Ottawa is a city in Franklin County, Kansas, and serves as the county seat. Located on both banks of the Marais des Cygnes River near the center of the county, Ottawa had a population of 12,625 according to the 2020 census.
The city is home to Ottawa University, a notable institution of higher education in the region. Ottawa's central location within Franklin County and its position along the Marais des Cygnes River have shaped its role as the administrative and cultural hub of the county.