County Profile

County Profile 1 Arkansas River leaves the County. Sedgwick County’s largest city is Wichita, which is located along Interstate 35 with service areas to Interstate 135, U.S. 54, and various other highway projects. The Old Sedgwick County Courthouse COUNTY PROFILE History Originally a camping ground of the Osage and Wichita Indian tribes, Sedgwick County, Kansas, is thought to be a place of discovery for such explorers as Francisco Coronado and Kit Carson. The earliest European settler to the region was M. DuTissenet, a Frenchman operating under the direction of the governor of Louisiana, in Source: Sedgwick County GIS, 2008 1719. DuTissenet brought with him soldiers, traders, and hunters who soon populated and transformed the region Population from prairie to a land of opportunity. Sedgwick County is a growing region, currently home to Sedgwick County was officially established nearly 150 approximately 500,000 citizens. The County’s years later on February 26, 1867, and bears the name of population has increased 3.0 percent since 2010 and has Civil War hero Major General John Sedgwick of the increased faster than the population of Kansas as a whole Union Army who was killed during the battle of (2.0 percent since 2010). According to 2018 census Spotsylvania Courthouse in Virginia. After an initial estimates, Sedgwick County continues to have surpassed failed attempt at establishing an official county the half-million mark with an estimated 513,607 people government, the Governor of the State of Kansas in 2018. appointed three Commissioners to aid in the effort. In April of 1870, the first county officials were elected and the county seat of Wichita was chosen. Change in Population 14% Geography 12% Occupying 1,008 10% square miles of 8% land in South Central Kansas, 6% Sedgwick County 4% falls within the 2% borders of the 0% Arkansas River 1960-1970 1970-1980 1980-1990 1990-2000 2000-2010 Lowlands. It is noted for its extreme flatness, as its highest point is only 1,540 feet above sea level. The Series1 Series2 County’s lowest point, approximately 1,220 feet above sea level, occurs along the southern border where the Source: U.S. Census Bureau 1 http://www.kgs.ku.edu/General/Geology/Sedgwick/index.html 2021 Adopted Budget Page 17 County Profile The population of Sedgwick County is expected to grow Black or African American (8.7 percent), and Asian (3.9 2 to approximately 677,857 by 2070. percent). 2018 Age Distribution 2018 Population by Race Other 0.1% 65 and Hispanic 14.9% over Two or more races 4.4% 45 to 64 Black or African American 25 to 44 8.7% Asian 20 to 24 3.9% Under 20 White 0% 10% 20% 30% 67.8% Source: American Community Survey, 2018 Does not equal 100% due to rounding Source: American Community Survey, 2018 In addition to a strong growth trend, the U.S. Census Bureau, 2018 American Community Survey, reports Among its residents, Sedgwick County also has citizens Sedgwick County is a relatively young community, with who consider themselves to be of two or more races (4.4 85.5 percent of its population younger than the age of percent) or of another race than those listed (0.1 65. By 2070, however, the number of citizens age 65 percent). and older is expected to increase to 170,079, over a 150.0 percent change from 2015 to 2070. Education With 20 school districts in the public school system, 39 Projected Population Growth and Age Distribution schools within the Catholic Diocese, and several private educational institutions, education is a community 800,000 priority in Sedgwick County. An educated citizenry 700,000 600,000 generally benefits an entire community because it 500,000 typically includes a lower unemployment rate and more 400,000 individuals who get involved, vote, and perform 300,000 community service. 200,000 100,000 As of 2018, among residents age 25 and older, 25.6 0 percent have earned at least a high school diploma. In 201520202025203020352040204520502055206020652070 Sedgwick County, another 22.9 percent of the Under 20 20-64 Over 65 population had some college but no degree, while 9.2 percent has earned an associate’s degree. Source: Center for Economic Development and Business Research at Wichita State University According to the 2018 American Community Survey, approximately 19.6 percent of residents age 25 and older Racial/Ethnic Composition have at least a bachelor’s degree. Sedgwick County also has 12.2 percent of residents age 25 and older who Although Sedgwick County is home to citizens of many report having a graduate or professional degree. diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds, census data reveals that a large portion of the population (67.8 percent) is White/Caucasian, non-Hispanic. The most populous minority groups within the Sedgwick County population are Hispanic of any race (14.9 percent), 2 American Community Survey, 2018 2021 Adopted Budget Page 18 County Profile directly through Sedgwick County, providing an 2018 Educational Attainment optimum north/south route for residents who are Graduate or Less than traveling and for businesses in the area that wish to professional high school import or export goods. For those wishing to travel or degree, diploma, 12.2% 10.5% ship goods east or west from Sedgwick County, two primary options exist. Interstate 70 lies 90 miles north of Wichita, while Interstate 40 lies approximately 150 High school miles to the south. As a result, truck transportation Bachelor's graduate or degree, equivalent, companies are prevalent in Sedgwick County. 19.6% 25.6% Air transportation is another viable option. Although under the jurisdiction of the City of Wichita, Sedgwick Associate's County is home to Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower degree, 9.2% National Airport, the only commercial airport in south- Some college, no degree, central Kansas. The facility currently services five major 22.9% cargo carriers and seven major passenger airlines, including Alaska Airlines, Allegiant Air, American Source: American Community Survey, 2018 Airlines, Delta Airlines, Frontier Airlines Southwest In August 2010, the National Center for Aviation Airlines, and United Airlines. These airlines offer non- Training (NCAT), a 230,000 square foot state-of-the-art stop service to 14 different destinations across the training facility, opened. Facing a future shortage of United States, including Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas/Fort skilled aviation workers, this world-class aviation Worth, Denver, Destin-Fort Walton Beach, Houston, Las training facility is a critical step to keep Kansas’ aviation Vegas, Los Angeles, Minneapolis/Saint Paul, Orlando, industry globally competitive. Sedgwick County’s Phoenix, Phoenix-Mesa, Saint Louis, and Seattle. ability to train workers locally will enhance the community’s ability to keep aerospace manufacturing Due in part to Sedgwick County’s comprehensive jobs in Kansas. network of highways and local roads, the average daily work commute time is less than in many similar counties. In 2018, the average commute time for a Sedgwick County resident was 19.8 minutes, which is less than comparable times in St. Louis County, Missouri (23.9 minutes) and Johnson County, Kansas (21.1 minutes). 2018 Average Daily Work Commute Times (In Minutes) In addition to NCAT, there are more than 10 institutions St. Louis County, MO of higher education located in Sedgwick County. Wichita State University, Friends University, Newman Sedgwick County, KS University, Wichita State University Tech, and the Oklahoma County, OK University of Kansas School Of Medicine - Wichita all have main campuses in the County, while six other Johnson County, KS colleges and universities have chosen to locate branch campuses within the County. Jackson County, MO Douglas County, KS Transportation 0102030 Sedgwick County has multiple transportation options Source: American Community Survey, 2018 available to residents, businesses, and travelers. Interstate 35 - the only Midwest interstate highway that connects Canada, the United States, and Mexico - runs 2021 Adopted Budget Page 19 County Profile Public Safety Crime Index Offenses Per 1,000 Population Sedgwick County continues to place a high priority on public safety, with more than one-third of all County 80 expenditures being spent on public safety. As a full 70 service government, Sedgwick County has jurisdiction 60 over Sedgwick County Fire District 1, Emergency 50 Medical Services (EMS), and the Sheriff’s Office. 40 30 In 2019, Sedgwick County Fire 20 District 1 responded to 8,636 alarms. 10 In total, the dedicated crews of the 0 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 nine fire houses saved 64.9 percent of affected property, totaling $5.8 Sedgwick County Shawnee County Wyandotte County State of Kansas million in property saved. Source: Kansas Bureau of Investigation Crime Statistics, 2010-2018 Sedgwick County EMS provides emergency response and scheduled Health Care transfers for the citizens of the County. Through the use of Advance Life Home to approximately 2,850 licensed hospital beds, Support ambulances, EMS service is Sedgwick County continues to lead the region in provided 24-hours a day, 365-days a healthcare options. Within the community, there are 17 year. In 2019, EMS responded to acute care and free-standing hospitals, each serving the 66,370 calls and transported 45,345 needs of the community by providing acute, general, and patients to hospitals and other destinations. EMS specialized care. Additionally, Sedgwick County has responded to 90.0 percent of emergent calls in less than over 50 nursing homes and assisted living facilities for 11 minutes. those in need of special care.4 Because Sedgwick County has 20 Sedgwick County also provides services to those in need cities, there are numerous law of mental health care as well as addiction services and enforcement agencies in the area in substance use disorders through Comprehensive addition to the Sedgwick County Community Care of Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office.

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