Kansas

The Sunflower State
State flag of Kansas featuring the state seal topped by a sunflower and the word 'Kansas' on a blue field
Time --:-- --
Topeka Loading...
Quick Stats
2.9M Population
#35 Rank
1861 Joined
82.2k Area (mi²)
Map
Geographical map showing the layout of Kansas, the rectangular heart of America, bordering Colorado, Nebraska, Missouri, and Oklahoma

Seal and Motto
Official seal of Kansas featuring a riverboat, a prairie schooner, a settler plowing a field, and a majestic mountain sunset
"Ad Astra per Aspera"
Additional Information
Abbreviation KS
Motto Origin

Latin for "To the stars through difficulties."

Adopted 1861.

Official Website Kansas.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 trail-head for the historic Oregon and Santa Fe trails and the legendary cattle drives.

Top Cities & Hubs
1

Wichita

Population: ~400,000

The "Air Capital of the World," a massive global center for aerospace design and manufacturing, hosting industrial giants like Boeing and Spirit AeroSystems while boasting a vibrant cultural and arts scene.

2

Overland Park

Population: ~200,000

The largest suburb of the Kansas City metro area and a significant corporate hub, consistently ranked as one of the nation's best places to live due to its elite schools and booming economy.

3

Kansas City, KS

Population: ~155,000

Often referred to as "KCK," this diverse industrial and shipping hub is famous for its world-class soccer stadium, premium outlet shopping, and its historic status as a gateway to the American West.

4

Olathe

Population: ~145,000

A fast-growing technology and retail center within the Kansas City metro, serving as the global headquarters for Garmin and offering extensive park systems and a high quality of suburban life.

5

Topeka

Population: ~125,000

The state capital and a major center for government and law, best known nationally as the home of the landmark Brown v. Board of Education case that transformed American civil rights.

Neighbors
Nebraska Missouri Oklahoma Colorado

Region: Midwest

Key Landmarks & Economy
Monument Rocks: Towering chalk formations that rise dramatically from the prairie, serving as a majestic window into the state's ancient prehistoric limestone history.
Cosmosphere: A world-class space museum and research center in Hutchinson, housing the largest collection of Russian space artifacts outside of Moscow.
Global Breadbasket: Kansas is the nation's leading producer of winter wheat and a primary global supplier of sorghum, corn, and high-grade beef.
Did You Know?
  • Kansas is home to the **geographic center** of the contiguous United States, located near the city of Lebanon.
  • The state is so flat that a the world's **largest ball of twine** in Cawker City is a major tourist attraction, weighing over 20,000 pounds.
  • The mythical **Dodge City** was once the "Wickedest Little City in the West" and remains a global symbol of the legendary American frontier.
Demographics