Republic County
countyRepublic County is located in north-central Kansas, bordering Nebraska. As of the 2020 census, the population was 4,674. The county is characterized by its rolling prairie landscape and strong agricultural roots. Belleville serves as the county seat and largest city. The economy of Republic County is largely based on agriculture, with key industries including grain crops, hay, and beef cattle production. The county also focuses on business retention, rural tourism, and enhancing infrastructure to support remote work. Republic County is distinctive for its historical significance, including the site of the Pawnee Republic and the early California Trail. The Pawnee Indian Museum near Republic preserves this Native American heritage. The county also offers a mix of outdoor recreation and a peaceful, rural lifestyle.
Republic County, Kansas
- Classification
- County
- FIPS Code
- 20157
- Country
- United States
- County
- Republic County
- Region
- Great Plains
- Elevation
- 1,640 ft
- Total Area
- 720.31 sq mi
- Land Area
- 716.38 sq mi
- Water Area
- 3.93 sq mi
- Latitude
- 39.8
- Longitude
- -97.633
- Climate
- The surface is a rolling prairie with 10% bottomland and 90% upland.
- Notable Features
- Republican River · Mill Creek · Rose Creek · White Rock Creek · Beaver Creek · Salt marshes
- Neighboring Areas
- Thayer County, Nebraska · Nuckolls County, Nebraska · Washington County, Kansas · Cloud County, Kansas · Jewell County, Kansas · Jefferson County, NE
- Population (2020)
- 4,674
- Est. Population (2024)
- 4,613
- Median Age
- 46
- Median Income
- $53,611
- Poverty Rate
- 14.59%
- Owner-Occupied
- 76.2%
- Racial & Ethnic Composition
- The racial makeup of the county was 94.9% White, 0.3% Black or African American, 0.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% Asian, 0.2% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 0.2% from some other race, and 3.8% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 1.9% of the population.
- Government Type
- Commission
- Governing Body
- Board of County Commissioners
- Municipal Services
- Transportation · Appraiser · Attorney · Clerk · Commissioners · Communications · Elections · Emergency Management · Emergency Medical Services · Health Department · Highway Department · Maintenance · Register of Deeds · Sheriff · Solid Waste · Treasurer · Weed Department
- Unemployment Rate
- 2.8%
- Economic Profile
- Agriculture-based · Rural tourism
- Employment Sectors
- Retail Trade · Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting · Health Care & Social Assistance
- School Districts
- Clifton-Clyde Unified School District 224 · Pike Valley Unified School District 426 · Republic County Unified School District 109 · Washington County Unified School District 108
- Transportation
- US HWY 81 · US HWY 36 · County Transportation bus
- Utilities
- High-speed internet
- Major Facilities
- Republic County Hospital · Republic County Courthouse
- Outdoor Access
- Yes
- Major Recreation Areas
- Pawnee Indian Museum
- Founded
- 1860
- Named After
- Republican River
- Historical Significance
- Contained the site of the famous Pawnee Republic, and Captain Zebulon Pike raised the first American flag within its borders.
- Key Events
- Establishment of Republic County by the Kansas legislature · Early settlement along the California Trail · Building of the Pawnee Indian Museum