Shawnee, Kansas Facts for Kids

This page is about the city of Shawnee, Kansas. For the county with the same name, see Shawnee County, Kansas.

Quick facts for kids

Shawnee, Kansas

City

Flag

Seal

Location within Johnson County and Kansas

KDOT map of Johnson County (legend)

Country

United States

Area

• Total

42.86 sq mi (111.01 km²)

• Land

41.98 sq mi (108.72 km²)

• Water

0.89 sq mi (2.30 km²)

Elevation

820 ft (250 m)

Population

(2020)

• Total

67,311

• Estimate

(2022)

69,198

• Density

1,570.49/sq mi (606.35/km²)

Time zone

UTC-6 (CST)

• Summer (DST)

UTC-5 (CDT)

ZIP Codes

66203, 66214, 66216-20, 66226-27, 66299

Area code

913

FIPS code

20-64500

GNIS ID

485652

Shawnee is a city in Johnson County, Kansas, United States. It is a lively part of the larger Kansas City metropolitan area. In 2020, about 67,311 people lived in Shawnee. This makes it the seventh-largest city in the Kansas City area.

History of Shawnee

Shawnee has a rich history, especially during important times for Kansas and the United States.

Early Days and Kansas Becoming a State

Before and after the American Civil War, Shawnee was on an important government road. This road connected Fort Leavenworth to Fort Riley. In the mid-1800s, settlers traveled through the area on branches of the Oregon Trail and Santa Fe Trail. These trails passed through nearby towns like Olathe and Overland Park.

A mission for the Shawnee Indian tribe was set up here in 1831. The town of Shawnee itself was planned out in 1857. Kansas became a state on January 29, 1861. It joined the United States as a "free state," meaning slavery was not allowed. This decision caused a lot of tension between those who were against slavery and those who supported it.

Shawnee During the Civil War

The tensions before the Civil War led to conflicts in Kansas, a period known as Bleeding Kansas. In October 1862, during the Civil War, a group led by William Quantrill attacked Shawnee. The town was damaged during this event.

Quantrill's group returned in the summer of 1863. They were looking for a way to escape after planning an attack on the nearby town of Lawrence. The attacks on Shawnee helped them prepare for their larger attack on Lawrence. Lawrence was an anti-slavery town, and it had many disagreements with those who supported slavery. In August 1863, the Lawrence Massacre took place. This event caused a lot of harm and damage to Lawrence.

Geography and Nature

Shawnee is a city with a mix of developed areas and natural spaces.

City Area

The city covers about 42.86 square miles (111.01 square kilometers). Most of this area is land, with a small part being water.

Shawnee Mission Park

One of the city's highlights is Shawnee Mission Park. This large park covers about 1,600 acres (6.5 square kilometers). It includes a 120-acre (0.49 square kilometer) lake. It's a great place for outdoor activities.

Who Lives in Shawnee?

This section tells us about the people who call Shawnee home.

Historical population
Census	Pop.	%±
1930	553	—
1940	597	8.0%
1950	845	41.5%
1960	9,072	973.6%
1970	20,946	130.9%
1980	29,653	41.6%
1990	37,993	28.1%
2000	47,996	26.3%
2010	62,209	29.6%
2020	67,311	8.2%
2022 (est.)	69,198	11.2%
U.S. Decennial Census 2010-2020

Shawnee is the 7th largest city in the Kansas City Metropolitan Area.

Population in 2020

In 2020, about 67,311 people lived in Shawnee. There were over 25,600 households, which are groups of people living together. About 18,100 of these were families.

The people living in Shawnee come from many different backgrounds. Most residents are white, but there are also many African American, Asian, Native American, and other groups. About 9% of the population is Hispanic or Latino.

Many households (35%) have children under 18. Over half of the households (56.2%) are married couples. About 23.5% of households are single people living alone. The average household has about 2.7 people.

How People Live and Work

Many adults in Shawnee (about 33.9%) have a college degree or higher. The median age in Shawnee is about 38.4 years old. This means half the people are older than 38.4, and half are younger.

In terms of income, the average household income was about $88,941 per year. The average family income was higher, around $106,647 per year. A small number of families and people live below the poverty line. This means they earn less money than is needed to meet basic needs.

Economy and Jobs

Shawnee has many businesses that provide jobs for its residents.

Top Employers in Shawnee

Here are some of the biggest employers in the city:

#	Employer	Number of Employees
1	FedEx Ground Package System, Inc.	575
2	Bayer HealthCare, LLC-Animal Div	550
3	First Student	400
4	Shawnee, City of	330
4	Wal-Mart Super Center	300
5	Nazdar Industries	280
7	Hy-Vee Food Stores	250
8	KU MedWest	225
9	Target Super Store	190
10	Kraft Tool Company	180

Libraries and Museums

Shawnee offers places for learning and fun.

JoCo Museum of History

Libraries

The Johnson County Library has two branches in the Shawnee Mission area: the Monticello Library and the Shawnee Library. These are part of a larger system with 13 locations across Johnson County.

Museums

You can also visit the Shawnee Town 1929 Museum. This museum shows what life was like in Shawnee in 1929. The Wonderscope Children's Museum is also located in the city, offering interactive exhibits for kids.

Local Media

Shawnee is part of the larger Kansas City area for television and radio. The Shawnee Mission Post is a local online news source that covers news for Shawnee and other nearby cities.