About Ellsworth County
Ellsworth County is located in central Kansas, encompassing approximately 716 square miles of predominantly rural and agricultural land. The county seat is Ellsworth, a historic frontier town founded in 1867 that once served as a major cattle shipping point on the Kansas Pacific Railway. As of recent census estimates, Ellsworth County has a population of approximately 6,400 residents. The county is bordered by Lincoln County to the north, Saline County to the east, McPherson County to the south, and Russell County to the west.
- Major landmarks include the Ellsworth Historic District, Fort Harker Museum, Kanopolis State Park, and Kanopolis Lake, which provides recreational opportunities and water resources for the region.
- Key county offices include the Ellsworth County Clerk, County Recorder (Register of Deeds), County Assessor, and County Treasurer.
- The Ellsworth County Clerk's office maintains vital records, election records, and certain business filings, while the Register of Deeds handles property transactions and land records.
Sheriff, Police & Law Enforcement
Sheriff & Law Enforcement
The Ellsworth County Sheriff's Office is responsible for law enforcement in the unincorporated areas of the county. It operates the county jail, processes arrests, and maintains criminal records. The Sheriff's Office is also involved in community policing efforts and operates a range of programs to enhance public safety. Notable divisions within the office include patrol, investigations, and a dedicated team for handling emergency management and response.
Police Departments
Ellsworth County is served by the Ellsworth County Sheriff's Office and several municipal police departments, including the Ellsworth Police Department and the Holyrood Police Department. The Sheriff's Office handles law enforcement in the rural areas, while the city departments focus on their respective jurisdictions. These agencies collaborate on major crimes and emergencies, ensuring comprehensive coverage and response throughout the county.
Law Enforcement & Arrests
Law enforcement in Ellsworth County is primarily provided by the Ellsworth County Sheriff's Office, located at 210 North Kansas Avenue, Ellsworth, KS 67439. The Sheriff's Office is responsible for patrol operations throughout unincorporated areas of the county, operation of the county jail, service of legal process, and court security. The Ellsworth County jail, operated by the Sheriff's Office, houses pre-trial detainees and sentenced misdemeanor offenders.
- 45-215 et seq.), and citizens may request arrest reports and booking information from the Sheriff's Office or local police departments.
- Requests should be made in writing and may be subject to reasonable copying fees.
- Kansas law provides that criminal justice information is public unless specifically exempted by statute.
Inmate information and jail rosters can typically be obtained by contacting the Sheriff's Office directly at 785-472-4454. Municipal law enforcement is provided by the Ellsworth Police Department, which serves the city of Ellsworth and handles calls for service within city limits. Smaller communities in the county may contract with the Sheriff's Office for law enforcement services.
Arrest records in Kansas are considered public records under the Kansas Open Records Act (K.S.A. Mugshots and booking photos are generally available as part of arrest records, though some restrictions may apply for juvenile arrests or ongoing investigations. The Sheriff's Office maintains records of all arrests made by deputies, and these records can be inspected during normal business hours.
For current inmate information, visitors should contact the jail directly or visit the courthouse in person, as Ellsworth County may not maintain a real-time online inmate roster. The county does not have tribal police jurisdictions, as there are no federally recognized tribal lands within Ellsworth County boundaries.
Criminal, Arrest & Jail Records
Criminal Records
Criminal records in Ellsworth County encompass felony, misdemeanor, traffic offenses, and the sex offender registry. The Ellsworth County Sheriff's Office and the District Court maintain these records. Residents can perform background checks through the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, which provides a comprehensive criminal history report. The KBI offers an online portal for requesting background checks, ensuring easy access for Ellsworth County residents.
Arrest Records
Arrest records in Ellsworth County are maintained by the Ellsworth County Sheriff's Office. These records include details of the arrest, charges, and personal information of the arrested individuals. Residents and attorneys can request arrest records by contacting the Sheriff's Office directly. Under the Kansas Open Records Act, certain information is made available to the public, although some details may be restricted for privacy or legal reasons.
Jail & Inmate Records
The Ellsworth County Jail, located in the city of Ellsworth, is the primary detention facility for the county. The booking process involves fingerprinting, photographing, and recording personal information of the detainees. Inmate lookup is available through the Sheriff's Office, allowing family members and legal representatives to find information about current inmates. Visitation rules are specific to the facility, with scheduled visiting hours and requirements for prior approval.
- The bond and bail process follows Kansas state law, allowing for the release of detainees upon payment of bail set by the court.
Mugshots & Booking Photos
Mugshots in Ellsworth County are taken and retained by the Ellsworth County Sheriff's Office during the booking process. These images are part of the public record and can be accessed through the Sheriff's Office. While Kansas does not have specific mugshot removal laws, individuals can request the removal of their mugshot from third-party websites by contacting those sites directly. The Sheriff's Office may provide access to mugshots through their official website or upon request.
Courts & Case Records
Ellsworth County is served by the 20th Judicial District Court of Kansas, with the Ellsworth County District Court located at 210 North Kansas Avenue, Ellsworth, KS 67439. The court can be reached at 785-472-4912. The District Court has jurisdiction over all civil, criminal, domestic relations, probate, and juvenile matters arising in Ellsworth County. Kansas District Courts are courts of general jurisdiction and handle felony criminal cases, civil cases exceeding $4,000, divorces, child custody matters, estate proceedings, and appeals from municipal courts.
- Case information and court records can be accessed through the Kansas Court System's online portal at www.kansas.gov/kscourts, though some case types may have restricted access.
- The Kansas District Court Public Access Portal allows users to search case records by party name, case number, or attorney, though a subscription fee may be required for extensive searches.
- Certified copies of court documents can be obtained from the Clerk of the District Court for a statutory fee of $1.50 per page plus certification fees.
The court also handles traffic violations and misdemeanor criminal cases. Municipal courts operate in the City of Ellsworth and handle city ordinance violations, traffic tickets, and preliminary hearings for some misdemeanor cases. Court records are generally public under Kansas Supreme Court Rule 120, which governs access to judicial records, though certain records such as sealed cases, juvenile matters, and adoption proceedings are confidential.
The District Court also maintains probate records, including wills, estate inventories, and guardianship matters. Online access is available for most case types, but some older records may only be available by visiting the courthouse in person. The court maintains an index of all cases filed since the establishment of the judicial district.
Property & Public Records
Property and land records in Ellsworth County are maintained by the Register of Deeds office, located at 210 North Kansas Avenue, Ellsworth, KS 67439, phone 785-472-4161. The Register of Deeds is responsible for recording and preserving documents related to real property, including warranty deeds, quit claim deeds, mortgages, mortgage releases, liens, easements, plat maps, and other instruments affecting title to land. Kansas law requires that documents affecting real property be recorded in the county where the property is located to provide constructive notice to subsequent purchasers.
- The office maintains grantor-grantee indexes dating back to the county's establishment, allowing researchers to trace property ownership history.
- Many Kansas counties, including Ellsworth County, provide online access to recorded documents through third-party vendors, though availability should be confirmed by contacting the Register of Deeds directly.
- Recording fees are established by Kansas statute and vary depending on the number of pages and type of document.
- Certified copies of recorded documents can be obtained from the Register of Deeds for statutory fees.
Property tax records are maintained by the Ellsworth County Appraiser's office at 210 North Kansas Avenue, phone 785-472-4161, and the County Treasurer's office at the same address. The Appraiser's office conducts property valuations, maintains parcel records, and handles property tax exemption applications. Property tax information, including assessed values, tax amounts, and payment status, may be available through the County's website or by contacting the offices directly.
The county may maintain a GIS (Geographic Information System) mapping application that allows users to view parcel boundaries, ownership information, and property characteristics, though availability of online GIS access varies. All recorded documents are public records under Kansas law unless specifically exempted.
Vital Records
Vital records for Ellsworth County are maintained by both the Ellsworth County Clerk's office and the Kansas Office of Vital Statistics. Birth and death certificates occurring in Ellsworth County can be requested from the County Clerk at 210 North Kansas Avenue, Ellsworth, KS 67439, phone 785-472-4161. Kansas law (K.S.A. 65-2422) establishes that birth certificates are confidential for 100 years and death certificates are public records.
- The fee for a certified birth or death certificate is typically $15 for the first copy and $10 for each additional copy requested at the same time, though fees should be confirmed with the County Clerk.
- Processing time is generally 1-2 weeks for mail requests and immediate for in-person requests if the record is on file.
- Marriage licenses are issued by the Ellsworth County Clerk's office, and couples must apply in person with valid photo identification and payment of the license fee (typically $85).
Only authorized individuals, including the person named on the certificate (if of legal age), parents, legal guardians, and legal representatives, may obtain certified copies of birth certificates. Death certificates are available to the general public. There is no waiting period or blood test required in Kansas.
Divorce records are maintained by the Clerk of the District Court where the divorce was granted. For vital records older than county records or for statewide searches, applicants may contact the Kansas Office of Vital Statistics, 1000 SW Jackson Street, Suite 120, Topeka, KS 66612, phone 785-296-1400. Online ordering of Kansas vital records may be available through VitalChek or the state's authorized vendor.
Applicants must provide valid photo identification and demonstrate eligibility to receive restricted records.
Business & Licensing
Business and licensing records in Ellsworth County are available through multiple government offices depending on the type of record sought. The Ellsworth County Clerk, located at 210 North Kansas Avenue, Ellsworth, KS 67439 (785-472-4161), maintains records of Doing Business As (DBA) filings and fictitious name registrations for businesses operating in the county under names other than their legal names.
- The Kansas Business Center provides free online searches of all registered business entities, including status, registered agent information, filing history, and annual report compliance.
- Building permits, zoning approvals, and land use permits for unincorporated areas are processed by the Ellsworth County Planning and Zoning office, while municipalities issue their own permits within city limits.
For information on corporations, limited liability companies, limited partnerships, and other formal business entities, the Kansas Secretary of State maintains the official business entity database at www.kssos.org/business/business.html. Professional and occupational licenses are regulated by various state agencies and boards rather than at the county level, and applications and verification can be accessed through the specific licensing board's website. Sales tax permits and registration are handled by the Kansas Department of Revenue.
The City of Ellsworth may require business licenses or registrations for businesses operating within city limits, and inquiries should be directed to City Hall. The Ellsworth County Economic Development office and the Ellsworth Area Chamber of Commerce (www.ellsworthchamber.org) provide resources for new and existing businesses, including information on incentives, workforce development, and business assistance programs. All business records held by government agencies are presumptively public under the Kansas Open Records Act unless specifically exempted.
Elections & Voter Records
Elections in Ellsworth County are administered by the Ellsworth County Clerk's office, which serves as the county election officer. The office is located at 210 North Kansas Avenue, Ellsworth, KS 67439, and can be reached at 785-472-4161. Voter registration in Kansas can be completed online through the Kansas Secretary of State's website at www.kdorvotes.org, by mail using a voter registration form, or in person at the County Clerk's office. The registration deadline is 21 days before any election. Kansas voters must be U.S.
- Registered voters can verify their registration status and find their polling place by using the voter information portal at www.kdorvotes.org or by contacting the County Clerk.
- Mail-in advance ballots (absentee ballots) can be requested through the County Clerk's office, with applications available online or from the clerk.
- 25-2316 et seq.) provides for broad public access to election records while protecting voter privacy.
citizens, residents of Kansas, and at least 18 years old on or before the date of the next election. Ellsworth County typically operates several polling locations on Election Day, with locations announced prior to each election. Advance voting (early voting) is available at the County Clerk's office beginning 20 days before an election and ending at noon on the day before the election.
Completed ballots must be received by the county election office by 7:00 p.m. on Election Day. Election records that are public include voter registration lists (with some personal information redacted), candidate filings, campaign finance reports (filed with the Kansas Governmental Ethics Commission), precinct-level election results, and poll worker rosters.
Ellsworth County, like most rural Kansas counties, typically experiences voter turnout of 60-75% in presidential general elections and 35-50% in midterm elections. In the 2024 general election, Ellsworth County turnout was consistent with these historical patterns. The next major election is November 3, 2026, featuring races for U.S.
House of Representatives, Kansas Governor, other statewide offices, and state legislative seats. Kansas law (K.S.A. Unofficial election results are typically posted on the county's website or at the courthouse on election night, with official canvass completed within days of the election.
Economy & Demographics
Ellsworth County's economy is primarily based on agriculture, oil and gas production, tourism, and related service industries. Agriculture remains the dominant economic sector, with wheat, corn, sorghum, soybeans, and cattle production forming the backbone of the rural economy. The county lies within the Central Kansas oil and gas production region, and petroleum extraction contributes significantly to the tax base and employment.
- The median household income in Ellsworth County is estimated at approximately $55,000-$60,000, slightly below the Kansas state median.
- Economic development efforts focus on business retention, downtown revitalization in Ellsworth, agricultural value-added processing, and recreation-based tourism expansion.
Major employers include agricultural operations, oil field service companies, Ellsworth Correctional Facility (a state prison), school districts, county and city governments, and healthcare providers. Kanopolis State Park and Kanopolis Lake attract thousands of visitors annually for camping, fishing, boating, and hunting, supporting tourism-related businesses including lodging, restaurants, and recreational equipment sales. The retail and service sectors in the city of Ellsworth serve both county residents and travelers along US Highway 56 and Interstate 70, which passes through the northern portion of the county.
Unemployment in Ellsworth County typically tracks close to or slightly below state averages, with seasonal fluctuations related to agricultural cycles. The county benefits from its location along major transportation corridors, including the Union Pacific Railroad. Wind energy development has emerged as a growing sector, with several wind farms operating or under development in the region, providing lease income to landowners and property tax revenue to local governments.
Transparency Score
Court Records: ✅ Online (State Portal) | Property: ⚠️ Limited Online Access | Arrest/Jail: ⚠️ Phone/In-Person | Vital Records: ⚠️ In-Person or Mail | Business: ✅ Online (State Database) | Elections: ✅ Online Registration & Results | Overall Score: 6/10 — Ellsworth County provides access to public records primarily through in-person and phone contact, with some online resources available through state portals.
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Cities & Towns in Ellsworth County
Nearby Counties
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