text:
Marion County, Kansas

Marion County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kansas. Its county seat is Marion and its most populous city is Hillsboro. As of the 2020 census, the county population was 11,823. The county was named in honor of Francis Marion, a brigadier general of the American Revolutionary War, known as the "Swamp Fox".

Early history
For millennia, the Great Plains of North America were inhabited by Native Americans. From the 16th to 18th centuries, the Kingdom of France claimed ownership of large parts of North America. In 1762, after the French and Indian War, France secretly ceded New France to Spain, by the Treaty of Fontainebleau.

19th century
In 1802, Spain returned most of the land to France, but keeping title to about 7,500 square miles. In 1803, most of the land for modern day Kansas was acquired by the United States from France as part of the 828,000 square mile Louisiana Purchase for 2.83 cents per acre. In 1848, after the Mexican–American War, the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo with Spain brought into the United States all or part of land for ten future states, including southwest Kansas.

In 1806, Zebulon Pike led the Pike Expedition westward from St Louis, Missouri, of which part of their journey followed the Cottonwood River through modern Marion County near the current cities of Florence, Marion, Durham.

In 1854, the Kansas Territory was organized, then in 1861 Kansas became the 34th U.S. state. In 1855, Marion County was established. The first settlers in Marion County located on Doyle Creek, near the present site of Florence. They were Moses Shane, who came in 1858, and whose death the next year was the first in the county; Patrick Doyle, in 1859, for whom Doyle Creek and Township were named, and a family by the name of Welsh, in which occurred the first birth in the county in August 1859. The city of Marion Centre was founded in 1860, became the county seat in 1865, and later the city name was shortened to Marion.

From 1821 to 1866, the Santa Fe Trail was active across Marion County. In the spring of 1859, a trading post was established at the "Lost Spring" on the Santa Fe Trail, and in the autumn of the same year, the Moore brothers established a ranch near the present site of Durham, and the first post office was established at this place. Later in the same year, a post office was established at "Lost Spring" near the current city of Lost Springs. Previously the nearest post office was Emporia.

From 1867 to 1871, the Chisholm Trail was routed along the western edge of Marion County. The trail started in Texas and ended in Abilene, Kansas, where cattle were shipped eastward by rail. As the railroads were built westward and southward, the trail was truncated from going further north. Originally, Marion County covered more than a third of the area of Kansas, including all the territory in the state south and west of the present northern and eastern lines of the county. The original location of the county was fixed by legislative act in 1860. It comprised less than the present area. The original boundaries were altered by an increase of territory on the west and a decrease on the south. In 1863, the legislature by special act fixed the boundaries to include all of southwestern Kansas. In June of that year, on petition of the citizens of the county, the governor restored the previous boundaries and ordered a separate organization of the county. The south-eastern border one mile "notch" with Chase County was established under unusual circumstances. A murder had occurred and Marion County didn't want to have the trial, so a section one mile wide and eighteen miles long was ceded to Chase County to ensure the murder had occurred there. The one mile strip of land remains in Chase County to this day. The present county boundary lines were decided upon in 1872 and contain twenty-four townships.

The first two-story courthouse of stone was built in 1867. The upper floor was used for county court and the first floor was used as a school. A high wall for a place of refuge and defense in the event of an Indian attack surrounded it, but it was never needed for that purpose. An addition was completed in 1879 and part of the original structure was remodeled in 1881. The present three-story native limestone structure was completed in 1907.

Santa Fe Railroad

The state of Kansas granted the Atchison and Topeka Railroad three million acres (12,000 km2) of land if it would build a continuous line to the western border of the state within ten years (March 1, 1873). In 1871, the railroad pushed westward from Emporia through Florence, Horners, and Peabody towards Newton, and got title to the land in 1873. According to the original land grant, the railroad was to receive every odd numbered section for 10 mi on each side of its track, but in eastern Kansas which was pretty well settled, much of this land wasn't available. The law therefore gave the railroad what was called "in lieu" lands further west. Eventually this worked out to be half the land on a strip 20 mi on each side of its track from Emporia nearly out to Kinsley, which meant that most of Marion County fell in this strip.

In 1877, the Florence, El Dorado, and Walnut Valley Railroad Company built a branch line from Florence to El Dorado, in 1881 it was extended to Douglass, and later to Arkansas City. The line was leased and operated by the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway. The line from Florence to El Dorado was abandoned in 1942. The original branch line connected Florence, Burns, De Graff, El Dorado, Augusta, Douglass, Rock, Akron, Winfield, Arkansas City.

In 1887, Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway built a branch line from Neva (3 miles west of Strong City) to Superior, Nebraska. This branch line connected Strong City, Neva, Rockland, Diamond Springs, Burdick, Lost Springs, Jacobs, Hope, Navarre, Enterprise, Abilene, Talmage, Manchester, Longford, Oak Hill, Miltonvale, Aurora, Huscher, Concordia, Kackley, Courtland, Webber, Superior. At some point, the line from Neva to Lost Springs was pulled but the right of way has not been abandoned. This branch line was originally called "Strong City and Superior line" but later the name was shortened to the "Strong City line". The railway is connected via a switch to allow north-bound "Rock Island" traffic to connect onto the north-west-bound "Santa Fe" tracks. This is the only way for the Santa Fe traffic to travel north-west after removing the tracks to Neva.

As early as 1875, city leaders of Marion held a meeting to consider a branch railroad from Florence. In 1878, Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway and parties from Marion County and McPherson County chartered the Marion and McPherson Railway Company. In 1879, a branch line was built from Florence to McPherson, in 1880 it was extended to Lyons, in 1881 it was extended to Ellinwood. The line was leased and operated by the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway. The line from Florence to Marion, was abandoned in 1968. In 1992, the line from Marion to McPherson was sold to Central Kansas Railway. In 1993, after heavy flood damage, the line from Marion to McPherson was abandoned. The original branch line connected Florence, Oursler, Marion, Canada, Hillsboro, Lehigh, Canton, Galva, McPherson, Conway, Windom, Little River, Mitchell, Lyons, Chase, Ellinwood.

In 1996, the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway merged with Burlington Northern Railroad and renamed to the current BNSF Railway. Most locals still refer to this railroad as the "Santa Fe".

Rock Island Railroad
In 1887, the Chicago, Kansas and Nebraska Railway extended its main line from Herington to Pratt. This main line connected Herington, Ramona, Tampa, Durham, Waldeck, Canton, Galva, McPherson, Groveland, Inman, Medora, Hutchinson, Whiteside, Partridge, Arlington, Langdon, Turon, Preston, Natrona, Pratt. In 1888, this main line was extended to Liberal. Later, this line was extended to Tucumcari, New Mexico, and El Paso, Texas. This line is called the "Golden State Limited".

In 1887, the Chicago, Kansas and Nebraska Railway built a branch line north–south from Herington to Caldwell. This branch line connected Herington, Lost Springs, Lincolnville, Antelope, Marion, Aulne, Peabody, Elbing, Whitewater, Furley, Kechi, Wichita, Peck, Corbin, Wellington, Caldwell. By 1893, this branch line was incrementally built to Fort Worth, Texas. This line is called the "OKT".

The "Rock Island" has switches in Peabody and Lost Springs to allow connections to the crossing "Santa Fe" railroad in each city.

The Chicago, Kansas and Nebraska Railway was foreclosed in 1891 and was taken over by Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railway, which shut down in 1980 and reorganized as Oklahoma, Kansas and Texas Railroad, merged in 1988 with Missouri Pacific Railroad, and finally merged in 1997 with Union Pacific Railroad. Most locals still refer to this railroad as the "Rock Island".

Chingawasa Springs Railroad
In 1889, the Marion Belt and Chingawasa Springs Railroad built a 4.5 mile railroad from Marion north-east to Chingawasa Springs. A hotel was built near the site of the spa at Chingawasa Springs, and a depot and eatery as well. Both Santa Fe and Rock Island offered round trip fares from Chicago and western cities to Chingawasa Springs. An economic panic in 1893 closed down the health spa and hotel, and quarry business along the tracks never developed sufficiently. In 1893, the railroad ceased operations, and tracks were removed in 1910.

20th century
The National Old Trails Road, also known as the Ocean-to-Ocean Highway, was established in 1912, and was routed through Lehigh, Hillsboro, Marion, Lost Springs.

Peabody, and nearby Watchorn, experienced an oil boom from 1918 to 1920. The influence of the petroleum industry remained strong in Peabody, and resulted in the greatest change upon the community in the shortest time. More than 100 residences were constructed in October and November 1919. From 1918 to 1919, the population increased by 75% or more, but later decreased as oil booms in other Kansas areas needed the workers.

From 1935 to 1937, the Marion County Lake was constructed southeast of Marion. From 1964 to 1968, the Marion Reservoir was constructed northwest of Marion.

21st century
In 2010, the Keystone-Cushing Pipeline (Phase II) was constructed north to south through Marion County with much controversy over road damage, tax exemption, and environmental concerns (if a leak ever occurs).

In 2022, construction of the 201 megawatt Sunflower Wind farm was started in Marion County. Warning light and spin testing started in June 2023. This wind farm is located between Peabody, Aulne, and Florence, and operated by Ørsted headquartered in Fredericia, Denmark.

Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 954 sqmi, of which 944 sqmi is land and 9.4 sqmi (1.0%) is water.

Marion County is located in the Great Plains, and the eastern part of the county is part of the Flint Hills.

Adjacent counties

 * Dickinson County (north)
 * Morris County (northeast)
 * Chase County (east)
 * Butler County (southeast)
 * Harvey County (southwest)
 * McPherson County (west)
 * Saline County (northwest)

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 13,361 people, 5,114 households, and 3,687 families residing in the county. The population density was 14 /mi2. There were 5,882 housing units at an average density of 6 /mi2. The racial makeup of the county was 97.06% White, 0.47% Black or African American, 0.59% Native American, 0.19% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.55% from other races, and 1.14% from two or more races. 1.92% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 5,114 households, out of which 30.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.80% were married couples living together, 5.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.90% were non-families. 25.20% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.20% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 2.94.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 24.80% under the age of 18, 7.90% from 18 to 24, 23.50% from 25 to 44, 22.70% from 45 to 64, and 21.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 95.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.20 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $34,500, and the median income for a family was $41,386. Males had a median income of $30,236 versus $21,119 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,100. About 4.80% of families and 8.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.50% of those under age 18 and 9.70% of those age 65 or over.

Laws
Following amendment to the Kansas Constitution in 1986, the county remained a prohibition, or "dry", county until 2004, when voters approved the sale of alcoholic liquor by the individual drink with a 30 percent food sales requirement.

Colleges

 * Tabor College, in Hillsboro
 * Butler Community College (remote campus), in Marion

Unified school districts
The following public unified school districts are headquartered in Marion County.
 * Centre USD 397, in a rural area between Lost Springs and Lincolnville
 * Peabody–Burns USD 398, in Peabody
 * Marion–Florence USD 408, in Marion
 * Hillsboro USD 410, in Hillsboro
 * Goessel USD 411, in Goessel

Communities
List of townships / incorporated cities / unincorporated communities / extinct former communities within Marion County.

Cities

 * Burns - originally named St. Francis
 * Durham - originally named Durham Park
 * Florence
 * Goessel - originally named Gnadenfeld
 * Hillsboro - originally named Hill City
 * Lehigh
 * Lincolnville
 * Lost Springs
 * Marion (county seat) - originally named Marion Centre
 * Peabody - originally named Coneburg
 * Ramona
 * Tampa

Unincorporated communities
† means a community is designated a Census-Designated Place (CDP) by the United States Census Bureau.

 * Antelope
 * Aulne
 * Canada
 * Eastshore†
 * Marion County Lake
 * Pilsen†

Ghost towns
Marion County contained early communities that have long since been abandoned.

 * Rail Towns / Stations / Cattle Pens
 * Hampson, station, approximately 5 miles south of Florence.
 * Horners (Honner), station and cattle pens, approximately 3 miles northeast of Peabody.
 * Jacobs, TBD, northwest of Lost Springs.
 * Oursler, station and tiny community.
 * Quarry, station and limestone rock quarry, approximately 5.5 miles north of Marion.
 * Wagner, TBD, southwest of Florence.
 * Waldeck, station, cattle pens, and tiny community.

 * Oil Towns
 * Watchorn, 5 miles east of Peabody.

 * Other
 * Creswell (or Cresswell), east of Goessel
 * Elk‡, northeast of Marion (straddled Chase County border)
 * Fred, between Peabody and Hillsboro
 * Kuhnbrook
 * Morning Star
 * Strassburg
 * Youngtown, northeast of Marion

 * Mennonite Villages
 * Alexanderfeld
 * Ebenfeld
 * Friedenstal (Alvin)
 * Gnadenau (Grace Meadow)
 * Hoffnungsthal (Hope Valley)
 * Schoenthal (Fair Valley)
 * Steinbach

 * Alexanderwohl Mennonite Villages, (see Alexanderwohl Mennonite Church)
 * Blumenfeld (straddled on McPherson County border)
 * Blumenort (straddled on McPherson County border)
 * Emmathal
 * Gnadenfeld
 * Gnadenthal
 * Gruenfeld (Green Field) (abandoned then later became Goessel)
 * Hochfeld
 * Springfield

Townships

Marion County is divided into twenty-four townships. The cities of Florence (in Doyle and Fairplay townships), Hillsboro (in Liberty and Risley townships), and Marion (in Centre township) are considered governmentally independent and are excluded from the census figures for the townships. In the following table, the population center is the largest city (or cities) included in that township's population total, if it is of a significant size.

Print

 * Hillsboro Free Press, local newspaper for Hillsboro.
 * Marion County Record, local newspaper for Marion.
 * Peabody Gazette-Bulletin, local newspaper for Peabody.
 * Hillsboro Star-Journal, local newspaper for the greater Marion County area.
 * The Newton Kansan, regional newspaper from Newton.
 * The Wichita Eagle, major regional newspaper from Wichita.

title: Marion County, Kansas


text:
Lyon County, Kansas

Lyon County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kansas. Its county seat and largest city is Emporia. As of the 2020 census, the county population was 32,179. The county was named for Nathaniel Lyon, a general who was killed at the Battle of Wilson's Creek during the American Civil War.

Early history
For many millennia, the Great Plains of North America was inhabited by nomadic Native Americans. From the 16th century to 18th century, the Kingdom of France claimed ownership of large parts of North America. In 1762, after the French and Indian War, France secretly ceded New France to Spain, per the Treaty of Fontainebleau.

19th century
In 1802, Spain returned most of the land to France, but keeping title to about 7,500 square miles. In 1803, most of the land for modern day Kansas was acquired by the United States from France as part of the 828,000 square mile Louisiana Purchase for 2.83 cents per acre.

In 1806, Zebulon Pike led the Pike Expedition westward from St Louis, Missouri, of which part of their journey followed the Cottonwood River through Lyon County.

In 1854, the Kansas Territory was organized, then in 1861 Kansas became the 34th U.S. state. In 1862, Lyon County was established from the county formerly known as Breckinridge County.

In 1871, the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway extended a main line from Emporia to Newton.

Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 855 sqmi, of which 847 sqmi is land and 7.9 sqmi (0.9%) is water.

Adjacent counties

 * Wabaunsee County (north)
 * Osage County (northeast)
 * Coffey County (southeast)
 * Greenwood County (south)
 * Chase County(west)
 * Morris County (northwest)

National protected area

 * Flint Hills National Wildlife Refuge (part)

Demographics

Lyon County comprises the Emporia, KS Micropolitan Statistical Area.

As of the census of 2000, there were 35,935 people, 13,691 households, and 8,639 families residing in the county. The population density was 42 PD/sqmi. There were 14,757 housing units at an average density of 17 /mi2. The racial makeup of the county was 83.27% White, 2.27% Black or African American, 0.47% Native American, 2.04% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 9.79% from other races, and 2.16% from two or more races. 16.72% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 13,691 households, out of which 32.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.80% were married couples living together, 8.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.90% were non-families. 28.50% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.80% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.51 and the average family size was 3.12.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 25.70% under the age of 18, 16.20% from 18 to 24, 27.20% from 25 to 44, 19.10% from 45 to 64, and 11.60% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.20 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $32,819, and the median income for a family was $43,112. Males had a median income of $28,865 versus $21,338 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,724. About 9.60% of families and 14.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.60% of those under age 18 and 9.20% of those age 65 or over.

Presidential elections
Lyon County has been strongly Republican for most of its history. In only seven presidential elections from 1880 to the present has the county failed to back the Republican candidate, the most recent being Lyndon B. Johnson in his national landslide of 1964. The Republican party did come close to losing the county in 1992 and 2008, however.

Laws
Lyon County was a prohibition, or "dry", county until the Kansas Constitution was amended in 1986 and voters approved the sale of alcoholic liquor by the individual drink with a 30 percent food sales requirement. The food sales requirement was removed with voter approval in 1992.

The county voted "No" on the 2022 Kansas Value Them Both Amendment, an anti-abortion ballot measure, by 63% to 37% despite backing Donald Trump with 54% of the vote to Joe Biden's 43% in the 2020 presidential election.

Colleges and universities

 * Emporia State University in Emporia
 * Flint Hills Technical College in Emporia

Unified school districts

 * North Lyon County USD 251
 * Southern Lyon County USD 252
 * Emporia USD 253

 * School district office in neighboring county
 * Chase County USD 284

Communities
List of townships / incorporated cities / unincorporated communities / extinct former communities within Lyon County.

Cities

 * Admire
 * Allen
 * Americus
 * Bushong
 * Emporia (county seat)
 * Hartford
 * Neosho Rapids
 * Olpe
 * Reading

Unincorporated communities

 * Miller
 * Plymouth

Townships
Lyon County is divided into eleven townships. The city of Emporia is considered governmentally independent and is excluded from the census figures for the townships. In the following table, the population center is the largest city (or cities) included in that township's population total, if it is of a significant size.

Notable people
R. Lee Ermey was born in Emporia on March 24, 1944, and died on April 15, 2018. He was a retired United States Marine Corps Gunnery Sergeant, Drill Instructor and actor. Ermey was often best known for his roles of authority figures, such as his breakout performance as Gunnery Sergeant Hartman in Full Metal Jacket, Mayor Tilman in the Alan Parker film Mississippi Burning, Bill Bowerman in Prefontaine, Sheriff Hoyt in The Texas Chainsaw Massacre remake, and plastic army men leader Sarge in the Toy Story films.

Homer Woodson Hargiss was an innovative college football coach who regularly used the forward pass and records show that it was used as early as 1910, three years before Knute Rockne began to call the play. He was head coach at both the College of Emporia and Emporia State. He is also credited with inventing the huddle.

Jerry Kill was the head football coach for the Minnesota Golden Gophers. He has over 100 wins in his career as a head coach, having worked as a head coach through several institutions at the college level.

Dean Smith is a retired American head coach of men's college basketball. Originally from Emporia, Kansas, Smith has been called a “coaching legend” by the Basketball Hall of Fame. Smith is best known for his successful 36-year coaching tenure at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Smith coached from 1961 to 1997 and retired as the NCAA Division I men's basketball record-holder for victories (879), a record which was surpassed by Bob Knight in 2007, Mike Krzyzewski in 2011, and Jim Boeheim in 2012. During his tenure as head coach of North Carolina, the team won two national titles and appeared in 11 Final Fours.

William Allen White was a renowned American newspaper editor, politician, author, and leader of the Progressive movement. Between 1896 and his death White became the iconic spokesman for middle America. He won a 1923 Pulitzer Prize for his editorial "To an Anxious Friend," published July 27, 1922, after being arrested in a dispute over free speech following objections to the way the state of Kansas handled the men who participated in the Great Railroad Strike of 1922.

Maud Wagner was the first known female tattoo artist in the United States. She was a circus performer and traveled with her husband as both tattoo artists and as "tattooed attractions."

license: Creative Commons - Attribution Share-Alike - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

title: Lyon County, Kansas


text:
Logan County, Kansas

Logan County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kansas. Its county seat and largest city is Oakley. As of the 2020 census, the county population was 2,762. The county was named for John Logan, a general during the American Civil War. One of the county's distinctive features is a mile-long stretch of Smoky Hill Chalk bluffs that tower 100 feet high over the Smoky Hill River and are dubbed "Little Jerusalem" for resemblance to the ancient walled city. The formation is mostly on private land. In 2016, The Nature Conservancy purchased the property and the Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park opened to the public in October 2019.

Early history
For many millennia, the Great Plains of North America was inhabited by nomadic Native Americans. From the 16th century to 18th century, the Kingdom of France claimed ownership of large parts of North America. In 1762, after the French and Indian War, France secretly ceded New France to Spain, per the Treaty of Fontainebleau.

19th century
In 1802, Spain returned most of the land to France, but keeping title to about 7,500 square miles. In 1803, most of the land for modern day Kansas was acquired by the United States from France as part of the 828,000 square mile Louisiana Purchase for 2.83 cents per acre.

In 1854, the Kansas Territory was organized, then in 1861 Kansas became the 34th U.S. state. In 1887, Logan County was established.

Logan County was first created in 1871 as St. John County. St. John was formed from the area to the east of range 38 in what was then part of Wallace County. The Kansas State Legislature changed the name from St. John to Logan in 1885.

Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1073 sqmi, of which 1073 sqmi is land and 0.1 sqmi (0.01%) is water.

Major highways

 * K-25.svg Kansas Highway 25
 * US 40.svg U.S. Highway 40
 * US 83.svg U.S. Highway 83
 * I-70.svg Interstate 70

Adjacent counties

 * Thomas County (north)
 * Gove County (east)
 * Scott County (southeast)
 * Wichita County (south)
 * Wallace County (west/Mountain Time border)
 * Sherman County (northwest/Mountain Time border)

Demographics

At the 2000 census, there were 3,046 people, 1,243 households and 856 families residing in the county. The population density was 3 /mi2. There were 1,423 housing units at an average density of 1 /mi2. The racial makeup of the county was 96.72% White, 0.59% Black or African American, 0.16% Native American, 0.20% Asian, 0.72% from other races, and 1.61% from two or more races. 1.64% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 1,243 households, of which 29.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.30% were married couples living together, 6.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.10% were non-families. 28.60% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.80% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.40 and the average family size was 2.98.

Age distribution was 25.40% under the age of 18, 7.20% from 18 to 24, 24.40% from 25 to 44, 22.30% from 45 to 64, and 20.70% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 93.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.00 males.

The median household income was $32,131 and the median family income was $40,104. Males had a median income of $28,105 and females $19,609. The per capita income was $17,294. About 4.70% of families and 7.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.80% of those under age 18 and 8.60% of those age 65 or over.

Presidential elections
Like all the High Plains, Logan County is overwhelmingly Republican. Only two Democrats have ever carried the county in a Presidential election: Woodrow Wilson in 1916 and Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1932. Since at least 1888 only three other Democrats have passed forty percent of the county's vote: Roosevelt in 1936, Lyndon Johnson in 1964 and Jimmy Carter in 1976. In fact, apart from Michael Dukakis in 1988 during an election held during the grip of a major Plains drought, no Democrat since 1980 has passed 21 percent of the county's vote.

Laws
Following amendment to the Kansas Constitution in 1986, the county remained a prohibition, or "dry", county until 2006, when voters approved the sale of alcoholic liquor by the individual drink without a food sales requirement.

Unified school districts

 * Oakley USD 274
 * Triplains USD 275

Communities
List of townships / incorporated cities / unincorporated communities / extinct former communities within Logan County. ‡ means a community has portions in an adjacent county. † means a community is designated a Census-Designated Place (CDP) by the United States Census Bureau.

Cities

 * Oakley‡ (county seat)
 * Russell Springs
 * Winona

Unincorporated communities

 * Monument†
 * Page City

Ghost towns

 * McAllaster
 * Sheridan

Townships
Logan County is divided into 11 townships. None of the cities within the county is considered "governmentally independent" and all figures for the townships include those of the cities.

In the following table, the population center is the largest city (or cities) included in that township's population total, if it is of a significant size.

title: Logan County, Kansas


text:
Linn County, Kansas

Linn County is a county in the U.S. state of Kansas, located in along the eastern edge of Kansas, and is part of the Kansas City metropolitan area. Its county seat is Mound City, and its most populous city is Pleasanton. As of the 2020 census, the county population was 9,591. The county was named for Lewis Linn, a U.S. Senator from Missouri.

Early history
For many millennia, the Great Plains of North America was inhabited by nomadic Native Americans. From the 16th century to 18th century, the Kingdom of France claimed ownership of large parts of North America. In 1762, after the French and Indian War, France secretly ceded New France to Spain, per the Treaty of Fontainebleau.

19th century
In 1802, Spain returned most of the land to France, but keeping title to about 7,500 square miles. In 1803, most of the land for modern day Kansas was acquired by the United States from France as part of the 828,000 square mile Louisiana Purchase for 2.83 cents per acre.

Explorers in the early 19th century came across abandoned mining sites along a creek south of the Marais des Cygnes river. The background of these early miners remains a mystery; but, it inspired early residents of the region to name this waterway "Mine Creek."

Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 606 sqmi, of which 594 sqmi is land and 12 sqmi (2.0%) is water.

Adjacent counties

 * Miami County (north)
 * Bates County, Missouri (east)
 * Vernon County, Missouri (southeast)
 * Bourbon County (south)
 * Allen County (southwest)
 * Anderson County (west)
 * Franklin County (northwest)

National protected area

 * Marais des Cygnes National Wildlife Refuge

Demographics

Linn County is included in the Kansas City, MO-KS Metropolitan Statistical Area.

As of the 2000 census, there were 9,570 people, 3,807 households, and 2,748 families residing in the county. The population density was 16 /mi2. There were 4,720 housing units at an average density of 8 /mi2. The racial makeup of the county was 97.50% White, 0.63% Black or African American, 0.48% Native American, 0.14% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.16% from other races, and 1.06% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.91% of the population.

There were 3,807 households, out of which 28.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.70% were married couples living together, 6.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.80% were non-families. 24.00% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.48 and the average family size was 2.94.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 25.00% under the age of 18, 6.70% from 18 to 24, 24.30% from 25 to 44, 25.70% from 45 to 64, and 18.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 100.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.60 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $35,906, and the median income for a family was $42,571. Males had a median income of $31,720 versus $22,287 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,009. About 7.80% of families and 11.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.20% of those under age 18 and 9.60% of those age 65 or over.

Laws
Following amendment to the Kansas Constitution in 1986, the county remained a prohibition, or "dry", county until 2004, when voters approved the sale of alcoholic liquor by the individual drink with a 30 percent food sales requirement.

Unified school districts

 * Pleasanton USD 344
 * Jayhawk USD 346
 * Prairie View USD 362

Communities
List of townships / incorporated cities / unincorporated communities / extinct former communities within Linn County.

Cities

 * Blue Mound
 * La Cygne
 * Linn Valley
 * Mound City (county seat)
 * Parker
 * Pleasanton
 * Prescott

Unincorporated communities
† means a community is designated a Census-Designated Place (CDP) by the United States Census Bureau.

 * Boicourt
 * Cadmus
 * Centerville†
 * Critzer
 * Farlinville
 * Goodrich
 * Mantey
 * Trading Post

Ghost towns

 * Hail Ridge

Townships
Linn County is divided into eleven townships. None of the cities within the county are considered governmentally independent, and all figures for the townships include those of the cities. In the following table, the population center is the largest city (or cities) included in that township's population total, if it is of a significant size.

title: Linn County, Kansas


text:
Lincoln County, Kansas

Lincoln County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kansas. Its county seat and largest city is Lincoln Center. As of the 2020 census, the county population was 2,939. The county was named after Abraham Lincoln, the 16th president of the United States.

History
For many millennia, the Great Plains of North America was inhabited by nomadic Native Americans. From the 16th century to 18th century, the Kingdom of France claimed ownership of large parts of North America. In 1762, after the French and Indian War, France secretly ceded New France to Spain, per the Treaty of Fontainebleau. In 1802, Spain returned most of the land to France, but keeping title to about 7,500 square miles. In 1803, most of the land for modern day Kansas was acquired by the United States from France as part of the 828,000 square mile Louisiana Purchase for 2.83 cents per acre.

In 1854, the Kansas Territory was organized, then in 1861 Kansas became the 34th U.S. state. In 1867, Lincoln County was established.

Lincoln county is among those in Kansas that are part of the depopulation of the Great Plains.

Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 720 sqmi, of which 719 sqmi is land and 1.1 sqmi (0.1%) is water.

Adjacent counties

 * Mitchell County (north)
 * Ottawa County (east)
 * Saline County (southeast)
 * Ellsworth County (south)
 * Russell County (west)
 * Osborne County (northwest)

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 3,578 people, 1,529 households, and 1,039 families residing in the county. The population density was 5 /mi2. There were 1,853 housing units at an average density of 3 /mi2. The racial makeup of the county was 98.30% White, 0.11% Black or African American, 0.48% Native American, 0.11% Asian, 0.25% from other races, and 0.75% from two or more races. 1.03% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 1,529 households, out of which 27.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.10% were married couples living together, 6.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.00% were non-families. 29.60% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.29 and the average family size was 2.81.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 23.50% under the age of 18, 5.50% from 18 to 24, 22.90% from 25 to 44, 24.60% from 45 to 64, and 23.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females there were 96.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.40 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $30,893, and the median income for a family was $36,538. Males had a median income of $24,681 versus $20,000 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,788. About 7.30% of families and 9.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.70% of those under age 18 and 10.00% of those age 65 or over.

Presidential elections
Lincoln county is heavily Republican. Lyndon B. Johnson was the last Democrat to lose the county by less than 5%, and the last democrat to win the county was Franklin D. Roosevelt back in 1936.

Laws
Following amendment to the Kansas Constitution in 1986, the county remained a prohibition, or "dry", county until 1990, when voters approved the sale of alcoholic liquor by the individual drink with a 30% food sales requirement.

Unified school districts

 * Lincoln USD 298
 * Sylvan–Lucas USD 299

Communities
List of townships / incorporated cities / unincorporated communities / extinct former communities within Lincoln County.

Cities

 * Barnard
 * Beverly
 * Lincoln (county seat)
 * Sylvan Grove

Unincorporated communities

 * Ash Grove
 * Denmark
 * Shady Bend
 * Vesper
 * Westfall

Ghost towns

 * Bacon
 * Bayne
 * Cedron
 * Herman
 * Lone Walnut
 * Milo
 * Monroe
 * Orbitello
 * Orworth
 * Paris
 * Pinon
 * Pleasant Valley
 * Pottersburg
 * Rosette
 * Topsy
 * Towerspring
 * Union Valley
 * Woodey
 * Yorktown

Townships

Lincoln County is divided into twenty townships. None of the cities within the county are considered governmentally independent, and all figures for the townships include those of the cities. In the following table, the population center is the largest city (or cities) included in that township's population total, if it is of a significant size.

title: Lincoln County, Kansas


text:
Leavenworth County, Kansas

Leavenworth County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kansas and is part of the Kansas City metropolitan area. Its county seat and most populous city is Leavenworth. As of the 2020 census, the county population was 81,881. The county was named after Henry Leavenworth, a general in the Indian Wars who established Fort Leavenworth.

Early history
For many millennia, the Great Plains of North America was inhabited by nomadic Native Americans. From the 16th century to 18th century, the Kingdom of France claimed ownership of large parts of North America. In 1762, after the French and Indian War, France secretly ceded New France to Spain, per the Treaty of Fontainebleau.

19th century
In 1802, Spain returned most of the land to France, but keeping title to about 7,500 square miles. In 1803, most of the land for modern day Kansas was acquired by the United States from France as part of the 828,000 square mile Louisiana Purchase for 2.83 cents per acre.

In 1854, the Kansas Territory was organized, then in 1861 Kansas became the 34th U.S. state. In 1855, Leavenworth County was established, and is among the first 33 counties, which were formed by the first territorial government. It was named, as was its county seat, after Henry Leavenworth, an officer in the War of 1812.

Leavenworth County had the first Kansas State University extension agent in the State.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 469 sqmi, of which 463 sqmi is land and 6.1 sqmi (1.3%) is water. It is the fifth-smallest county in Kansas by total area.

This county's watershed connects with both the Kansas River basin on the south via Stranger Creek and has a Missouri River port city to the east.

Adjacent counties

 * Platte County, Missouri (north)
 * Wyandotte County (east)
 * Johnson County (southeast)
 * Douglas County (southwest)
 * Jefferson County (west)
 * Atchison County (northwest)

Demographics

The county is a part of the Kansas City, MO-KS Metropolitan Statistical Area.

As of the census of 2000, there were 68,691 people, 23,071 households, and 17,210 families residing in the county. The population density was 148 /mi2. There were 24,401 housing units at an average density of 53 /mi2. The racial makeup of the county was 84.2% White, 10.4% Black or African American, 0.7% Native American, 1.1% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 1.2% from other races, and 2.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.8% of the population.

There were 23,071 households, out of which 38.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.4% were married couples living together, 9.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.4% were non-families. 21.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.69 and the average family size was 3.15.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 26.7% under the age of 18, 8.2% from 18 to 24, 33.0% from 25 to 44, 22.2% from 45 to 64, and 9.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 113.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 116.90 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $48,114, and the median income for a family was $55,805. Males had a median income of $40,047 versus $26,029 for females. The per capita income for the county was $20,292. About 4.8% of families and 6.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.8% of those under age 18 and 7.5% of those age 65 or over.

Laws
Leavenworth County was a prohibition, or "dry", county until the Kansas Constitution was amended in 1986 and voters approved the sale of alcoholic liquor by the individual drink with a 30 percent food sales requirement.

The county voted "No" on the 2022 Kansas Value Them Both Amendment, an anti-abortion ballot measure, by 59% to 41% despite backing Donald Trump with 59% of the vote to Joe Biden's 38% in the 2020 presidential election.

Colleges and universities

 * United States Army Command and General Staff College
 * University of Saint Mary
 * Leavenworth Normal School (closed)

Unified school districts
School districts include:
 * Basehor–Linwood USD 458
 * Bonner Springs USD 204
 * Easton USD 449
 * Fort Leavenworth USD 207
 * Jefferson County North USD 339
 * Kansas City USD
 * Lansing USD 469
 * Lawrence USD 497
 * Leavenworth USD 453
 * McLouth USD 342
 * Tonganoxie USD 464

Communities
List of townships / incorporated cities / unincorporated communities / extinct former communities within Leavenworth County.

Cities
‡ means a community has portions in an adjacent county.

 * Basehor
 * Bonner Springs‡
 * De Soto‡
 * Easton
 * Lansing
 * Leavenworth (county seat)
 * Linwood
 * Tonganoxie

Unincorporated communities

 * Fairmount
 * Fall Leaf
 * Fort Leavenworth
 * Hoge
 * Jarbalo
 * Kickapoo
 * Lenape
 * Lowemont
 * Millwood
 * Reno
 * Springdale
 * Wadsworth

Ghost towns

 * Delaware City

Townships
Leavenworth County is divided into ten townships. The cities of Lansing and Leavenworth are considered governmentally independent and are excluded from the census figures for the townships. In the following table, the population center is the largest city (or cities) included in that township's population total, if it is of a significant size.

Notable people

 * Sean Malto, professional skateboarder
 * Wayne Simien, professional basketball player

title: Leavenworth County, Kansas


text:
Lane County, Kansas

Lane County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kansas. Its county seat is Dighton, the only incorporated city in the county. As of the 2020 census, the county population was 1,574, making it the third-least populous county in Kansas. The county was named after James Lane, a leader of the Jayhawker abolitionist movement and served as one of the first U.S. senators from Kansas.

Early history
For many millennia, the Great Plains of North America was inhabited by nomadic Native Americans. From the 16th century to 18th century, the Kingdom of France claimed ownership of large parts of North America. In 1762, after the French and Indian War, France secretly ceded New France to Spain, per the Treaty of Fontainebleau.

19th century
In 1802, Spain returned most of the land to France, but keeping title to about 7,500 square miles. In 1803, most of the land for modern day Kansas was acquired by the United States from France as part of the 828,000 square mile Louisiana Purchase for 2.83 cents per acre.

In 1854, the Kansas Territory was organized, then in 1861 Kansas became the 34th U.S. state. In 1873, Lane County was established.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 718 sqmi, of which 717 sqmi is land and 0.2 sqmi (0.03%) is water.

Adjacent counties

 * Gove County (north)
 * Ness County (east)
 * Finney County (south)
 * Scott County (west)

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 2,155 people, 910 households, and 613 families residing in the county. The population density was 3 /mi2. There were 1,065 housing units at an average density of 2 /mi2. The racial makeup of the county was 97.73% White, 0.05% Native American, 0.09% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.51% from other races, and 1.58% from two or more races. 1.44% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 910 households, out of which 29.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.10% were married couples living together, 5.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.60% were non-families. 30.30% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.34 and the average family size was 2.91.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 25.40% under the age of 18, 5.40% from 18 to 24, 24.60% from 25 to 44, 24.10% from 45 to 64, and 20.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 100.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.70 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $36,047, and the median income for a family was $41,892. Males had a median income of $29,429 versus $20,446 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,606. About 5.40% of families and 8.20% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.40% of those under age 18 and 7.60% of those age 65 or over.

Presidential elections
Lane County has been strongly Republican throughout its history, only voting for Democratic candidates five times in presidential elections from 1888 to the present. The most recent of those wins came in 1964 when Lyndon B. Johnson won it amongst his national landslide.

Unified school districts

 * Healy USD 468 - this school district is planning to dissolve and consolidate in 2025.
 * Dighton USD 482

Communities
List of townships / incorporated cities / unincorporated communities / extinct former communities within Lane County. † means a community is designated a Census-Designated Place (CDP) by the United States Census Bureau.

City

 * Dighton (county seat)

Unincorporated communities

 * Alamota
 * Amy
 * Healy†
 * Pendennis
 * Shields

Townships
Lane County is divided into five townships. None of the cities within the county are considered governmentally independent, and all figures for the townships include those of the cities. In the following table, the population center is the largest city (or cities) included in that township's population total, if it is of a significant size.

title: Lane County, Kansas


text:
Labette County, Kansas

Labette County is a county located in Southeast Kansas. Its county seat is Oswego, and its most populous city is Parsons. As of the 2020 census, the county population was 20,184. The county was named after LaBette creek, the second-largest creek in the county, which runs roughly NNW-SSE from near Parsons to Chetopa. The creek in turn was named after French-Canadian fur trapper Pierre LaBette who had moved to the area, living along the Neosho River, and marrying into the Osage tribe in the 1830s and 1840s.

History
In the 1840s Labette County had a population mainly consisting of Osage people, although there were also many Cherokee and Euro-Americans. Many of the Euro-Americans were merchants with Osage or Cherokee wives.

Between 1871 and 1873, at least eleven people vanished in the vicinity of an inn and general store operated by the Bender family in Labette County. Following the disappearance of the Benders in 1873, it was discovered that they had apparently murdered a number of travellers. Between eight and eleven bodies were discovered buried on the premises. Governor Thomas A. Osborn offered a reward of $2,000 for the apprehension of the Benders, but they were never found.

Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 653 sqmi, of which 645 sqmi is land and 7.8 sqmi (1.2%) is water.

Adjacent counties

 * Neosho County (north)
 * Crawford County (northeast)
 * Cherokee County (east)
 * Craig County, Oklahoma (south)
 * Nowata County, Oklahoma (southwest)
 * Montgomery County (west)

Demographics

The Parsons, KS Micropolitan Statistical Area includes all of Labette County.

As of the 2010 Census Labette County had a population of 21,607. The median age was 41. The racial and ethnic composition of the population was 85.5% non-Hispanic white, 4.7% African-American, 2.2% Native America, 0.4% Asian, 0.1% non-Hispanics of some other race, 3.6% non-Hispanics reporting two or more races and 4.0% Hispanic or Latino.

As of the 2000 census, there were 22,835 people, 9,194 households, and 6,114 families residing in the county. The population density was 35 PD/sqmi. There were 10,306 housing units at an average density of 16 /mi2. The racial makeup of the county was 89.28% White, 4.66% Black or African American, 1.95% Native American, 0.32% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 1.20% from other races, and 2.58% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.07% of the population.

There were 9,194 households, out of which 31.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.10% were married couples living together, 10.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.50% were non-families. 29.80% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 2.95.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 25.70% under the age of 18, 8.70% from 18 to 24, 25.80% from 25 to 44, 22.50% from 45 to 64, and 17.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.00 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $30,875, and the median income for a family was $37,519. Males had a median income of $29,043 versus $21,706 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,525. About 8.90% of families and 12.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.70% of those under age 18 and 11.90% of those age 65 or over.

Presidential elections
Similar to most Kansas counties Labette County is strongly Republican. While Jimmy Carter & Bill Clinton both won the county once each, it has shifted strongly away from the Democratic Party, with Hillary Clinton garnering the lowest percentage since 1928.

Laws
Following amendment to the Kansas Constitution in 1986, the county remained a prohibition, or "dry", county until 1996, when voters approved the sale of alcoholic liquor by the individual drink with a 30% food sales requirement.

Colleges

 * Labette Community College

Unified school districts

 * Parsons USD 503
 * Oswego USD 504
 * Chetopa–St. Paul USD 505
 * Labette County USD 506

 * District Office In Neighboring County
 * Southeast USD 247

Communities
List of townships / incorporated cities / unincorporated communities / extinct former communities within Labette County.

Cities

 * Altamont
 * Bartlett
 * Chetopa
 * Edna
 * Labette
 * Mound Valley
 * Oswego (county seat)
 * Parsons

Unincorporated communities
† means a community is designated a Census-Designated Place (CDP) by the United States Census Bureau.

 * Angola
 * Dennis†
 * Montana
 * Valeda

Ghost towns

 * Mortimer

Townships
Labette County is divided into sixteen townships. The cities of Chetopa, Oswego, and Parsons are considered governmentally independent and are excluded from the census figures for the townships. In the following table, the population center is the largest city (or cities) included in that township's population total, if it is of a significant size.

title: Labette County, Kansas


text:
Kiowa County, Kansas

Kiowa County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kansas. Its county seat and largest city is Greensburg. As of the 2020 census, the county population was 2,460. The county is named after the Kiowa tribe.

19th century
In 1854, the Kansas Territory was organized, then in 1861 Kansas became the 34th U.S. state. In 1867, Kiowa County was established and named after the Kiowa tribe. In 1875. The county’s land was given to nearby county, but in 1886, Kiowa County was reestablished and organized.

The Santa Fe Railroad was built into the county around the time it was organized. The Greensburg Well, one of the largest hand-dug wells in the world, was built in 1887-1888. It has been a popular tourist attraction since 1939. The well is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

The first oil well in Kiowa County was drilled in 1917.

Mabel Chase ran for county sheriff after her husband’s time in the office was term-limited and became the state's first female sheriff. Her husband provided her the family’s armored 1926 Hudson Super Six, and she was the first sheriff in Kansas to be supplied with a Thompson submachine gun. Chase conducted raids on local stills.

21st century
On the evening of May 4, 2007, Greensburg was devastated by an EF5 tornado during the May 2007 tornado outbreak. It killed 11 and destroyed 95% of the community.

The Kiowa County Courthouse was renovated with new windows and roof after the 2007 tornado damaged it. Originally, construction of the building started in 1920.

Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 723 sqmi, of which 723 sqmi is land and 0.2 sqmi (0.03%) is water.

Kiowa County has a large number of iron-rich meteorites in its soil due to the Brenham meteor fall over 10 thousand years ago.

Adjacent counties

 * Edwards County (north)
 * Pratt County (east)
 * Barber County (southeast)
 * Comanche County (south)
 * Clark County (southwest)
 * Ford County (west)

Major highways

 * US 54
 * US 183
 * US 400

Kiowa County has only U.S. highways, no state highways.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 3,278 people, 1,365 households, and 924 families residing in the county. The population density was 4 /mi2. There were 1,643 housing units at an average density of 2 /mi2. The racial makeup of the county was 97.19% White, 0.21% Black or African American, 0.61% Native American, 0.27% Asian, 0.98% from other races, and 0.73% from two or more races. 2.04% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 1,365 households, out of which 27.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.60% were married couples living together, 5.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.30% were non-families. 30.50% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.32 and the average family size was 2.89.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 24.00% under the age of 18, 8.20% from 18 to 24, 21.80% from 25 to 44, 24.60% from 45 to 64, and 21.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 96.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.10 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $31,576, and the median income for a family was $40,950. Males had a median income of $29,063 versus $20,764 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,207. About 7.40% of families and 10.80% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.50% of those under age 18 and 8.70% of those age 65 or over.

Presidential elections
Like all of the High Plains, Kiowa County is Republican. The only Democrat to ever win a majority in the county has been Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1936, who ironically achieved the feat against incumbent Kansas governor Alf Landon. Woodrow Wilson won a plurality in 1916, but since 1944 only three Democrats have reached thirty percent of the county's vote, and Michael Dukakis in 1988 during a major drought and consequent farm crisis is the last Democrat to receive so much as twenty percent.

Colleges

 * Barclay College, Haviland

Unified school districts

 * Kiowa County USD 422
 * Haviland USD 474

Communities
List of current townships / incorporated cities / unincorporated communities / extinct former communities within Kiowa County.

Incorporated cities

 * Greensburg (county seat)
 * Haviland
 * Mullinville

Unincorporated communities

 * Belvidere
 * Brenham
 * Joy
 * Wellsford

Townships
Kiowa County has only one township, and none of the cities within the county are considered governmentally independent; all figures for the township include those of the cities.

title: Kiowa County, Kansas


text:
Kingman County, Kansas

Kingman County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kansas. Its county seat and largest city is Kingman. As of the 2020 census, the county population was 7,470. The county was named for Samuel Kingman, a chief justice of the Kansas Supreme Court during the 1860s and 1870s.

Early history
For many millennia, the Great Plains of North America was inhabited by nomadic Native Americans. From the 16th century to 18th century, the Kingdom of France claimed ownership of large parts of North America. In 1762, after the French and Indian War, France secretly ceded New France to Spain, per the Treaty of Fontainebleau.

19th century
In 1802, Spain returned most of the land to France, but keeping title to about 7,500 square miles. In 1803, most of the land for modern day Kansas was acquired by the United States from France as part of the 828,000 square mile Louisiana Purchase for 2.83 cents per acre.

In 1854, the Kansas Territory was organized, then in 1861 Kansas became the 34th U.S. state. In 1872, Kingman County was established and named for Samuel A. Kingman, chief justice of the Kansas Supreme Court.

Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 867 sqmi, of which 863 sqmi is land and 3.3 sqmi (0.4%) is water.

Adjacent counties

 * Reno County (north)
 * Sedgwick County (east)
 * Sumner County (southeast)
 * Harper County (south)
 * Barber County (southwest)
 * Pratt County (west)

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 8,673 people, 3,371 households, and 2,420 families residing in the county. The population density was 10 PD/sqmi. There were 3,852 housing units at an average density of 4 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the county was 97.45% White, 0.21% Black or African American, 0.58% Native American, 0.24% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.35% from other races, and 1.15% from two or more races. 1.44% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 3,371 households, out of which 32.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.90% were married couples living together, 7.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.20% were non-families. 26.00% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.80% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.51 and the average family size was 3.03.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 27.40% under the age of 18, 5.80% from 18 to 24, 24.70% from 25 to 44, 22.50% from 45 to 64, and 19.60% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 96.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.50 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $37,790, and the median income for a family was $44,547. Males had a median income of $31,771 versus $25,298 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,533. About 8.40% of families and 10.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.90% of those under age 18 and 7.40% of those age 65 or over.

Laws
Following amendment to the Kansas Constitution in 1986, the county remained a prohibition, or "dry", county until 2004, when voters approved the sale of alcoholic liquor by the individual drink with a 30 percent food sales requirement.

Unified school districts

 * Kingman–Norwich USD 331
 * Cunningham–West Kingman County USD 332

Communities
List of townships / incorporated cities / unincorporated communities / extinct former communities within Kingman County.

Cities

 * Cunningham
 * Kingman (county seat)
 * Nashville
 * Norwich
 * Penalosa
 * Spivey
 * Zenda

Unincorporated communities
† means a community is designated a Census-Designated Place (CDP) by the United States Census Bureau.

 * Calista
 * Cleveland
 * Mount Vernon
 * Murdock†
 * Rago
 * Skellyville
 * St. Leo
 * Varner
 * Waterloo
 * Willowdale

Townships
Kingman County is divided into twenty-three townships. The city of Kingman is considered governmentally independent and is excluded from the census figures for the townships. In the following table, the population center is the largest city (or cities) included in that township's population total, if it is of a significant size.

title: Kingman County, Kansas


text:
Kearny County, Kansas

Kearny County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kansas. Its county seat and most populous city is Lakin. As of the 2020 census, the county population was 3,983. The county is named in honor of Philip Kearny, a general during the American Civil War that died during the Battle of Chantilly.

History
The original Kearney County was established on March 6, 1873, and was dissolved in 1883, with the land area being split between Hamilton and Finney counties. It was reestablished with its original borders in 1887, and organized on March 27, 1888. The county is named in honor of Philip Kearny, a U.S. Army officer in the Mexican–American War and a Union army general in the American Civil War. In 1889, the name was corrected to Kearny County.

Prior to settlement, Kearny County was unorganized territory that was entirely "cow country," undeveloped and with no agricultural activity except for cattlemen grazing their herds. The region was part of the vast open range found in the American West at that time.

In the mid-1880s, homesteaders began pouring into the area, initiating conflicts with the existing cattle ranching industry as they claimed land and fenced off the open range. Towns like Leeser, established in 1885, and Pierceville, est. 1886, were built to service the cattle industry, but disappeared as homesteading displaced the great cattle herds.

The arrival of homesteaders was seen as both an opportunity for development but also a threat to the cattle industry's way of life, with numerous allegations of ranchers trying to drive settlers out by destroying crops and setting prairie fires appearing in local newspapers.

In the 1930s, the prosperity of the area was severely affected by its location within the Dust Bowl. This catastrophe intensified the economic impact of the Great Depression in the region.

Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 871 sqmi, of which 871 sqmi is land and 0.4 sqmi (0.05%) is water.

Major highways

 * US 50.svg U.S. Highway 50
 * US 400.svg U.S. Highway 400
 * K-25.svg K-25

Time zones
The west half of Kearny County observed Mountain Standard Time until October 28, 1990, when the Kansas Department of Transportation moved the entire county into the Central Time Zone, which 100 of the state's other 104 counties observe. Only four counties (Hamilton, Greeley, Wallace, and Sherman), all of which border Colorado, observe Mountain Time.

Adjacent counties

 * Wichita County (north)
 * Scott County (northeast)
 * Finney County (east)
 * Grant County (south)
 * Stanton County (southwest)
 * Hamilton County (west/Mountain Time border)

Demographics

Kearny County is included in the Garden City, KS Micropolitan Statistical Area.

As of the 2000 census, there were 4,531 people, 1,542 households, and 1,199 families residing in the county. The population density was 5 /mi2. There were 1,657 housing units at an average density of 2 /mi2. The racial makeup of the county was 80.34% White, 0.55% Black or African American, 0.86% Native American, 0.31% Asian, 0.09% Pacific Islander, 15.71% from other races, and 2.14% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 26.55% of the population.

There were 1,542 households, out of which 43.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 65.10% were married couples living together, 8.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.20% were non-families. 20.20% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.91 and the average family size was 3.35.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 34.30% under the age of 18, 8.30% from 18 to 24, 27.10% from 25 to 44, 19.20% from 45 to 64, and 11.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females there were 104.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.50 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $40,149, and the median income for a family was $43,703. Males had a median income of $30,117 versus $20,179 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,708. About 8.40% of families and 11.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.90% of those under age 18 and 4.80% of those age 65 or over.

Laws
Following amendment to the Kansas Constitution in 1986, the county remained a prohibition, or "dry", county until 1988, when voters approved the sale of alcoholic liquor by the individual drink with a 30 percent food sales requirement.

Unified school districts

 * Lakin USD 215
 * Deerfield USD 216

Communities
List of townships / incorporated cities / unincorporated communities / extinct former communities within Kearny County.

Cities

 * Deerfield
 * Lakin (county seat)

Townships
Kearny County is divided into seven townships. None of the cities within the county are considered governmentally independent, and all figures for the townships include those of the cities. In the following table, the population center is the largest city (or cities) included in that township's population total, if it is of a significant size.

title: Kearny County, Kansas


text:
Johnson County, Kansas

 Johnson County  is a county in the U.S. state of Kansas, along the border of the state of Missouri. Its county seat is Olathe. As of the 2020 census, the population was 609,863, the most populous county in Kansas. The county was named after Thomas Johnson, a Methodist missionary who was one of the state's first settlers. Largely suburban, the county contains a number of suburbs of Kansas City, Missouri, including Overland Park, a principal city of and second most populous city in the Kansas City Metropolitan Area.

History
This was part of the large territory of the Osage people, who occupied lands up to present-day Saint Louis, Missouri. After the Indian Removal, the United States government reserved much of this area as Indian territory for a reservation for the Shawnee people, who were relocated from east of the Mississippi River in the upper Midwest.

The Santa Fe Trail and Oregon–California Trail, which pass through nearby Independence, Missouri, also passed through the county. Johnson County was established in 1855 as one of the first counties in the newly organized Kansas Territory; it was named for proslavery American missionary Thomas Johnson. The renowned gunfighter Wild Bill Hickok settled for a time in the county, becoming constable of Monticello Township in 1858.

Johnson County was the site of many battles between abolitionists and pro-slavery advocates during the period of Bleeding Kansas, prior to the residents voting on whether slavery would be allowed in the territory. In 1862 during the American Civil War, Confederate guerrillas from nearby Missouri, led by William Quantrill, raided the Johnson County communities of Olathe and Spring Hill. They killed half a dozen men and destroyed numerous homes and businesses.

The county was largely rural until the early 20th century, when housing subdivisions were developed in the northeastern portion of the county adjacent to Kansas City, Missouri. Developer J. C. Nichols spurred the boom in 1914 when he built the Mission Hills Country Club to lure upscale residents who previously had been reluctant to move from Missouri to Kansas. Suburban development continued at a steady pace until the close of World War II.

Following the war, the pace of development exploded, triggered by the return of veterans in need of housing, construction of highways that facilitated commuting from suburbs, and the pent-up demand for new housing. The US Supreme Court ruling in Brown v. Board of Education (1954) ruled that segregation of public schools was unconstitutional. Integration of public schools in Kansas City, Missouri, resulted in many white families leaving the inner city, resulting in increased migration to the county for new housing and what were considered higher quality public schools, generally an indicator of higher economic status. From the mid-1980s, the pace of growth increased significantly, with the county adding 100,000 residents each decade between the 1990 census and 2010 census.

The 1952 Johnson County Courthouse was closed in 2020, then demolished in 2021. It was replaced by a seven-story courthouse in 2021 after over two years of construction. This new courthouse is the county's fourth building.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 480 sqmi, of which 473 sqmi is land and 6.5 sqmi (1.4%) is water.

Topography
The natural topography of the county consists of gently rolling terrain. The Kansas River forms a portion of the northwest boundary of the county. The elevation generally increases from north to south as the distance from the Kansas and Missouri rivers increases.

Watersheds and streams
The county is drained by the watersheds of the Kansas, Blue, and Marais des Cygnes, all of which are part of the Missouri River watershed. Located in northeastern Kansas, the county receives plentiful rainfall. The county contains numerous small streams, including Kill Creek, Mill Creek, Turkey Creek, Indian Creek, Brush Creek, Tomahawk Creek, the Blue River, Bull Creek and Little Bull Creek.

Kill Creek begins in the southwest portion of the county and flows northward into the Kansas River at De Soto. Mill Creek begins in the central portion of the county in Olathe, flowing northward it empties into the Kansas River at Shawnee. Turkey Creek and Brush Creek each begin in northeast Johnson County. Turkey Creek flows northeastward into Wyandotte County and joins the Kansas River just before its confluence with the Missouri River at Kaw Point. Brush Creek flows east-northeastward through Prairie Village and Mission Hills, entering Kansas City, Missouri, within the median of Ward Parkway and passing the Country Club Plaza before emptying into the Blue River east of the Country Club Plaza and north of Swope Park. Indian Creek begins in the southern portion of Olathe and Tomahawk Creek begins in south Overland Park. Each flows northeastward meeting in Leawood, where the stream retains the name of Indian Creek, just before crossing the state line and entering the Blue River in Kansas City, Missouri. The Blue River begins in rural southern Johnson County and flows north-northeastward through the southeastern portion of the county and crossing the state line just east of the intersection of 151st Street and Kenneth Road in southern Overland Park. The Blue River flows through southern and eastern Kansas City before joining the Missouri River. Bull Creek and Little Bull Creek begin in rural southwestern Johnson County and flow southward where they enter Hillsdale Lake before continuing into Miami County, eventually joining the Marais des Cygnes at Paola.

Flora and fauna
The county consists primarily of prairie grassland with corridors of forested areas along streams and rivers.

Adjacent counties

 * Wyandotte County (north)
 * Jackson County, Missouri (east)
 * Cass County, Missouri (southeast)
 * Miami County (south)
 * Franklin County (southwest)
 * Douglas County (west)
 * Leavenworth County (northwest)

Demographics

Johnson County (county code JO) is included in the Kansas City metropolitan area. The county has the highest median household income at $81,121 in 2017 and the highest per-capita income in Kansas, with the 19th highest median household income in 2000 and the 46th highest per-capita income in 2005. In 2010, Money magazine, in its list of the '100 Best Cities in the United States' in which to live, ranked Overland Park 7th (ranked 6th in 2006 and 9th in 2008) and Shawnee 17th (ranked 39th in 2008). In 2008 the same magazine also ranked Olathe 11th.

2010
As of the 2010 census, there were 544,179 people, 210,278 households, and 143,509 families residing in the county. The population density was 1,150 PD/sqmi. There were 226,571 housing units at an average density of 381 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the county was 86.0% White, 4.2% Asian, 4.3% Black or African American, 0.4% Native American, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 1.55% from other races, and 2.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 7.2% of the population. 30.6% identified as of German, 16.8% Irish, 13.6% English and 5.7% American ancestry.

There were 210,278 households, out of which 34.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.1% were married couples living together, 8.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.8% were non-families. 25.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.51 and the average family size was 3.05.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 26.3% under the age of 18, 7.60% from 18 to 24, 32.80% from 25 to 44, 22.50% from 45 to 64, and 10.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36.4 years. 48.8% of the population were males and 51.2% of the population were females.

The median income for a household in the county was $73,733, and the median income for a family was $90,380. Males had a median income of $61,346 versus $43,785 for females. The per capita income for the county was $37,882. About 3.6% of families and 5.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.1% of those under age 18 and 4.9% of those age 65 or over.

2000
As of the census of 2000, there were 451,086 people, 174,570 households, and 121,675 families residing in the county. The population density was 365 /km2. There were 181,612 housing units at an average density of 147 /km2. The racial makeup of the county was 91.11% White, 2.61% Black or African American, 0.33% Native American, 2.83% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 1.55% from other races, and 1.54% from two or more races. 3.98% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 174,570 households, out of which 36.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.20% were married couples living together, 7.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.30% were non-families. 24.50% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.56 and the average family size was 3.09.

In the county the population was spread out, with 27.10% under the age of 18, 7.60% from 18 to 24, 32.80% from 25 to 44, 22.50% from 45 to 64, and 10.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 95.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.00 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $61,455, and the median income for a family was $72,987. Males had a median income of $49,790 versus $32,145 for females. The per capita income for the county was $30,919. 3.40% of the population and 2.10% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 3.30% of those under the age of 18 and 3.60% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.

Laws
Johnson County was a prohibition, or "dry", county until the Kansas Constitution was amended in 1986 and voters approved the sale of alcoholic liquor by the individual drink, with a 30% food sales requirement.

The county voted "No" on the 2022 Kansas Value Them Both Amendment, an anti-abortion ballot measure, by 68% to 32%, outpacing its support of Joe Biden during the 2020 presidential election.

Federal representation
Johnson County is entirely located within Kansas's 3rd congressional district, which has been represented by Democrat Sharice Davids since 2019. The two U.S. Senators from Kansas are Republicans Roger Marshall and Jerry Moran.

Johnson County has traditionally been considered a Republican stronghold. From 1920 through 2016, it voted for the GOP in every presidential election. This included the 1964 election, in which Barry Goldwater carried the county by nine points even as he lost Kansas statewide; the last time the Republicans have failed to carry the state. Earlier, it was one of the few counties where Franklin Roosevelt was shut out in all four of his campaigns, though FDR only lost the county by two votes in his 42-state landslide of 1932.

However, in 2016, Johnson County voted for Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump by less than a three-point margin, as the GOP's shift towards right-wing populism was considered a poor fit for the county's many moderate voters. In 2020, Joe Biden became the first Democrat to win Johnson County since Woodrow Wilson 104 years earlier, winning the county by an 8% margin. Biden's share of the vote was also the most ever won by a Democrat in Johnson County. The county's leftward trend was also reflected in the state's recent U.S. Senate elections in 2020 and 2022, where the Democratic candidates won the county despite losing statewide; prior to those elections, Johnson County had never gone to a Democrat in an election for either of Kansas's Senate seats.

State representation
Johnson County is home to 25 Kansas state representatives and 9 Kansas state senators. 13 out of 25 of Johnson County's representatives are Republicans, as are 6 of the county's 9 senators. Numerous Republicans from the area identify as moderates, compared to some of the more ideological hard-liners from other parts of the state. Differences between moderates and the more hard-line members can most commonly be seen on social issues, the most infamous being the numerous debates about the state's school finance formula in 2004 and 2014–2018.

County government and unincorporated areas
The county government is administered by an elected, seven-member Board of County Commissioners, with six elected from single-member districts and one at-large. Governance of the county is divided into six districts. The county government has full jurisdiction of the unincorporated areas of the county and limited jurisdiction of those areas of the county within incorporated places. For instance, decisions regarding the regulation of land use, development and zoning in unincorporated areas of the county are the responsibility of the county government, whereas such decisions for areas within incorporated places are the jurisdiction of the incorporated city of which the property is a part.

Sales taxes
The current sales tax rate in Johnson County is 7.975%, higher than the 6.5% rate in Wyandotte (where Kansas City, Kansas is located). The sales tax rates of each of the surrounding counties are nearly the same as the rate in Johnson County. Individual cities have additional sales taxes.

Property taxes
Property taxes are a conglomeration of state, county, city, and school district taxes. Property tax rates are generally lower in Johnson County because property values in the county are higher than in other counties throughout Kansas.

Note: Some cities have multiple tax rates because they are divided among multiple school districts. The above rates are what exist for the majority of residents in the city.

Law enforcement
The Johnson County Sheriff's Office runs the jails at Olathe and New Century, and patrols the unincorporated parts of Johnson County as well as the cities of Edgerton and DeSoto.

In 2019, the county announced that it is creating a new task force with shared jurisdiction between neighboring Miami and Franklin counties to combat crime.

In April 2024, Johnson County Sheriff Calvin Hayden claimed that he "had a search warrant in hand" when local election officials "decided in a hurry to destroy" ballots from 2019, 2020 and 2021, despite Kansas state law ordering the regular destruction of old ballots, and the local officials having informed Hayden in November 2023 that they would move to destroy the old ballots, which Hayden had asked to be preserved during his investigation of an election software firm. The local prosecutors' office said that it was "unaware of any search warrant being submitted to a judge for review". In May 2024, when Hayden was questioned on which judge approved his search warrant, Hayden responded: "there's no judge"; when the questioner replied: "A judge has to sign a search warrant to be valid", Hayden responded: "I didn’t say it was valid".

Education

According to the 2010 Census Bureau, the education attainment of the population 25 years and over: 95.6% high school graduate or higher, 51.1% bachelor's degree or higher, and 17.9% graduate or professional degree.

The Johnson County Library has 13 branches.

Unified school districts

 * Blue Valley USD 229
 * Spring Hill USD 230
 * Gardner-Edgerton USD 231
 * De Soto USD 232
 * Olathe USD 233
 * Shawnee Mission USD 512

Colleges and universities

 * Johnson County Community College
 * University of Kansas Edwards Campus
 * Kansas State University, Olathe Campus
 * Kansas Christian College (Overland Park)
 * MidAmerica Nazarene University
 * Baker University, Overland Park Campus
 * Ottawa University, Overland Park Campus
 * Park University, Lenexa Campus

Transportation
Johnson County has a grid network through most of the county, with a road every mile. The grid has facilitated rapid growth and easy access. Interstate 435 runs through much of the county, and serves as a developmental "border" in the northbound–southbound portion. The westbound–eastbound part of I-435 divides the county into a northern and southern section. The northern section is older, while the southern portion is the fastest-growing area in Johnson County, containing a massive volume of new homes.

The Johnson County numbered street grid generally begins at 47th Street, the Wyandotte County line (the lowest numbered street is 40th Street in Bonner Springs), and is a continuation of the adjacent Kansas City, Missouri, street grid. The grid continues to 215th Street, and into Miami County (with somewhat different named roads) to 407th Street at the Miami-Linn county line, with most suburban development ending around 167th Street. Named streets in the grid run from State Line Road (1900 West) to County Line Road (40699 West) at the Douglas County line. A portion of the grid extends north from Westwood into the Rosedale area in Kansas City, Kansas.

Another principal highway running through the area is Interstate 35, which runs diagonally through the county, entering it near Downtown Kansas City, and continuing through Olathe and Gardner. Outside the county, it eventually leads to Duluth, Minnesota in the north and the US–Mexico border in the south. U.S. 69 also serves Johnson County, entering from Wyandotte County at the south end of Interstate 635. Much of U.S. 69 within the county is freeway; this freeway eventually heads south and connects to Fort Scott and the rest of southeast Kansas.

Major highways

 * Southwest corner with Franklin County northeast through Edgerton, Gardner, Olathe, Lenexa, Overland Park, and Merriam to the northeast corner with downtown Kansas City
 * Northern border with Wyandotte County south through Shawnee and Lenexa to K-10 then east through Overland Park and Leawood to the Missouri border
 * Starts in Johnson County at I-35 and enters Wyandotte County/Kansas City, KS less than 1000 feet later.
 * Southwest corner with Franklin County northeast through Edgerton, Gardner, Olathe, Lenexa, Overland Park, and Merriam to the northeast corner with downtown Kansas City
 * Southwest border with Douglas County east through Edgerton and Gardner to I-35
 * Southeast border with Miami County north through Stilwell and Overland Park past I-435 to I-35
 * Southern border with Miami County. Joins with I-35 in Olathe.
 * Southern border with Miami County north through Spring Hill, Olathe, Lenexa, and Shawnee to Wyandotte County
 * Western border with Douglas County east through De Soto, Lenexa, and Olathe to I-435

Airports
Johnson County is home to three general aviation airports:
 * Johnson County Executive Airport
 * New Century AirCenter
 * Hillside Airport

The closest airport with airline service is Kansas City International Airport in Platte County, Missouri

Public transit
Johnson County Transit is the public transit operator.

Communities
List of townships / incorporated cities / unincorporated communities / extinct former communities within Johnson County.

Cities
‡ means a community has portions in an adjacent county.

 * Bonner Springs‡
 * De Soto‡
 * Edgerton
 * Fairway
 * Gardner
 * Lake Quivira‡
 * Leawood
 * Lenexa
 * Merriam
 * Mission
 * Mission Hills
 * Mission Woods
 * Olathe (county seat)
 * Overland Park
 * Prairie Village
 * Roeland Park
 * Shawnee
 * Spring Hill‡
 * Westwood
 * Westwood Hills

Unincorporated communities

 * Aubry
 * Bonita
 * Clare
 * Ocheltree
 * Stilwell
 * Wilder

Townships
Johnson County was originally divided into nine townships, two of which have since been eliminated by the annexation of all their territory into independent municipalities. All of the cities are considered governmentally independent and are excluded from the census figures for the townships. In the following table, the population center is the largest city (or cities) included in that township's population total, if it is of a significant size.

In popular culture

 * The ABC apocalyptic drama film The Day After was partially filmed in De Soto.
 * Mission Hills is the setting for The ABC Family show Switched at Birth.
 * Netflix original documentary Dirty Money, season 1 episode 2, entitled "Payday", features the infamous predatory loan practices of Scott Tucker, a resident of Leawood. The episode features numerous aerial views of the area.
 * The indie film All Creatures Here Below is partially set in De Soto, and filmed in Kansas City.

title: Johnson County, Kansas


text:
Jewell County, Kansas

Jewell County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kansas. Its county seat and most populous city is Mankato. As of the 2020 census, the county population was 2,932. The county was named for Lewis Jewell, a lieutenant colonel of the 6th Regiment Kansas Volunteer Cavalry.

Early history
For many millennia, the Great Plains of North America was inhabited by nomadic Native Americans. From the 16th century to 18th century, the Kingdom of France claimed ownership of large parts of North America. In 1762, after the French and Indian War, France secretly ceded New France to Spain, per the Treaty of Fontainebleau.

19th century
In 1802, Spain returned most of the land to France, but keeping title to about 7,500 square miles. In 1803, most of the land for modern day Kansas was acquired by the United States from France as part of the 828,000 square mile Louisiana Purchase for 2.83 cents per acre.

In 1854, the Kansas Territory was organized, then in 1861 Kansas became the 34th U.S. state. In 1887, Jewell County was established and named for Lieutenant Colonel Lewis R. Jewell of the 6th Regiment Kansas Volunteer Cavalry.

In 1887, Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway built a branch line from Neva (3 miles west of Strong City) to Superior, Nebraska. This branch line connected Strong City, Neva, Rockland, Diamond Springs, Burdick, Lost Springs, Jacobs, Hope, Navarre, Enterprise, Abilene, Talmage, Manchester, Longford, Oak Hill, Miltonvale, Aurora, Huscher, Concordia, Kackley, Courtland, Webber, Superior. At some point, the line from Neva to Lost Springs was pulled but the right of way has not been abandoned. This branch line was originally called "Strong City and Superior line" but later the name was shortened to the "Strong City line". In 1996, the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway merged with Burlington Northern Railroad and renamed to the current BNSF Railway. Most locals still refer to this railroad as the "Santa Fe".

Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 914 sqmi, of which 910 sqmi is land and 4.6 sqmi (0.5%) is water.

Adjacent counties

 * Nuckolls County, Nebraska (northeast)
 * Republic County (east)
 * Cloud County (southeast)
 * Mitchell County (south)
 * Osborne County (southwest)
 * Smith County (west)
 * Webster County, Nebraska (northwest)

Demographics

As of the 2000 census, there were 3,791 people, 1,695 households, and 1,098 families residing in the county. The population density was 4 /mi2. There were 2,103 housing units at an average density of 2 /mi2. The racial makeup of the county was 98.79% White, 0.34% Native American, 0.05% Asian, 0.03% Black or African American, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.05% from other races, and 0.71% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.71% of the population.

There were 1,695 households, out of which 23.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.10% were married couples living together, 4.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.20% were non-families. 32.40% of all households were made up of individuals, and 18.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.21 and the average family size was 2.80.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 21.90% under the age of 18, 4.40% from 18 to 24, 21.50% from 25 to 44, 26.20% from 45 to 64, and 25.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 46 years. For every 100 females there were 97.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.00 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $30,538, and the median income for a family was $36,953. Males had a median income of $24,821 versus $18,170 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,644. About 8.40% of families and 11.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.80% of those under age 18 and 10.90% of those age 65 or over.

Presidential elections
Like all of Kansas outside the eastern cities, Jewell County is overwhelmingly Republican. The only Democratic presidential candidates to win a majority in the county have been Woodrow Wilson in 1916 and William Jennings Bryan in 1896, and the last Democrat to win a plurality was Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1932. Since 1940 only Lyndon Johnson in 1964 and Jimmy Carter in 1976 have exceeded 31 percent of the county's vote, a devotion to the GOP comparable to famous Appalachia Unionist strongholds like Avery County, North Carolina, or Grant County, West Virginia.

Laws
Although the Kansas Constitution was amended in 1986 to allow the sale of alcoholic liquor by the individual drink with the approval of voters, Jewell County restaurants serve only 3.2 beer and no hard alcohol.

Unified school districts

 * Rock Hills USD 107

Communities
List of townships / incorporated cities / unincorporated communities / extinct former communities within Jewell County.

Cities

 * Burr Oak
 * Esbon
 * Formoso
 * Jewell
 * Mankato (county seat)
 * Randall
 * Webber

Unincorporated communities
† means a community is designated a Census-Designated Place (CDP) by the United States Census Bureau.

 * Ionia†
 * Lovewell
 * Montrose
 * North Branch
 * Otego

Ghost towns

 * Dentonia
 * Salem

Townships
Jewell County is divided into twenty-five townships. None of the cities within the county are considered governmentally independent, and all figures for the townships include those of the cities. In the following table, the population center is the largest city (or cities) included in that township's population total, if it is of a significant size.

title: Jewell County, Kansas