Community Profiles

Osage County

As of the 2000 census, there are 16,712 people, 6,490 households, and 4,737 families residing in the county There are 7,018 housing units. The racial makeup of the county is 97.27% White, 0.22% Black or African American, 0.65% Native American, 0.17% Asian, 0.10% Pacific Islander, 0.41% from other races, and 1.18% from two or more races. 1.53% of the is Hispanic or Latino of any race.

2000 Census Information

Levy Sheet 2008

Levy Sheet 2007

Levy Sheet 2006

A recent study of 42 businesses in Osage County provided insight on what the business climate looks like from an industry perspective. The survey revealed that Osage County has a positive employment trend. In fact, over the past two years, despite the nation’s economic challenges, these businesses have created 15 net new jobs. Taken as a whole, this trend is expected to continue as 15 of these businesses anticipate creating 47 new jobs over the next two years. Perhaps this growth could be attributed to the attitude of the current workforce. When asked to rate the attitude of their employees, 93 percent of survey respondents viewed the attitude of their workforce as being excellent or good. Not surprisingly, it may be because these companies don’t indicate having major problems with recruiting or retaining employees.

When looking to identify barriers to growth in Osage County, some businesses point out a few key concerns. Many businesses indicated they have had to forgo an expansion in the last five years due to lack of financing. When asked to comment on significant negative impact of local regulations, businesses weighed in as documented in the Financing and Regulations sections of the BREE report.

Click here to view the Osage County Business Retention & Expansion Survey Report.

Real Estate Sales and Patterns

Building Permit Information

Workforce Data

Burlingame

Burlingame’s small town atmosphere allows it to be a great family community.  Burlingame is conveniently located between Topeka and Emporia on US HWY 56 about 10 miles north of Osage City.  Take a tour down Burlingame’s historical main street. Burlingame’s brick streets were made wide enough for oxen and wagons to make U-turns.   Burlingame has a full service government.  Town meetings are on the first and third Monday of every month. 

City Website: http://www.burlingameks.gov/community.html

Zip codes: 66413

2000 Census information

Carbondale

City of Carbondale.
236 Main St.
Carbondale, KS 66414. (785) 836-7252

Carbondale is a city located in Osage County, Kansas. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 1,478.

Founded in 1872. The community is served by Santa Fe Trail school district USD 434 which also serves Scranton and Overbrook, Kansas. The Carbondale Attendance center houses Junior High students.

Zip codes: 66414

2000 Census information

Lyndon

Lyndon, is the county seat of Osage (OS) County, it is on US Highway 75 about 27 miles south of Topeka, in northeast Kansas. It is situated between two Federal Reservoirs; Pomona Lake, 5 miles north and Melvern Lake, 5 miles south.
  
The Lyndon City Council normally meets on the first and third Mondays of every month, 7:30 pm, in the City Hall basement. Contact the City Office if you would like to attend or be put on the agenda or require special accommodation.

Lyndon is governed by the Mayor/Council form of government. The Mayor serves a two-year term. Each council member serves a four-year term with staggered elections every two years.

Office Staff

City Website: www.lyndonks.com
Zip codes: 66451

2000 Census information

Melvern

141 SW Main
Melvern, KS 66510
785-549-3447

Zip codes: 66510.

2000 Census information

Osage City

Osage City is located in beautiful northeast Kansas and offers easy access to several major state and federal highways.  As the largest city in the county, Osage City presents a variety of amenities important to any resident, visitor, or employer. 

City Website: http://www.osagecity.com/

2000 Census information

Overbrook

Overbrook is built on the old Santa Fe Trail (now US HWY 56); located SE of Topeka approximately 20 miles, or SW of Lawrence- 25 miles.  As you travel Highway 56 you will be greeted today, as in years past, with the old water tower boasting our slogan  “Don’t Overlook Overbrook.” We are a small farming community, rich in heritage, and wealthy in the spirit of community life.

Our town is privileged to have two banks, a dental office, barber shop, beauty salons, a large grocery store, quilting shop, flower shop, gift shop, restaurants & cafés, an excellent library, a newly enlarged swimming pool, a 24-hour nursing home along with assisted living apartments, and a community retirement center.  Our new 8 acre fishing lake sits on the east side of town just off US Highway 56. It has been well stocked and is now ready for the beginner and the experienced angler.  Jones Park is just south of the lake and is active most evenings with the cheers of our hometown baseball and softball teams. Visit the Hidden Springs golf course west of town.  (make Hidden Springs click into http://www.thegolfcourses.net/golfcourses/KS/12739.htm)

As you can see, we have numerous small businesses, a great school system, and a number of churches, which together creates a self-sustaining city with a hometown atmosphere for visitors, as well as for those living in Overbrook. We enjoy meeting new friends, so stop by if you're driving down Highway 56, and see for yourself why so many of our young people have returned to their hometown  to raise their families and...                                                                        Don't Overlook Overbrook!

Zip code: 66524

City Website: http://www.overbrookks.com

2000 Census information

Quenemo

Quenemo
109 E Maple
PO Box 90
Quenemo, KS 66528
785-759-3315

Zip codes: 66528

Quenemo is a quiet town located along the Marais Des Cygnes River.  Jones Park is located in the center of the city, with basketball courts, playground equipment and picnic tables.  The community building hosts penny suppers and reunions.

Mayor:  Doris Beers  
Council Members;
Jeff Barnes
Loren Gray
Ray Bennett
Randy Chenoweth
Juanita Adams
City Maintenance:  Sam Watts
City Clerk: Barbara Phillips
Treasurer:  Marie Bennett
Fire Chief: Paul Shields
Quenemo City Hall phone 785-759-3315
Quenemo City  Hall for water, sewer & trash pick up

2000 Census information

Scranton

City of Scranton
120 W. Boone St., P.O. Box 218
Scranton, Kansas 66537-0218
Office: 785-793-2414
www.scrantonks.com
Fax: 785-793-2332   

Once a booming coal mining town Scranton (population 724) is now a small,  quiet, “bedroom” community located fifteen miles south of Topeka on the Santa Fe Trail (US Hwy 56).  Scranton is surrounded by bountiful farm land and is a wonderful place to reside with a peaceful small town environment and the convenience of the “city” just a short drive away.

2000 Census information

The following are links to learn more about living in Osage County.

Crimestoppers
Leadership Osage County
Libraries
Osage County I.C.C.
Schools
Pride Organizations