Montgomery County, Kansas

Montgomery County is located in southeast Kansas, with Independence serving as the county seat. It has a little bit of everything, including industry, farming, and small-town charm.

Fans of Little House on the Prairie might recognize the area. The real Laura Ingalls Wilder lived here for a time. Elk City Lake is also a good spot for fishing.

U.S. Highway 75 and U.S. Highway 160 cross through the county. With a population of around 31,000, the local economy is supported by manufacturing, agriculture, and small businesses. The county is also just a short distance from the Oklahoma border.

CategoryDetails
County NameMontgomery County
County SeatIndependence
EtymologyNamed after Richard Montgomery, a general in the American Revolutionary War
Cities, Towns, and CommunitiesIndependence, Caney, Coffeyville, Cherryvale, and several smaller communities
Interstates and HighwaysU.S. Highway 166, U.S. Highway 75, Kansas Highway 7
FIPS Code20-125
Total Area (Land and Water)1,271 square miles (land: 1,266 sq mi, water: 5 sq mi)
Adjacent Counties (and Direction)Wilson County (North), Neosho County (Northeast), Labette County (East), Nowata County, Oklahoma (Southeast), Washington County, Oklahoma (South), Chautauqua County (West), Elk County (Northwest)
Time ZoneCentral Time Zone (CST)
Population31,000
StateKansas
Coordinates37.23°N, 95.71°W
Major LandmarksIndependence Historical Museum, Little House on the Prairie Museum, and the Coffeyville Historical Museum
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