Linn County, Kansas

For many millennia, the Great Plains of North America was inhabited by nomadic Native Americans. From the 16th century to 18th century, the Kingdom of France claimed ownership of large parts of North America. In 1762, after the French and Indian War, France secretly ceded New France to Spain, per the Treaty of Fontainebleau.

In 1802, Spain returned most of the land to France, but keeping title to about 7,500 square miles. In 1803, most of the land for modern day Kansas was acquired by the United States from France as part of the 828,000 square mile Louisiana Purchase for 2.83 cents per acre.

Explorers in the early 19th century came across abandoned mining sites along a creek south of the Marais des Cygnes river. The background of these early miners remains a mystery; but it inspired early residents of the region to name this waterway "Mine Creek."^[5]

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 606 square miles (1,570 km²), of which 594 square miles (1,540 km²) is land and 12 square miles (31 km²) (2.0%) is water.^[6]

• Miami County (north)
• Bates County, Missouri (east)
• Vernon County, Missouri (southeast)
• Bourbon County (south)
• Allen County (southwest)
• Anderson County (west)
• Franklin County (northwest)

• Marais des Cygnes National Wildlife Refuge

Linn County is included in the Kansas City, MO-KS Metropolitan Statistical Area.

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 9,591. The median age was 46.2 years. 22.7% of residents were under the age of 18 and 21.8% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 104.3 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 103.7 males age 18 and over. 0.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 100.0% lived in rural areas.^[12][13]

The racial makeup of the county was 92.9% White, 0.7% Black or African American, 0.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% Asian, 0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 0.5% from some other race, and 5.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 2.5% of the population.^[14]

There were 3,982 households in the county, of which 26.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 20.6% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 28.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.^[13]

There were 5,065 housing units, of which 21.4% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 79.6% were owner-occupied and 20.4% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.4% and the rental vacancy rate was 8.0%.^[13]

As of the 2000 census,^[15] there were 9,570 people, 3,807 households, and 2,748 families residing in the county. The population density was 16 people per square mile (6.2 people/km²). There were 4,720 housing units at an average density of 8 per square mile (3.1/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 97.50% White, 0.63% Black or African American, 0.48% Native American, 0.14% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.16% from other races, and 1.06% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.91% of the population.

There were 3,807 households, out of which 28.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.70% were married couples living together, 6.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.80% were non-families. 24.00% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.48 and the average family size was 2.94.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 25.00% under the age of 18, 6.70% from 18 to 24, 24.30% from 25 to 44, 25.70% from 45 to 64, and 18.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 100.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.60 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $35,906, and the median income for a family was $42,571. Males had a median income of $31,720 versus $22,287 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,009. About 7.80% of families and 11.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.20% of those under age 18 and 9.60% of those age 65 or over.

Following amendment to the Kansas Constitution in 1986, the county remained a prohibition, or "dry", county until 2004, when voters approved the sale of alcoholic liquor by the individual drink with a 30 percent food sales requirement.^[17]

• Pleasanton USD 344
• Jayhawk USD 346
• Prairie View USD 362

List of townships / incorporated cities / unincorporated communities / extinct former communities within Linn County.^[18]

† means a community is designated a Census-Designated Place (CDP) by the United States Census Bureau.

Linn County is divided into eleven townships. None of the cities within the county are considered governmentally independent, and all figures for the townships include those of the cities. In the following table, the population center is the largest city (or cities) included in that township's population total, if it is of a significant size.

• National Register of Historic Places listings in Linn County, Kansas
• USS Linn County (LST-900)

Community information for Kansas

• Kansas locations by per capita income
• List of counties in Kansas
• List of townships in Kansas
• List of cities in Kansas
• List of unincorporated communities in Kansas
• List of ghost towns in Kansas