Community Information

Allen County, Kansas was founded in 1855, one of the 33 counties established by the first territorial legislature. It was named in honor of William Allen, United States senator from Ohio.

Located in southeastern Kansas, two counties west of the Missouri state line and three counties north of the Oklahoma state line, it is twenty-one miles from north to south and twenty-four miles from east to west, covering about 505 square miles. The county seat and most populous city is Iola. As of the 2020 census, the population was 12,526. Allen county's temperate climate is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters.

Other towns include Bassett, Elsmore, Gas, Humboldt, LaHarpe, Mildred, Moran and Savonburg.

Allen County’s network of trails features amazing diversity, including rails-to-trails, paved trails, gravel trails, dirt trails, nature trails, mountain bike trails, and fitness trails. Area communities offer various year round activities to fulfill the needs of citizens of all ages.

The city of Iola is located at the US 54 Highway and US 169 Highway junction. Iola is known for the rich community life and deep traditions created by its friendly residents and boasts one of the largest town squares west of the Mississippi. Population approximately 5,396 in the year 2020. Iola offers modern, affordable housing, a nearby county airport, a community college, multiple public parks with special needs equipment, zero-entry swimming pool facility, 2 disc golf courses, a number of bike and walking trails.