Kansas

The Sunflower State

Official flag of Kansas
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Quick Stats

2.9MPopulation
#35Rank
1861Joined
82.2kArea (mi²)

Map

Map of Kansas

Seal & Motto

State seal of Kansas

"Ad Astra per Aspera"

Additional Information

AbbreviationKS
Motto Origin

Latin for "To the stars through difficulties."

Adopted 1861.

Official WebsiteKansas.gov

Population Growth

Overview

Kansas, the 'Sunflower State' and the true 'Heart of America,' is a geographic and agricultural titan defined by its vast rolling prairies and soaring horizons. As a global breadbasket, it is a leading center for aerospace manufacturing, high-tech research, and the nation's premier agricultural innovation today.

Historical Significance

Kansas officially joined the Union on January 29, 1861, as the 34th state. Born from the fiery 'Bleeding Kansas' conflicts over slavery, it became a pivotal battleground for American ideals, later serving as the primary trailhead for the historic Oregon and Santa Fe trails and the legendary cattle drives of the Old West.

Top Cities & Hubs

1

Wichita

Population: ~400,000

The "Air Capital of the World," a global center for aircraft manufacturing and home to the headquarters of Spirit AeroSystems, Cessna, Beechcraft, and Learjet.

2

Overland Park

Population: ~200,000

A thriving Kansas City metro suburb consistently ranked among the best places to live in the U.S., home to numerous Fortune 500 companies and a vibrant business park corridor.

3

Kansas City KS

Population: ~155,000

A diverse and dynamic city that is a vital shipping and logistics hub, known for its vibrant Latin community, the Children's Mercy Park soccer stadium, and outlet shopping.

4

Olathe

Population: ~145,000

Home to the global headquarters of Garmin, this fast-growing city in the Kansas City metro is a major center for technology, retail, and healthcare innovation.

5

Topeka

Population: ~125,000

The state capital and the site of the landmark Brown v. Board of Education Supreme Court case, a historic city on the Kansas River with a deep frontier heritage.

Neighbors

NebraskaMissouriOklahomaColorado

Region: Midwest

Capital: Topeka

Key Landmarks & Economy

Monument Rocks: Striking chalk prairie formations rising from the flat plains, these prehistoric limestone outcroppings reveal 80-million-year-old marine fossils and stunning geological history.
Cosmosphere: Located in Hutchinson, this world-class space museum houses the largest collection of Russian space artifacts outside of Moscow and an iconic IMAX dome theater.
Global Breadbasket: Kansas is the nation's top producer of winter wheat and a leading supplier of sorghum, corn, and beef cattle, feeding millions of people around the world.

Did You Know?

  • The geographic center of the contiguous 48 states is located near Lebanon, Kansas, marked by a small stone monument on a quiet country road.
  • The World's Largest Ball of Twine in Cawker City weighs over 20,000 pounds and continues to grow as visitors add to it each year during the annual Twine-A-Thon.
  • Dodge City, Kansas, was known as the "Wickedest Little City in the West" and became a global symbol of the American frontier, lawlessness, and the legendary cattle drive era.

Demographics