Johnson County, Kansas The county in situated in Northeast Kansas. The population based on 2009 census was 542,737 placing the largest in the state. Olathe is the seat county. As of 2000, Johnson County was the highest median household income in the state and ranked 19th in the nation. In 2005 Johnson County was the 46th highest per-capita income. The county is almost suburban and included in the Kansas City Metropolitan Area. According to CNN/ Money and Money magazine of 2008, three cities in Johnson County were included in the lists of the “100 Best Cities to Live in the U.S. Overland Park was on 9th place, Olathe on the 11th place and 39th place was Shawnee. In 2008, Olathe ranked 24th in the country’s top 25 fastest growing cities in U.S. Census Bureau. History The county is named after Thomas Johnson who was one of the first counties settled inthe Kansas Territory in 1855. Many sites of battles from Abolitionists and pro-slavery advocates during Bleeding Kansas happened in Johnson County. The county was mainly rural until the early 20th century came when Overland Park and Mission Hills were developed as suburbs of Kansas City Missouri. Johnson County today is one of the fastest growing areas in the Kansas City Metro Area and being one of the richest areas in the country. Johnson County is known as “the Orange County of the Midwest” for its massive development particularly in its southern portion. Geography The county has a total area is 480 square miles that composed of 477 square miles of land and 3 square miles of water. Demographics The population was estimated to be 516,731 in 2006. The racial makeup consists of mostly White with 91.11% of the population and others such as Asian, Black, African American, and Native American composed of the remaining percentage. |