Chase County, Kansas
Chase County is located in the heart of the Flint Hills, offering a landscape that preserves the character of Kansas’s historic prairie country. With a population of only about 2,500 residents, the county provides a peaceful rural setting surrounded by expansive grasslands.
The county is dominated by tallgrass prairie, with the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve serving as its signature attraction. The preserve protects one of the remaining large areas of native tallgrass prairie, offering visitors opportunities to experience the region’s natural landscapes and wildlife.
Strong City hosts the annual Flint Hills Rodeo every June, a long-standing event recognized as the oldest continuously running rodeo in Kansas. Although Chase County is a relatively quiet destination, its wide-open prairie, natural beauty, and rural character give it a distinctive place in Kansas.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| County Name | Chase County |
| County Seat | Cottonwood Falls |
| Etymology | Named after Salmon Portland Chase, U.S. Senator from Ohio |
| Cities, Towns, and Communities | Cottonwood Falls, Strong City, Elmdale, and several smaller communities |
| Interstates and Highways | U.S. Highway 50, Kansas Highway 177 |
| FIPS Code | 20-017 |
| Total Area (Land and Water) | 1,224 square miles (land: 1,211 sq mi, water: 13 sq mi) |
| Adjacent Counties (and Direction) | Morris County (North), Lyon County (East), Greenwood County (Southeast), Butler County (Southwest), Marion County (West) |
| Time Zone | Central Time Zone (CST) |
| State | Kansas |
| Coordinates | 38.36°N, 96.67°W |
| Major Landmarks | Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve, Chase County Courthouse, and the Cottonwood River |
| Population | 2,500 |
