 people between 2010 and 2020.
According to the 2020 census, the total population for Ellis County is 28,934. Ellis County ranks 21st in population in the state.
Gove and Logan also saw population increases, but only by a combined 25 people.
The rest of northwest Kansas did not fare as well. Phillips County topped the losses for the region at 11.7 percent.
Kansas saw an exodus from rural areas with metros areas, most notably the Kansas City area, seeing jumps in population.
Overall Kansas' population grew 3 percent in the last decade with the 2020 census recording 2.9 million residents.
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See below for a breakdown of population data for northwest Kansas counties.
Ellis
Total population (2020): 28,934
Total population (2010): 28,452
Numeric change (2010–2020): 482
Percent change (2010–2020): 1.7
Barton
Total population (2020): 25,493
Total population (2010): 27,674
Numeric change (2010–2020): -2,181
Percent change (2010–2020): -7.9
Gove
Total population (2020): 2,718
Total population (2010): 2,695
Numeric change (2010–2020): 23
Percent change (2010–2020): 0.9
Graham
Total population (2020): 2,415
Total population (2010): 2,597
Numeric change (2010–2020): -182
Percent change (2010–2020): -7.0
Lincoln
Total population (2020): 2,939
Total population (2010): 3,241
Numeric change (2010–2020): -302
Percent change (2010–2020): -9.3
Logan
Total population (2020): 2,762
Total population (2010): 2,756
Numeric change (2010–2020): 6
Percent change (2010–2020): 0.2
Osborne
Total population (2020): 3,500
Total population (2010): 3,858
Numeric change (2010–2020): -358
Percent change (2010–2020): -9.3
Phillips
Total population (2020): 4,981
Total population (2010): 5,642
Numeric change (2010–2020): -661
Percent change (2010–2020): -11.7
Rooks
Total population (2020): 4,981
Total population (2010): 5,642
Numeric change (2010–2020): -661
Percent change (2010–2020): -11.7
Rush
Total population (2020): 2,956
Total population (2010): 3,307
Numeric change (2010–2020): -351
Percent change (2010–2020): -10.6
Russell
Total population (2020): 6,691
Total population (2010): 6,970
Numeric change (2010–2020): -279
Percent change (2010–2020): -4.0
Saline
Total population (2020): 54,303
Total population (2010): 55,606
Numeric change (2010–2020): -1,303
Percent change (2010–2020): -2.3
Sheridan
Total population (2020): 2,447
Total population (2010): 2,556
Numeric change (2010–2020): -109
Percent change (2010–2020): -4.3
Smith
Total population (2020): 3,570
Total population (2010): 3,853
Numeric change (2010–2020): -283
Percent change (2010–2020): -7.3
Trego
Total population (2020): 2,808
Total population (2010): 3,001
Numeric change (2010–2020): -193
Percent change (2010–2020): -6.4