Franklin County, Kansas

Franklin County, Kansas
Franklin County (county code FR) is a county located in the eastern portion of the U.S. state of Kansas. Its county seat and most populous city is Ottawa. As of the 2020 census, the county population was 25,996. 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.
History
Early history
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
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.
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. The county was named after Benjamin Franklin. In 1861, Kansas became the 34th U.S. state.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of , of which is land and (0.9%) is water.
Major highways
Interstate 35
U.S. Route 50
U.S. Route 59
K-33
K-68
Adjacent counties
Douglas County (north)
Johnson County (northeast)
Miami County (east)
Linn County (southeast)
Anderson County (south)
Coffey County (southwest)
Osage County (west)
Demographics
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, there were 24,784 people, 9,452 households, and 6,720 families residing in the county. The population density was . There were 10,229 housing units at an average density of . 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
Presidential elections
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.
Laws
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.
The county voted "No" on the 2022 Kansas Value Them Both Amendment, 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.
Education
Unified school districts
West Franklin USD 287
Central Heights USD 288
Wellsville USD 289
Ottawa USD 290
Colleges and universities
Ottawa University, Ottawa
Neosho County Community College (branch campus), Ottawa
Communities
† means a community is designated a Census-Designated Place (CDP) by the United States Census Bureau.
Cities
Lane
Ottawa (county seat)
Pomona
Princeton
Rantoul
Richmond
Wellsville
Williamsburg
Unincorporated places
Centropolis†
Homewood
Imes
LeLoup
Peoria
Ransomville
Richter
Ghost towns
Appanoose
Berea
Bowling Green
Coburn
Dennison (later named Woodleif then Tauy)
Forrest Home
Garlington
Greenwood
Hackett
McCandless
Minneola
Norwood
Ohio City
Pansy
Pleasant Hill
Shermansville
Silkville
Townships
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.
Notable people
Steve Grogan, NFL quarterback, who grew up in Ottawa.
Chely Wright, Singer
James Still (playwright), writer, who grew up in Pomona
Gary Hart, Democratic US Senator
See also
National Register of Historic Places listings in Franklin County, Kansas
References
Notes
Further reading
Franklin County: Its Past, Its Present & Its Coming Future; Queen City Printing Co; 1983.
Reflections of Franklin County & Chautauqua Days; Franklin County Centennial Committee; Franklin County Historical Society; 1961.
Standard Atlas of Franklin County, Kansas; Geo. A. Ogle & Co; 69 pages; 1920.
Plat Book of Franklin County, Kansas; North West Publishing Co; 36 pages; 1903.
External links
County
Franklin County – Directory of Public Officials
Historical
Franklin County Genealogical Society
Maps
Franklin County Maps: Current, Historic, KDOT
Kansas Highway Maps: Current, Historic, KDOT
Kansas Railroad Maps: Current, 1996, 1915, KDOT and Kansas Historical Society
Kansas counties
1855 establishments in Kansas Territory