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Leavenworth, KS

Frequently asked questions

Leavenworth, KS

Leavenworth is the county seat and largest city of Leavenworth County, Kansas, United States, and is part of the Kansas City metropolitan area. As of the 2020 census, the population of the city was 37,351. It is located on the west bank of the Missouri River. The site of Fort Leavenworth, built in 1827, the city became known in American history for its role as a key supply base in the settlement of the American West. During the American Civil War, many volunteers joined the Union Army from Leavenworth. The city has been notable as the location of several prisons, particularly the United States Disciplinary Barracks and United States Penitentiary, Leavenworth.

Leavenworth is located in northeastern Kansas at the junction of U.S. Route 73 and Kansas Highway 92 (K-92), Leavenworth is 25 mi (40 km) northwest of downtown Kansas City, 145 mi (233 km) south-southeast of Omaha, and 165 mi (266 km) northeast of Wichita.

The city lies on the west bank of the Missouri River in the Dissected Till Plains region of North America's Central Lowlands. Four small tributaries of the river flow generally east through the city. From north to south, these are Quarry Creek, Corral Creek, Three Mile Creek, and Five Mile Creek.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 24.06 square miles (62.32 km²), of which, 24.04 square miles (62.26 km²) is land and 0.02 square miles (0.05 km²) is water. Fort Leavenworth occupies the northern half of the city's area. Leavenworth, along with the rest of Leavenworth County, lies within the Kansas City metropolitan area. Lansing, Kansas, is located to the south.

Leavenworth, founded in 1854, was the first city incorporated in the territory of Kansas. The city developed south of Fort Leavenworth, which was established as Cantonment Leavenworth in 1827 by Colonel Henry Leavenworth. Its location on the Missouri River attracted refugee African-American slaves in the antebellum years, who were seeking freedom from the slave state of Missouri across the river. Abolition supporters helped them find refuge. In the years before the American Civil War, Leavenworth was a hotbed of anti-slavery and pro-slavery agitation, often leading to open physical confrontations on the street and in public meetings.

On April 3, 1858, the "Leavenworth Constitution" for the state of Kansas was adopted here. Although the federal government never approved this early version of the state constitution, it was considered one of the most radical of the four constitutions drafted for the new territory because it recognized freed black people as citizens.

Health and wellness are essential aspects of life in Leavenworth. The city boasts several healthcare facilities, including Saint John Hospital, which offers comprehensive medical services to residents. Explore the parks, facilities, and programs the Leavenworth Parks and Recreation Department offers. These spaces provide opportunities for outdoor activities such as walking, jogging, sports, and picnicking. Join local fitness centers and gyms to participate in exercise programs, fitness classes, and strength training. Some popular options include Revelation Fitness and Gruber Fitness Center. Discover the walking and biking trails in and around Leavenworth, such as the Three-Mile Creek Walking Trail and Ray Miller Park. These trails offer opportunities for outdoor exercise and enjoyment of nature.

Top sites in Leavenworth, KS are C. W. Parker Carousel Museum, Richard Allen Cultural Center, and David Brewer Park.

Population: 37,034 (2023). ZIP codes: 66043, 66048. Area code: 913. Elevation: 840 ft (260 m). Area: 24.31 sq mi (62.95 km²).

FAQs

What is Leavenworth, KS famous for?

The site of Fort Leavenworth, built in 1827, the city became known in American history for its role as a key supply base in the settlement of the American West. During the American Civil War, many volunteers joined the Union Army from Leavenworth. The city has been notable as the location of several prisons, particularly the United States Disciplinary Barracks and United States Penitentiary, Leavenworth.

What is the ethnicity of Leavenworth, KS?

Leavenworth, KS is home to a population of 37.2k people, of which 98.7% are citizens. As of 2022, 2.96% of Leavenworth, KS residents were born outside of the country (1.1k people). In 2022, there were 6.79 times more White (non-Hispanic) residents (26.7k people) in Leavenworth, KS than any other race or ethnicity. There were 3.94k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 2.33k Two+ (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

What is the crime rate in Leavenworth, KS?

The crime rate in Leavenworth is considerably higher than the national average across all communities in America from the largest to the smallest, although at 30 crimes per one thousand residents, it is not among the communities with the very highest crime rate. The chance of becoming a victim of either violent or property crime in Leavenworth is 1 in 34. Based on FBI crime data, Leavenworth is not one of the safest communities in America. Relative to Kansas, Leavenworth has a crime rate that is higher than 93% of the state's cities and towns of all sizes.

Sources

Wikipedia

City of Leavenworth

Saint John Hospital

Leavenworth Parks and Recreation Department 

Revelation Fitness 

Gruber Fitness Center

Three-Mile Creek Walking Trail 

Ray Miller Park

C. W. Parker Carousel Museum

Richard Allen Cultural Center

David Brewer Park

Data USA

Neighborhood Scout

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