Kansas may be synonymous with wide prairies and agriculture, but it also hosts some of the most powerful business families and billionaires in the United States. With strengths in agribusiness, manufacturing, and aviation, Kansas’s richest residents wield influence across industries—and beyond.
Here are the Top 10 Richest People in Kansas (2025), based on Forbes data, business filings, and local economic records.
1. Charles Koch – $64.2 Billion
Source of Wealth: Energy, Manufacturing (Koch Industries)
Residence: Wichita, KS
Charles Koch is not only Kansas’s richest person but also one of the wealthiest individuals in the world. As CEO and chairman of Koch Industries, a conglomerate with interests in oil refining, chemicals, paper, and agriculture, Koch has built an empire. He is also a major donor to libertarian think tanks, education, and political causes.
2. Julia Koch & Family – $59.1 Billion
Source of Wealth: Koch Industries (David Koch’s Estate)
Residence: Manhattan, NY / Wichita ties
Although Julia Koch resides in New York, she inherited her late husband David Koch’s share of Koch Industries. The family still maintains significant business operations and philanthropic ties in Wichita.
3. Gary Burrell (Estate & Family) – $5.3 Billion
Source of Wealth: GPS Technology (Garmin)
Residence: Olathe, KS (legacy)
Co-founder of Garmin, Burrell helped turn GPS navigation into a global tech phenomenon. Although he passed away in 2019, his estate and family continue to hold significant wealth and influence in Johnson County and beyond.
4. Min Kao & Family – $4.8 Billion
Source of Wealth: Technology (Garmin Ltd.)
Residence: Olathe, KS
Min Kao, Garmin’s co-founder and longtime executive, remains one of Kansas’s most successful tech entrepreneurs. He has invested heavily in research, tech education, and innovation centers across the Midwest and Asia.
5. David Cummings – $950 Million
Source of Wealth: Software, Real Estate
Residence: Overland Park, KS
Cummings is a tech entrepreneur and investor, known for founding several SaaS platforms and a venture capital firm. He is also a major real estate developer in the Kansas City metro area, investing in mixed-use and tech incubators.
6. Cliff Illig – $870 Million
Source of Wealth: Healthcare IT (Cerner Corp.)
Residence: Leawood, KS
Illig co-founded Cerner Corporation, a global health information technology company. After its acquisition by Oracle in 2022, Illig continued investing in sports, real estate, and regional tech ventures.
7. Denise DeBartolo York (Kansas Holdings) – $820 Million
Source of Wealth: Sports (San Francisco 49ers), Real Estate
Residence: Youngstown, OH / Kansas land holdings
While based in Ohio, the DeBartolo-York family owns significant land and property in Kansas, particularly in western farming counties. Their diversified portfolio includes retail, farming, and data center real estate.
8. William “Bill” Hall Jr. – $700 Million
Source of Wealth: Agribusiness, Grain Trading
Residence: Salina, KS
Owner of one of the state’s largest grain handling and export businesses, Hall also sits on boards influencing Midwestern agriculture policy. He invests heavily in commodity storage, ethanol, and seed genetics.
9. Julius “Jules” McFarland – $620 Million
Source of Wealth: Aerospace Manufacturing
Residence: Wichita, KS
McFarland built a fortune in aerospace parts production, providing key components for Boeing, Spirit AeroSystems, and military contracts. He is also a leader in aviation-focused workforce development in Wichita.
10. Nancy Bruneau – $500 Million
Source of Wealth: Inheritance, Real Estate Trusts
Residence: Lawrence, KS
An heiress of old oil and land wealth in western Kansas, Bruneau manages a multi-generational real estate portfolio, including residential, agricultural, and commercial properties. She’s active in conservation and university endowments.
Summary Table
| Rank | Name | Net Worth (2025) | Source of Wealth | Residence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Charles Koch | $64.2B | Koch Industries | Wichita |
| 2 | Julia Koch & Family | $59.1B | Koch Industries | Manhattan, NY / Wichita |
| 3 | Gary Burrell Family | $5.3B | Garmin | Olathe |
| 4 | Min Kao | $4.8B | Garmin | Olathe |
| 5 | David Cummings | $950M | Software, VC | Overland Park |
| 6 | Cliff Illig | $870M | Cerner, Tech | Leawood |
| 7 | DeBartolo-York Family | $820M | Real Estate, NFL | Kansas landholdings |
| 8 | William Hall Jr. | $700M | Agribusiness | Salina |
| 9 | Julius McFarland | $620M | Aerospace | Wichita |
| 10 | Nancy Bruneau | $500M | Land, Real Estate | Lawrence |
Final Thoughts
Kansas’s richest residents are rooted in diverse industries ranging from heavy manufacturing and tech to agriculture and finance. With Wichita as a center of aviation and agribusiness, and Johnson County powering tech growth, these individuals have built wealth that continues to shape the state’s future.
