Capital: Topeka State abbreviation/Postal code: Kans./KS Governor: Sam Brownback, R (to Jan. 2015) Lieut. Governor: Jeff Colyer, R (to Jan. 2015) Senators: Jerry Moran, R (to Jan. 2017); Pat Roberts, R (to Jan. 2015) U.S. Representatives: 4 Historical biographies of Congressional members Secy. of State: Kris Kobach, R (to Jan. 2015) Treasurer: Ron Estes, R (to Jan. 2015) Atty. General: Derek Schmidt, R (to Jan. 2015) Organized as territory: May 30, 1854 Entered Union (rank): Jan. 29, 1861 (34) Present constitution adopted: 1859 Motto: Ad astra per aspera (To the stars through difficulties) State symbols: | flower | sunflower (1903) | | tree | cottonwood (1937) | | bird | western meadowlark (1937) | | animal | buffalo (1955) | | song | “Home on the Range” (1947) |
Nicknames: Sunflower State; Jayhawk State Origin of name: From a Sioux word meaning “people of the south wind” 10 largest cities (2010): Wichita, 382,368; Overland Park, 173,372; Kansas City, 145,786; Topeka, 127,473; Olathe, 125,872; Lawrence, 87,643; Shawnee, 62,209; Manhattan, 52,281; Lenexa, 48,190; Salina, 47,707 Land area: 81,815 sq mi. (211,901 sq km) Geographic center: In Barton Co., 15 mi. NE of Great Bend Number of counties: 105 Largest county by population and area: Johnson, 544,179 (2010); Butler, 1,428 sq mi. State parks: 24 Residents: Kansan 2010 resident population: 2,853,118 2010 resident census population (rank): 2,853,118 (33). Male: 1,415,408 (49.6%); Female: 1,437,710 (50.4%). White: 2,391,044 (83.8%); Black: 167,864 (5.9%); American Indian: 28,150 (1.0%); Asian: 67,762 (2.4%); Other race: 110,127 (3.4%); Two or more races: 85,933 (3.0%); Hispanic/Latino: 300,042 (10.5%). 2000 population 18 and over: 2,126,179; 65 and over: 376,116 (13.2%); median age: 35.9. See additional census data Area codes Tourism office |
