Fort Scott ZIP Codes — Bourbon County, KS

There is one unique ZIP code in Fort Scott, Kansas and it is 66701. Area code: 620.

ZIP codes

285.83

sq mi land

2.05

sq mi water

620

area code

Fort Scott, KS ZIP code map

About Fort Scott, KS

Fort Scott, Kansas is a charming historic city located in Bourbon County in the southeastern corner of the state, served by a single ZIP code, 66701. The city blends a rich Civil War-era heritage with a close-knit small-town atmosphere that continues to draw visitors and new residents alike. With its well-preserved 19th-century architecture, local festivals, and community pride, Fort Scott stands as one of southeastern Kansas's most distinctive communities.

Location & geography

Fort Scott is situated in Bourbon County in the Osage Plains region of southeastern Kansas, approximately 90 miles south of Kansas City and about 60 miles north of Joplin, Missouri. Nearby cities include Pittsburg, Kansas to the southeast, Nevada, Missouri to the east, and Chanute, Kansas to the west. The city encompasses a total land area of 285.83 square miles and a water area of 2.05 square miles, with Marmaton River and its tributaries contributing to the modest but scenic water features of the region.

Community & economy

Fort Scott has a welcoming, tight-knit community character rooted in Midwestern values and a deep respect for its storied past. The local economy is supported by healthcare, retail, agriculture, and light manufacturing, with Mercy Hospital Fort Scott serving as a major employer in the area. Daily life in Fort Scott revolves around community events at Gunn Park, shopping along National Avenue, and a strong tradition of school and civic engagement.

Transportation

Fort Scott is accessible primarily via U.S. Highway 69, a major north-south corridor that connects the city to Kansas City to the north and Miami, Oklahoma to the south, as well as U.S. Highway 54, which runs east-west through the region. The nearest commercial airport with scheduled airline service is Joplin Regional Airport in Joplin, Missouri, approximately 65 miles to the southeast, while the Tri-City Airport serves general aviation needs more locally. Public transit options within the city are limited, making personal vehicles the primary mode of transportation for most residents.

History

Fort Scott was established in 1842 as a U.S. military fort along the Military Road, serving as a strategic outpost during a period of westward expansion and tensions on the frontier. The fort was decommissioned in 1853, but the surrounding settlement continued to grow and was incorporated as a city, later becoming an important site during the Bleeding Kansas era preceding the Civil War. Today, Fort Scott National Historic Site preserves the original fort grounds and tells the story of this pivotal chapter in American and Kansas history.

Did you know?

Fort Scott is the birthplace of Gordon Parks, the legendary photographer, filmmaker, and author best known for his work with Life magazine and for directing the groundbreaking 1971 film 'Shaft.' The city celebrates his legacy through the Gordon Parks Museum at Fort Scott Community College, making it a destination for art and culture enthusiasts from across the country.

ZIP codes for Fort Scott, KS (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
66701	Fort Scott	Bourbon	View map

Demographics & statistics

11,206

Population

38.6

Median age

$52,562

Median household income

$29,886

Per capita income

$95,200

Median home value

$784

Median monthly rent

68.0%

Home ownership

13.5%

Poverty rate

4.3%

Unemployment

3,889

Housing units

23.9%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

315

Under 5

353

404

5–9

453

325

10–14

366

352

15–19

395

388

20–24

435

600

25–34

674

603

35–44

678

476

45–54

535

253

55–59

285

468

60–64

526

614

65–74

689

326

75–84

366

154

85+

173

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	2,657	23.7%
18 and over	8,549	76.3%
65 and over	2,322	20.7%
Median age	38.6 years

Race & ethnicity

White 90.6%

Two or more races 5%

Black or African American 3.1%

Hispanic or Latino 0.6%

Asian 0.4%

Other race 0.3%

Group	Count	%
White	10,212	90.6%
Two or more races	563	5%
Black or African American	354	3.1%
Hispanic or Latino	64	0.6%
Asian	43	0.4%
Other race	30	0.3%

Household income

Under $10k 3.9%

$10k–$15k 5.7%

$15k–$25k 9.9%

$25k–$35k 14.3%

$35k–$50k 14.2%

$50k–$75k 16.7%

$75k–$100k 15.3%

$100k–$150k 11.9%

$150k–$200k 4.6%

$200k+ 3.4%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	3.9%
$10k–$15k	5.7%
$15k–$25k	9.9%
$25k–$35k	14.3%
$35k–$50k	14.2%
$50k–$75k	16.7%
$75k–$100k	15.3%
$100k–$150k	11.9%
$150k–$200k	4.6%
$200k+	3.4%
Median income	$52,562

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 22.6%

$50k–$100k 32.6%

$100k–$150k 16.1%

$150k–$200k 13.7%

$200k–$300k 11.3%

$300k–$500k 2.9%

$500k–$1M 0.4%

$1M+ 0.5%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$95,200
Median rent / month	$784
Owner occupied	68.0%
Renter occupied	32.0%
Vacant	11.1%
Single-family detached	77.5%
Large apartment buildings	4.3%
Mobile homes	7.1%
Median rooms	5.9
Avg household size (owned)	2.29

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.0%
2010–2019	1.1%
2000–2009	8.0%
1990–1999	10.8%
1980–1989	9.0%
1970–1979	10.8%
1960–1969	7.3%
1950–1959	12.5%
1940–1949	8.6%
1939 or earlier	31.8%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	6.3%
1 bedroom	8.7%
2 bedrooms	32.0%
3 bedrooms	37.2%
4 bedrooms	12.0%
5+ bedrooms	3.7%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	4.0%
1 vehicle	29.7%
2 vehicles	38.0%
3 or more	28.3%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	55.7%
Electricity	29.9%
Propane / LP gas	10.7%
Wood	2.9%
No fuel used	0.1%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	2,269	47.0%
Cohabiting couple	401	8.3%
Male householder, no spouse	730	15.1%
Female householder, no spouse	1,430	29.6%
Households with children under 18	1,211	25.1%
Households with seniors (65+)	1,885	39.0%
Average household size	2.23

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	31.3%	22.8%
Married	54.1%	47.8%
Separated	0.9%	2.5%
Widowed	5.4%	13.0%
Divorced	8.3%	13.8%

Education

Less than 9th grade 3.5%

Some HS, no diploma 8.3%

HS graduate 29.2%

Some college, no degree 23.3%

Associate's degree 11.7%

Bachelor's degree 15.1%

Graduate / professional 8.8%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	88.2%
Bachelor's or higher	23.9%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	123	4.6%
Kindergarten	213	7.9%
Elementary school	1,250	46.3%
High school	412	15.3%
College / grad school	702	26.0%

Employment

Industry of employment

Manufacturing 23.5%

Education & healthcare 22.8%

Retail trade 10.0%

Finance & real estate 8.1%

Arts, food & hospitality 5.3%

Other services 4.9%

Professional & management 4.7%

Construction 4.6%

Transportation & utilities 4.6%

Agriculture & mining 4.5%

Public administration 3.5%

Wholesale trade 3.1%

Information 0.5%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	30.2%
Service	16.4%
Sales & office	19.6%
Natural resources & construction	8.9%
Production & transportation	24.8%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	82.3%
Government	12.4%
Self-employed	5.0%
Unpaid family workers	0.2%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	71.7%
Carpool	15.1%
Public transit	0.0%
Walk	2.5%
Other means	0.6%
Avg commute (minutes)	19.3

Poverty

All people 13.5%

Under 18 years 17.4%

18 and over 12.2%

Married-couple families 2.9%

Female-led households 16.0%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	43.1%
Retirement income	30.1%
Supplemental Security	4.0%
Cash public assistance	1.5%
Food stamps / SNAP	10.9%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	36.2%
High cholesterol	35.3%
Heart disease	8.2%
Stroke	3.9%
Asthma	10.4%
Arthritis	27.9%
Kidney disease	3.7%
Pulmonary disease	8.9%
Cancer	7.4%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	15.8%
No physical activity	27.1%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	33.5%
Fair or poor health	17.6%
Poor mental health	15.0%
Poor physical health	12.3%
No health insurance	15.4%
Visited doctor (checkup)	73.2%
Visited dentist	55.1%
Cholesterol screening	86.7%
Teeth loss	18.0%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	665	7.8%

Disability	%
Any disability	19.2%
Under 18	7.9%
18–64 years	17.9%
65 and over	36.4%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	65.7%
Public insurance	41.9%
Uninsured under 19	3.0%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	10,538	94.0%
Spanish	79	0.7%
Other Indo-European	0	0.0%
Asian & Pacific Islander	32	0.3%
Other languages	47	0.4%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	11,140	99.4%
Born in same state	11,097	99.0%
Born in different state	7,604	67.9%
Foreign born	43	0.4%
Naturalized citizen	66	0.6%
Not a US citizen	42	63.6%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Arab	1,695	15.1%
Italian	1,584	14.1%
French	1,001	8.9%

Ancestry	Count	%
English	208	1.9%
Polish	71	0.6%
Dutch	17	0.2%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	43.1%
Internet access	91.3%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2025 estimates.

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Fort Scott, KS have?

Fort Scott, KS has one ZIP code: 66701. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.