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Johnson county

Johnson County (county code JO) is a county located in northeast Kansas, in the central United States of America. The county's population—the fastest growing in the state of Kansas—was 451,086 at the 2000 census, and it was estimated to be 534,093 in the year 2008, making it the largest in the state. Its county seat is Olathe, and its most populous city is Overland Park. Johnson County has the highest median household income in the state and 19th in the nation (as of 2000) and the nation's 46th highest per-capita income (as of 2005). Most of the county is suburban, being a part of the Kansas City Metropolitan Area.

In 2008 CNN/Money and Money magazine ranked three cities in Johnson County on its list of the "100 Best Cities to Live in the United States." Overland Park was ranked ninth, and Olathe was ranked 11th, and Shawnee was ranked 39th. Olathe was also ranked 24th in the 2008 list of the top 25 fastest growing cities in the nation, compiled by the U.S. Census Bureau.

History

Johnson County is named for Rev. Thomas Johnson, and was one of the first counties established in the Kansas Territory in 1855. The Oregon-California and Santa Fe Trails, which originated 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. Johnson County was the site of many battles between Abolitionists and pro-slavery advocates during Bleeding Kansas. In 1862 Confederate Guerrillas from nearby Missouri led by William Quantrill raided the Johnson County communities of Olathe and Spring Hill, killing half a dozen men and destroying numerous homes and businesses.

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, first triggered by the 1954 school desegregation ruling and then fueled by white flight out of Kansas City. Today, Johnson County is one of the fastest growing areas in the Kansas City Metropolitan area, as well as being one of the most affluent areas in the country. It is known by some as "the Orange County of the Midwest" for its extreme low-density sprawl and massive development of new, upper-middle class and upper-class homes, especially in its southern portion (South of Interstate 435).

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 480 square miles (1,244 km²), of which 477 square miles (1,235 km²) is land and 3 square miles (9 km²), or 0.70%, is water.

Adjacent counties

Demographics

Johnson County's population was estimated to be 516,731 in the year 2006, an increase of 62,089, or +13.7%, over the previous six years; it has the fastest growing and largest population in the state.

As of the U.S. Census in 2000, there were 451,086 people, 174,570 households, and 121,675 families residing in the county. The population density was 946 people per square mile (365/km²). There were 181,612 housing units at an average density of 381 per square mile (147/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 91.11% White, 2.83% Asian, 2.61% Black or African American, 0.33% Native American, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 1.55% from other races, and 1.54% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.98% of the population. 25.1% were of German, 12.2% Irish, 12.0% English and 7.9% American ancestry according to Census 2000.

By 2005 85.8% of Johnson County's population was non-Hispanic whites. 3.7% of the population was African-American. An equal amount were of Asian descent. 0.4% of the population was Native American. 5.5% of the population was Latino.

There were 174,570 households out of which 36.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.20% were married couples living together, 7.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.30% were non-families. 24.50% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.70% 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 3.09.

In the county the population was 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 were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 95.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.00 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $61,455, and the median income for a family was $72,987. Males had a median income of $49,790 versus $32,145 for females. The per capita income for the county was $30,919. About 2.10% of families and 3.40% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.30% of those under age 18 and 3.60% of those age 65 or over.

According to a 2007 Census Bureau estimate, the median income for a household and for a family had risen to $71,540 and $72,987 respectively.

Law and government

Laws

Johnson County was a prohibition, or "dry", county until the Kansas Constitution was amended in 1986 and voters approved the sale of alcoholic liquor by the individual drink with a 30% food sales requirement.

Federal representation

Johnson County is a part of Kansas's 3rd congressional district, which has been represented by Democrat Dennis Moore since 1999. The two U.S. Senators from Kansas are Republican Senator Sam Brownback and Republican Pat Roberts. The most affluent county in Kansas, Johnson County is solidly Republican. President George W. Bush received 61% of the vote in 2004. Johnson County has not supported a Democrat on the Presidential ticket since Franklin D. Roosevelt.

State representation

Johnson County is home to 22 Kansas state representatives and 7 Kansas state senators. 19 out of 22 of Johnson County's representatives are Republicans, as are all 7 of the county's senators. Most Johnson County Republicans identify themselves as moderates, the more socially progressive and fiscally conservative faction of the Kansas Republican Party. Johnson County House and Senate members at times come into conflict with representatives from other areas of the state, most notably in 2004 in the debate over school finance.

Sales taxes

The current sales tax rate in Johnson County is 6.4%, slightly higher than the 6.3% rate in Wyandotte (where Kansas City, Kansas is located). The sales tax rates of each of the surrounding counties are nearly the same as the rate in Johnson County. Individual cities also have additional sales taxes that are added on to these figures.

Property taxes

Property taxes are a conglomeration of state, county, city, and school district taxes. Property tax rates are generally lower in Johnson County because property values in the county are higher than in other counties throughout Kansas.

Note: Some cities have multiple tax rates because they are divided among multiple school districts. The above rates are what exist for the majority of residents in the city.

Cities and towns

Incorporated cities

Name and population (2005 estimate):

*Cities included in Shawnee Mission, a postal designation encompassing the cities in northern and eastern Johnson County. The main Shawnee Mission post office is in Mission.

Unincorporated places

Townships

Johnson County is divided into nine townships. All of the cities are considered governmentally independent and are 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.

Transportation/Layout

Johnson County has a grid network through most of the county with a road every mile. The grid has facilitated rapid growth and easy access. Interstate 435 runs through much of the county, and serves as

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