The economy of Russell and Russell County is primarily agriculture with some manufacturing. Russell County is one of the leading counties in the production of oil in the state of Kansas.

The City of Russell, which is the county seat of Russell County, was incorporated in 1872. Russell is a city of the second class and is the largest city in the county. City government is a Mayor-Council-Manager form consisting of a Mayor elected at large, and eight Councilmembers elected from wards within the City, and a City Manager. Russell is located approximately 60 miles west of Salina, 35 ...