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.