'Douglas County' (county code 'DG') is located in northeast
Kansas, in the
Central United States. The
county's population—one of the fastest-growing in the state of Kansas—was estimated to be 112,123 in the year 2006, making it the fifth largest in the state.
Its
county seat and most populous city is
Lawrence, and the entire county is included in the Lawrence, Kansas
Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Geography
According to the
U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,229
km² (474
mi²), of which 1,183 km² (457 mi²) is land and 46 km² (18 mi²), or 3.71%, is water. Much of its northern boundary is defined by the
Kansas River which flows through Lawrence and provides
hydropower at the
Bowersock Dam.
Adjacent counties
★
Jefferson County (north)
★
Leavenworth County (northeast)
★
Johnson County (east)
★
Miami County (southeast)
★
Franklin County (south)
★
Osage County (southwest)
★
Shawnee County (northwest)
Demographics
Douglas County's population was estimated to be 112,123 in the year 2006, an increase of 11,984, or +12.0%, over the previous six years;
[1] it has the second fastest growing and fifth largest population in the state (
Johnson County has the fastest growing and largest population).
As of the
U.S. Census in 2000, there were 99,962 people, 38,486 households, and 21,167 families residing in the county. The
population density was 84/km² (219/mi²). There were 40,250 housing units at an average density of 34/km² (88/mi²). The
racial makeup of the county was 86.09%
White, 4.24%
Black or
African American, 2.56%
Native American, 3.12%
Asian, 0.06%
Pacific Islander, 1.20% from other races, and 2.73% from
two or more races.
Hispanic or
Latino of any race were 3.27% of the population.
There were 38,486
households out of which 27.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.10% were
married couples living together, 8.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 45.00% were non-families. 28.50% of all households were made up of individuals and 5.80% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 2.97.
In the county the population was spread out with 20.40% under the age of 18, 26.40% from 18 to 24, 28.30% from 25 to 44, 16.90% from 45 to 64, and 7.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 27 years. For every 100 females there were 98.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.70 males.
The
median income for a household in the county was $37,547, and the median income for a family was $53,991. Males had a median income of $35,577 versus $27,225 for females. The
per capita income for the county was $19,952. About 6.20% of families and 15.90% of the population were below the
poverty line, including 9.00% of those under age 18 and 7.30% of those age 65 or over.
Cities and towns

Map of Douglas County ()
Incorporated cities
Name and population (2004 estimate):
★
Lawrence, 81,873 (county seat)
★
Eudora, 5,119
★
Baldwin City, 3,664
★
Lecompton, 599
Unincorporated places
★
Big Springs
★ Clearfield
★
Clinton
★ Globe
★ Grover
★ Hesper
★ Kanwaka
★ Lake View
★ Lone Star
★ Midland
★ Pleasant Grove
★ Sibleyville
★
Stull
★
Vinland
★ Worden
Townships
Douglas County is divided into nine
townships. The city of
Lawrence is considered ''governmentally independent'' and is excluded from the census figures for the townships. 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.

A farm in rural Douglas County
Education
Unified school districts
★ Perry-Lecompton USD 343 (
Web site)
★ Baldwin City USD 348 (
Web site)
★ Eudora USD 491
★ Lawrence USD 497
See also
★
Kaw River - Natural crossing point for westward wagon trains on the
Oregon Trail
★
California Road - Cutoff on the Oregon Trail to Lawrence, Kansas from Westport
★
Santa Fe Trail Swales - Visible near
Black Jack Park
★
Geographic Information System Viewers
References
1. Annual estimates of the population to 2006-07-01. Released 2007-03-22. Six year change is from 2000-07-01 to 2006-07-01.
External links
'Official sites'
★
Douglas County
★
Douglas County Law Library
'Additional information'
★
Blue Skyways
★
Kansas Statistical Abstract
★
Aerial Photography from Multiple Decades