Oswego, Kansas
20 topographic sheets cover this place, the earliest surveyed in 1886 and the latest in 1990. It stands in Oswego Township. It lies in ZIP code area 67356. The Survey maps it on the Oswego quadrangle. 1,668 people lived here at the 2020 count. It stands 912 feet above sea level.
On record in Oswego
Buildings and businesses the archive holds for this place. Each opens its own page, with the source record it came from.
On the National Register 3 records
Oswego Public Carnegie Librarylisted 1987- Riverside Parklisted 2012
- US Post Office-Oswegolisted 1989
Population over time
2 figuresOswego fell from 1,829 to 1,668 between 2010 and 2020. These are the recorded population figures Wikidata holds for this place, reached through the Geographic Names Information System number this page is keyed on rather than by name, so they belong to this place and not to another of the same name. Most are census counts, but not all are: an early figure may be a founding or settlement estimate, and an estimate published within five years of a census is left out. The change column is computed, and is left blank where more than 20 years separate a figure from the one before it, because a gap that long is not a change between two counts.
| Year | People | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 1,829 | |
| 2020 | 1,668 | -161 (-9%) |
Topographic sheets covering this place
13 surveys from 20 printed sheetsMatched by testing this settlement's coordinate against the published boundary of every sheet in the United States Geological Survey's historical collection. Each opens the scanned sheet at the Survey.
- 1886 USGS Parsons quadrangle1:125000
- 1893 USGS Parsons quadrangle1:125000, 4 printings
- 1944 USGS Oswego quadrangle1:62500
- 1946 USGS Oswego quadrangle1:48000
- 1947 USGS Joplin quadrangle1:250000
- 1948 USGS Oswego quadrangle1:62500, 3 printings
- 1949 USGS Joplin quadrangle1:250000
- 1954 USGS Joplin quadrangle1:250000, 3 printings
- 1958 USGS Joplin quadrangle1:250000
- 1959 USGS Joplin quadrangle1:250000
- 1974 USGS Oswego quadrangle1:24000
- 1985 USGS Coffeyville quadrangle1:100000
- 1990 USGS Coffeyville quadrangle1:100000
Fires near this place
15 since 2015Regional context, not property-specific evidence. The federal wildfire occurrence database lists 15 fires within 5 miles of Oswego between 2015 and 2018, burning about 124 acres in total. None started naturally. 1 was recorded as arson. Distance is straight-line from the map coordinates, so a fire counted here may appear on a neighbouring settlement's page as well.
| Reported cause | Fires |
|---|---|
| Missing data/not specified/undetermined | 9 |
| Debris and open burning | 4 |
| Arson/incendiarism | 1 |
| Equipment and vehicle use | 1 |
The most recent of them, most recent first, with the day each was reported and the service that recorded it.
| Date | Cause | Size | Reported by | Name on the report |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18 September 2015 | Missing data/not specified/undetermined | under an acre | Kansas Forest Service | 56 |
| 1 July 2015 | Missing data/not specified/undetermined | under an acre | Kansas Forest Service | 21 |
| 5 April 2018 | Missing data/not specified/undetermined | 8.0 acres | Kansas Forest Service | 1800022 |
| 22 March 2015 | Arson/incendiarism | under an acre | Kansas Forest Service | 30 |
| 20 March 2018 | Debris and open burning | 5.0 acres | Kansas Forest Service | 19 |
| 12 March 2015 | Missing data/not specified/undetermined | 4.0 acres | Kansas Forest Service | 21 |
| 28 February 2017 | Missing data/not specified/undetermined | 60 acres | Cherokee County | 1700012 |
| 16 February 2018 | Debris and open burning | under an acre | Kansas Forest Service | 11 |
Settlements close enough to share some of these fires:
Mines and quarries near this place
1 within 5 milesRegional context, not property-specific evidence. The federal mineral resources record lists 1 working within 5 miles of Oswego: 1 prospect. None of them still produces. What was taken out: Lead, Zinc. Distance is straight-line from the map coordinates, so a quarry counted here may appear on a neighbouring settlement's page as well.
| Where | Site | Commodity | Status | Recorded |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oswego Mine | Lead, Zinc | Prospect | 1968 |
Storms near this place
48 since 1997Regional context, not property-specific evidence. The National Weather Service names Oswego in 48 storm reports between 1997 and 2026: 20 thunderstorm wind, 14 hail, 4 tornado, 4 flash flood. No death or injury is recorded in these reports. Each account below is quoted exactly as the forecast office filed it, from the NOAA Storm Events Database, and each date opens the federal record of that event.
| When | Event | Place named | Harm | What the report says |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| July 2004 | Thunderstorm Wind | Oswego | $1,000,000 | Barn sustained minor roof damage with trees uprooted in it's immediate vicinity. (Narrative courtesy of Parsons Sun.) Approximately 180 homes damaged, the magnitude ranging from minor to a few that were considered "totaled" by insurance adjustors. The following town property sustained damage: The golf course club house, the roofs of an unspecified number of buildings, fencing at the summer ball field, the electrical circuitry at Riverside Park, and the former Tee Top building. Governor Sebelius declared Labette County a disaster area. (Latter portion of narrative courtesy of Oswego Independent Observer.) |
| September 2001 | Thunderstorm Wind | Oswego | $150,000 | Machine shed destroyed. Time estimated. |
| May 2009 | Thunderstorm Wind | Oswego | $30,000 | Numerous trees were knocked down across town as winds estimated around 60 mph moved across the area. The trees fell on outbuildings and vehicles causing damage. |
| August 2003 | Thunderstorm Wind | Oswego | $25,000 | Power lines downed and a few large trees uprooted. |
| September 2001 | Thunderstorm Wind | Oswego | $20,000 | Trees, power lines and power poles downed. |
| September 2005 | Thunderstorm Wind | Oswego | $5,000 | Downed large limbs and power lines. |
| October 2016 | Flash Flood | Oswego | $100 | Water was reported flowing across US highway 59 at the railroad overpass. |
| April 2026 | Thunderstorm Wind | Oswego | - | Several tree limbs and powerlines were reported down initially by law enforcement. A damage survey the following day found straight line wind damage with much of the damage to trees across town including quite a bit of damage to the city park. There was a tree that fell onto a home damaging the roof for the front entry. Minor damage to outbuildings and other structures could be found. |
| May 2025 | Hail | Oswego | - | Labette County Dispatch reported nickel sized hail. |
| February 2024 | Heavy Rain | Oswego | - | This is a 24 hour rainfall total of 1.50 inches. |
| August 2024 | Thunderstorm Wind | Oswego | - | Estimated wind gust of 70 mph. |
| July 2020 | Thunderstorm Wind | Oswego | - | A significant amount of damage was reported along the path of this wet microburst as it moved southeast across the county from near Oswego to just south of Chetopa. Wind speeds were generally around 75 mph, however, in and around the community of Oswego, enhanced bursts produced wind speeds of 90 mph and possibly bursts to near 100 mph causing widespread damage to the area and along the path. |
| August 2020 | Thunderstorm Wind | Oswego | - | Law enforcement reported the gust. |
| February 2017 | Hail | Oswego | - | The Labette County Emergency Management staff reported hail that ranged from 1 to 1.50 inches in diameter. A photo of the hail was relayed via social media. |
| August 2016 | Flood | Oswego | - | The flooding occurred in the vicinity of Victory and Wallace Roads north of Oswego. The flooding had since receded. |
| June 2015 | Heavy Rain | Oswego | - | The Cooperative observer measured 4.4 inches of rain the previous 24 hours. |
| June 2015 | Heavy Rain | Oswego | - | The Emergency Manager reported 3.5 inches of rain in one and a half hours. |
| June 2015 | Thunderstorm Wind | Oswego | - | No damage was reported. |
| August 2015 | Thunderstorm Wind | Oswego | - | A few power lines were blown down. |
| October 2014 | Heavy Rain | Oswego | - | The 24 hour rainfall amount was 3.97 inches. |
| June 2014 | Thunderstorm Wind | Oswego | - | Law enforcement reported the wind gust. |
| May 2013 | Thunderstorm Wind | Oswego | - | Large tree limbs were blown down. |
| July 2010 | Thunderstorm Wind | Oswego | - | The emergency manager reported the gust in town. |
| May 2009 | Hail | Oswego | - | The hail ranged in size from 3/4 of an inch to one inch. |
| August 2009 | Thunderstorm Wind | Oswego | - | Estimated by law enforcement. |
| May 2008 | Tornado (EF0) | Oswego | - | The tornado touched down briefly in an open field. |
| May 2008 | Tornado (EF0) | Oswego | - | A tornado touched down briefly in an open field, throwing corn stalk debris into the air. |
| March 2007 | Flood | Oswego | - | Numerous thunderstorms steadily redeveloped and moved east-northeast across southeast Kansas during the morning through mid afternoon hours of March 23rd, producing widespread 2 to 4 inch rainfall amounts across primarily central and southern portions of Labette County. Consequently, numerous rural roads and low water crossings were flooded across central and southern portions of the county. Water was also reported over highway 166 approximately between mile posts 125 and 126, and also over highway 59 near mile post 15. |
| June 2007 | Flash Flood | Oswego | - | Widespread 7-10 inch rainfall amounts occurred across Labette County from June 27th through July 1st, heaviest across northern portions of the county, producing widespread, significant flooding. Please refer to this event in the July 2007 StormData publication for complete details. |
| September 2005 | Thunderstorm Wind | Oswego | - | Downed limbs. |
| May 2002 | Flash Flood | Oswego | - | Numerous roads across the county were covered by water, making them impassable. |
| May 2002 | Flash Flood | Oswego | - | Water covered York Road. |
| May 2001 | Tornado (F0) | Oswego | - | Trees downed across highway. |
| June 2000 | Tornado (F0) | Oswego | - | A brief touchdown in open country. |
| April 2023 | Hail | Oswego | - | no account filed |
| November 2022 | Hail | Oswego | - | no account filed |
| November 2020 | Hail | Oswego | - | no account filed |
| February 2017 | Hail | Oswego | - | no account filed |
| April 2015 | Hail | Oswego | - | no account filed |
| April 2012 | Hail | Oswego | - | no account filed |
| March 2006 | Hail | Oswego | - | no account filed |
| September 2005 | Thunderstorm Wind | Oswego | - | no account filed |
| March 2003 | Hail | Oswego | - | no account filed |
| March 2003 | Hail | Oswego | - | no account filed |
| March 2003 | Thunderstorm Wind | Oswego | - | no account filed |
| September 2001 | Thunderstorm Wind | Oswego | - | no account filed |
| May 1999 | Hail | Oswego | - | no account filed |
| May 1997 | Hail | Oswego | - | no account filed |
Nearest settlements
The eight closest, with where each one stands in the county. Distances are straight-line, computed from the Geographic Names Information System coordinates.
Elsewhere
Matched on this settlement's Geographic Names Information System number rather than its name, so it cannot be a different place of the same name in another state.
| Wikipedia article on Oswego | An encyclopaedic summary. Its text is share-alike, so it is linked here rather than copied. |
| Wikidata item Q2233677 | The structured record the population and elevation above come from. Public domain (CC0). |
Provenance
This settlement is recorded in the Geographic Names Information System as feature 469468. The sheet list is computed by point-in-boundary test against the United States Geological Survey's historical topographic inventory. Both are works of the United States government and carry no copyright under 17 U.S.C. 105.
Wildfire. Short, Karen C. 2022. Spatial wildfire occurrence data for the United States, 1992-2020 [FPA_FOD_20221014]. 6th Edition. Fort Collins, CO: Forest Service Research Data Archive. https://doi.org/10.2737/RDS-2013-0009.6 Collected with United States Government funding and usable without additional permissions or fees.
Mines and quarries. USGS Mineral Resources Data System (MRDS) https://mrdata.usgs.gov/mrds/ A work of the United States government, no copyright under 17 U.S.C. 105.
Storms. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/stormevents/ A work of the United States government, no copyright under 17 U.S.C. 105. Narratives are quoted verbatim from the National Weather Service report and are not edited or summarised.












