Shawnee Mission

Shawnee Mission
Unincorporated community
Shawnee Mission, Kansas
Downtown Shawnee Mission Downtown Shawnee Mission
Country	United States
State	Kansas
County	Johnson
Founded	1857
Founded by	Thomas Barton
Named for	Shawnee people
Area
• Total	26.3 sq mi (68.2 km2)
• Land	26.3 sq mi (68.2 km2)
• Water	0.0 sq mi (0.0 km2)
Elevation	1,000 ft (300 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	75,000
• Density	2,800/sq mi (1,100/km2)
Time zone	UTC-6 (CST)
• Summer (DST)	UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP codes	66201-66226
Area code(s)	913
FIPS code	20-64250
GNIS feature ID	0479825
Website	www.shawneemission.org

Shawnee Mission is an unincorporated community located in Johnson County, Kansas, United States. It is situated in the northeastern part of the state and is a part of the Kansas City metropolitan area. Shawnee Mission was founded in 1857 by Thomas Barton and is named after the Shawnee people.

History

Shawnee Mission was originally established as a Methodist mission in 1839. It served as a school and church for the Shawnee Native American tribe. In 1857, Thomas Barton purchased the land and founded the town of Shawnee Mission. The town grew rapidly due to its location along the Santa Fe Trail, which was a major trade route at the time.

During the Civil War, Shawnee Mission was a center of activity. It served as a supply depot for Union troops and was a stop on the Underground Railroad. After the war, the town continued to grow and develop. In 1922, Shawnee Mission consolidated with several nearby communities to form the Shawnee Mission School District, which is now one of the largest school districts in the state.

Geography

Shawnee Mission is located at coordinates 39°01′00″N 94°40′00″W. It covers a total area of 68.2 square kilometers, all of which is land. The community is situated at an elevation of 1000 feet.

Demographics

As of the 2020 census, Shawnee Mission has a population of approximately 75,000 people. The community has a diverse population, with a mix of different ethnicities and cultures. The median household income in Shawnee Mission is above the national average, and the community has a relatively low poverty rate.

Economy

Shawnee Mission has a diverse economy with a mix of industries. The community is home to several major corporations, including telecommunications companies, healthcare providers, and financial institutions. The Shawnee Mission Medical Center is one of the largest employers in the area.

Education

Shawnee Mission is served by the Shawnee Mission School District, which operates several elementary, middle, and high schools in the area. The district is known for its high academic standards and has received numerous accolades. In addition to public schools, there are also several private schools in Shawnee Mission.

Culture and Recreation

Shawnee Mission offers a variety of cultural and recreational opportunities for residents and visitors. The community is home to several parks and green spaces, including Shawnee Mission Park, which is one of the largest parks in the Kansas City metropolitan area. The park offers hiking and biking trails, picnic areas, and a lake for fishing and boating.

Shawnee Mission also has a vibrant arts scene, with several theaters and art galleries. The Johnson County Museum showcases the history and culture of the area, and the Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art features rotating exhibits of modern and contemporary art.

Notable People

• Dorothy Johnson Vaughan - Mathematician and computer programmer, one of the first African-American women to work at NASA.
• Paul Rudd - Actor, known for his roles in films such as "Clueless" and the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
• Kathleen Sebelius - Former Governor of Kansas and Secretary of Health and Human Services under President Barack Obama.

External links

• Official website
• Johnson County Government