Cities and Towns in Lane County, Kansas

Founded in 1873, Lane County is one of 105 counties in the state of Kansas. Historically, Lane County was formed from unorganized area. The city of Dighton is the county seat. With FIPS code of 101, Lane County has a population of 1,565 and area of 717 square miles (1,857 km²).

List of all cities in Lane County, KS alphabetically

City/Town Postal Code Area Code
Dighton, KS 67839 620
Healy, KS 67850 620
Shields, KS 67839 620

Major Cities and Towns in Lane County, Kansas

Dighton

Overview

Dighton is the county seat and largest city in Lane County, located in western Kansas along Kansas Highway 96. Founded in 1879 and named after a surveyor, Dick Dighton, the town grew as a hub for agriculture, with wheat, corn, and livestock driving the local economy. Dighton’s development was supported by its position as a stop along the Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe Railway, which facilitated the transport of agricultural products to larger markets. Today, Dighton remains a small, rural community that serves as the administrative and economic center of Lane County. The town has a rich pioneer history, and its agricultural roots are still central to its identity.

Area, Population, and Coordinates

  • Area: 0.91 square miles
  • Population: Approximately 1,000 (2023 estimate)
  • Zip Codes: 67839
  • Latitude: 38.4817° N
  • Longitude: 100.4671° W

Schools and Landmarks

Dighton is part of USD 482, with Dighton High School being the town’s main educational institution. The school is known for its involvement in both academics and athletics, particularly in basketball and track. Key landmarks in Dighton include the Lane County Courthouse, an impressive historical building constructed in 1910, and the Dighton City Park, which hosts local events and outdoor activities. The community celebrates its agricultural heritage with the annual Lane County Fair, featuring livestock exhibitions, rodeos, and a variety of family-friendly activities. The nearby Lane County Historical Museum provides insight into the town’s pioneer history and development.

Healy

Overview

Healy is a small, rural town located in the western part of Lane County, along Kansas Highway 4. Founded in 1887, Healy developed as an agricultural community, with wheat and cattle farming being the primary industries. The town was named after John J. Healy, a land agent who helped bring settlers to the area. Although small in population, Healy has maintained its agricultural focus over the years and remains a tight-knit community. Its location in the High Plains of Kansas provides vast expanses of farmland, making it an ideal place for farming and ranching.

Area, Population, and Coordinates

  • Area: 0.2 square miles
  • Population: Approximately 200 (2023 estimate)
  • Zip Codes: 67850
  • Latitude: 38.5994° N
  • Longitude: 100.6187° W

Schools and Landmarks

Healy is served by USD 468, with Healy High School and Healy Elementary School providing education to local students. The schools are known for their small class sizes and strong sense of community involvement. Notable landmarks in Healy include the Healy City Park, which serves as a gathering place for local events, and the grain elevators that symbolize the town’s agricultural heritage. The surrounding farmland, with its wide-open spaces and vast wheat fields, offers a peaceful, rural environment. Healy’s residents take pride in their agricultural roots, and the town’s quiet, unspoiled landscape makes it a scenic part of Lane County.

Amy

Overview

Amy is a small, unincorporated community located in eastern Lane County. Established in the late 19th century, Amy was originally a small farming settlement that served the needs of the local agricultural community. While the town never grew significantly, it has retained its rural character, and agriculture remains the backbone of the local economy. The town’s remote location provides a peaceful, quiet environment for its residents, with the surrounding farmland being the central feature of the area. Amy is a reminder of the many small farming communities that once dotted the Kansas plains.

Area, Population, and Coordinates

  • Area: N/A (unincorporated)
  • Population: Fewer than 50 (2023 estimate)
  • Zip Codes: 67839 (shared with Dighton)
  • Latitude: 38.5333° N
  • Longitude: 100.2833° W

Schools and Landmarks

As an unincorporated community, Amy does not have its own schools, and students typically attend schools in nearby Dighton through USD 482. The town’s primary landmarks are its agricultural facilities, including grain elevators and old farm structures that highlight the town’s connection to wheat farming. Although there are no major tourist attractions, the wide-open spaces and peaceful rural setting make Amy an ideal place for those who enjoy the simplicity and quiet of farm life. The surrounding plains offer scenic views of Kansas’s agricultural landscape, making Amy a small but significant part of Lane County’s rural heritage.

Alamota

Overview

Alamota is an unincorporated community in northeastern Lane County, founded in the late 1800s as a small farming settlement. The town’s name likely derives from a combination of Spanish words, reflecting a romanticized view of the American West during its settlement period. Like many small towns in the region, Alamota developed around agriculture, with wheat and cattle farming playing central roles in the local economy. Though Alamota has seen a decline in population over the years, it remains a quiet agricultural community, known for its serene rural environment and strong ties to farming.

Area, Population, and Coordinates

  • Area: N/A (unincorporated)
  • Population: Fewer than 50 (2023 estimate)
  • Zip Codes: 67839 (shared with Dighton)
  • Latitude: 38.5692° N
  • Longitude: 100.1081° W

Schools and Landmarks

Students in Alamota typically attend schools in Dighton through USD 482. The community’s key landmarks are agricultural in nature, with grain silos, barns, and farm equipment being visible throughout the area. The surrounding farmland is a defining feature of the town, and its vast wheat fields highlight the importance of agriculture to the local economy. While Alamota does not have major landmarks or tourist attractions, the town’s rural charm and close-knit community provide a peaceful lifestyle for its residents. The rolling plains and clear Kansas skies make Alamota a scenic part of Lane County, ideal for those seeking a quiet rural setting.

Shields

Overview

Shields is a small, unincorporated community located in central Lane County. Founded in the late 19th century, Shields served as a rural agricultural center for nearby farms. The town was named after Thomas Shields, an early settler in the area. Although the town’s population has remained small, Shields has retained its agricultural focus, with wheat farming and cattle ranching being the dominant industries. Like many other small Kansas towns, Shields has a long history tied to the state’s agricultural development, and it continues to be a quiet, rural community.

Area, Population, and Coordinates

  • Area: N/A (unincorporated)
  • Population: Fewer than 50 (2023 estimate)
  • Zip Codes: 67839 (shared with Dighton)
  • Latitude: 38.4606° N
  • Longitude: 100.3836° W

Schools and Landmarks

Shields is part of USD 482, with students attending schools in nearby Dighton. The town’s primary landmarks include grain elevators and farmsteads that represent its agricultural heritage. Shields is surrounded by expansive farmland, offering a serene, rural atmosphere where farming is the central way of life. While the town is small and lacks significant tourist attractions, its peaceful environment and close-knit community make it an ideal place for residents who enjoy rural living. The agricultural landscape, with its vast fields of wheat and corn, highlights the town’s continuing role in Kansas’s farming industry.