Johnson County, Kansas
Johnson County | |
---|---|
UTC−5 (CDT) | |
Congressional district | 3rd |
Website | jocogov.org |
Johnson County is a
History
This was part of the large territory of the
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 American missionary Thomas Johnson.[8] 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.[9]
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.[10] 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.[1] 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.[2]
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 480 square miles (1,200 km2), of which 473 square miles (1,230 km2) is land and 6.5 square miles (17 km2) (1.4%) is water.[11]
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
Kill Creek begins in the southwest portion of the county and flows northward into the Kansas River at
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
Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
---|---|---|---|
1860 | 4,364 | — | |
1870 | 13,684 | 213.6% | |
1880 | 16,853 | 23.2% | |
1890 | 17,385 | 3.2% | |
1900 | 18,104 | 4.1% | |
1910 | 18,288 | 1.0% | |
1920 | 18,314 | 0.1% | |
1930 | 21,179 | 15.6% | |
1940 | 33,327 | 57.4% | |
1950 | 62,783 | 88.4% | |
1960 | 143,792 | 129.0% | |
1970 | 220,073 | 53.0% | |
1980 | 270,269 | 22.8% | |
1990 | 357,048 | 32.1% | |
2000 | 451,086 | 26.3% | |
2010 | 544,179 | 20.6% | |
2020 | 609,863 | 12.1% | |
2023 (est.) | 622,237 | [12] | 2.0% |
U.S. Decennial Census[13] 1790-1960[14] 1900-1990[15] 1990-2000[16] 2010-2020[3] |
Johnson County (county code JO) is included in the
2010
As of the
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.[19]
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
2000
As of the
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
Government
Laws
Johnson County was a prohibition, or
The county voted "No" on the
Federal representation
Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
2020 | 155,631 | 44.54% | 184,259 | 52.74% | 9,496 | 2.72% |
2016 | 137,490 | 46.73% | 129,852 | 44.14% | 26,866 | 9.13% |
2012 | 158,401 | 57.58% | 110,526 | 40.18% | 6,147 | 2.23% |
2008 | 152,627 | 53.70% | 127,091 | 44.72% | 4,493 | 1.58% |
2004 | 158,103 | 61.12% | 97,866 | 37.83% | 2,718 | 1.05% |
2000 | 129,965 | 59.74% | 79,118 | 36.37% | 8,453 | 3.89% |
1996 | 110,368 | 57.82% | 68,129 | 35.69% | 12,397 | 6.49% |
1992 | 85,418 | 43.83% | 59,573 | 30.57% | 49,875 | 25.59% |
1988 | 95,591 | 62.81% | 55,183 | 36.26% | 1,425 | 0.94% |
1984 | 101,987 | 72.39% | 38,019 | 26.99% | 876 | 0.62% |
1980 | 78,048 | 62.95% | 33,210 | 26.79% | 12,725 | 10.26% |
1976 | 75,798 | 66.41% | 35,605 | 31.19% | 2,739 | 2.40% |
1972 | 76,161 | 74.14% | 24,324 | 23.68% | 2,242 | 2.18% |
1968 | 55,060 | 62.63% | 26,034 | 29.61% | 6,818 | 7.76% |
1964 | 37,672 | 54.46% | 31,213 | 45.12% | 294 | 0.42% |
1960 | 43,026 | 66.16% | 21,914 | 33.70% | 93 | 0.14% |
1956 | 35,511 | 71.40% | 14,185 | 28.52% | 37 | 0.07% |
1952 | 29,103 | 72.46% | 10,990 | 27.36% | 70 | 0.17% |
1948 | 14,191 | 60.70% | 8,982 | 38.42% | 205 | 0.88% |
1944 | 11,951 | 67.24% | 5,771 | 32.47% | 51 | 0.29% |
1940 | 10,326 | 63.97% | 5,770 | 35.75% | 46 | 0.28% |
1936 | 8,399 | 57.71% | 6,108 | 41.97% | 47 | 0.32% |
1932 | 6,487 | 49.53% | 6,485 | 49.52% | 124 | 0.95% |
1928 | 8,185 | 70.40% | 3,373 | 29.01% | 69 | 0.59% |
1924 | 6,102 | 66.15% | 2,519 | 27.31% | 603 | 6.54% |
1920 | 4,325 | 64.27% | 2,303 | 34.22% | 101 | 1.50% |
1916 | 3,767 | 47.68% | 3,928 | 49.72% | 205 | 2.59% |
1912 | 834 | 19.00% | 1,837 | 41.85% | 1,719 | 39.16% |
1908 | 2,313 | 51.17% | 2,091 | 46.26% | 116 | 2.57% |
1904 | 2,573 | 61.07% | 1,373 | 32.59% | 267 | 6.34% |
1900 | 2,393 | 51.58% | 2,171 | 46.80% | 75 | 1.62% |
1896 | 2,313 | 47.82% | 2,462 | 50.90% | 62 | 1.28% |
1892 | 2,070 | 50.48% | 0 | 0.00% | 2,031 | 49.52% |
1888 | 2,164 | 53.13% | 1,435 | 35.23% | 474 | 11.64% |
1884 | 2,110 | 52.87% | 1,392 | 34.88% | 489 | 12.25% |
1880 | 2,132 | 58.06% | 1,180 | 32.14% | 360 | 9.80% |
Johnson County is entirely located within
Johnson County has traditionally been considered a Republican stronghold. From
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, former Vice President 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
County government and unincorporated areas
The county government is administered by an elected, seven-member Board of County Commissioners, with six elected from
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).[33] The sales tax rates of each of the surrounding counties are nearly the same as the rate in Johnson County.[33] 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.
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.
Law enforcement
Johnson County Sheriff's Office | |
---|---|
Abbreviation | JCSO |
Agency overview | |
Formed | 1861 |
Jurisdictional structure | |
Operations jurisdiction | Johnson, Kansas, USA |
Operational structure | |
Headquarters | 27747 West 159th Street, New Century, KS 66031 |
Agency executive |
|
Website | |
Official website |
The Johnson County Sheriff's Office runs the jails at Olathe and New Century,
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.[38]
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.[19]
The Johnson County Library has 13 branches.[39]
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.[citation needed]
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
- 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
- I-635 Starts in Johnson County at I-35 and enters Wyandotte County/Kansas City, KS less than 1000 feet later.
- US-50 Southwest corner with Franklin County northeast through Edgerton, Gardner, Olathe, Lenexa, Overland Park, and Merriam to the northeast corner with downtown Kansas City
- US-56Southwest border with Douglas County east through Edgerton and Gardner to I-35
- US-69 Southeast border with Miami County north through Stilwell and Overland Park past I-435 to I-35
- US-169 Southern border with Miami County. Joins with I-35 in Olathe.
- K-7 Southern border with Miami County north through Spring Hill, Olathe, Lenexa, and Shawnee to Wyandotte County
- K-10 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
‡ means a community has portions in an adjacent county.
Cities
Unincorporated communities
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.
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 / 38.78000°N 94.68444°W | |
Gardner | 25450 | 2,143 | 21 (55) | 102 (39) | 1 (0) | 0.53% | 38°49′7″N 94°54′31″W / 38.81861°N 94.90861°W | |
Lexington | 39800 | De Soto | 3,712 | 10 (25) | 135 (52) | 2 (1) | 1.79% | 38°55′0″N 95°0′13″W / 38.91667°N 95.00361°W |
McCamish | 43625 | 878 | 8 (20) | 112 (43) | 0 (0) | 0.34% | 38°47′22″N 94°59′48″W / 38.78944°N 94.99667°W | |
Mission (defunct) | - | 0 | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0% | 39°0′7″N 94°38′11″W / 39.00194°N 94.63639°W | |
Monticello (defunct) | 47950 | 0 | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0% | 39°1′59″N 94°47′57″W / 39.03306°N 94.79917°W | |
Olathe | 52600 | 1,187 | 27 (70) | 44 (17) | 0 (0) | 0.04% | 38°54′21″N 94°49′18″W / 38.90583°N 94.82167°W | |
Oxford | 53825 | 2,020 | 121 (313) | 17 (6) | 0 (0) | 1.54% | 38°49′58″N 94°40′54″W / 38.83278°N 94.68167°W | |
Shawnee (defunct) | 64525 | 0 | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0% | 39°1′51″N 94°47′47″W / 39.03083°N 94.79639°W | |
Spring Hill | 67650 | 2,059 | 29 (76) | 70 (27) | 0 (0) | 0.30% | 38°46′35″N 94°48′55″W / 38.77639°N 94.81528°W | |
Sources: "Census 2000 U.S. Gazetteer Files". U.S. Census Bureau, Geography Division. Archived from the original on August 2, 2002.Kansas Historical Society, Johnson County. Retrieved from the website on June 11, 2021. |
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 . 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.[41]
See also
- Community information for Kansas
- Kansas locations by per capita income
- List of counties in Kansas
- List of townships in Kansas
- List of cities in Kansas
- List of unincorporated communities in Kansas
- List of ghost towns in Kansas
References
- ^ a b "Demolition of old Johnson County Courthouse completed". Johnson County Government. August 26, 2021. Archived from the original on August 29, 2021.
- ^ a b "The New Johnson County Courthouse opens in Olathe, Kansas". Building Design & Construction. February 9, 2021. Archived from the original on August 29, 2021.
- ^ a b c "QuickFacts; Johnson County, Kansas; Population, Census, 2020 & 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on August 15, 2021. Retrieved August 15, 2021.
- ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2021". Retrieved October 3, 2022.
- ^ "Fast Facts". Johnson County Kansas. Archived from the original on July 16, 2019.
- ^ "Home Page". Johnson County Kansas. Retrieved November 20, 2019.
- National Public Radio. Retrieved July 10, 2020.
- ^ Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Govt. Print. Off. pp. 169.
- ^ "The Johnson County War: 1892 Invasion of Northern Wyoming | WyoHistory.org". www.wyohistory.org. Retrieved September 14, 2017.
- ^ A Standard History of Kansas and Kansans – William E. Connelly – Lewis Publishing Company – 1918. 1918. Retrieved April 14, 2012.
- ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
- ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 3, 2024.
- ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 26, 2014.
- ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved July 26, 2014.
- ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 26, 2014.
- ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 27, 2010. Retrieved July 26, 2014.
- ^ "Money Magazine". CNN. Retrieved June 8, 2011.
- ^ "Best Places to Live 2008 – Kansas". Money Magazine. Retrieved August 11, 2008.
- ^ a b c d "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 7, 2013.
- ^ "Map of Wet and Dry Counties". Alcoholic Beverage Control, Kansas Department of Revenue. November 2006. Archived from the original on October 8, 2007. Retrieved December 28, 2007.
- ^ Panetta, Grace (August 3, 2022). "14 of the 19 Kansas counties that rejected an anti-abortion amendment voted for Trump in 2020". Business Insider. Retrieved August 3, 2022.
- ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org.
- ^ "Presidential Election Results by County 1960–Present". Uselectionatlas.org. January 24, 1999. Retrieved April 14, 2012.
- ^ "Presidential Election Results by County Pre 1960". Geoelections.free.fr. Retrieved April 14, 2012.
- ^ "Johnson County Election Office | State Representatives". www.jocoelection.org. Retrieved October 28, 2017.
- ^ "Johnson County Election Office | State Senators". www.jocoelection.org. Retrieved October 28, 2017.
- ^ Milburn, John (August 24, 2004). "Lawmakers debate what constitutes 'suitable education'". .ljworld.com. Retrieved April 14, 2012.
- ^ "Kansas to extend school-funding debate this week". Shawnee Dispatch. March 17, 2014. Retrieved April 14, 2018.
- ^ "Capitol Update: Sen. Skubal says time has come for legislature to 'do its job to fully fund our schools'". Shawnee Mission Post - Neighborhood news and events for northeast Johnson County. January 15, 2018. Retrieved April 14, 2018.
- ^ Sloan, Betsy Webster, Nick. "As school funding debate continues in Kansas, JoCo superintendents request $12M". Retrieved April 14, 2018.
{{cite news}}
: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ "Capitol Update: Rep. Rooker says 'devil is in the details' on Brownback budget proposal, including $600 million for schools". Shawnee Mission Post - Neighborhood news and events for northeast Johnson County. January 15, 2018. Retrieved April 14, 2018.
- ^ "Board of County Commissioners". www.jocogov.org. Retrieved March 10, 2023.
- ^ a b Kansas County Treasurer's Association Kansas Sales Tax Rates by County Archived August 7, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Kansas City Area Development Council ThinkKC Property Taxes Archived August 10, 2007, at the Wayback Machine (accessed June 7, 2006)
- ^ "Three Republican candidates for sheriff agree on many of questions posed by conservative group". June 8, 2016.
- ^ "Detention Bureau". Johnson County Sheriff. January 13, 2017. Retrieved March 27, 2022.
- ^ "Patrol". Johnson County Sheriff. February 15, 2017. Retrieved March 27, 2022.
- ^ "Johnson County forming new task force to combat violent crime, keep teens safe". March 29, 2019.
- ^ "Our Story". Johnson Countly Library. June 14, 2013. Retrieved August 23, 2014.
- ^ "Payday loan mogul Scott Tucker can't pay for his own defense attorneys". kansascity. Retrieved March 9, 2019.
- ^ "Kansas City-raised David Dastmalchian: From Twin Peaks to Ant-Man to his latest KC-filmed feature, All Creatures Here Below". May 14, 2019.
Further reading
- History of Johnson County, Kansas; Ed Blair; 469 pages; 1915.
- Standard Atlas of Johnson County, Kansas; Geo. A. Ogle & Co; 78 pages; 1922.
- Standard Atlas of Johnson County, Kansas; Geo. A. Ogle & Co; 51 pages; 1902.
- Atlas Map of Johnson County, Kansas; E.F. Heisler; 86 pages; 1874.
External links
- County
- Historical
- Maps