HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The number of births in Reno County actually increased in 2017, breaking a longstanding declination.

According to numbers released by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, 694 babies were born in Reno County in 2017, compared with 683 the previous year.

The report also shows the number of births to those under age 20 also increased from 47 in 2016 to 54 last year. The largest increase in births came from women between the ages of 25 and 29 where 242 babies were born last year, compared with 209 in 2016.

More women in their 40s gave birth as well. Fourteen women over 40 had a baby last year, compared to 10 the previous year.