Map of Ellis County, Kansas

Ellis County (county code EL) is a county located in the U.S. state of Kansas. As of the 2020 census, the county population was 28,934. Its county seat and most populous city is Hays.

Ellis County is the official German Capital of Kansas. German immigrants settled in Hays, Ellis, Victoria, and nearby villages in the 1870s and 1880s.

Ellis County overview:
Name:	Ellis County
FIPS code:	20-051
State:	Kansas
Founded:	1867
Named for:	George Ellis
Seat:	Hays
Largest city:	Hays
Total Area:	900 sq mi (2,000 km²)
Land Area:	899 sq mi (2,330 km²)
Total Population:	28,934
Population Density:	32.2/sq mi (12.4/km²)
Time zone:	UTC−6 (Central)
Summer Time Zone (DST):	UTC−5 (CDT)
Website:	ellisco.net

Ellis County location map. Where is Ellis County?

Ellis County location on the U.S. Map. Where is Ellis County. — Location of Ellis County in the the United States.

Ellis County location on the Kansas map. Where is Ellis County. — Location of Ellis County in Kansas.

History

Early history

For many millennia, the Great Plains of North America was inhabited by nomadic Native Americans. From the 16th century to 18th century, the Kingdom of France claimed ownership of large parts of North America. In 1762, after the French and Indian War, France secretly ceded New France to Spain, per the Treaty of Fontainebleau.

19th century

In 1802, Spain returned most of the land to France, but keeping title to about 7,500 square miles. In 1803, most of the land for modern day Kansas was acquired by the United States from France as part of the 828,000 square mile Louisiana Purchase for 2.83 cents per acre.

In 1854, the Kansas Territory was organized, then in 1861 Kansas became the 34th U.S. state. Ellis County was founded on February 26, 1867. It is named for George Ellis, first lieutenant of the Twelfth Kansas Infantry.

20th century

In 1942, the Walker Army Airfield was built northwest of Walker. Thousands were stationed at the airfield for training of the Boeing B-29 Superfortress during World War II. The airfield was abandoned and most of it razed.

Ellis County Road Map

Ellis CountyStreet Map. — Street map of Ellis County, Kansas. Source: OpenStreetMap (OSM)

Ellis CountyMap — Ellis Countypolitical map.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 900 square miles (2,300 km), of which 900 square miles (2,300 km) is land and 0.5 square miles (1.3 km) (0.05%) is water.

Adjacent counties

Rooks County (north)
Osborne County (northeast)
Russell County (east)
Rush County (south)
Ness County (southwest)
Trego County (west)

Major highways

Interstate 70
US-183

Airport

Hays Regional Airport is located within the county. Used primarily for general aviation, it hosts one commercial airline United Express, which offers daily jet service to Denver, Colorado.