Franklin County, Kansas
Encyclopedia
Franklin County is a county located in East Central
Kansas
, in the Central
United States
. As of the 2010 census, the county population was 25,992. Its county seat
and most populous city is Ottawa
. The county is a part of the Kansas City Metropolitan Area
.
counties created by the first Territorial Legislature of 1855. The county was named after Benjamin Franklin
, and is rich in Native American lore, which dates back centuries before Kansas became a territory. The area was included in a treaty ceding land to the Osage Nation
in 1808, and ceded back to the federal government in 1825. After 1825 and prior to 1867, treaties with various Indian nations set off parts of what was later to become Franklin County for their use.
, county until 1994, when voters approved the sale of alcoholic liquor by the individual drink with a 30% food sales requirement.
, there were 24,784 people, 9,452 households, and 6,720 families residing in the county. The population density
was 43 people per square mile (17/km²). There were 10,229 housing units at an average density of 18 per square mile (7/km²). The racial makeup
of the county was 95.05% White
, 1.21% Black or African American
, 0.94% Native American
, 0.31% Asian
, 0.78% from other races, and 1.71% from two or more races
. Hispanic
or Latino
of any race were 2.62% of the population.
There were 9,452 household
s out of which 34.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.10% were married couples
living together, 8.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.90% were non-families. 24.80% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.30% 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 3.04.
In the county the population was spread out with 27.50% under the age of 18, 8.90% from 18 to 24, 28.30% from 25 to 44, 21.20% from 45 to 64, and 14.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 98.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.10 males.
The median income for a household
in the county was $39,052, and the median income for a family was $45,197. Males had a median income of $31,223 versus $22,992 for females. The per capita income
for the county was $17,311. About 5.60% of families and 7.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.40% of those under age 18 and 7.30% of those age 65 or over.
. The city of Ottawa
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.
Additional information
Maps
East-Central Kansas
East-Central Kansas is a region of Kansas. Extending roughly from Osage County, Franklin County, and Miami County in the north to Coffey County, Anderson County and Linn County in the south. The eastern border is Missouri. The region then extends westward towards the Flint Hills to Lyon County...
Kansas
Kansas
Kansas is a US state located in the Midwestern United States. It is named after the Kansas River which flows through it, which in turn was named after the Kansa Native American tribe, which inhabited the area. The tribe's name is often said to mean "people of the wind" or "people of the south...
, in the Central
Central United States
The Central United States is sometimes conceived as between the Eastern United States and Western United States as part of a three-region model, roughly coincident with the Midwestern United States plus the western and central portions of the Southern United States; the term is also sometimes used...
United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. As of the 2010 census, the county population was 25,992. Its county seat
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
and most populous city is Ottawa
Ottawa, Kansas
Ottawa is a city situated along the Marais des Cygnes River in the central part of Franklin County, located in east-central Kansas, 50 miles southwest of Kansas City, Mo., in the central United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 12,649. It is the county seat and most populous...
. The county is a part of the Kansas City Metropolitan Area
Kansas City Metropolitan Area
The Kansas City Metropolitan Area is a fifteen-county metropolitan area that is anchored by Kansas City, Missouri and is bisected by the border between the states of Missouri and Kansas. As of the 2010 Census, the metropolitan area has a population of 2,035,334. The metropolitan area is the...
.
History
Franklin County was one of the 33 original Kansas TerritoryKansas Territory
The Territory of Kansas was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from May 30, 1854, until January 29, 1861, when the eastern portion of the territory was admitted to the Union as the State of Kansas....
counties created by the first Territorial Legislature of 1855. The county was named after Benjamin Franklin
Benjamin Franklin
Dr. Benjamin Franklin was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. A noted polymath, Franklin was a leading author, printer, political theorist, politician, postmaster, scientist, musician, inventor, satirist, civic activist, statesman, and diplomat...
, and is rich in Native American lore, which dates back centuries before Kansas became a territory. The area was included in a treaty ceding land to the Osage Nation
Osage Nation
The Osage Nation is a Native American Siouan-language tribe in the United States that originated in the Ohio River valley in present-day Kentucky. After years of war with invading Iroquois, the Osage migrated west of the Mississippi River to their historic lands in present-day Arkansas, Missouri,...
in 1808, and ceded back to the federal government in 1825. After 1825 and prior to 1867, treaties with various Indian nations set off parts of what was later to become Franklin County for their use.
Law and government
Following amendment to the Kansas Constitution in 1986, the county remained a prohibition, or "dry"Dry county
A dry county is a county in the United States whose government forbids the sale of alcoholic beverages. Some prohibit off-premises sale, some prohibit on-premises sale, and some prohibit both. Hundreds of dry counties exist across the United States, almost all of them in the South...
, county until 1994, when voters approved the sale of alcoholic liquor by the individual drink with a 30% food sales requirement.
Geography
According to the 2000 census, the county has a total area of 576.65 square miles (1,493.5 km²), of which 573.85 square miles (1,486.3 km²) (or 99.51%) is land and 2.8 square miles (7.3 km²) (or 0.49%) is water.Major highways
- Interstate 35/U.S. Route 50
- U.S. Route 59
- K-33K-33 (Kansas highway)K-33 is a 10.5 mile state highway in the U.S. state of Kansas. It was originally designated in 1929. It is a two-lane expressway, linking rural Franklin County to Douglas County K-33 is a 10.5 mile (17 km) state highway in the U.S. state of Kansas. It was originally designated in 1929. It is...
- K-68K-68 (Kansas highway)The K-68 is a state highway in Kansas beginning at Missouri Route 2 and passing through Louisburg where it intersects with U.S. Highway 69. Four miles west of Louisburg, K-68 intersects with U.S. 169 and K-7, it also provides an end terminus with K-33 in Franklin County. As K-68 enters Ottawa, it...
Adjacent counties
- Douglas CountyDouglas County, KansasDouglas County is a county located in northeast Kansas, in the Central United States. As of the 2010 census, the county population was 110,826...
(north) - Johnson CountyJohnson County, KansasJohnson County is a county located in northeast Kansas, in the central United States. The county is largely suburban, being part of the Kansas City metropolitan area, and containing many of its affluent southwestern suburbs. As of the 2010 census, the county population was 544,179. Its county...
(northeast) - Miami CountyMiami County, KansasMiami County is a county located in East Central Kansas, in the Central United States. As of the 2010 census, the county population was 32,787. Its county seat and most populous city is Paola...
(east) - Linn CountyLinn County, KansasLinn County is a county located in East Central Kansas, in the Central United States. As of the 2010 census, the county population was 9,656. Its county seat is Mound City, and its most populous city is Pleasanton...
(southeast) - Anderson CountyAnderson County, KansasAnderson County is a county located in East Central Kansas, in the Central United States. As of the 2010 census, the county population was 8,102...
(south) - Coffey CountyCoffey County, KansasCoffey County is a county located in East Central Kansas, in the Central United States. As of the 2010 census, the county population was 8,601...
(southwest) - Osage CountyOsage County, KansasOsage County is a county located in east-central Kansas, in the Central United States. As of the 2010 census, the county population was 16295. Its county seat is Lyndon, and its most populous city is Osage City. The county along with Shawnee, Jackson, Jefferson, and Wabaunsee counties is...
(west)
Demographics
As of the U.S. Census in 2000United States Census, 2000
The Twenty-second United States Census, known as Census 2000 and conducted by the Census Bureau, determined the resident population of the United States on April 1, 2000, to be 281,421,906, an increase of 13.2% over the 248,709,873 persons enumerated during the 1990 Census...
, there were 24,784 people, 9,452 households, and 6,720 families residing in the county. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 43 people per square mile (17/km²). There were 10,229 housing units at an average density of 18 per square mile (7/km²). The racial makeup
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
of the county was 95.05% White
White American
White Americans are people of the United States who are considered or consider themselves White. The United States Census Bureau defines White people as those "having origins in any of the original peoples of Europe, the Middle East, or North Africa...
, 1.21% Black or African American
African American
African Americans are citizens or residents of the United States who have at least partial ancestry from any of the native populations of Sub-Saharan Africa and are the direct descendants of enslaved Africans within the boundaries of the present United States...
, 0.94% Native American
Native Americans in the United States
Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples in North America within the boundaries of the present-day continental United States, parts of Alaska, and the island state of Hawaii. They are composed of numerous, distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of which survive as...
, 0.31% Asian
Asian American
Asian Americans are Americans of Asian descent. The U.S. Census Bureau definition of Asians as "Asian” refers to a person having origins in any of the original peoples of the Far East, Southeast Asia, or the Indian subcontinent, including, for example, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Japan,...
, 0.78% from other races, and 1.71% from two or more races
Multiracial
The terms multiracial and mixed-race describe people whose ancestries come from multiple races. Unlike the term biracial, which often is only used to refer to having parents or grandparents of two different races, the term multiracial may encompass biracial people but can also include people with...
. Hispanic
Hispanic
Hispanic is a term that originally denoted a relationship to Hispania, which is to say the Iberian Peninsula: Andorra, Gibraltar, Portugal and Spain. During the Modern Era, Hispanic sometimes takes on a more limited meaning, particularly in the United States, where the term means a person of ...
or Latino
Latino
The demonyms Latino and Latina , are defined in English language dictionaries as:* "a person of Latin-American descent."* "A Latin American."* "A person of Hispanic, especially Latin-American, descent, often one living in the United States."...
of any race were 2.62% of the population.
There were 9,452 household
Household
The household is "the basic residential unit in which economic production, consumption, inheritance, child rearing, and shelter are organized and carried out"; [the household] "may or may not be synonymous with family"....
s out of which 34.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.10% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 8.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.90% were non-families. 24.80% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.30% 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 3.04.
In the county the population was spread out with 27.50% under the age of 18, 8.90% from 18 to 24, 28.30% from 25 to 44, 21.20% from 45 to 64, and 14.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 98.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.10 males.
The median income for a household
Median household income
The median household income is commonly used to generate data about geographic areas and divides households into two equal segments with the first half of households earning less than the median household income and the other half earning more...
in the county was $39,052, and the median income for a family was $45,197. Males had a median income of $31,223 versus $22,992 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the county was $17,311. About 5.60% of families and 7.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.40% of those under age 18 and 7.30% of those age 65 or over.
Incorporated cities
Name and population (2005 estimate):- OttawaOttawa, KansasOttawa is a city situated along the Marais des Cygnes River in the central part of Franklin County, located in east-central Kansas, 50 miles southwest of Kansas City, Mo., in the central United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 12,649. It is the county seat and most populous...
, 12,597 (county seat) - WellsvilleWellsville, KansasWellsville is a city in Franklin County, Kansas, United States. The town site of Wellsville was laid out in the fall of 1864 by Messrs, Shoot, Root, and Wells of Chicago. The town was named after Mr. Wells of the company. The population was 1,606 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Wellsville is...
, 1,631 - PomonaPomona, KansasPomona is a city in Franklin County, Kansas, United States. The population was 923 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Pomona is located at . According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all of it land....
, 942 - RichmondRichmond, KansasRichmond is a city in Franklin County, Kansas, United States. The population was 510 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Richmond is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all of it land....
, 514 - WilliamsburgWilliamsburg, KansasWilliamsburg is a city in Franklin County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 397.-Geography:Williamsburg is located at...
, 359 - PrincetonPrinceton, KansasPrinceton is a city in Franklin County, Kansas, United States. The population was 317 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Princeton is located at ....
, 327 - LaneLane, KansasLane is a city in Franklin County, Kansas, United States. The population was 256 at the 2000 census.Lane was named after James H. Lane, a leader of the Jayhawkers abolitionist movement, who served as one of the first Senators from Kansas.- Geography :...
, 259 - RantoulRantoul, KansasRantoul is a city in Franklin County, Kansas, United States. The population was 241 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Rantoul is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all of it land....
, 245
Unincorporated places
- Centropolis
- Homewood
- Imes
- LeLoupLeLoup, KansasLeLoup is an unincorporated community in Franklin County, Kansas, United States located 11 miles northeast of Ottawa and 7 miles southwest of Wellsville.-History:...
- Norwood
- Peoria
- Ransomville
- Richter
Townships
Franklin County is divided into sixteen townshipsCivil township
A civil township is a widely used unit of local government in the United States, subordinate to, and geographic divisions of, a county. Specific responsibilities and the degree of autonomy vary based on each state. Civil townships are distinct from survey townships, but in states that have both,...
. The city of Ottawa
Ottawa, Kansas
Ottawa is a city situated along the Marais des Cygnes River in the central part of Franklin County, located in east-central Kansas, 50 miles southwest of Kansas City, Mo., in the central United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 12,649. It is the county seat and most populous...
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.
| Township | FIPS | Population center |
Population | Population density /km² (/sq mi) |
Land area km² (sq mi) | Water area km² (sq mi) | Water % | Geographic coordinates |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Appanoose | 02075 | 293 | 4 (10) | 77 (30) | 0 (0) | 0.10% | 38°41′57"N 95°27′17"W | |
| Centropolis | 12475 | 997 | 9 (25) | 105 (41) | 0 (0) | 0.34% | 38°41′7"N 95°21′29"W | |
| Cutler | 16900 | Rantoul Rantoul, Kansas Rantoul is a city in Franklin County, Kansas, United States. The population was 241 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Rantoul is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all of it land.... |
856 | 8 (20) | 111 (43) | 1 (0) | 0.68% | 38°31′33"N 95°6′56"W |
| Franklin | 24375 | Wellsville Wellsville, Kansas Wellsville is a city in Franklin County, Kansas, United States. The town site of Wellsville was laid out in the fall of 1864 by Messrs, Shoot, Root, and Wells of Chicago. The town was named after Mr. Wells of the company. The population was 1,606 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Wellsville is... |
2,552 | 28 (72) | 91 (35) | 0 (0) | 0.52% | 38°42′34"N 95°5′38"W |
| Greenwood | 28750 | 429 | 5 (14) | 79 (30) | 0 (0) | 0.08% | 38°33′39"N 95°26′35"W | |
| Harrison | 30300 | 445 | 6 (16) | 71 (27) | 1 (0) | 0.84% | 38°34′20"N 95°13′2"W | |
| Hayes | 30925 | 397 | 5 (13) | 77 (30) | 0 (0) | 0.36% | 38°42′17"N 95°13′51"W | |
| Homewood | 33000 | 493 | 6 (16) | 78 (30) | 0 (0) | 0.26% | 38°30′53"N 95°23′28"W | |
| Lincoln | 40700 | 797 | 10 (26) | 78 (30) | 0 (0) | 0.31% | 38°34′8"N 95°18′33"W | |
| Ohio | 52350 | Princeton Princeton, Kansas Princeton is a city in Franklin County, Kansas, United States. The population was 317 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Princeton is located at .... |
783 | 7 (19) | 108 (42) | 1 (0) | 1.05% | 38°29′14"N 95°16′32"W |
| Ottawa | 53575 | 868 | 8 (20) | 111 (43) | 0 (0) | 0.33% | 38°38′21"N 95°16′5"W | |
| Peoria | 55425 | 626 | 7 (18) | 92 (36) | 0 (0) | 0.20% | 38°36′32"N 95°7′45"W | |
| Pomona | 57025 | Pomona Pomona, Kansas Pomona is a city in Franklin County, Kansas, United States. The population was 923 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Pomona is located at . According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all of it land.... |
1,174 | 22 (56) | 54 (21) | 0 (0) | 0.30% | 38°36′40"N 95°27′24"W |
| Pottawatomie | 57225 | Lane Lane, Kansas Lane is a city in Franklin County, Kansas, United States. The population was 256 at the 2000 census.Lane was named after James H. Lane, a leader of the Jayhawkers abolitionist movement, who served as one of the first Senators from Kansas.- Geography :... |
669 | 7 (17) | 101 (39) | 0 (0) | 0.46% | 38°26′14"N 95°6′32"W |
| Richmond | 59700 | Richmond Richmond, Kansas Richmond is a city in Franklin County, Kansas, United States. The population was 510 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Richmond is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all of it land.... |
812 | 9 (23) | 91 (35) | 0 (0) | 0.50% | 38°24′19"N 95°15′22"W |
| Williamsburg | 79325 | Williamsburg Williamsburg, Kansas Williamsburg is a city in Franklin County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 397.-Geography:Williamsburg is located at... |
672 | 5 (12) | 145 (56) | 1 (1) | 0.95% | 38°27′33"N 95°27′43"W |
| Sources: | ||||||||
Unified school districts
- West Franklin USD 287 (Web site)
- Central Heights USD 288 (Web site)
- Wellsville USD 289 (Web site)
- Ottawa USD 290 (Web site)
Colleges and universities
- Ottawa UniversityOttawa UniversityOttawa University is a private, non-profit, faith-based liberal arts college located in Ottawa, Kansas. It was founded in 1865 and is affiliated with the American Baptist Churches USA...
, Ottawa - Neosho County Community CollegeNeosho County Community CollegeNeosho County Community College is located in Chanute, Kansas, USA and a secondary campus is located in Ottawa, Kansas. NCCC began in 1936 as Chanute junior college for graduates of high school. In 1961, due to state legislators Chanute Junior College included both Neosho County and Franklin...
(branch campus), Ottawa
Notable natives
- Steve GroganSteve GroganSteve James Grogan is a former American football quarterback for the New England Patriots of the National Football League. Grogan played for the Patriots for his entire NFL career, from 1975 to 1990.-High school and college:...
, NFLNational Football LeagueThe National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
quarterbackQuarterbackQuarterback is a position in American and Canadian football. Quarterbacks are members of the offensive team and line up directly behind the offensive line...
, who grew up in Ottawa. - Chely WrightChely WrightRichell Rene "Chely" Wright is an American country music artist and, starting in 2010, gay rights activist. On the strength of her debut album in 1994, the Academy of Country Music named her Top New Female Vocalist in 1995. Wright's first Top 40 country hit came in 1997 with "Shut Up and Drive"...
, Singer
See also
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Franklin County, KansasNational Register of Historic Places listings in Franklin County, KansasThis is a list of the National Register of Historic Places listings in Franklin County, Kansas.This is intended to be a complete list of the properties and districts on the National Register of Historic Places in Franklin County, Kansas, United States...
Further reading
- History of the State of Kansas; William G. Cutler; A.T. Andreas Publisher; 1883. (Online HTML eBook)
- Kansas : A Cyclopedia of State History, Embracing Events, Institutions, Industries, Counties, Cities, Towns, Prominent Persons, Etc; 3 Volumes; Frank W. Blackmar; Standard Publishing Co; 944 / 955 / 824 pages; 1912. (Volume1 - Download 54MB PDF eBook),(Volume2 - Download 53MB PDF eBook), (Volume3 - Download 33MB PDF eBook)
External links
Official sitesAdditional information
Maps
- 2009 Franklin County Map, KDOT
- 2011 Kansas Highway Map, KDOT
- 2011 Kansas Railroad Map, KDOT
- 2005 Kansas School District Boundary Map, KSDE