Osage County, Kansas

Osage County, Kansas
County
Osage County Courthouse in Lyndon (2009)
Osage County Courthouse in Lyndon (2009)
Nickname: 
Land of Lakes [1]
Map of Kansas highlighting Osage County
Location within the U.S. state of Kansas
Coordinates: 38°39′N 95°44′W / 38.65°N 95.73°W / 38.65; -95.73
Country United States
State Kansas
Founded1859
Named afterOsage Nation
SeatLyndon
Largest cityOsage City
Area
 • Total
720 sq mi (1,900 km2)
 • Land706 sq mi (1,830 km2)
 • Water14 sq mi (36 km2)  2.0%
Population
 (2020)[2]
 • Total
15,766
 • Estimate 
(2024)
15,693 Decrease
 • Density22.3/sq mi (8.6/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district2nd
WebsiteOsageCo.org

Osage County (/oʊˈseɪdʒ/ oh-SAYJ)[3] is a county located in the U.S. state of Kansas. Its county seat is Lyndon,[4] and its most populous city is Osage City. As of the 2020 census, the county population was 15,766.[2] The county was originally organized in 1855 as Weller County, then renamed in 1859 after the Osage tribe.[5]

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 miles (2,140,000 km2) Louisiana Purchase for 2.83 cents per acre.

In 1854, the Kansas Territory was organized, then in 1861 Kansas became the 34th U.S. state. In 1859, Osage County was established.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 720 square miles (1,900 km2), of which 706 square miles (1,830 km2) is land and 14 square miles (36 km2) (2.0%) is water.[6]

Adjacent counties

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18601,113—
18707,648587.2%
188019,642156.8%
189025,06227.6%
190023,659−5.6%
191019,905−15.9%
192018,621−6.5%
193017,538−5.8%
194015,118−13.8%
195012,811−15.3%
196012,8860.6%
197013,3523.6%
198015,31914.7%
199015,248−0.5%
200016,7129.6%
201016,295−2.5%
202015,766−3.2%
2025 (est.)15,693[7] Decrease−0.5%
U.S. Decennial Census[8]
1790-1960[9] 1900-1990[10]
1990-2000[11] 2010-2020[2]

Osage County is included in the Topeka metropolitan area.

Racial and ethnic composition

Osage County, Kansas – Racial and ethnic composition
Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.
Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) Pop 1980[12] Pop 1990[13] Pop 2000[14] Pop 2010[15] Pop 2020[16] % 1980 % 1990 % 2000 % 2010 % 2020
White alone (NH) 15,059 14,911 16,109 15,560 14,505 98.30% 97.79% 96.39% 95.49% 92.00%
Black or African American alone (NH) 18 29 36 44 33 0.12% 0.19% 0.22% 0.27% 0.21%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) 47 104 104 108 43 0.31% 0.68% 0.62% 0.66% 0.27%
Asian alone (NH) 26 17 27 35 52 0.17% 0.11% 0.16% 0.21% 0.33%
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander alone (NH) x [17] x [18] 17 4 3 x x 0.10% 0.02% 0.02%
Other race alone (NH) 21 0 6 2 24 0.14% 0.00% 0.04% 0.01% 0.15%
Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) x [19] x [20] 158 212 649 x x 0.95% 1.30% 4.12%
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 148 187 255 330 457 0.97% 1.23% 1.53% 2.03% 2.90%
Total 15,319 15,248 16,712 16,295 15,766 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00%

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 15,766. The median age was 44.4 years. 23.2% of residents were under the age of 18 and 21.3% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 99.2 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 97.1 males age 18 and over.[21][22]

The racial makeup of the county was 93.3% White, 0.2% Black or African American, 0.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% Asian, 0.0% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 0.6% from some other race, and 5.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 2.9% of the population.[22]

0.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 100.0% lived in rural areas.[23]

There were 6,480 households in the county, of which 28.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 22.7% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 27.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[21]

There were 7,233 housing units, of which 10.4% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 77.5% were owner-occupied and 22.5% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.6% and the rental vacancy rate was 7.9%.[21]

2000 census

As of the 2000 census,[24] there were 16,712 people, 6,490 households, and 4,737 families residing in the county. The population density was 24 people per square mile (9.3 people/km2). There were 7,018 housing units at an average density of 10 per square mile (3.9/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 97.27% White, 0.22% Black or African American, 0.65% Native American, 0.17% Asian, 0.10% Pacific Islander, 0.41% from other races, and 1.18% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.53% of the population.

There were 6,490 households, out of which 33.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.00% were married couples living together, 8.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.00% were non-families. 23.50% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.54 and the average family size was 2.99.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 27.00% under the age of 18, 6.40% from 18 to 24, 27.00% from 25 to 44, 23.70% from 45 to 64, and 15.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.30 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $37,928, and the median income for a family was $44,581. Males had a median income of $30,670 versus $22,981 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,691. About 6.40% of families and 8.40% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.40% of those under age 18 and 10.40% of those age 65 or over.

Government

Presidential elections

Osage County is strongly Republican. In only six presidential elections from 1880 to the present day has the county failed to back the Republican Party candidate, most recently in Lyndon B. Johnson's national landslide of 1964.

Presidential election results
United States presidential election results for Osage County, Kansas[25][26][27]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No. %No. %No. %
1888 3,442 57.49% 1,380 23.05% 1,165 19.46%
1892 2,604 43.77% 0 0.00% 3,345 56.23%
1896 2,903 44.97% 3,481 53.93% 71 1.10%
1900 3,128 51.16% 2,901 47.45% 85 1.39%
1904 3,670 65.01% 1,516 26.86% 459 8.13%
1908 2,671 50.30% 2,288 43.09% 351 6.61%
1912 850 17.62% 1,969 40.82% 2,005 41.56%
1916 3,770 44.69% 4,276 50.69% 390 4.62%
1920 4,507 62.80% 2,414 33.64% 256 3.57%
1924 4,957 63.20% 2,050 26.14% 836 10.66%
1928 5,900 73.24% 2,058 25.55% 98 1.22%
1932 3,707 45.40% 4,199 51.43% 259 3.17%
1936 4,232 49.87% 4,224 49.78% 30 0.35%
1940 4,991 60.52% 3,186 38.63% 70 0.85%
1944 4,107 64.40% 2,212 34.69% 58 0.91%
1948 3,474 55.55% 2,659 42.52% 121 1.93%
1952 4,589 68.84% 2,036 30.54% 41 0.62%
1956 4,136 67.28% 1,979 32.19% 32 0.52%
1960 3,880 64.02% 2,150 35.47% 31 0.51%
1964 2,681 49.10% 2,737 50.13% 42 0.77%
1968 3,157 56.15% 1,664 29.60% 801 14.25%
1972 4,073 71.11% 1,522 26.57% 133 2.32%
1976 2,945 50.53% 2,755 47.27% 128 2.20%
1980 3,817 60.36% 2,088 33.02% 419 6.63%
1984 4,288 66.55% 2,072 32.16% 83 1.29%
1988 3,496 54.33% 2,840 44.13% 99 1.54%
1992 2,561 34.51% 2,297 30.95% 2,563 34.54%
1996 3,487 48.80% 2,502 35.01% 1,157 16.19%
2000 3,770 57.01% 2,530 38.26% 313 4.73%
2004 4,800 64.32% 2,537 33.99% 126 1.69%
2008 4,820 63.89% 2,534 33.59% 190 2.52%
2012 4,427 64.10% 2,268 32.84% 211 3.06%
2016 4,826 68.49% 1,753 24.88% 467 6.63%
2020 5,705 71.00% 2,136 26.58% 194 2.41%
2024 5,736 72.68% 1,946 24.66% 210 2.66%

Laws

Osage 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.[28]

The county voted "No" on the 2022 Kansas abortion referendum, an anti-abortion ballot measure, by 56% to 44% despite backing Donald Trump with 71% of the vote to Joe Biden's 27% in the 2020 presidential election.[29]

Education

Unified school districts

School districts include:[30]

Media

Osage County is served by a weekly newspaper, The Osage County Herald-Chronicle. The newspaper has a circulation of approximately 4,500, making it the 3rd largest paid weekly publication in the state of Kansas.

The Herald-Chronicle was created by the merger of The Osage County Herald and The Osage County Chronicle in February 2007.

Communities

2005 map of Osage County[31] (map legend)

List of townships / incorporated cities / unincorporated communities / extinct former communities within Osage County.[31]

Cities

Unincorporated communities

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

Townships

Osage County is divided into sixteen townships. The city of Osage City 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.

TownshipFIPSPopulation
center		 PopulationPopulation
density
/km2 (/sq mi)		 Land area
km2 (sq mi)		Water area
km2 (sq mi)		Water % Geographic coordinates
Agency00450Quenemo6187 (19)86 (33)0 (0)0.10%38°34′21″N 95°32′12″W / 38.57250°N 95.53667°W / 38.57250; -95.53667
Arvonia025501361 (3)112 (43)13 (5)10.13%38°28′52″N 95°52′14″W / 38.48111°N 95.87056°W / 38.48111; -95.87056
Barclay041752392 (5)124 (48)0 (0)0.14%38°33′42″N 95°52′0″W / 38.56167°N 95.86667°W / 38.56167; -95.86667
Burlingame09375Burlingame1,7689 (25)186 (72)1 (0)0.43%38°47′5″N 95°52′5″W / 38.78472°N 95.86806°W / 38.78472; -95.86806
Dragoon185752142 (6)94 (36)0 (0)0.07%38°43′14″N 95°49′16″W / 38.72056°N 95.82111°W / 38.72056; -95.82111
Elk20175Overbrook1,72312 (32)140 (54)0 (0)0.30%38°47′21″N 95°33′58″W / 38.78917°N 95.56611°W / 38.78917; -95.56611
Fairfax221505135 (12)111 (43)5 (2)4.14%38°42′34″N 95°40′3″W / 38.70944°N 95.66750°W / 38.70944; -95.66750
Grant278502973 (8)93 (36)0 (0)0.25%38°38′25″N 95°52′24″W / 38.64028°N 95.87333°W / 38.64028; -95.87333
Junction357251,2109 (24)129 (50)0 (0)0.15%38°40′27″N 95°34′8″W / 38.67417°N 95.56889°W / 38.67417; -95.56889
Lincoln409251342 (4)83 (32)0 (0)0.10%38°29′7″N 95°33′17″W / 38.48528°N 95.55472°W / 38.48528; -95.55472
Melvern45725Melvern8127 (18)115 (44)0 (0)0.13%38°30′8″N 95°38′50″W / 38.50222°N 95.64722°W / 38.50222; -95.64722
Olivet52725Olivet2632 (5)143 (55)17 (7)10.70%38°29′53″N 95°44′51″W / 38.49806°N 95.74750°W / 38.49806; -95.74750
Ridgeway59825Carbondale2,66125 (64)108 (42)2 (1)2.00%38°48′56″N 95°40′56″W / 38.81556°N 95.68222°W / 38.81556; -95.68222
Scranton63700Scranton1,27314 (36)92 (36)1 (0)0.91%38°47′30″N 95°45′10″W / 38.79167°N 95.75278°W / 38.79167; -95.75278
Superior695002933 (8)93 (36)0 (0)0.30%38°38′44″N 95°47′34″W / 38.64556°N 95.79278°W / 38.64556; -95.79278
Valley Brook73200Lyndon1,52415 (38)104 (40)0 (0)0.46%38°36′44″N 95°40′35″W / 38.61222°N 95.67639°W / 38.61222; -95.67639
Sources: "Census 2000 U.S. Gazetteer Files". U.S. Census Bureau, Geography Division. Archived from the original on August 2, 2002.

See also

Community information for Kansas

References

  1. ↑ "Osage County, Kansas - Home". Archived from the original on December 4, 2022. Retrieved April 7, 2021.
  2. 1 2 3 "QuickFacts; Osage County, Kansas; Population, Census, 2020 & 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on August 19, 2021. Retrieved August 18, 2021.
  3. ↑ McCoy, Sondra Van Meter; Hults, Jan (1989). 1001 Kansas Place Names. Lawrence, KS: University Press of Kansas. p. 149. ISBN 070060393X.
  4. ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  5. ↑ "Osage County Website". Archived from the original on September 27, 2007. Retrieved May 16, 2009.
  6. ↑ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  7. ↑ "County Population Totals and Components of Change: 2020-2025". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 14, 2026.
  8. ↑ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 27, 2014.
  9. ↑ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved July 27, 2014.
  10. ↑ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 27, 2014.
  11. ↑ "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 27, 2014.
  12. ↑ "1980 Census of Population - General Population Characteristics - Kansas- Table 15 Persons by Race: 198О • Table 16 - Total Persons and Spanish Origin Persons by Type of Spanish Origin and Race: 1980" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. p. 12-21. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 12, 2025.
  13. ↑ "1990 Census of Population - General Population Characteristics - Kansas: Tables 4, 5, 6 - Race and Hispanic Origin" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. p. 11-44. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 24, 2026.
  14. ↑ "P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Osage County, Kansas". United States Census Bureau.
  15. ↑ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Osage County, Kansas". United States Census Bureau.
  16. ↑ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Osage County, Kansas". United States Census Bureau.
  17. ↑ included in the Asian category in the 1980 Census
  18. ↑ included in the Asian category in the 1990 Census
  19. ↑ not an option in the 1980 Census
  20. ↑ not an option in the 1990 Census
  21. 1 2 3 "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved December 22, 2025.
  22. 1 2 "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved December 22, 2025.
  23. ↑ "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)". United States Census Bureau. 2023. Retrieved December 22, 2025.
  24. ↑ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  25. ↑ "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections".
  26. ↑ Kobach, Kris (November 8, 2016). "2016 General Election Presidential Results by County". Secretary of State of Kansas. Archived from the original on February 23, 2020. Retrieved June 8, 2026.
  27. ↑ Schwab, Scott (November 5, 2024). "Election Results". Secretary of State of Kansas. Retrieved April 13, 2026.
  28. ↑ "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 28, 2007.
  29. ↑ 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.
  30. ↑ "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Osage County, KS" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved November 10, 2024. - Text list
  31. 1 2 "General Highway Map of Osage County, Kansas" (PDF). Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT). August 2008. Archived (PDF) from the original on May 21, 2024.

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38°39′N 95°44′W / 38.650°N 95.733°W / 38.650; -95.733

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