Kansas.Careers.org
Fast Facts: University of Kansas fans are especially partial to one of the state’s nicknames, the “Jayhawk State.” The capital city is Topeka, while the largest city is Wichita.
Kansas Careers: As of 2008, U.S. Census data estimated Kansas’s population at just over 2.8 million. Forbes Magazine recently ranked Kansas as the 28th “Best State for Business.”
Kansas Career Education: Kansas ranked 7th in a 2009 K-12 “Academic Achievement” study by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
Kansas Economy: Kansas typically leads the nation in wheat, sorghum and sunflower production, particularly apt in that its official nickname is … the “Sunflower State.”
For details and sources, click the “Career Information” tab below.
Kansas Fast Facts:
Location, Location, Location...: Kansas is located in the midwestern region of the United States.
Cities: The capital city is Topeka, while the largest cities are Wichita, Overland Park, and Kansas City, respectively.
Behind the Name: Officially nicknamed the “Sunflower State,” Kansas is also well known as the “Jayhawk State.” Kansas is named after the Kansas River, which in turn was named after the Kansas tribe that inhabited the area prior to its colonization.
A Closer Look: After the Civil War a wave of European immigrants helped develop Kansas’ prairies into productive farmland.
Did You Know? The Kansas area was an unfortunate hotbed of violence at its origin, as the slave issue erupted into what became known as “Bleeding Kansas.”
Kansas Careers and Employment:
Population: 2,802,134 (4.2% increase since 2000) – 50.4% Female, 49.6% Male (2008 U.S. Census Bureau).
Business Environment: Ranked 28th in Forbes Magazine’s “Best States for Business,” 2008.
Top Industries: In terms of paid employees, according to a 2008 U.S. Census Bureau study: (1) manufacturing; (2) health care and social assistance; (3) retail trade; (4) accommodation and food services; and (5) construction.
Taxes: Income Tax, 3.5% to 6.45% and Sales Tax, 5.3% (Federation of Tax Administrators).
Cost of Living: 91.4 in relation to the “National Average” of 100 (Federal Cost of Living Index).
Quality of Life: Ranked 28th of 50 states by CNBC, 2009.
Weather: Average Temperature (In °F) – Jan: 28.77; Apr: 53.59; July: 78.79; Oct: 56.22 (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration).
K-12: Ranked 7th of 50 states in “Academic Achievement” by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, 2009.
Kansas Economics:
In General: Notwithstanding its agricultural base, the majority of the jobs in Kansas are in the service industry (35%) and the finance, insurance and real estate industry (30%); however there are many career opportunities available in manufacturing, agricultural services, and government and military services.
Service Industry: Concentrated in Kansas’ metropolitan areas, private health care, law firms, data processing companies, hotels, repair shops and customer service call centers are important aspects of the service industry.
Agriculture: Kansas is one of the nation’s most productive agricultural states, producing many crops and typically leading the nation in wheat, sorghum and sunflower production. Yet, raising cattle and calves easily generates the highest agricultural revenue in the state, accounting for nearly two-thirds of the state’s considerable agricultural production.
Manufacturing: Transportation equipment, particularly involving aircrafts and railroads, is Kansas’ primary manufactured product.
Mining: Almost every county in Kansas is involved in some kind of mineral production, with petroleum and natural gas serving as the most important mined products in the state.
Did You Know? Kansas’s second largest employer is actually Fort Riley, a United State Army installation located in the northeast region of the state.
Kansas Education:
In General: Kansas hosts 35 public and 25 private institutions of higher education, as well as several technical and vocational schools. In addition to the popular University of Kansas and Kansas State University, there are a number of smaller Kansas colleges and technical schools that offer a more personalized experience.
In the Rankings: U.S. News and World Report rankings: National Rankings – University of Kansas (#89), Kansas State University (#130).
Online Education: There are myriad accredited online universities offering degrees in the state of Kansas.
A Closer Look: The University of Kansas system is well known for its study-abroad programs, providing students the opportunity to study in cities across the world.
Sources: In addition to specific citations noted in this “Career Information” section, supplementary source materials include: the U.S. Department of Agriculture Economic Research Service; Netstate.com; Education-Portal.com; USCollegeSearch.org; and Wikipedia.com.