Franklin County is a county located in the eastern portion of the U.S. state of Kansas. Its county seat and most populous city is Ottawa.[2] As of the 2020 census, the county population was 25,996.[1] The county was named for Benjamin Franklin, a founding father of the United States. Formerly it was considered part of the Kansas City metropolitan area, but was removed in 2013.

Franklin County
Franklin County Courthouse in Ottawa (2009)
Franklin County Courthouse in Ottawa (2009)
Map of Kansas highlighting Franklin County
Location within the U.S. state of Kansas
Map of the United States highlighting Kansas
Kansas's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 38°35′00″N 95°17′00″W / 38.5833°N 95.2833°W / 38.5833; -95.2833
Country United States
State Kansas
FoundedAugust 25, 1855
Named forBenjamin Franklin
SeatOttawa
Largest cityOttawa
Area
 • Total
577 sq mi (1,490 km2)
 • Land572 sq mi (1,480 km2)
 • Water5.4 sq mi (14 km2)  0.9%
Population
 • Total
25,996
 • Estimate 
(2023)
26,125 Increase
 • Density45/sq mi (17/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district3rd
WebsiteFranklinCoKS.org

History

edit

Early history

edit

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

edit

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.

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 the use of Indian tribes removed from their ancestral lands. These tribes included: Ottawa, Chippewa, Sac and Fox, Peoria, and Potawatomi.[3][4]

In 1854, the Kansas Territory was organized under the provisions of the Kansas-Nebraska Act. In 1855, Franklin County was established as one of the 33 original Kansas Territory counties created by the first Territorial Legislature of 1855.[5] The county was named after Benjamin Franklin.[6] In 1861, Kansas became the 34th U.S. state.

Geography

edit

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 577 square miles (1,490 km2), of which 572 square miles (1,480 km2) is land and 5.4 square miles (14 km2) (0.9%) is water.[7]

Major highways

edit

Adjacent counties

edit

Demographics

edit
 
Population pyramid based on 2000 census age data
Historical population
CensusPop.Note
18603,030
187010,385242.7%
188016,79761.7%
189020,27920.7%
190021,3545.3%
191020,884−2.2%
192021,9465.1%
193022,0240.4%
194020,889−5.2%
195019,928−4.6%
196019,548−1.9%
197020,0072.3%
198022,06210.3%
199021,994−0.3%
200024,78412.7%
201025,9924.9%
202025,9960.0%
2023 (est.)26,125[8]0.5%
U.S. Decennial Census[9]
1790–1960[10] 1900–1990[11]
1990–2000[12] 2010-2020[1]

Franklin County comprises the Ottawa, KS Micropolitan Statistical Area, which is included in the Kansas City-Overland Park-Kansas City, MO-KS Combined Statistical Area.

As of the U.S. Census in 2000,[13] 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 people/km2). There were 10,229 housing units at an average density of 18 per square mile (6.9/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 households, 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.

Government

edit

Presidential elections

edit

Franklin County is often carried by Republican Candidates. The last time a Democratic candidate has carried Franklin County was in 1964 by Lyndon B. Johnson.

Presidential election results
United States presidential election results for Franklin County, Kansas[14]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2024 8,592 68.92% 3,626 29.09% 248 1.99%
2020 8,479 67.96% 3,690 29.57% 308 2.47%
2016 7,185 64.83% 2,892 26.10% 1,005 9.07%
2012 6,984 63.55% 3,694 33.61% 312 2.84%
2008 7,079 60.04% 4,433 37.60% 279 2.37%
2004 7,391 64.40% 3,921 34.17% 164 1.43%
2000 5,925 61.35% 3,321 34.39% 412 4.27%
1996 5,007 50.91% 3,552 36.12% 1,276 12.97%
1992 3,699 37.43% 2,968 30.03% 3,216 32.54%
1988 4,777 56.43% 3,592 42.43% 96 1.13%
1984 6,284 70.61% 2,523 28.35% 92 1.03%
1980 5,525 62.73% 2,726 30.95% 557 6.32%
1976 4,760 55.49% 3,607 42.05% 211 2.46%
1972 6,011 72.71% 2,056 24.87% 200 2.42%
1968 4,875 59.17% 2,524 30.63% 840 10.20%
1964 3,725 45.31% 4,410 53.64% 86 1.05%
1960 6,158 68.20% 2,824 31.28% 47 0.52%
1956 6,557 71.42% 2,591 28.22% 33 0.36%
1952 6,983 72.86% 2,532 26.42% 69 0.72%
1948 5,145 58.24% 3,467 39.25% 222 2.51%
1944 5,375 64.68% 2,880 34.66% 55 0.66%
1940 6,393 63.80% 3,542 35.35% 85 0.85%
1936 6,007 57.00% 4,503 42.73% 28 0.27%
1932 4,887 50.16% 4,690 48.14% 165 1.69%
1928 7,346 78.40% 1,951 20.82% 73 0.78%
1924 6,008 67.05% 2,324 25.94% 628 7.01%
1920 5,216 65.16% 2,606 32.55% 183 2.29%
1916 3,885 45.17% 4,128 47.99% 588 6.84%
1912 672 13.75% 1,970 40.29% 2,247 45.96%
1908 2,658 52.74% 2,155 42.76% 227 4.50%
1904 2,855 62.84% 1,310 28.84% 378 8.32%
1900 2,872 51.55% 2,605 46.76% 94 1.69%
1896 2,609 44.91% 3,152 54.25% 49 0.84%
1892 2,209 46.06% 0 0.00% 2,587 53.94%
1888 2,422 50.47% 1,113 23.19% 1,264 26.34%

Laws

edit

Following amendment to the Kansas Constitution in 1986, the county remained a prohibition, or "dry", county until 1994, when voters approved the sale of alcoholic liquor by the individual drink with a 30 percent food sales requirement.[15]

The county voted "No" on the 2022 Kansas abortion referendum, an anti-abortion ballot measure, by 56% to 44% despite backing Donald Trump with 68% of the vote to Joe Biden's 30% in the 2020 presidential election.[16]

Education

edit

Unified school districts

edit

School districts include:[17]

Colleges and universities

edit

Communities

edit
 
2005 map of Franklin County[18] (map legend)

List of townships / incorporated cities / unincorporated communities / extinct former communities within Franklin County.[18]

Cities

edit

Unincorporated places

edit

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

Ghost towns

edit

Townships

edit

Franklin County is divided into sixteen townships. 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.

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 / 38.69917°N 95.45472°W / 38.69917; -95.45472 (Appanoose Township)
Centropolis 12475 997 9 (25) 105 (41) 0 (0) 0.34% 38°41′7″N 95°21′29″W / 38.68528°N 95.35806°W / 38.68528; -95.35806 (Centropolis Township)
Cutler 16900 Rantoul 856 8 (20) 111 (43) 1 (0) 0.68% 38°31′33″N 95°6′56″W / 38.52583°N 95.11556°W / 38.52583; -95.11556 (Cutler Township)
Franklin 24375 Wellsville 2,552 28 (72) 91 (35) 0 (0) 0.52% 38°42′34″N 95°5′38″W / 38.70944°N 95.09389°W / 38.70944; -95.09389 (Franklin Township)
Greenwood 28750 429 5 (14) 79 (30) 0 (0) 0.08% 38°33′39″N 95°26′35″W / 38.56083°N 95.44306°W / 38.56083; -95.44306 (Greenwood Township)
Harrison 30300 445 6 (16) 71 (27) 1 (0) 0.84% 38°34′20″N 95°13′2″W / 38.57222°N 95.21722°W / 38.57222; -95.21722 (Harrison Township)
Hayes 30925 397 5 (13) 77 (30) 0 (0) 0.36% 38°42′17″N 95°13′51″W / 38.70472°N 95.23083°W / 38.70472; -95.23083 (Hayes Township)
Homewood 33000 493 6 (16) 78 (30) 0 (0) 0.26% 38°30′53″N 95°23′28″W / 38.51472°N 95.39111°W / 38.51472; -95.39111 (Homewood Township)
Lincoln 40700 797 10 (26) 78 (30) 0 (0) 0.31% 38°34′8″N 95°18′33″W / 38.56889°N 95.30917°W / 38.56889; -95.30917 (Lincoln Township)
Ohio 52350 Princeton 783 7 (19) 108 (42) 1 (0) 1.05% 38°29′14″N 95°16′32″W / 38.48722°N 95.27556°W / 38.48722; -95.27556 (Ohio Township)
Ottawa 53575 868 8 (20) 111 (43) 0 (0) 0.33% 38°38′21″N 95°16′5″W / 38.63917°N 95.26806°W / 38.63917; -95.26806 (Ottawa Township)
Peoria 55425 626 7 (18) 92 (36) 0 (0) 0.20% 38°36′32″N 95°7′45″W / 38.60889°N 95.12917°W / 38.60889; -95.12917 (Peoria Township)
Pomona 57025 Pomona 1,174 22 (56) 54 (21) 0 (0) 0.30% 38°36′40″N 95°27′24″W / 38.61111°N 95.45667°W / 38.61111; -95.45667 (Pomona Township)
Pottawatomie 57225 Lane 669 7 (17) 101 (39) 0 (0) 0.46% 38°26′14″N 95°6′32″W / 38.43722°N 95.10889°W / 38.43722; -95.10889 (Pottawatomie Township)
Richmond 59700 Richmond 812 9 (23) 91 (35) 0 (0) 0.50% 38°24′19″N 95°15′22″W / 38.40528°N 95.25611°W / 38.40528; -95.25611 (Richmond Township)
Williamsburg 79325 Williamsburg 672 5 (12) 145 (56) 1 (1) 0.95% 38°27′33″N 95°27′43″W / 38.45917°N 95.46194°W / 38.45917; -95.46194 (Williamsburg Township)
Sources: "Census 2000 U.S. Gazetteer Files". U.S. Census Bureau, Geography Division. Archived from the original on August 2, 2002.

Notable people

edit

See also

edit
Community information for Kansas

References

edit
  1. ^ a b c "QuickFacts; Franklin County, Kansas; Population, Census, 2020 & 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on August 16, 2021. Retrieved August 16, 2021.
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ Tucker, Patrick. "When War Under Heaven Ended: Tracking Pontiac's and Atawang's Band of Odawa and Ojibwa in Ohio, Walpole Island (Canada), Kansas, and Oklahoma, 1764-1938".
  4. ^ "A brief sketch of Indian tribes in Franklin County, Kansas in 1862-1906 - 23 - Kansas Memory".
  5. ^ Blackmar, Frank Wilson (1912). Kansas: A Cyclopedia of State History, Embracing Events, Institutions, Industries, Counties, Cities, Towns, Prominent Persons, Etc. Standard Publishing Company. pp. 680.
  6. ^ Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Govt. Print. Off. pp. 131.
  7. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  8. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 3, 2024.
  9. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 24, 2014.
  10. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved July 24, 2014.
  11. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 24, 2014.
  12. ^ "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 24, 2014.
  13. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  14. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org.
  15. ^ "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 26, 2007.
  16. ^ 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.
  17. ^ "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Franklin County, KS" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved November 10, 2024. - Text list
  18. ^ a b "General Highway Map of Franklin County, Kansas" (PDF). Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT). October 2009. Archived (PDF) from the original on May 18, 2024.
Notes

Further reading

edit
edit
County
Historical
Maps

38°35′N 95°17′W / 38.583°N 95.283°W / 38.583; -95.283