Johnson County (county code JO) is a county located in northeast Kansas, in the central United States of America. The county's population—the fastest growing in the state of Kansas—was 451,086 at the 2000 census, and it was estimated to be 516,731 in the year 2006,[1] making it the largest in the state. Its county seat is Olathe,[2] and its most populous city is Overland Park. Johnson County has the highest median income in the state and the nation's 48th highest per-capita income (as of 2005) and 62nd highest median household income (as of 2000). Most of the county is suburban, being a part of the Kansas City Metropolitan Area.
In 2008 CNN/Money and Money magazine ranked three cities in Johnson County on its list of the "100 Best Cities to Live in the United States."[3] Overland Park was ranked ninth, and Olathe was ranked 11th, and Shawnee was ranked 39th.[3] Olathe was also ranked 24th in the 2008 list of the top 25 fastest growing cities in the nation, compiled by the U.S. Census Bureau.[4]
History
Johnson County is named for Rev. Thomas Johnson, and was one of the first counties established in the Kansas Territory in 1855. The Oregon-California and Santa Fe Trails, which originated in nearby Independence, Missouri, passed through the county. 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 Bleeding Kansas. In 1862 Confederate Guerrillas from nearby Missouri led by William Quantrill raided the Johnson County communities of Olathe and Spring Hill, killing half a dozen men and destroying numerous homes and businesses.
The county was largely rural until the early 20th century, when communities such as Overland Park and Mission Hills were developed as suburbs of Kansas City, Missouri. Suburban development boomed after World War II.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 480 square miles (1,244 km²), of which 477 square miles (1,235 km²) is land and 3 square miles (9 km²), or 0.70%, is water.[5]
Adjacent counties
Demographics
| Historical populations |
| Census |
Pop. |
|
%± |
| 1860 |
4,364 |
|
—
|
| 1870 |
13,648 |
|
212.7% |
| 1880 |
16,853 |
|
23.5% |
| 1890 |
17,385 |
|
3.2% |
| 1900 |
18,104 |
|
4.1% |
| 1910 |
18,288 |
|
1% |
| 1920 |
18,314 |
|
0.1% |
| 1930 |
21,179 |
|
15.6% |
| 1940 |
33,327 |
|
57.4% |
| 1950 |
62,783 |
|
88.4% |
| 1960 |
143,792 |
|
129% |
| 1970 |
220,073 |
|
53% |
| 1980 |
270,269 |
|
22.8% |
| 1990 |
357,048 |
|
32.1% |
| 2000 |
451,086 |
|
26.3% |
Johnson County's population was estimated to be 516,731 in the year 2006, an increase of 62,089, or +13.7%, over the previous six years;[1] it has the fastest growing and largest population in the state.
As of the U.S. Census in 2000,[5] there were 451,086 people, 174,570 households, and 121,675 families residing in the county. The population density was 946 people per square mile (365/km²). There were 181,612 housing units at an average density of 381 per square mile (147/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 91.11% White, 2.83% Asian, 2.61% Black or African American, 0.33% Native American, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 1.55% from other races, and 1.54% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.98% of the population. 25.1% were of German, 12.2% Irish, 12.0% English and 7.9% American ancestry according to Census 2000.
By 2005 85.8% of Johnson County's population was non-Hispanic whites. 3.7% of the population was African-American. An equal amount were of Asian descent. 0.4% of the population was Native American. 5.5% of the population was Latino.[6]
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. About 2.10% of families and 3.40% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.30% of those under age 18 and 3.60% of those age 65 or over.
Law and government
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.[7]
Federal representation
Johnson County is a part of Kansas's 3rd congressional district, which has been represented by Democrat Dennis Moore since 1999. The two U.S. Senators from Kansas are Republican Senator Sam Brownback and Republican Pat Roberts. The most affluent county in Kansas, Johnson County is solidly Republican. President George W. Bush received 61% of the vote in 2004. Johnson County has not supported a Democrat on the Presidential ticket since Franklin D. Roosevelt.[8]
State representation
Johnson County is home to 22 Kansas state representatives and 7 Kansas state senators. 19 out of 22 of Johnson County's representatives are Republicans, as are all 7 of the county's senators.[9][10] Most Johnson County Republicans identify themselves as moderates, the more socially progressive and fiscally conservative faction of the Kansas Republican Party.citation needed Johnson County House and Senate members at times come into conflict with representatives from other areas of the state, most notably in 2004 in the debate over school finance.[11]
Sales taxes
The current sales tax rate in Johnson County is 6.4%, slightly higher than the 6.3% rate in Wyandotte (where Kansas City, Kansas is located).[12] The sales tax rates of each of the surrounding counties are nearly the same as the rate in Johnson County.[12] Individual cities also have additional sales taxes that are added on to these figures.
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.
Property tax rates by city in Johnson County (2005)[13]
| City |
Commercial |
Real Property |
Motor Vehicle |
| De Soto |
3.20 |
1.47 |
3.84 |
| Gardner |
3.39 |
1.56 |
4.07 |
| Leawood |
3.39 |
1.56 |
4.07 |
| Lenexa |
2.75 |
1.26 |
3.30 |
| Merriam |
2.57 |
1.18 |
3.08 |
| Olathe |
3.09 |
1.42 |
3.71 |
| Overland Park |
2.31 |
1.06 |
2.77 |
| Prairie Village |
2.71 |
1.25 |
3.25 |
| Shawnee |
2.61 |
1.20 |
3.13 |
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.
Cities and towns
Incorporated cities
Name and population (2005 estimate):[14]
- Overland Park,* 164,811
- Olathe, 111,334 (county seat)
- Shawnee,* 57,628
- Lenexa,* 43,434
- Leawood,* 30,145
- Prairie Village,* 21,454
- Gardner, 14,317
- Merriam,* 10,769
- Mission,* 9,751
- Roeland Park,* 6,975
- Bonner Springs, 6,942, of which about 0.5 square miles (1.2 km²) is inside the county with the majority being in Wyandotte County
- De Soto, 5,170
- Spring Hill, 4,494
- Fairway,* 3,840
- Mission Hills,* 3,523
- Edgerton, 1,692
- Westwood,* 1,488
- Lake Quivira,* 919, of which a quarter of the city lies in Wyandotte County
- Westwood Hills,* 365
- Mission Woods,* 160
*Cities included in Shawnee Mission, a postal designation encompassing the cities in northern and eastern Johnson County. The main Shawnee Mission post office is in Mission.
Unincorporated places
- Aubry**
- Bonita
- Clare
- Countryside, formerly a city, consolidated with the city of Mission in 2003.
- Morse**
- Ocheltree
- Stanley**
- Stilwell
**These areas are today within Overland Park city limits, but were at one point unincorporated towns.
Townships
Johnson County is divided into nine townships. 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.
| Township |
FIPS |
Population
center |
Population |
Population
density
/km² (/sq mi) |
Land area
km² (sq mi) |
Water area
km² (sq mi) |
Water % |
Geographic coordinates |
| Aubry |
03225 |
|
5,440 |
43 (112) |
126 (49) |
0 (0) |
0.31% |
38°46′48″N, 94°41′4″W |
| Gardner |
25450 |
|
2,143 |
21 (55) |
102 (39) |
1 (0) |
0.53% |
38°49′7″N, 94°54′31″W |
| Lexington |
39800 |
|
1,315 |
10 (25) |
135 (52) |
2 (1) |
1.79% |
38°55′0″N, 95°0′13″W |
| McCamish |
43625 |
|
878 |
8 (20) |
112 (43) |
0 (0) |
0.34% |
38°47′22″N, 94°59′48″W |
| Monticello |
47950 |
|
0 |
0 (0) |
1 (0) |
0 (0) |
0 % |
39°1′59″N, 94°47′57″W |
| Olathe |
52600 |
|
1,187 |
27 (70) |
44 (17) |
0 (0) |
0.04% |
38°54′21″N, 94°49′18″W |
| Oxford |
53825 |
|
2,020 |
121 (313) |
17 (6) |
0 (0) |
1.54% |
38°49′58″N, 94°40′54″W |
| Shawnee |
64525 |
|
0 |
0 (0) |
0 (0) |
0 (0) |
0 % |
39°1′51″N, 94°47′47″W |
| Spring Hill |
67650 |
|
2,059 |
29 (76) |
70 (27) |
0 (0) |
0.30% |
38°46′35″N, 94°48′55″W |
| Sources: "Census 2000 U.S. Gazetteer Files". U.S. Census Bureau, Geography Division. |
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.
Major highways
- I-35 - Southwest corner with Franklin County northeast through Edgerton, Gardner, Olathe, Lenexa, Overland Park, and Merriam to the northeast corner with downtown Kansas City
- I-435 - Northern border with Wyandotte County south through Shawnee and Lenexa to K-10 then east through Overland Park and Leawood to the Missouri border
- K-10 - Western border with Douglas County east through DeSoto, Lenexa, and Olathe to I-435
- US-69 - Southeast border with Miami County north through Stilwell and Overland Park past I-435 to I-35
- K-7 - Southern border with Miami County north through Spring Hill, Olathe, Lenexa, and Shawnee to Wyandotte County
- US-56 Southwest border with Douglas County east though Edgerton and Gardner to I-35
- US-169 - Southern border with Miami County. Joins with I-35 in Olathe.
Other major roads
- Shawnee Mission Parkway - Interchange with K-7 in Shawnee east through Merriam, Mission, Fairway, and Mission Woods then joining up with Ward Parkway in Missouri
- Metcalf Avenue - Runs parallel with US-69 from Miami County north through Stilwell and Overland Park past I-435 and Shawnee Mission Parkway to join up with I-635 and I-35 in Wyandotte County
- 135th Street / Sante Fe Street - Interchange with State Line Road at MO-150 in south Kansas City, Missouri, west to Spoon Creek Road. Within the city limits of Olathe, 135th Street is legally known as Sante Fe Street. The numbering system changes to reflect the change in street name.
- 175/179th Street - Interchange with US-56 and I-35 as 175th St. east to Pflumm Rd. where it turns southeast to become 179th street then east to US-69 and Metcalf Ave.
- 199th Street - Intersection with US-56 in Edgerton east through Spring Hill and Stilwell to the Missouri border
Education
Unified school districts
Colleges and universities
Popular culture
See also
Information on this and other counties in Kansas
Other information for Kansas
References
External links
Official sites
Additional information
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