US Presidents and County Names: A Historical Overview
The naming of counties in the United States often serves as a map of the nation's historical priorities and honors. While many early leaders are immortalized in the geography of the states, a surprising number of U.S. presidents have never had a county named in their honor.
Key Facts
- 21 presidents have no county named after them.
- Some counties share names with presidents (e.g., Johnson, Clinton) but were named for different individuals.
- Certain presidential counties have been renamed or abolished over time.
- The list of presidents without a namesake county includes every president from Ronald Reagan to Joe Biden.
Presidents Without a Namesake County
Despite their roles as heads of state, 21 presidents do not have a county named after them. This list spans various eras of American history, including several modern leaders.
The presidents without a namesake county are: Andrew Johnson, Benjamin Harrison, William Howard Taft, Woodrow Wilson, Calvin Coolidge, Herbert Hoover, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Harry S. Truman, Dwight D. Eisenhower, John F. Kennedy, Lyndon B. Johnson, Richard Nixon, Gerald R. Ford, Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, George H. W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, Barack Obama, Donald Trump, and Joe Biden.
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The Coincidence of Shared Names
It is important to distinguish between a county that shares a name with a president and one actually named in honor of that president. There are several instances where the names overlap, but the presidential connection is absent:
- Johnson County: 12 counties exist, but none are named after a president.
- Clinton County: 9 counties exist, but none are named after a president.
- Carter County: 5 counties exist, but none are named after a president.
- Wilson County: 4 counties exist, but none are named after a president.
- Ford County: 2 counties exist, but none are named after a president.
- Reagan County: 1 county exists, but it is not named after the president.
Changes in County Designations
The map of the United States is not static. Some counties originally named for presidents were later renamed or ceased to exist entirely.
Renamed Counties
Political shifts and local decisions have led to the renaming of presidential counties. For example, Cass County, Missouri, was originally established as Van Buren County to honor President Martin Van Buren, but was renamed in 1849 after Senator Lewis Cass.
Similarly, Stephens County, Texas, was first established as Buchanan County in honor of President James Buchanan. In 1861, it was renamed for Alexander H. Stephens, who served as the vice president of the Confederate States of America.
Defunct Counties
Some presidential counties have been abolished or absorbed. Washington County, D.C., was once a recognized entity but was abolished via the District of Columbia Organic Act of 1871.
In Kansas, Garfield County was named for President James A. Garfield. It existed from 1887 until 1893, at which point it became part of Finney County.
Summary of Presidential County Data
| Category | Details / Examples |
|---|---|
| Presidents with no namesake county | 21 individuals (from Andrew Johnson to Joe Biden) |
| Common names (not presidential) | Johnson (12), Clinton (9), Carter (5) |
| Renamed examples | Van Buren → Cass (MO); Buchanan → Stephens (TX) |
| Abolished examples | Washington County (D.C.), Garfield County (KS) |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many presidents do not have a county named after them?
There are 21 presidents who do not have a county named in their honor.
Are there any Clinton or Johnson counties named after presidents?
No. While there are nine Clinton Counties and twelve Johnson Counties, none of them were named after the presidents who shared those names.
Why was Buchanan County in Texas renamed?
Buchanan County was renamed Stephens County in 1861 to honor Alexander H. Stephens, the vice president of the Confederate States of America.
What happened to Garfield County, Kansas?
Garfield County existed from 1887 to 1893, after which it was absorbed into Finney County.
Was there ever a Washington County in D.C.?
Yes, but it was abolished through the District of Columbia Organic Act of 1871.