Johnson County, Kansas
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 Other Kansas Counties | |
| County seat | Olathe |
| Largest city | Overland Park |
| Area —Total —Land —Water —% water | 480 mi²; 1,244 km² 477 mi²; 1,235 km² 3 mi²; 9 km² 0.70% |
| Population —Total (2000) —Density | 451,086 946/mi²; 365/km² |
| Established | August 25, 1855 |
| Time zone | Central : UTC-6/-5 |
Johnson County (standard abbreviation: JO) is a county located in the state of Kansas. As of 2000, the population is 451,086. Its county seat is Olathe, Kansas6. Johnson County has the 62nd highest median household income and 43rd highest per-person income in the United States and the highest median household income in Kansas. The term "Johnson County Brat" is a popular pejorative among locals to describe a person with a snobbish or stuck-up personality.
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History
Johnson County is named for Rev. Thomas Johnson. The Santa Fe Trail, originating 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. 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 and the later desegregation of the Kansas City, Missouri, schools.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,244 km² (480 mi²). 1,235 km² (477 mi²) of it is land and 9 km² (3 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 0.70% water.
Adjacent counties
- Wyandotte County, Kansas (north)
- Jackson County, Missouri (east)
- Cass County, Missouri (southeast)
- Miami County, Kansas (south)
- Franklin County, Kansas (southwest)
- Douglas County, Kansas (west)
- Leavenworth County, Kansas (northwest)
See also: List of counties in Kansas
Demographics
As of the census² of 2000, there are 451,086 people, 174,570 households, and 121,675 families residing in the county. The population density is 365/km² (946/mi²). There are 181,612 housing units at an average density of 147/km² (381/mi²). The racial makeup of the county is 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 are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 174,570 households out of which 36.00% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.20% are married couples living together, 7.80% have a female householder with no husband present, and 30.30% are non-families. 24.50% of all households are made up of individuals and 6.70% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.56 and the average family size is 3.09.
In the county the population is 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 are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 35 years. For every 100 females there are 95.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 92.00 males.
The median income for a household in the county is $61,455, and the median income for a family is $72,987. Males have a median income of $49,790 versus $32,145 for females. The per capita income for the county is $30,919. 3.40% of the population and 2.10% of families are 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 are living below the poverty line.
Cities and towns
Shawnee Mission
Shawnee Mission is a postal designation emcompassing the portion of Johnson County which includes the following cities:
- Countryside
- Fairway
- Lake Quivira
- Leawood
- Lenexa
- Merriam
- Mission
- Mission Hills
- Mission Woods
- Overland Park
- Prairie Village
- Roeland Park
- Shawnee
- Westwood
- Westwood Hills
Education
Unified school districts
- Blue Valley USD 229
- Spring Hill USD 230
- Gardner-Edgerton USD 231
- DeSoto USD 232
- Olathe USD 233
- Shawnee Mission USD 512
External links
- Johnson County official website (http://www.jocoks.com)
