Tonganoxie

Tonganoxie is a city in Leavenworth County, Kansas, located within the Kansas City metropolitan area. The city had a population of 5,573 in 2020. The estimated population in 2026 is 6,497, reflecting a growth rate of 2.38% annually. Tonganoxie offers a blend of small-town charm with convenient access to the amenities of a major metropolitan area. The economy of Tonganoxie is diverse, with a mix of residential, commercial, and developing industrial sectors. Key industries include retail, healthcare and local manufacturing. While Tyson Foods canceled plans to build a processing plant in 2017, the city continues to pursue economic development opportunities through governmental representatives, the chamber of commerce, and local businesses. Tonganoxie was platted in 1866 and incorporated as a city in 1871. The city is named after a local Native American Chief from the Delaware Tribe, whose name meant "shorty" in the Delaware language. Tonganoxie's history includes a period in the 1860s and 1870s when a significant portion of its population was African American, contributing to its diverse heritage.