85 Kansas Facts and Weird Laws

What are the unique things about Kansas state?

None Kansans think Kansas is big farmland with nothing interesting in it. Although Kansas is famous for its flat landscape, it isn’t the fastest—Florida takes that crown.

Located in the Midwestern part of the United States, Kansas is one of the best US states in picturesque landmarks, scenic drives, and diverse wildlife. Today, we will explore the fun facts about Kansas. You’ll also find top tourist attractions sites in Kansas. 

Here are Kansas facts. Let’s dive in.

Kansas Facts – Politics And Government 

1. Kansas has six votes in the electoral college.
2. Kansas is a red-leaning state in the north, while the south and east tend to support Democrats.
3. In the 2020 presidential elections, President Joe Biden became the first Democrat to win Shawnee county since 1992.
4. He is also the first Democrat to win Johnson County—houses Olathe and overland park.
5. Joe Biden is the first Democrat to win Riley County in the Kansas presidential elections.
6. The government of Kansas has three branches that operate through “checks and balances.”
7. The lieutenant governor is the next-in-line should a governorship vacancy occur.
8. The Speaker of the House and the Kansas Senate President are both second-in-line to the governorship throne in the case of an emergency.
9. The State’s judiciary uses the common law system used during the British Empire.
10. Kansas has two courts of last resort with different jurisdictions—the Supreme Court deals with Civil law, whereas the Court of Appeals deals with criminal law.
11. The governor appoints cabinet Secretaries to assist in managing the executive branch of the Kansas government.
12. The governor also determines the role of the lieutenant governor.
13. The current governor of Kansas is Laura Kelly ( Democratic Party).

Kansas Facts – History

14. The Wichita people founded Etzanoa near the Arkansas River in 1450 or thereabout. Juan de Onate led a group of explorers called this city “the Great Settlement.
15. The Plain Indians saw horses for the first time when Spanish conquistadors led by Francisco Vasquez de Coronado visited their land.
16. In the 17th century, both the Kansa and Osage nation arrived in Kansas.
17. The Kansa dominated the Kansas river, while the Osage became dominant around the Arkansas River.
18. After the seven-year war, the Spanish amassed French territories west of the Mississippi River.
19. The United States took control of the unorganized Kansas territory as part of the French-claimed territories west of the Mississippi River.
20. The US acquisition was via Louisiana Purchase in 1803.
21. The United States took control of the whole of Kansas after the Mexican-American war. 
22.  While on a mission to explore the Louisiana Purchase, Lewis and Clark’s expedition stayed for three days in Kansas City. 
23. Kansas was previously part of the Missouri territory.
24. When Missouri was admitted into the Union, Fort Leavenworth (in the unorganized territory of Kansas) had a few more whites than the rest of the present-day Kansas state.
25.  The government of the United States once set aside Kansas for the Indians.
26. The Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854 established the Kansas territory and Nebraska territory.
27.  Wars in Kansas led to the American Civil War.
28.  Kansas was admitted to the Union in 1861 and became the 34th State to achieve statehood.
29. The Kansas name has its origins in the Sioux tribe who lived in the region. Konza or Kansas means ” the south wind people” or “wind people.”
30. The most popular Kansas nicknames include the Sunflower state and the Wheat State.
31. Sumner county, in Kansas, is named after US senator Charles Sumner who was beaten in the senate by a South Carolina congressman.
32. Topping cherry pie was once illegal in this state. 

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Kansas Facts – Geography

33. Kansas State is located in the Midwest region of the United States.
34. This landlocked State shares the Nebraska border, Missouri border, Colorado border, and Oklahoma border.

35. Kansas got its name from the Kansas River, which was named ” Kansa” by the Sioux tribe of Native Americans.
36.  Kansas is the 15th largest in the US, with a total area of 213,100 square kilometers.
37. Kansas is split into 105 counties with 628 cities.
38.  Butler County is the largest county in Kansas by area.
39.  Kansas’s location is central to the Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific Ocean.
40. Barton County is the geographic center of this State.
41. Eastern and Southern Kansas show Pennsylvanian, Permian, and Mississippian rocks.

42. Two-thirds of the western part of Kansas lies in the great central plain, whereas the Eastern region has forests and hills.
43.  Kansas is home to many rivers, including the Missouri River, Kansas River, Arkansas River, Solomon River, and the Spring River.
44. Kansas has historic sites and national parks. 
45. Kansas State has three types of climate, namely humid continental, humid subtropical, and semi-arid steppe.
46. The flint hills in this state are famous for the tallgrass prairie ecosystem.
47.  Kansas is likely to have strong thunderstorms, especially in spring.
48. Kansas is among the active states in the United States of America and receives so many tornadoes per year, about 96.
49. The Sunflower state had the first world’s EF5 tornado.

Kansas Facts – Plants And Animals

50.  Kansas has over 228 species of animals and over 400 varieties of plants.
51.  Kansas is home to many bird species, including the great horned owls, bluebirds, prairie chickens, great blue herons, red-tailed hawks, and bald eagles.

52. American Buffalo is the official Kansas state animal.
53. The predators that live in this State include foxes, bobcats, and coyotes. 
54. Other small mammals native to the Sunflower state are raccoons, prairie dogs, cottontail rabbits, opossums, and muskrats.
55. Native rodents are groundhogs, pocket gophers, and mice.
56. Kansas has only one squirrel species, the eastern fox squirrel.
57. Kansas is home to a healthy population of Beavers and Bison.
58. Kansas is also home to 28 state parks and numerous wildlife conservation areas.
59. The dangerous animals living in this State include spiders (brown recluse spiders, hobo spiders, and black widow spiders), snakes (copperheads and prairie rattlesnakes), and insects such as ticks.
60. The flint hills house the scenic tallgrass prairie ecosystem.

Kansas Facts – Demographics

61. Kansas has the 34th largest population of over  2,937,880.

62. Kansas ranks 36th according to population density. It has about 53 people per square mile.
63. Rural depopulation is due primarily to the increased focus on agricultural labor-efficient machinery.
64. About 3% of the population belongs to two or more races.
65. Over 90% of the residents speak English. However, Spanish, German, and Vietnamese make up the less-spoken languages.
66. Over 70% of the people are Christians by faith. Catholic Church has the highest number of followers.
67. Kansas is home to over 6,000 ghost towns.
68. Wichita City is the most populous city in Kansas.
69. Kansas City is the third-largest city in this state.
70.  A resident of Kansas State is called Kansan.
71. South central Kansas is one of the oldest neighborhoods in this state.
72. Topeka is the capital city of Kansas.
73. The largest church in Kansas is the first united methodist church.

Kansas Facts – Economy

74. Kansas has a GDP of around $176 billion.
75. Over 43% of the citizens of this State are college-educated.
76. The median income for Kansas is around $32,209.
77. Kansas is a chief producer of grain sorghum, wheat, and beef. Kansas state houses the wheat capital of the world.
78. Kansas has the largest wheat milling industry in the country.
79. Wichita city is one of the top producers of camping gear in the United States.
80. Wichita, Kansas, produces aviation aircraft. 
81. The right to work law forbids compulsory unionism.
82. Kansas has the largest quantities of helium in the United States.
83. It’s also the leading producer of Portland cement.
84. The right-hand rule is not part of the Kansas property line laws.
85. Wichita is the only city with a major airport in this State.

Famous Locations in Kansas

These are the top 10 unique places to visit in Kansas.

1. Botanica Wichita Gardens has 30 themed gardens you would love to explore.
2. Kansas State Capitol in Topeka is a marvel of art. You can take the free dome Tour to enjoy this great piece of architectural design.
3. Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum, and Boyhood Home in Abilene will add to your knowledge about President Dwight D. Eisenhower.
4. Sedgwick County Zoo, Wichita, is home to over 3,000 animals, including chatty kookaburras, tigers, lions, gorillas, and elephants.
5. Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve in Kansas Flint hills will give you a look and feel of the old American west before the wheat farms.
6. Boot Hills in Dodge city is home to the Boot Hill museum filled with artifacts and photographs of Dodge city in the wild west days.
7. Evel Knievel Museum, Topeka, is named after Evel Knievel, a famous motorcycle stuntman.
8. Spencer Museum of Art, located in the University of Kansas, has over 45,000 pieces.
9. Monument Rocks in western Kansas present some of the most beautiful rock formations in the country.

Famous People From Kansas

• Scott Phillips, born in Wichita, is an American crime fiction writer and director.
• Judy Bell, born in Wichita, is a world golf hall of fame.
• Walter Chrysler, born in Wamego, is the founder of Chrysler corporations. 
• Russell Stover, deceased, was the founder of Russell Stover Candies.
• Elizabeth Farnsworth, born in Topeka, is a television journalist.

Common Misconception About Kansas

Some of the things you’ve heard about Kansas are false and misleading. People portray Kansas with the things they watch or hear. Today, we will debunk a few myths you thought were true.

The Jayhawks aren’t the only team in the South wind.

Why do you forget that the State is nearly as populous as Jayhawks?

Kansas is as flat as a pancake.

Don’t be ridiculous. Kansas doesn’t even appear in the top five flattest states in the country. Why do you forget Florida so fast?

Weird Laws in Kansas

Many of the laws below were passed a long time ago, but they still exist in many Kansas cities, but many of them go unenforced. It is easier to pass laws than to revoke them, so some very strange laws remain on the books. Read the Craziest Laws in the United States, if you want more.

Here are some of our favorites.

1. It is illegal in Kansas City to say “George Washington” without adding the phrase “blessed be his name.” You can receive a fine of up to fifty cents.
2. As soon as cars enter the city limits, they should sound their horn to alert horses of their arrival. 
3. A hat may not contain a bee.
4. It is illegal to catch bullfrogs in tomato patches.
5. Hunting whales is prohibited.
6. Kansas prohibits the topping of cherry pie with ice cream.

Final Thoughts

As you can see, Kansas is not a boring place to visit as many people see it. 

Kansans are cool to be with, and the history of their State is a piece of knowledge you wouldn’t mind. That’s all for today. But if you still want to learn more about Kansas State, here is a video link for you.

Kansas Facts And Stats

Capital	Topeka
Population	2020 (2,937,880)
Governor	Laura Kelly  ( Democratic Party)
Date Of Admission	January 29, 1861
U.S. Senators	Roger Marshall (R-KS) Jerry Moran (R-KS)
US House of Representatives	4 (of 435 Seats)
State Nickname	The Sunflower StateThe Wheat State
State Motto	Ad astra per aspera meaning “to the stars through difficulties”
State Song	Home on the Range by Dr. Brewster Higley
State Flower	Wild Native Sunflower
State Fish	Channel Catfish
State Bird	Western Meadowlark
State Tree	Cottonwood
State Mammal	American Buffalo
State Reptile	The Ornate box turtle
State Mineral	Galena
State Gem	Jelinite
State Fossil	Pteranodon
Neighbor States	Nebraska Missouri Oklahoma Colorado

Frequently Asked Questions about Kansas

What are the five interesting facts about Kansas?

• It’s home to Dorothy of the Wizard of Oz.
• It’s called the “tornado alley” because of the many tornadoes it experiences.
• Its name has a Native American origin.
• Its capital city is Topeka.
• Its motto is “To the stars through difficulties.”

What are the three facts about Kansas?

• Helium was first discovered at the University of Kansas in 1805.
• The longest elevator in the world is Wichita’s Debruce grain elevator.
• Smith Country, Kansas, is the geographical center of the lower 48 states. 

References

[1] https://www.britannica.com/topic/Wichita-people

[2] https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/history/article/native-people-of-the-american-great-plains

[3] https://www.britannica.com/event/Seven-Years-War

[4] https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/landlocked-states-of-the-united-states.html

[5] http://www.usa.com/rank/kansas-state–land-area–county-rank.htm

[6] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Central_Great_Plains_(ecoregion)

[7] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_F5_and_EF5_tornadoes