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🗺️ Using the MapCounty View

Last Updated: 4/6/2026

County View

The County View feature in “Where Did They Go?” allows you to zoom into individual Kansas counties to explore detailed geographic and demographic data at a local level. This view reveals additional data layers and information that aren’t visible in the state-wide view.

Entering County View

To zoom into a county: Click directly on any county in the state map. The map will smoothly transition to focus on that county, zooming in to show its boundaries in detail.

When you enter County View, several changes occur automatically:

  • The map viewport zooms to frame the selected county
  • The filter panel updates to show county-level data layers
  • New data layers become available that are only visible at the county zoom level
  • The county borders remain visible to help you orient yourself

County-Level Data Layers

In County View, you gain access to specialized data layers that provide detailed local information:

Schools — Individual school buildings appear as small black circles. Hover over any school to see detailed information including the building name, district, grade level, opening date, and address.

Healthcare Facilities — Hospitals, clinics, pharmacies, and other healthcare facilities appear with color-coded symbols. Each facility type uses a different symbol and color for easy identification.

Census Tracts — Red dashed boundary lines show census tract divisions within the county, useful for understanding demographic data collection areas.

These layers are hidden in State View to prevent visual clutter, but become available in the filter panel once you zoom into a county.

Switching Between Counties

To view a different county without returning to State View: Simply click on another county while already in County View. The map will transition directly to the new county, updating all visible data layers to match the new location.

This feature makes it easy to compare neighboring counties or explore multiple regions without repeatedly zooming in and out.

Exiting County View

To return to State View: Click on the same county you’re currently viewing. The map will zoom back out to show the entire state of Kansas.

You can also click on the background area outside county boundaries (if visible) to return to State View.

Understanding the Filter Panel

The filter panel on the right side of the map automatically updates based on your current zoom level. When you enter County View:

  • Filters marked as county-only become visible and can be toggled on or off
  • State-only filters (like the County Population Heat Map) disappear from the panel
  • Filters available at both zoom levels (like Cities, Railroads, and Interstates) remain visible

Each filter checkbox controls whether that data layer appears on the map. Unchecking a filter hides that layer; checking it again makes the layer visible.

Tips for Students and Teachers

For exploring local history: Use County View to examine how individual communities changed over time. Toggle the Schools layer to see when school buildings opened or closed, or use the Healthcare layer to understand access to medical services.

For comparing regions: Switch between counties to compare infrastructure development, city growth patterns, or railroad expansion across different parts of Kansas.

For classroom activities: Teachers can guide students to specific counties relevant to their curriculum, using the detailed layers to support lessons about local history, geography, or demographic change.

What’s Next

  • Data Layers Reference – Learn about all nine data layers available in the app, including what information each layer displays and at which zoom levels
  • Accessibility – Discover the accessibility features built into the map interface
  • Timeline And Playback – Understand how to use the timeline slider to explore historical changes
AccessibilityData Layers Reference