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Downtown Kansas City Missouri Photo sourced from

30 Compelling Facts About Kansas 

Kansas is a state located in the USA’s midwestern area and among the country’s best places to visit. The state has a capital named Topeka. Known as the Sunflower State, Kansas possesses a rich and fascinating history, diversified geography, and a strong economy.

Kansas is a distinctive and interesting place, regardless of whether you live there or are just planning a trip there. From its contribution to the nation’s agricultural business to its notable historic landmarks and natural attractions, Kansas has something for everyone. Let’s take a look at some of the most compelling facts about Kansas;

1. Kansas is the largest producer of wheat in the United States 

Kansas Summer Wheat and Storm Panorama Photo sourced from

Kansas is the largest producer of wheat in the United States. With over 20% of the nation’s wheat production, Kansas is the nation’s top producer of grain. Wheat may be grown well in Kansas due to its favorable geography and climate.

Hard winter wheat, a variety of wheat that is strong in protein and gluten and is perfect for baking bread, can grow in the semiarid state’s scorching summers and frigid winters. Furthermore, the state is perfect for growing wheat due to its good soil and flat topography.

2. Kansas is known as the Sunflower State

Kansas sunflower field up close Photo sourced from

Kansas is known as the Sunflower State because of the profuse cultivation of sunflowers throughout the state. Kansas is reputed to be one of the states that produce the most sunflowers in the nation. The sunflower was chosen as the state flower in 1903. In addition to being a lovely flower, sunflowers are quite important economically for the state.

They are a significant crop and have numerous uses, including providing food, oil, and birdseed. The sunflower is a common choice for home and garden decoration since it always faces the sun and is seen as a symbol of optimism and hope

3. Kansas has a population of approximately 2.9 million people 

Kansas has a population of approximately 2.9 million people, which is around 2,963,308. Although their numbers have drastically decreased, today about 87% of Kansas inhabitants identify as white, compared to just 1.2% of American Indian and Alaskan Native people.

In Kansas, people of any race who identify as Hispanic or Latino make up 11.6% of the overall population. Southwest Kansas is home to the majority of people of Mexican heritage, who can make up as much as 50% of the population in some counties.

4. The state bird of Kansas is the western meadowlark 

The western meadowlark (Sturnella neglecta) is a medium-sized bird species that is renowned for its lovely and distinctive singing, which is sometimes compared to a flute-like tune with varying pitch. The bird is also recognized for its long, pointed bill, brown back with black and white streaks, and bright yellow breast with a black V-shaped collar.

Following a survey of schoolchildren throughout the state, the western meadowlark was formally named the state bird of Kansas in 1937. It was picked because of how common it is throughout the state and how popular its cheery, uplifting song is in prairies, farms, and grasslands.

5. Kansas was admitted to the Union as the 34th state in 1861

On January 29, 1861, Kansas became the 34th state to join the Union. This came after a protracted and bloody war known as “Bleeding Kansas,” which started in the middle of the 1850s when pro- and anti-slavery groups fought over whether Kansas would join the Union as a slave or free state.

Finally, anti-slavery forces won out, and Kansas joined the Union as a free state. Kansas gained notoriety as the “Sunflower State” after gaining statehood and was a significant player in both the Civil War and the abolitionist struggle.

Read more about Kansas here

6. The state flag of Kansas features the state seal and a sunflower 

On May 21st, 1927, Kansas adopted its national flag. On a blue background, it has the state seal in the center. The state flower of Kansas, the sunflower, is displayed above the seal. Blue, the state color of Kansas, serves as the backdrop for the design.

The state’s emblem shows a rising sun over a scene with a steamer on a river, a pioneer home, and a man using a horse-drawn plow to clear a field. Kansas and the state motto, Ad Astra per Aspera, which translates to “To the Stars through Challenges,” are written above the seal. Given that it is one of the principal crops farmed in Kansas, the sunflower is a significant state emblem.

7. The state is home to some of the most famous people in the world 

An official portrait of Dwight D. Eisenhower Photo sourced from

Several well-known individuals who have had a substantial impact on their industries have called Kansas home. People from Kansas who are well-known include Dwight D. Eisenhower, the 34th President of the United States, and Amelia Earhart who were a pioneer in aviation and the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean. 

Langston Hughes is a poet, novelist, and playwright who is renowned for his stirring depictions of African American life.  Walter Chrysler, a senior leader in the American auto industry and the creator of the Chrysler Company, and last but not least Astronomer Clyde Tombaugh, who made the planet Pluto known.

Read more about Dwight D, Eisenhower in Top 10 Facts About Dwight Eisenhower

8. The Wizard of Oz was written by L. Frank Baum, a resident of Kansas 

L. Frank Baum published his well-known children’s book “The Wizard of Oz” in 1900. Baum did live in Kansas, and his experiences there served as the basis for the story. It was during his time in Humboldt that Baum began working on “The Wizard of Oz.” The plot was initially intended to be a play, and Baum worked with several different writers to create the script.

Baum, however, chose to write a book instead of a play after the play failed to secure a producer. Baum drew inspiration for “The Wizard of Oz” from a variety of sources, including his personal experiences living in different regions of the nation and the fairy tales and mythology he had read as a youngster.

9. The largest ball of twine in the world is located in Cawker City, Kansas 

Photograph of Ball of Twine from Cawker City Kansas Photo sourced from

The largest ball of twine in the world is located in Cawker City, Kansas which is a well-liked tourist destination. The ball of twine has a circumference of more than 40 feet, weighs more than 17,000 pounds, and contains more than 7 million feet of twine.

The ball of twine was started by a man named Frank Stoeber in 1953. Farmer Stoeber had a practice of conserving the twine from the hay bales he used on his property. He started to roll the twine into a ball and over the years kept adding to it. The twine ball was given to Cawker City which has continued to add twine into it after Stoeber’s death in 1974.

10. The world’s first airplane factory was established in Wichita, Kansas 

The world’s first airplane factory was built in Wichita, Kansas in 1916 by the Travel Air Manufacturing Corporation. Due to its central location within the US and its proximity to producers of raw materials like engines and aluminum, Wichita was selected as the site for the production.

The Model A, a biplane intended for civilian usage, was the first aircraft made by Travel Air. The Model A was followed by several other popular variants, notably the Model B, which Charles Lindbergh flew for his historic transatlantic solo flight in 1927.

11. Kansas has a varied landscape, including prairies, forests, and rolling hills

Its varied terrain includes plains, woodlands, and undulating hills. The majority of Kansas’ middle and western regions are covered in prairies, which dominate the state’s topography. The largest remnant tallgrass prairie in North America is found in the Flint Hills, a region in eastern Kansas.

This region is well-known for its undulating hills and expansive vistas, which make it a well-liked spot for camping, hiking, and wildlife viewing. Forests cover the Ozark Plateau and the eastern edge of the Great Plains in the eastern portion of Kansas.

12. Kansas is home to several Universities 

Kansas is home to several Universities including Kansas University and Kansas State University which are both members of the prestigious Association of American Universities, which is a group of leading research universities in the United States. Additionally, both universities have a strong commitment to research and have been the recipients of numerous research grants and awards over the years.

In addition to major universities, Kansas is home to several smaller colleges and community colleges. Overall, Kansas has a strong heritage of higher education and provides numerous chances for individuals to pursue their academic and professional aspirations.

Read more about the universities here

13. Dodge City, Kansas was once a notorious Wild West town 

Dodge City Photo sourced from

In the late 1800s, one of the most notorious Wild West communities was Dodge City, Kansas. It started as a Santa Fe Trail halt in 1872 and quickly developed into a hub for cattle drives and cowboys. Due to the town’s Santa Fe Railroad location, which made it a hub for trade and transportation, it quickly gained popularity with tourists and settlers.

But, as cowboys and other tough individuals arrived, Dodge City quickly developed a reputation as a lawless and dangerous location. During cattle drives, the town’s population increased as cowboys arrived to spend their hard-earned money on beer, gambling, and prostitutes. There were frequent fights and shootings, and the local law enforcement found it difficult to maintain order.

14. The Flint Hills region in Kansas is known for its tallgrass prairies and unique ecosystem 

Its distinctive environment, characterized by tallgrass grasslands, makes the Flint Hills in eastern Kansas, in the heart of the United States, a location of note. The Flint Hills stretch from northern Kansas to north-central Oklahoma, covering an area of over 13,000 square miles (33,670 square kilometers).

One of the few surviving grassland ecosystems in North America is the tallgrass prairie habitat found in the Flint Hills. Tall grasses including big bluestem, switchgrass, and Indian grass, as well as wildflowers like coneflowers, blazing stars, and goldenrods, are characteristics of the region.

15. The Kansas River is the state’s longest river, stretching 173 miles 

The Kansas River, commonly referred to as the Kaw River, is the longest in the U.S. state of Kansas, flowing for about 173 miles from Junction City to Kansas City, where it meets the Missouri River.

Several significant Kansas cities, including Manhattan, Topeka, and Lawrence, are traversed by the river, which supplies crucial water resources to the area’s agriculture and industry.

16. The Kansas State Fair is held annually in Hutchinson 

The Kansas State Fair is held annually in Hutchinson. In Hutchinson, Kansas, every year, generally in the first or second week of September, the Kansas State Fair is held. One of the biggest state fairs in the country, it draws hundreds of thousands of people every year.

Almost 200 acres of fairgrounds are home to a variety of events, including animal shows, agricultural displays, concerts, carnival rides, and food stands. The fair also holds a variety of contests, including animal displays, quilt shows, and baking competitions.

17. Kansas is home to the Kansas Turnpike

Exit 42 from the Kansas Turnpike Photo sourced from

The Kansas Turnpike is a 236-mile-long toll road that runs through the state of Kansas, from the northern city of Kansas City to the southern city of Wellington. The Kansas Turnpike Authority, which was founded in 1953, is the entity that owns and manages the turnpike.

Major cities including Wichita, Topeka, and Lawrence are connected by the turnpike, which is a crucial route for transportation in Kansas. It is a four-lane highway built to offer quick and effective transit for both cars and trucks carrying commercial loads.

18. Kansas is home to several renowned museums 

Kansas is home to several renowned museums including the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, which houses an impressive collection of more than 35,000 works of art, The Museum of World Treasures, which features a wide variety of art, history, and culture, and The Kansas City Museum, which is committed to preserving the history and culture of Kansas City.

President Eisenhower’s life and legacy are honored in the Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum, which has displays of his military service, presidency, and personal life. In addition to having a sizable collection of military aircraft, the Combat Aviation Museum also has historical and astronomical exhibitions.

19. The state tree of Kansas is the eastern cottonwood 

The Eastern Cottonwood (Populus deltoides) is a sizable deciduous tree that serves as Louisiana’s, Nebraska’s, Wyoming’s, and Kansas’s state trees. It goes by the names eastern poplar, river cottonwood, and necklace poplar.

Native to North America, the Eastern Cottonwood thrives on rich, moist soils near rivers, streams, and floodplains. Its trunk diameter can reach 6 feet, and it can reach heights of up to 100 feet. The tree has broad, triangular leaves that range in size from 3 to 6 inches and have toothed edges.

20. The state motto of Kansas is “To the stars through difficulties”

The state motto of Kansas is Ad astra per aspera, which is a Latin phrase that translates to “To the stars via difficulties” or “Through sufferings to the stars.” The motto, which was formally approved in 1861, captures the pioneering spirit of the people of Kansas, who have faced many difficulties throughout history.

Senator from Kansas John James Ingalls came up with the phrase after being moved by his state’s attempts to join the Union during the American Civil War. Ingalls viewed Kansas as a place of opportunity where individuals might overcome their challenges and accomplish great things.

21. The University of Kansas is also home to the tallest academic building in the world

The Earth, Energy, and Environment Center (EEEC), which debuted in 2017, is the tallest academic building in the world. The EEEC is 293 feet tall, with 6 above-ground floors, and 2 below-ground floors. Together with research labs and classrooms, it also houses the departments of geology, geography, and atmospheric science.

Using elements such as a green roof, rainwater collection, and solar panels, the structure was created to be both environmentally responsible and energy-efficient. The 28-story Shanghai Tower in China, which held the previous record for the tallest academic structure, was surpassed by the EEEC by more than 70 feet

22. The state song of Kansas is “Home on the Range.”

The Kansas Legislature designated “Home on the Range” as the state anthem in 1947. It is an old-fashioned American folk song that was first performed in the 19th century and has since gained popularity. The poem “My Western Home,” written by Dr. Brewster M. Higley, first featured the lyrics to “Home on the Range” in 1873.

The poem talks about the wonders of living in the country and the grandeur of the Kansas landscape. A few years later, a performer by the name of Daniel Kelley set the lyrics to music, and the song quickly gained notoriety all over the Midwest. As the song’s recognition increased, Kansas finally declared it to be the state song.

23. The University of Kansas Jayhawks basketball team has won five national championships

University of Kansas Jayhawks basketball team Photo sourced from

With a rich history that extends back to the early 1900s, the University of Kansas Jayhawks basketball team is one of the most successful college basketball programs in the United States. Five NCAA Men’s Division I Basketball Championships have been won by the group, which is tied for the fourth-most in history.

The basketball team at the University of Kansas has a long and successful history, with numerous famous players and coaches throughout the years. The team is a regular NCAA title challenger and is consistently ranked among the best in the country.

24. Kansas is bordered by four states

Missouri to the east, Nebraska to the north, Colorado to the west, and Oklahoma to the south are the four states that encircle Kansas. Along the Missouri River, Missouri and Kansas share a border. The two states have a rich history together, particularly in the American Civil War.

The Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854 created a long border between Nebraska and Kansas that follows the 40th parallel. Due to their shared border with Kansas in the high plains, Colorado and Kansas have an interest in the Arkansas River’s water resources.

25. The state insect of Kansas is the honeybee

In 1976, the honeybee (Apis mellifera) was chosen as Kansas’s official state insect. Honeybees are crucial pollinators of numerous crops, including almonds, apples, cherries, blueberries, and cucumbers, and thus play a significant role in Kansas agriculture.

Honeybees play an important role in agriculture, but they also produce wax and honey, both of which are used widely in food, cosmetics, and other industries. Honeybees are renowned for their intricate social structure, which includes a highly organized hive and a division of labor between workers, drones, and queen bees.

26. The official state animal of Kansas is the American buffalo

The official state animal of Kansas is the American buffalo, sometimes referred to as the American bison. Given that it was once a crucial component of the Great Plains environment and a valuable resource for Native American tribes and early settlers, this gorgeous animal had a tremendous impact on the history of the state.

In 1955, Kansas declared the American buffalo to be its official state animal. Since then, it has come to represent the state’s rich heritage and stunning natural surroundings. By order of Congress in 2016, the American buffalo was named the national mammal of the United States.

27. The state fish of Kansas is the channel catfish

The state fish of Kansas is the channel catfish. In 1970, the Kansas Assembly selected it as the state fish. In Kansas, channel catfish are frequently found in the state’s streams, rivers, lakes, and reservoirs. They are a well-liked game fish among anglers because of their size, strength, and delicious flavor.

The channel catfish is a vital part of Kansas’s aquatic ecology, and its recognition as the state fish serves to promote awareness of the necessity of maintaining healthy fish populations and safeguarding the state’s natural resources.

28. The Santa Fe Trail, a historic trade route, passed through Kansas in the 1800s 

The Santa Fe Trail was a commercial route that ran across Kansas in the 19th century and connected Missouri to Santa Fe, New Mexico. William Becknell built the roughly 900-mile trail in the early 1820s to trade with the residents of Santa Fe.

The main purpose of the Santa Fe Trail was to facilitate trade between the United States and Mexico. Merchants would pack their carts with manufactured goods, clothing, and weaponry before setting out on the protracted voyage west. They would exchange these things for items like furs, wool, and silver with the residents of Santa Fe.

29. The Kansas City Chiefs are a professional football team based in Kansas City, Missouri 

A professional American football team called the Kansas City Chiefs is situated in Kansas City, Missouri. They are participants in the National Football League’s (NFL) Western Division of the American Football Conference (AFC) (NFL). The Dallas Texans football team was established in 1960, and in 1963 it relocated to Kansas City.

The Chiefs have a long history in the NFL, having won two Super Bowls and making several postseason appearances. They defeated the Minnesota Vikings in 1970 for their first Super Bowl victory and the San Francisco 49ers in 2020 for their second.

30. The state mammal of Kansas is the American bison 

The state mammal of Kansas is the American bison (Bison bison). In 1955, Kansas formally declared it to be the state mammal. The American bison, a well-known representation of the American West, was important to the development of the Great Plains.

One of North America’s biggest terrestrial mammals is the American bison, also referred to as the buffalo. Mature bison can reach heights of over 6 feet and weights of over 2,000 pounds. They have a big hump on their shoulders and a shaggy, dark brown coat. The curved horns on men and females can go as long as two feet.