What is the capital of Kansas?

The capital of Kansas is Topeka, home to the landmark Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Site, the pivotal Supreme Court case that ended school segregation.

How many people live in Kansas?

Kansas has a population of approximately 2.9 million people, making it the 35th most populous state in the U.S.

When was Kansas admitted to the Union?

Kansas was admitted to the Union on January 29, 1861, becoming the 34th state after the fiery "Bleeding Kansas" conflicts over slavery.

What is Kansas known for?

Kansas is known as the Sunflower State and is famous for being the nation's top wheat producer, the aerospace industry in Wichita, Dodge City's frontier history, and being the geographic center of the contiguous U.S.

Kansas

The Sunflower State

TimeLive Clock

TopekaAvg 60°F

Quick Stats

Quick Statistics
Population	2.9M
Rank	#35
Joined	1861
Area (mi²)	82.2k

2.9MPopulation

#35Rank

1861Joined

82.2kArea (mi²)

Map

Seal & Motto

"Ad Astra per Aspera"

Adopted in 1861 at the moment of Kansas' hard-won admission to the Union, this Latin phrase honors the violent struggle of Bleeding Kansas — the years of armed conflict between pro-slavery and free-state settlers that tore the territory apart before the Civil War. It is a declaration that Kansas rose to statehood not in spite of its difficulties, but because of the courage and determination of those who refused to give up the fight for freedom.

Flag Meaning

The Kansas flag features a blue field adorned with the state seal. Above it lies a state flower, the sunflower, resting on a twisted blue and gold bar representing the Louisiana Purchase. The word 'KANSAS' was added below the seal in 1961.

Sunflower — the vibrant state flower representing Kansas' sunny climate.
Blue Field — symbolizes loyalty and the deep blue skies over the prairie.
State Seal — depicts commerce, agriculture, and the phrase 'Ad Astra per Aspera'.

State Symbols

🐦BirdWestern Meadowlark

🌻FlowerWild Sunflower

🌳TreeCottonwood

🦬AnimalAmerican Buffalo

🎵Song"Home on the Range"

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.

Geographically, it shares borders with Nebraska, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Colorado, forming a closely connected regional network.

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.

Famous Natives

Amelia EarhartAviation PioneerBorn Atchison, 1897

Charlie ParkerJazz MusicianBorn Kansas City, 1920

Buster KeatonActor / ComedianBorn Piqua, 1895

Paul RuddActorRaised Overland Park

Hattie McDanielActressBorn Wichita, 1893

Melissa EtheridgeMusicianBorn Leavenworth, 1961

Top Cities & Hubs

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

How Kansas Ranks

Compared to all 50 states — bar shows relative standing

Wheat Production#1 of 50

The "Wheat State"

Sorghum Production#1 of 50

Top U.S. producer

Beef Cattle#3 of 50

Major livestock hub

Aerospace ManufacturingTop 5

Wichita's aircraft industry

Neighbors

Region🌎 Midwest

CapitalTopeka

Additional Information

AbbreviationKS

Postal Codes

66002 (Atchison) → 67954 (Tyrone)

~705 ZIP codes statewide

Official WebsiteKansas.gov

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.