Johnson County, Kansas

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 516,731 in the year 2006, 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, and 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 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.

Popular culture

Johnson County was the setting of the TV show Married to the Kellys. Johnson County is the home of the band Josephine Collective, and was the base of their name