Kansas State Flower - Sunflower
The United States acquired the area of Kansas from France in 1803 as part of the Louisiana Purchase. Part of the area was subsequently relinquished in a treaty with Spain in 1819, and was reacquired as part of the annexation of Texas in 1845. Kansas Territory was organized on May 30, 1854, from Missouri Territory (also identified in some statutes as Indian Country or Indian Territory), and included part of present-day Colorado. Kansas was admitted to the Union on January 29, 1861, as the 34th state, with generally the same boundary as the present state. The remaining part of the territory was included in Colorado Territory, which was organized in February 1861.
Census data for Kansas are available beginning with the 1860 census. The 1860 population includes only the population within the present state boundary; the population for the area that became part of Colorado Territory was assigned to that area even though it was not yet legally established. The population of the entire legally established Kansas Territory in 1860 was 141,483.
Data for the legally established state of Kansas are available beginning with the 1870 census.
See: Geographic Terms & Concepts
Counties & County Equivalents
Interactive Map of Kansas Counties | Static Overview Map of Kansas Counties
Kansas has 105 counties. One county, Wyandotte, has consolidated with Kansas City city and is considered nonfunctioning. All other counties are functioning governmental units; each governed by a board of county commissioners.
County Subdivisions
There are 1,530 county subdivisions in Kansas known as minor civil divisions (MCDs). There are 1,403 townships, of which 1,274 (in 96 counties) are governmental active; 129 (in 27 counties) are inactive, but have the ability to activate and perform governmental functions. In addition, there are 120 incorporated places that are independent of any township, creating 127 MCDs. The active governmental townships are administered by an elected clerk, treasurer, and trustee.
Places (Incorporated Cities, Towns & Census Designated Places (CDPs))
Kansas State Bird - Western Meadowlark
Kansas has 671 places; 627 incorporated places and 44 census designated places (CDPs). The incorporated places are all cities. The minimum requirement for incorporation is 300 persons or 300 platted lots each served by water and sewer lines. There are 120 cities that are independent of any township creating 127 county subdivisions. The remaining 507 incorporated places are dependent within county subdivision.
Alphabetical List of Cities, Towns, CDPs and Other Populated Places
A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q, R | S | T | U, V | W, X, Y, Z
Kansas Civil Features
Kansas Civil Features: Political Subdivisions, Native Areas, Land Grants, etc. - sorted by Census Class Codes.
Metropolitan and Micropolitan Statistical Areas
There are 4 Metropolitan and 15 Micropolitan Statistical Areas in Kansas. KS Metopolitan & Micropolitan Areas
Kansas ZIP Code Tabulation Areas
There are 700 ZIP Code tabulation areas (ZCTAs) in Kansas. View Kansas ZIP Codes and ZIP Code Maps.
School Districts
Kansas has 293 unified school districts. View Kansas Public and Private Schools.
Congressional Districts
Kansas has 4 congressional districts. An interactive map shows the contact information for each Representative as well as the boundaries for each Kansas district. View Map of Kansas Congressional Districts.
State Legislative Districts
There are 40 state senate districts and 125 state house districts in Kansas.
American Indian Areas
Kansas has four federally recognized American Indian reservations, two with off-reservation trust land. There is also one joint-use area.
