text:
Stevens County, Kansas

Stevens County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kansas. Its county seat is Hugoton. As of the 2020 census, the county population was 5,250. The county is named for Thaddeus Stevens, a Reconstruction era Pennsylvania politician.

History
In 1886, Stevens County was established.

The first settlers came from McPherson, Kansas in 1885, originally naming their town Hugo after Victor Hugo, before changing it to Hugoton. Other early towns included Lafayette, founded by Quakers in 1886, and Moscow, established in 1887.

In the late 1880s and early 1890s, a violent "county seat war" raged between Hugoton, which had been designated the temporary county seat, and Woodsdale. Incidents included arrests, kidnappings, and killings. The conflict culminated in the July 25, 1888, murder of Sheriff Cross of Woodsdale and three of his men in the Hay Meadow Massacre by Sam Robinson of Hugoton and his supporters. Robinson fled and was never tried for the murders. The issue was eventually resolved in 1887 when Hugoton became the permanent county seat, though tensions remained high for several years after.

Natural gas was discovered in Stevens County in 1927, leading to the development of the Hugoton Natural Gas Area and transforming Hugoton into a major center of the natural gas industry.

In the 1930s, the prosperity of the area was severely affected by its location within the Dust Bowl. This catastrophe intensified the economic impact of the Great Depression in the region.

Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 727 sqmi, of which 727 sqmi is land and 0.2 sqmi (0.02%) is water.

Major highways

 * K-25.svg Kansas Highway 25
 * K-51.svg Kansas Highway 51
 * US 56.svg U.S. Highway 56

Adjacent counties

 * Grant County (north)
 * Haskell County (northeast)
 * Seward County (east)
 * Texas County, Oklahoma (south)
 * Morton County (west)
 * Stanton County (northwest)

National protected area

 * Cimarron National Grassland (part)

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 5,463 people, 1,988 households, and 1,457 families residing in the county. The population density was 8 /mi2. There were 2,265 housing units at an average density of 3 /mi2. The racial makeup of the county was 83.01% White, 0.93% Black or African American, 0.93% Native American, 0.24% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 13.25% from other races, and 1.61% from two or more races. 21.73% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 1,988 households, out of which 38.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.10% were married couples living together, 7.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.70% were non-families. 24.30% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.72 and the average family size was 3.27.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 31.20% under the age of 18, 8.30% from 18 to 24, 27.80% from 25 to 44, 19.40% from 45 to 64, and 13.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 95.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.50 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $41,830, and the median income for a family was $49,063. Males had a median income of $36,525 versus $22,803 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,814. About 8.30% of families and 10.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.10% of those under age 18 and 4.70% of those age 65 or over.

County
Stevens County is governed by the Stevens County Commissioners. The current members are Joe D. Thompson, Tron Stegman, and Pat Hall.

Presidential elections
Stevens County is overwhelmingly Republican. It has not been won by a Democrat at Presidential level since Lyndon Johnson won by fourteen votes in 1964. In fact, the last Democrat to crack thirty percent of the county's vote was Jimmy Carter in 1976, and since Carter only Michael Dukakis during the drought and farm crisis-influenced 1988 election has received so much as twenty percent.

Laws
The Kansas Constitution was amended in 1986 to allow the sale of alcoholic liquor by the individual drink with the approval of voters, either with or without a minimum of 30% of sales coming from food. Stevens County is one of 35 counties in the state that allows for the sale of liquor by the drink without the minimum food sales stipulation.

Unified school districts

 * Moscow USD 209
 * Hugoton USD 210

Communities
List of current townships / incorporated cities / unincorporated communities / extinct former communities within Stevens County.

Cities

 * Hugoton (county seat)
 * Moscow

Ghost towns

 * Feterita
 * Woodsdale

Townships
Stevens County is divided into six townships. None of the cities within the county are considered governmentally independent, and all figures for the townships include those of the cities. In the following table, the population center is the largest city (or cities) included in that township's population total, if it is of a significant size.

title: Stevens County, Kansas


text:
Stanton County, Kansas

Stanton County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kansas. Its county seat is Johnson City. As of the 2020 census, the county population was 2,084. It was named for Edwin Stanton, the U.S. Secretary of War during most of the American Civil War.

History
For many millennia, the Great Plains of North America was inhabited by nomadic Native Americans.

In 1854, the Kansas Territory was organized, then in 1861 Kansas became the 34th U.S. state.

In 1887, Stanton County was established, and named for Edwin Stanton.

In the 1930s, the prosperity of the area was severely affected by its location within the Dust Bowl. This catastrophe intensified the economic impact of the Great Depression in the region.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 680 sqmi, of which 680 sqmi is land and 0.07 sqmi (0.01%) is water.

Major highways

 * US 160.svg U.S. Highway 160
 * K-27.svg Kansas Highway 27

Adjacent counties

 * Hamilton County (north/Mountain Time border)
 * Grant County (east)
 * Stevens County (southeast)
 * Morton County (south)
 * Baca County, Colorado (west/Mountain Time border)
 * Prowers County, Colorado (northwest/Mountain Time border)

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 2,406 people, 858 households, and 638 families residing in the county. The population density was 4 /mi2. There were 1,007 housing units at an average density of 2 /mi2. The racial makeup of the county was 84.41% White, 0.62% Black or African American, 1.21% Native American, 0.17% Asian, 12.51% from other races, and 1.08% from two or more races. 23.69% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 858 households, out of which 40.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.50% were married couples living together, 6.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.60% were non-families. 22.60% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.74 and the average family size was 3.21.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 30.80% under the age of 18, 8.40% from 18 to 24, 28.30% from 25 to 44, 19.50% from 45 to 64, and 13.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 104.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 103.20 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $40,172, and the median income for a family was $46,300. Males had a median income of $30,236 versus $21,250 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,043. About 10.70% of families and 14.90% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.80% of those under age 18 and 12.90% of those age 65 or over.

Government
Stanton County is almost always Republican, The last time a democratic candidate carried the county was in 1964 by Lyndon B. Johnson.

Laws
Although the Kansas Constitution was amended in 1986 to allow the sale of alcoholic liquor by the individual drink with the approval of voters, Stanton County remained a prohibition, or "dry", county, until the county voted to approve the amendment in 2022, with no restrictions of food sales.

Unified school districts

 * Stanton County USD 452

Communities
List of townships / incorporated cities / unincorporated communities / extinct former communities within Stanton County. † means a community is designated a Census-Designated Place (CDP) by the United States Census Bureau.

Cities

 * Johnson City (county seat)
 * Manter

Unincorporated communities

 * Big Bow†
 * Julian
 * Saunders

Townships
Stanton County is divided into three townships. None of the cities within the county are considered governmentally independent, and all figures for the townships include those of the cities. In the following table, the population center is the largest city (or cities) included in that township's population total, if it is of a significant size.

license: Creative Commons - Attribution Share-Alike - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

title: Stanton County, Kansas


text:
Stafford County, Kansas

Stafford County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kansas. Its county seat is St. John. As of the 2020 census, the county population was 4,072. The county is named in honor of Lewis Stafford, a captain of Company E, First Kansas Infantry, who died at the Battle of Young's Point during the American Civil War.

19th century
The boundaries of Stafford County were defined by the Kansas Legislature of 1870 but for several years, the county remained unorganized. The Legislature of 1875, with the intention of obliterating the county from the map, gave the territory in Stafford County to other counties. They gave the portion in Range 15 West to Pawnee County; the portion included in Ranges 11, 12, 13 and 14 to Barton County; and the south half of the county, excepting the portion in Range 15, was added to Pratt County. But after each of the counties had taken its part, a strip six miles wide and twelve miles long (two townships) remained as Stafford County. This was the condition of the county until April 25, 1879, when, by a decision of the Supreme Court, the act of the Legislature dividing the county was declared unconstitutional and the county was restored to its original boundaries. Stafford County was organized in 1879.

Amidst this legal turmoil, settlers began to establish themselves in the county. Among the earliest pioneers was W. R. Hoole, who in May 1874, laid claim to land in what would become Stafford County, followed by John Birbeck, who erected the county's first frame house shortly after and broke the first prairie in the county in 1875. The first child was born in the county in 1875, also to W. R. Hoole and his wife. A short-lived attempt at manufacturing salt at Salt Marsh, in the northeastern part of the county, was undertaken in 1876. The marsh was ultimately found to be better used as a pasture for livestock.

In addition to individual settlers, a sizable Mormon settlement, known as Zion Valley, was established near St. John in the spring of 1875. Led by William Bickerton, this community established the county's first post office and erected a frame temple before internal disputes led to its dissolution and the temple's conversion into a commercial establishment.

Educational infrastructure also began to take shape with the construction of the county's first schoolhouse, the Hoole Schoolhouse, in 1876, with Miss Ella Miller serving as its inaugural teacher.

The early economy of Stafford County was heavily reliant on the gathering of buffalo bones, which were abundant across the region. This industry proved, however, to be short-lived, as the easily accessible bone deposits were quickly depleted.

Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 795 sqmi, of which 792 sqmi is land and 2.9 sqmi (0.4%) is water.

Adjacent counties

 * Barton County (north)
 * Rice County (northeast)
 * Reno County (east)
 * Pratt County (south)
 * Edwards County (west)
 * Pawnee County (west)

National protected area

 * Quivira National Wildlife Refuge (part)

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 4,789 people, 2,010 households, and 1,294 families residing in the county. The population density was 6 /mi2. There were 2,458 housing units at an average density of 3 /mi2. The racial makeup of the county was 94.97% White, 0.15% Black or African American, 0.38% Native American, 0.13% Asian, 2.97% from other races, and 1.42% from two or more races. 5.41% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 2,010 households, out of which 29.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.90% were married couples living together, 5.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.60% were non-families. 33.00% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.20% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.34 and the average family size was 2.99.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 26.30% under the age of 18, 5.40% from 18 to 24, 24.60% from 25 to 44, 22.50% from 45 to 64, and 21.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 95.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.40 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $31,107, and the median income for a family was $38,235. Males had a median income of $27,328 versus $21,063 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,409. About 8.70% of families and 11.80% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.20% of those under age 18 and 8.90% of those age 65 or over.

Government
Stafford County is often carried by Republican Candidates. The last time they have been carried by a democratic candidate was in 1976 by Jimmy Carter.

Laws
Although the Kansas Constitution was amended in 1986 to allow the sale of alcoholic liquor by the individual drink with the approval of voters, Stafford County remained a prohibition, or "dry", county until an election in 2016 when this prohibition was removed by 1,304 to 535, 71% of the vote.

Unified school districts

 * Stafford USD 349
 * St. John-Hudson USD 350
 * Macksville USD 351

Communities
List of townships / incorporated cities / unincorporated communities / extinct former communities within Stafford County.

Cities

 * Hudson
 * Macksville
 * Radium
 * Seward
 * Stafford
 * St. John (county seat)

Unincorporated communities

 * Dillwyn
 * Neola
 * Zenith

Townships
Stafford County is divided into twenty-one townships. None of the cities within the county are considered governmentally independent, and all figures for the townships include those of the cities. In the following table, the population center is the largest city (or cities) included in that township's population total, if it is of a significant size.

title: Stafford County, Kansas


text:
Smith County, Kansas

Smith County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kansas. Its county seat is Smith Center. As of the 2020 census, the population was 3,570. The county is named in memory of J. Nelson Smith, a major in the 2nd Colorado Cavalry, killed at the Battle of Westport on October 21, 1864. The geographic center of the contiguous United States is located within the county, near Lebanon.

Early history
For many millennia, the Great Plains of North America was inhabited by nomadic Native Americans. From the 16th century to 18th century, the Kingdom of France claimed ownership of large parts of North America. In 1762, after the French and Indian War, France secretly ceded New France to Spain, per the Treaty of Fontainebleau.

19th century
In 1802, Spain returned most of the land to France, but keeping title to about 7,500 square miles. In 1803, most of the land for modern day Kansas was acquired by the United States from France as part of the 828,000 square mile Louisiana Purchase for 2.83 cents per acre.

In 1854, the Kansas Territory was organized, then in 1861 Kansas became the 34th U.S. state. In 1872, Smith County was established. The first homestead in Smith County was in 1871 and there were 3,800 inhabitants by 1875. The county grew to 15,000 people by 1889. Corn was the main crop at first but drought and grasshopper plagues severely hurt the crops. When hardy Winter wheat was introduced to Kansas by Russian settlers, it eventually became the predominant crop in Smith County. The population of the county has slowly declined since 1900 due in large part because of advanced farming techniques that require less human labor.

Brewster Higley wrote the song "Home on the Range" in 1873 in a cabin 9 miles northwest of Smith Center. It later became the Kansas State song.

Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 897 sqmi, of which 895 sqmi is land and 1.5 sqmi (0.2%) is water. The county is divided into 25 townships, each of which is listed below in the subdivisions section of this article.

The geographic center of the 48 contiguous states is located within the county, near the city of Lebanon. The geographic center of North America is located in neighboring Osborne County.

The Solomon River runs through the southern part of the county and provides a flat basin and water for irrigated crops.

Major highways
There are two major highways serving the county. The main east–west route is U.S. Highway 36, which travels through Athol, Kensington, and Smith Center. The main north–south route is U.S. Highway 281, which intersects US-36 in Smith Center. Kansas state highways K-8, K-9 and K-180 serve other areas of the county.

Adjacent counties

 * Webster County, Nebraska (northeast)
 * Jewell County (east)
 * Osborne County (south)
 * Rooks County (southwest)
 * Phillips County (west)
 * Franklin County, Nebraska (northwest)

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 4,536 people, 1,953 households, and 1,322 families residing in the county. The population density was 5 /mi2. There were 2,326 housing units at an average density of 3 /mi2. The racial makeup of the county was 98.79% White, 0.11% Black or African American, 0.24% Native American, 0.04% Asian, 0.11% Pacific Islander, 0.22% from other races, and 0.49% from two or more races. 0.73% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 1,953 households, out of which 25.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.60% were married couples living together, 4.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.30% were non-families. 30.20% of all households were made up of individuals, and 18.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.27 and the average family size was 2.78.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 21.70% under the age of 18, 4.70% from 18 to 24, 22.10% from 25 to 44, 23.60% from 45 to 64, and 27.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 46 years. For every 100 females there were 92.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.40 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $28,486, and the median income for a family was $36,951. Males had a median income of $25,089 versus $18,608 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,983. About 8.80% of families and 10.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.80% of those under age 18 and 9.50% of those age 65 or over.

The population distribution by township is as follows according to the 2000 census: Banner 54; Beaver 60; Blaine 60; Cedar 619; Center 2,094; Cora 38; Crystal Plains 40; Dor 46; Garfield 33; German 34; Harlan 100; Harvey 130; Houston 206; Lane 134; Lincoln 73; Logan 47; Martin 24; Oak 399; Pawnee 35; Pleasant 34; Swan 42; Valley 75; Washington 63; Webster 47; White Rock 49.

Presidential elections
Smith County is overwhelmingly Republican. No Democratic presidential candidate has won Smith County since Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1932. Since 1940 the only Democrat to win forty percent of the county's vote has been Lyndon Johnson during his 1964 landslide, and the last to pass thirty percent was Michael Dukakis during the drought-affected 1988 election

Laws
Following amendment to the Kansas Constitution in 1986, the county remained a prohibition, or "dry", county until 1992, when voters approved the sale of alcoholic liquor by the individual drink with a 30 percent food sales requirement.

Unified school districts

 * Thunder Ridge USD 110
 * Smith Center USD 237

Communities
List of townships / incorporated cities / unincorporated communities / extinct former communities within Smith County.

Cities

 * Athol
 * Cedar
 * Gaylord
 * Kensington
 * Lebanon
 * Smith Center (county seat)

Unincorporated communities

 * Bellaire
 * Claudell
 * Dispatch
 * Harlan
 * Reamsville
 * Thornburg
 * Womer

Ghost towns

 * Anderson
 * Clifford
 * Cora
 * Corvallis
 * Covington
 * Crystal Plains
 * Custer
 * Germantown
 * Hardilee
 * Jacksonburg
 * Judson
 * Ohio
 * Troublesome
 * Twelve Mile
 * Tyner
 * Uhl

Townships
Smith County is divided into twenty-five townships. None of the cities within the county are considered governmentally independent, and all figures for the townships include those of the cities. In the following table, the population center is the largest city (or cities) included in that township's population total, if it is of a significant size.

title: Smith County, Kansas


text:
Sherman County, Kansas

Sherman County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kansas. Its county seat is Goodland. As of the 2020 census, the county population was 5,927. Sherman County was created by the Legislature of 1873, and named after general William Sherman, a general during the American Civil War.

Early history
For many millennia, the Great Plains of North America was inhabited by nomadic Native Americans. From the 16th century to 18th century, the Kingdom of France claimed ownership of large parts of North America. In 1762, after the French and Indian War, France secretly ceded New France to Spain, per the Treaty of Fontainebleau.

19th century
In 1802, Spain returned most of the land to France, but keeping title to about 7,500 square miles. In 1803, most of the land for modern day Kansas was acquired by the United States from France as part of the 828,000 square mile Louisiana Purchase for 2.83 cents per acre.

In 1854, the Kansas Territory was organized, then in 1861 Kansas became the 34th U.S. state. In 1886, Sherman County was established.

Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1056 sqmi, of which 1056 sqmi is land and 0.2 sqmi (0.02%) is water.

Sherman County is one of only four Kansas counties to observe Mountain Time. Since Sherman County is part of the Wichita media market and the local broadcast stations are repeat signals of Wichita affiliates, prime-time programming in the county is aired from 6 to 9 p.m. local time, rather than 7 to 10 p.m. as is normal in the Central and Mountain time zones. However, cable providers carry the ABC and NBC affiliates from both Wichita and Denver, affording viewers the opportunity to view programs on those networks at the normal prime-time hours.

Adjacent counties

 * Cheyenne County (north/Central Time border)
 * Rawlins County (northeast/Central Time border)
 * Thomas County (east/Central Time border)
 * Logan County (southeast/Central Time border)
 * Wallace County (south)
 * Kit Carson County, Colorado (west)

Major highways

 * [[Image:I-70.svg|25px]] Interstate 70
 * [[Image:US 24.svg|20px]] US-24
 * [[Image:K-27.svg|25px]] K-27

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 6,760 people, 2,758 households, and 1,781 families residing in the county. The population density was 6 /mi2. There were 3,184 housing units at an average density of 3 /mi2. The racial makeup of the county was 93.83% White, 0.36% Black or African American, 0.33% Native American, 0.19% Asian, 0.16% Pacific Islander, 4.14% from other races, and 0.99% from two or more races. 8.45% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 2,758 households, out of which 29.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.80% were married couples living together, 6.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.40% were non-families. 29.20% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.40 and the average family size was 3.00.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 24.60% under the age of 18, 11.80% from 18 to 24, 23.90% from 25 to 44, 22.80% from 45 to 64, and 17.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 104.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 101.40 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $32,684, and the median income for a family was $38,824. Males had a median income of $28,012 versus $20,927 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,761. About 9.70% of families and 12.90% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.90% of those under age 18 and 7.30% of those age 65 or over.

Government
Sherman County is predominantly carried by Republican candidates at the presidential level, as with the majority of rural counties. However, Lyndon B. Johnson narrowly carried the county in 1964, the only Democrat to do so since 1936.

Laws
Sherman County was a prohibition, or "dry", county until the Kansas Constitution was amended in 1986 and voters approved the sale of alcoholic liquor by the individual drink with a 30 percent food sales requirement.

Colleges

 * Northwest Kansas Technical College

Unified school districts

 * Brewster USD 314
 * Goodland USD 352

Communities
List of townships / incorporated cities / unincorporated communities / extinct former communities within Sherman County. † means a community is designated a Census-Designated Place (CDP) by the United States Census Bureau.

Cities

 * Goodland (county seat)
 * Kanorado

Unincorporated communities

 * Caruso
 * Edson†
 * Ruleton

Townships
Sherman County is divided into thirteen townships. The city of Goodland is considered governmentally independent and is excluded from the census figures for the townships. Geographically, Goodland is located at the juncture of Voltaire, Itasca, and Logan Townships. In the following table, the population center is the largest city (or cities) included in that township's population total, if it is of a significant size.

title: Sherman County, Kansas


text:
Sheridan County, Kansas

Sheridan County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kansas. Its county seat is Hoxie. As of the 2020 census, the county population was 2,447. The county was named in honor of Phillip Sheridan, a general during the American Civil War.

Early history
For many millennia, the Great Plains of North America was inhabited by nomadic Native Americans. From the 16th century to 18th century, the Kingdom of France claimed ownership of large parts of North America. In 1762, after the French and Indian War, France secretly ceded New France to Spain, per the Treaty of Fontainebleau.

19th century
In 1802, Spain returned most of the land to France while keeping title to about 7,500 square miles. In 1803, most of the land for modern day Kansas was acquired by the United States from France as part of the 828,000 square miles Louisiana Purchase for 2.83 cents per acre.

In 1854, the Kansas Territory was organized, then in 1861 Kansas became the 34th U.S. state. In 1873, the remaining unorganized western part of the state was divided into 22 new counties, including Sheridan County. Sheridan County was then organized in 1880, with the county seat at Kenneth. After it became apparent in 1886, that the railroad line coming to the area would run south of Kenneth to the new town of Hoxie, the residents of Kenneth accepted an offer to get new lots in Hoxie (and move their buildings at no expense), and the county seat transferred to Hoxie. The Lincoln-Colorado railroad line opened through the county in 1888, and formally became part of the Union Pacific Railroad in the late 1890s.

20th century
The population of Sheridan County grew in the early 20th century and peaked in 1930 at 6,038 residents. Since then the population has steadily declined, as part of the general depopulation of the Great Plains.

The rail line stayed in operation in Sheridan County until 1998. After flooding east of Plainville in the 1993 floods damaged the line, the railroad concluded it would not be cost effective to rebuild, and the entire line from Plainville to Colby was abandoned by 1998.

Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 896 sqmi, of which 896 sqmi is land and 0.3 sqmi (0.03%) is water.

Adjacent counties

 * Decatur County (north)
 * Norton County (northeast)
 * Graham County (east)
 * Gove County (south)
 * Thomas County (west)

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 2,813 people, 1,124 households, and 795 families residing in the county. The population density was 3 /mi2. There were 1,263 housing units at an average density of 1 /mi2. The racial makeup of the county was 98.65% White, 0.14% Black or African American, 0.07% Native American, 0.07% Asian, 0.14% Pacific Islander, 0.36% from other races, and 0.57% from two or more races. 1.46% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 1,124 households, out of which 30.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.80% were married couples living together, 4.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.20% were non-families. 27.60% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.80% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 3.01.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 26.30% under the age of 18, 5.80% from 18 to 24, 23.70% from 25 to 44, 23.90% from 45 to 64, and 20.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 100.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.80 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $33,547, and the median income for a family was $38,292. Males had a median income of $26,351 versus $16,250 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,299. About 12.00% of families and 15.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 27.30% of those under age 18 and 5.50% of those age 65 or over.

Presidential elections
Sheridan County is overwhelmingly Republican. Since Michael Dukakis in the heavily drought-influenced 1988 election won almost 39 percent of the county's vote, no Democratic presidential candidate has topped 22 percent, and in 2016 Hillary Clinton’s share plummeted into single figures.

Laws
Although the Kansas Constitution was amended in 1986 to allow the sale of alcoholic liquor by the individual drink with the approval of voters, Sheridan County has remained a prohibition, or "dry", county.

Unified school districts

 * Hoxie USD 412

Communities
List of townships / incorporated cities / unincorporated communities / extinct former communities within Sheridan County.

Cities

 * Hoxie (county seat)
 * Selden

Unincorporated communities

 * Angelus
 * Seguin
 * Studley
 * Tasco

Ghost towns

 * Adell
 * Alcyone
 * Chicago
 * Lucerne
 * Museum
 * Mystic
 * Phelps
 * Sheridan
 * Ute
 * Violenta

Townships
Sheridan County is divided into fourteen townships. None of the cities within the county are considered governmentally independent, and all figures for the townships include those of the cities. In the following table, the population center is the largest city (or cities) included in that township's population total, if it is of a significant size.

title: Sheridan County, Kansas


text:
Shawnee County, Kansas

Shawnee County is located in northeast Kansas, in the central United States. Its county seat and most populous city is Topeka, the state capital. As of the 2020 census, the population was 178,909, making it the third-most populous county in Kansas. The county was one of the original 33 counties created by the first territorial legislature in 1855, and it was named for the Shawnee tribe.

Early history
For many millennia, the Great Plains of North America was inhabited by nomadic Native Americans. From the 16th century to 18th century, the Kingdom of France claimed ownership of large parts of North America. In 1762, after the French and Indian War, France secretly ceded New France to Spain, per the Treaty of Fontainebleau.

19th century
In 1802, Spain returned most of the land to France, but keeping title to about 7,500 square miles. In 1803, most of the land for modern day Kansas was acquired by the United States from France as part of the 828,000 square mile Louisiana Purchase for 2.83 cents per acre.

In 1854, the Kansas Territory was organized, then in 1861 Kansas became the 34th U.S. state. In 1855, Shawnee County was established.

Before the treaty of 1854, the Shawnee, Kansas, and Pottowatomie Indian tribes inhabited the area now known as Shawnee County. Westward expansion brought the country its first white settler in 1830 when Frederick Choteau opened a trading post on American Chief (now Mission) Creek. In 1855, Shawnee became one of the first counties established by the Kansas territorial legislature with a population of 250. General H. J. Strickler, of Tecumseh, a member of the council in 1855, and the joint committee on Counties, claimed Shawnee for the name of his county. At that time, Shawnee County borders were entirely south of the Kansas River and extended south to include Osage City and Carbondale. The legislature later desired to make Topeka the county seat and moved the borders of the county to their present locations to make Topeka centrally located in the county.

1855 also saw the first ever meeting of the Shawnee County Board of Commissioners. Tecumseh was the first county seat, and the first county courthouse was opened there in 1856. The building was 40x50 feet but was never finished. Topeka was made the county seat by popular vote in 1858, and a new courthouse was built at 4th Street and Kansas Avenue in 1867. In 1896, a new larger courthouse was constructed at 5th and Van Buren, with more than 50,000 residents then living in the county. That building remained in use until the current courthouse at 7th and Quincy opened in 1965.

Local etymologies
Concerning the origin of the names in this county, it is generally understood Shawnee County receives its name from that well known tribe of Indians.
 * Topeka: A good place to grow potatoes (Prairie potatoes).
 * Wakarusa: River of big weeds.
 * Shunganunga: The race course.
 * Menoken: A fine growth.
 * Half-Day Creek: Named after a Pottawatomie chief.
 * Mission Creek: Named after an old Kaw mission on its banks.
 * Blacksmith Creek: Named after a Kaw blacksmith shop.
 * Soldier Creek: Its banks were a favorite camping ground for soldiers passing from Fort Leavenworth to Fort Riley.

Geography
Shawnee County is in the northeastern part of Kansas, in the third tier of counties west of the Missouri River and about fifty-four miles south of Nebraska. According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has an area of 556 sqmi, of which 544 sqmi is land and 12 sqmi (2.1%) is water. It is bordered by Jackson County on the north, Jefferson County on the north and east, Douglas County on the east, Osage County on the south, Wabaunsee County on the west, and Pottawatomie County on the west. Its extent in either direction is not more than twenty-four miles. The second standard parallel south passes through the county's northern half.

When the county was formed in 1855, it was bounded by the Kansas River on the north, and the southern boundary was 9 mi further south. On February 23, 1860, the legislature changed the boundaries with the southern portion being granted to Osage County, and the northern boundary was moved a few miles north of the river (to the second standard parallel). The present northern line (six miles north of the second standard parallel) was established in 1868.

The Kansas River runs east across the county, just north of the center, being bordered on its north bank by the townships of Rossville, Silver Lake, Menoken, and Soldier, and on its south bank by the townships of Dover, Mission, and Tecumseh. The city of Topeka primarily lies to the south of the river. There is little or no current major river traffic, but it is used extensively for irrigation in the county. Major creeks emptying into the Kansas River include Cross, Soldier, Mission, Indian, and Shunganunga Creeks. The Wakarusa River, which, flowing east and northeast, empties into the Kansas River in the northeastern part of Douglas County. It has its sources in the township of Auburn, and waters the southern sections of Auburn, Williamsport and Monmouth—the tributary creeks flowing into it on either side forming the drainage and water system of the three townships.

The soil is a rich dark loam, varying from fifteen feet in some parts of the bottoms, to a uniform surface covering the upland prairie from one to three feet. The underlying formation is limestone. Beds of clay, are well distributed. Coal is found in detached and non-continuous beds, and is mined in a small way for local purposes in Topeka, Soldier and Menoken.

Along the western border the landscape is hilly with the Flint Hills a few miles further west in Wabaunsee County. Burnett's Mound is in the southwest part of Topeka. The highest point in Shawnee county is in Auburn (38° 53' 5 N, 95° 56' 35 W). Government and county surveys described the land as "bottom land, 31%; upland, 69%; forest 8%; prairie, 92%." Wooded areas are mainly found along rivers and creeks with no true forests. The growth consists of elm, cottonwood, black walnut, oak, sycamore, box elder, hickory and ash.

Adjacent counties

 * Jackson County - north
 * Jefferson County - northeast
 * Douglas County - southeast
 * Osage County - south
 * Wabaunsee County - west
 * Pottawatomie County - northwest

Township divisions
The county consists of twelve townships: Soldier, Menoken, Silver Lake, Grove, and Rossville north of the Kansas River; Tecumseh, Topeka, Mission, and Dover south of the river; and Monmouth, Williamsport, and Auburn in the southernmost tier of townships occupying the Wakarusa River valley. Being a city of the first class, the city of Topeka is independent of any townships and excluded from the census figures for the townships. It occupies over ten percent of the county's land area and ranks fourth in population among all cities in Kansas. Altogether, the county has five incorporated cities with the other four being cities of the third class: Auburn, Rossville, Silver Lake, and Willard.

Tecumseh Township was one of the two original townships formed in 1855, and it originally extended over all the county south of the Kansas River to the Wakarusa River. The other, Yocum Township, named after county commissioner William Yocum, contained the area south of the Wakarusa River. The formation of the townships of Topeka (1857) and Monmouth (1860) reduced Tecumseh Township to its current greatest extent of about 7 mi from north to south from the Kansas River and less than 7 mi from east to west from the county's eastern border. Small portions in the western part have been annexed by the city of Topeka, and its present area is 36 sqmi. It contains the (unincorporated) towns of Tecumseh, Spencer, and Watson. The town and township were named for the famous Shawnee chief.

Topeka Township was carved out of the western portion of Tecumseh Township in 1857. Following the creation of newer townships and annexations by the city of Topeka, the size of the township has been significantly reduced. Today, it occupies 12 sqmi, and it is in extent about 3 mi from north to south and 5 mi from east to west. It contains the town of Pauline.

Monmouth Township, in the county's southeastern corner, has an area of 56 sqmi. In extent it is 8 mi north to south and 7 mi east to west. It contains the town of Berryton. Richland, which was in the township's far southeast corner, was purchased by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in the late 1960s as a part of the land acquired for Clinton Lake. By 1974, the town was vacated and the remaining buildings were demolished shortly afterward.

Williamsport Township, established in 1860, was named after Williamsport, Pennsylvania. With an area of 41 sqmi, it is in extent 6 mi from north to south to the county's southern border and 7 mi from east to west between Monmouth and Auburn townships. It contains the towns of Wakarusa and Cullen Village and the greater portion of Forbes Field (airport).

Auburn Township, 56 sqmi in area, occupies the county's southwestern corner. In extent it is 6 mi from north to south and 10 mi from east to west, and it contains the city of Auburn.

Dover Township was carved from northern portions of Auburn Township in 1867 and named after Dover, New Hampshire. In extent it is 12 mi from north to south from the Kansas River and 6 mi from east to west to the county's western border, with an area of 57 sqmi. It includes the city of Willard and the towns of Dover and Valencia.

Mission Township was formed from parts of Dover and Topeka townships in 1871. The City of Topeka has since annexed northeastern portions of the township. It now occupies 32 sqmi, and its greatest extent is not more than 8 mi from north to south and 6 mi from east to west. It contains several subdivisions and the Sherwood Lake area.

Soldier Township was organized following the change in the county's borders in 1860, and it contained all of the county north of the Kansas River until the formation of Silver Lake Township in 1868. A southern portion of the township has been annexed by the city of Topeka. With an area of 63 sqmi, it is in extent less than 10 mi from north to south from the county's northern border and less than 8 mi from east to west from the county's eastern border. It contains the town of Elmont.

Silver Lake Township was carved out of the western portion of Soldier Township after the county's northern border was moved in 1868. The formation of the surrounding townships of Rossville (1871) to the west, Menoken (1879) to the east, and Grove (1918) to the north has reduced the size of the township. With an area of 18 sqmi, its greatest extent is about 5 mi from north to south to the Kansas River and 5 mi from east to west. It contains the city of Silver Lake, and it is named after a crescent-shaped lake near the city.

Rossville Township, occupying the county's northwestern corner, was carved out of the western part of Silver Lake Township in 1871. It has an area of 52 sqmi, and its greatest extent is about 9 mi from north to south to the Kansas River and 7 mi from east to west. It includes the city of Rossville. The township and city were named for William W. Ross, the brother of Senator Edmund G. Ross.

Menoken Township, 45 sqmi in area, was carved out of the eastern portions of Silver Lake Township in 1879. Extending from the county's northern border to the Kansas River, it is not more than 11 mi in extent from north to south and less than 5 mi from east to west. The township's name is derived from a Native American word meaning "fine growth" or "a place for fine growing".

Grove Township is the youngest of the townships. It was carved out of the northern portion of Silver Lake Township in 1918. Very little remains of its only town, Grove. With an area of 30 sqmi, the township is 6 mi in extent from north to south from the county's northern border and 5 mi from east to west between Menoken and Rossville townships.

Demographics

Shawnee County is included in the Topeka Metropolitan Statistical Area, which had an estimated population of 232,670 in 2021.

As of the census of 2000, there were 169,871 people, 68,920 households, and 44,660 families residing in the county. The population density was 309 PD/sqmi. There were 73,768 housing units at an average density of 134 /sqmi. The county's racial makeup was 82.89% White, 9.03% Black or African American, 1.17% Native American, 0.95% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 3.20% from other races, and 2.72% from two or more races. 7.26% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 68,920 households, of which 30.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.60% were married couples living together, 11.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.20% were non-families. 29.80% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 2.98.

25.30% of the county's residents were under the age of 18, 8.80% were from 18 to 24, 28.40% were from 25 to 44, 23.70% were from 45 to 64, and 13.70% were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.00 males.

The county's median household income was $40,988, and the median family income was $51,464. Males had a median income of $35,586 versus $26,491 for females. The county's per capita income was $20,904. About 6.30% of families and 9.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.30% of those under age 18 and 7.10% of those age 65 or over.

Points of interest

 * Kansas State Capitol in downtown Topeka: constructed from 1866 to 1903, this building houses the Kansas Legislature.
 * Kansas Children's Discovery Center in Gage Park
 * Topeka Zoo in Topeka: located at Gage Park, this zoo is well known for its flock of eagles.
 * Truckhenge at the Lessman Farm, 2 mi east of Topeka's Billard Airport, is part of a grassroots art park.
 * Lake Shawnee in southeast Topeka offers playgrounds, a swimming beach, trails, an 18-hole golf course and campgrounds among other amenities.

State
At the state level, Shawnee County has frequently voted for Democratic candidates. In fact, the county has gone Democratic in eight of the last eleven gubernatorial races since 1974.

Presidential elections
Since 1992, Shawnee County has become competitive in presidential elections with a slight Republican tilt. Bill Clinton in 1992 remained the last Democratic candidate to win Shawnee County until Joe Biden won the county in 2020.

From Bob Dole in 1996 to 2016, Republicans carried the county with a plurality, with the sole exception being George W. Bush in his 2004 reelection bid. In 2008, Republican John McCain won Shawnee County over Democrat Barack Obama by a margin of 49.05% to 48.77%, a margin of 241 votes. In 2016, Donald Trump won the county against Hillary Clinton with a margin of 48% to 45.17%, a 2.83% margin, or 2,079 votes. In 2020, Biden won Shawnee by a 3% margin, the first Democratic victory in the capital county in 28 years. His performance was the best in the county since Lyndon Johnson's 54% showing in 1964, as Clinton only managed 38% in his 1992 victory in the county. Shawnee was one of two counties to be won by Clinton once and then vote Republican before being won by Biden in 2020, the other being Hays County in Texas.

Laws
Shawnee County was a prohibition, or "dry", county until the Kansas Constitution was amended in 1986 and voters approved the sale of alcoholic liquor by the individual drink with a 30% food sales requirement. The food sales requirement was removed with voter approval in 1994.

The county voted "No" on the 2022 Kansas Value Them Both Amendment, an anti-abortion ballot measure, by 66% to 34%, outpacing its narrow support of Joe Biden during the 2020 presidential election.

Colleges and universities

 * Washburn University
 * Bethel Bible College (closed)
 * College of the Sisters of Bethany (closed)

Vocational/technical schools

 * Washburn Institute of Technology formerly Kaw Area Technical School

Unified school districts

 * Kaw Valley USD 321 - Serving Willard and Rossville.
 * Mission Valley USD 330 - Serving Dover
 * Jefferson West USD 340
 * Seaman USD 345 - Serving Elmont and North Topeka.
 * Silver Lake USD 372 - Serving Silver Lake
 * Santa Fe Trail USD 434
 * Auburn-Washburn USD 437 - Serving Auburn, Wakarusa, Pauline, and Western and Southwestern Topeka.
 * Shawnee Heights USD 450 - Serving Tecumseh, Berryton and Eastern and Southeastern Topeka.
 * Topeka USD 501 - Serving Central Topeka

Public libraries

 * Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library

National protected area

 * Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Site

Transportation
Interstate 70 crosses the county, as does the Kansas Turnpike. U.S. Route 75 crosses the county north to south and U.S. Route 40 and U.S. Route 24 cross the county west to east. K-4 serves part of the county from Dover in the southwest corner through Topeka, across the Kansas River and north into Jefferson County.

Forbes Field Air National Guard base and airport is south of Topeka near Pauline. The airport was served by Allegiant Air with biweekly service to Las Vegas. Other airports in the county include Philip Billard Municipal Airport in the Oakland neighborhood of Topeka.

Communities
List of townships / incorporated cities / unincorporated communities / extinct former communities within Shawnee County.

Cities
‡ means a community has portions in an adjacent county.

 * Auburn
 * Rossville
 * Silver Lake
 * Topeka (county seat & state capital)
 * Willard‡

Unincorporated communities
† means a community is designated a Census-Designated Place (CDP) by the United States Census Bureau.

 * Berryton
 * Dover
 * Elmont
 * Kiro
 * Montara
 * Pauline
 * Tecumseh†
 * Wakarusa†
 * Watson

Ghost town

 * Richland

Townships
Shawnee County is divided into 12 townships. As a city of the first class, Topeka is considered governmentally independent and is excluded from the census figures for the townships. In the following table, the population center is the city included in that township's population total.

title: Shawnee County, Kansas


text:
Seward County, Kansas

Seward County is a county of the U.S. state of Kansas. Its county seat and largest city is Liberal. As of the 2020 census, the county population was 21,964. The county was formed on March 20, 1873, and named after William Seward, a politician and Secretary of State under Abraham Lincoln and Andrew Johnson.

History
For millennia, the Great Plains of North America were inhabited by nomadic Native Americans.

In 1854, the Kansas Territory was organized, then in 1861 Kansas became the 34th U.S. state.

In 1873, Seward County was established, although it was administered from one of several neighboring counties until the county commissioners of Finney County organized Seward County as a municipal township of Finney County on June 10, 1885, with the temporary seat of government at Sunset City. The township was divided into two voting precincts - one headquartered at Sunset City and the other at Fargo Springs. The county was organized on June 17, 1886, with Governor John A. Martin designating Springfield the county seat and appointing men from Fargo Springs as county officers as not to favor one town over the other. Rivalry between Fargo Springs and Springfield became so intense both towns sent armed bodies of men to the other to prevent their voters from reaching the polls, causing a disputed election in 1885.

The county seat dispute was finally settled when the railroads bypassed both Fargo Springs and Springfield in favor of an alignment through southern Seward County, spurring the rapid growth of Liberal, which won the final election for county seat in on December 8, 1892, by 125 votes.

In the 1930s, the prosperity of the area was severely affected by its location within the Dust Bowl. This catastrophe intensified the economic impact of the Great Depression in the region.

Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 640 sqmi, of which 639 sqmi is land and 1.0 sqmi (0.2%) is water. It borders Oklahoma to the south.

Adjacent counties

 * Haskell County (north)
 * Meade County (east)
 * Beaver County, Oklahoma (southeast)
 * Texas County, Oklahoma (southwest)
 * Stevens County (west)

Demographics

The Liberal, KS Micropolitan Statistical Area includes all of Seward County.

As of the census of 2000, there were 22,510 people, 7,419 households, and 5,504 families residing in the county. The population density was 35 /mi2. There were 8,027 housing units at an average density of 13 /mi2. The racial makeup of the county was 65.44% White, 3.78% Black or African American, 0.77% Native American, 2.86% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 23.81% from other races, and 3.27% from two or more races. 42.14% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 7,419 households, out of which 43.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.60% were married couples living together, 10.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.80% were non-families. 20.60% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.80% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.98 and the average family size was 3.46.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 32.00% under the age of 18, 11.70% from 18 to 24, 30.50% from 25 to 44, 16.90% from 45 to 64, and 8.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 29 years. For every 100 females, there were 105.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 103.70 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $36,752, and the median income for a family was $41,134. Males had a median income of $29,765 versus $21,889 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,059. About 13.90% of families and 16.90% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.00% of those under age 18 and 7.30% of those age 65 or over.

Presidential elections
Seward County has voted Republican since 1940. The last time Seward County voted for a Democratic candidate for president was when it favored incumbent Democrat Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1936 over Kansas governor Alf Landon. In the Kansas Senate it is currently represented by Republican Garrett Love. In the Kansas House of Representatives it is represented by Republicans Bill Light and Carl Holmes.

In 2016, Hillary Clinton became the first Democrat to break 30% in Seward County since Jimmy Carter in 1976. Four years later, Democrat Joe Biden would receive 34.6% of the vote, the highest share for a Democrat since Lyndon B. Johnson received 46.1% in Seward County in 1964.

Laws
Following amendment to the Kansas Constitution in 1986, the county remained a prohibition, or "dry", county until 1996, when voters approved the sale of alcoholic liquor by the individual drink with a 30% food sales requirement.

Unified school districts

 * Liberal USD 480
 * Kismet-Plains USD 483

Communities
List of townships / incorporated cities / unincorporated communities / extinct former communities within Seward County.

Cities

 * Kismet
 * Liberal (county seat)

Unincorporated communities

 * Hayne

Ghost towns

 * Arkalon

Townships
Seward County is divided into three townships. The city of Liberal is considered governmentally independent and is excluded from the census figures for the townships. In the following table, the population center is the largest city (or cities) included in that township's population total, if it is of a significant size.

title: Seward County, Kansas


text:
Sedgwick County, Kansas

Sedgwick County is located in the U.S. state of Kansas. Its county seat is Wichita, the most populous city in the state. As of the 2020 census, the population was 523,824, making it the second-most populous county in Kansas. The county was named for John Sedgwick, the highest ranking Union general killed during the American Civil War.

Early history
For many millennia, the Great Plains of North America was inhabited by nomadic Native Americans. From the 16th century to 18th century, the Kingdom of France claimed ownership of large parts of North America. In 1762, after the French and Indian War, France secretly ceded New France to Spain, per the Treaty of Fontainebleau. In 1802, Spain returned most of the land to France.

In 1803, most of the land for modern day Kansas was acquired by the United States from France as part of the 828,000 square mile Louisiana Purchase for 2.83 cents per acre. In 1848, after the Mexican–American War, the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo with Spain brought into the United States all or part of land for ten future states, including southwest Kansas. In 1854, the Kansas Territory was organized, and in 1861 Kansas became the 34th U.S. state.

19th century
Sedgwick County was founded in 1867, and named after John Sedgwick, who was a major general in the Union Army during the American Civil War.

In 1887, the Chicago, Kansas and Nebraska Railway built a branch line north–south from Herington to Caldwell. This branch line connected Herington, Lost Springs, Lincolnville, Antelope, Marion, Aulne, Peabody, Elbing, Whitewater, Furley, Kechi, Wichita, Peck, Corbin, Wellington, Caldwell. By 1893, this branch line was incrementally built to Fort Worth, Texas. This line is called the "OKT". The Chicago, Kansas and Nebraska Railway was foreclosed in 1891 and was taken over by Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railway, which shut down in 1980 and reorganized as Oklahoma, Kansas and Texas Railroad, merged in 1988 with Missouri Pacific Railroad, and finally merged in 1997 with Union Pacific Railroad. Most locals still refer to this railroad as the "Rock Island".

20th century
Sedgwick County was the setting for the murders committed by the BTK strangler from 1974 until 1991. Dennis Rader, an employee of the Sedgwick County city of Park City was arrested in early 2005 after he began sending incriminating letters taunting the police in 2004. He had not been heard from since 1979. Ken Landwehr of the Wichita Police Department led the task force which captured Rader, setting a new standard of serial crime detection in the process, which is still studied by police departments across the world. Rader is serving 10 life sentences at the El Dorado Correctional Facility in El Dorado.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1009 sqmi, of which 998 sqmi is land and 12 sqmi (1.2%) is water.

Adjacent counties

 * Harvey County (north)
 * Butler County (east)
 * Cowley County (southeast)
 * Sumner County (south)
 * Kingman County (west)
 * Reno County (northwest)

Demographics

Sedgwick County is part of the Wichita, KS Metropolitan Statistical Area.

As of the census of 2000, there were 452,869 people, 176,444 households, and 117,688 families residing in the county. The population density was 453 PD/sqmi. There were 191,133 housing units at an average density of 191 /mi2. The racial makeup of the county was 79.38% White, 9.13% Black or African American, 1.11% Native American, 3.34% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 4.17% from other races, and 2.81% from two or more races. 8.04% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 176,444 households, out of which 34.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.70% were married couples living together, 10.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.30% were non-families. 28.20% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.53 and the average family size was 3.14.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 28.20% under the age of 18, 9.50% from 18 to 24, 30.30% from 25 to 44, 20.60% from 45 to 64, and 11.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.20 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $42,485, and the median income for a family was $51,645. Males had a median income of $37,770 versus $26,153 for females. The per capita income for the county was $20,907. About 7.00% of families and 9.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.90% of those under age 18 and 7.00% of those age 65 or over.

Economy
It is the birthplace of famous restaurants such as White Castle and Pizza Hut. It is also the aviation headquarters of well-known Cessna and Learjet.

Presidential elections
Sedgwick County is fairly conservative for an urban county. It has only gone Democratic in a presidential election once since 1944. Democratic strength is concentrated in Wichita, while the suburban areas are strongly Republican. However, the county often backs Democrats for governorship - most recently Laura Kelly in 2022. This makes it a bellwether in local Kansas elections, with the statewide winner almost always winning the county. The last Democratic Senate candidate to win the county was Bill Roy in 1974, while Kansas as a whole has not been represented by a Democrat in the Senate since 1938.

Laws
Sedgwick County was a prohibition, or "dry", county until the Kansas Constitution was amended in 1986 and voters approved the sale of alcoholic liquor by the individual drink with a 30 percent food sales requirement. The food sales requirement was removed with voter approval in 1988.

Despite its conservative reputation, Sedgwick County voted "No" on the 2022 Kansas Value Them Both Amendment, an anti-abortion ballot measure, by 58% to 42% despite backing Donald Trump with 54% of the vote to Joe Biden's 43% in the 2020 presidential election.

Airports
The following public-use airports are located in Sedgwick County:
 * Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport (ICT)
 * Beech Factory Airport (BEC)
 * Cessna Aircraft Field (CEA)
 * Colonel James Jabara Airport (AAO)
 * Cook Airfield (K50)
 * Maize Airport (70K)
 * Westport Airport (71K)
 * Westport Auxiliary Airport (72K)

The following are closed airports:
 * Riverside Airport (K32)

Colleges and universities

 * Friends University
 * Kansas College of Osteopathic Medicine
 * Newman University
 * University of Kansas School of Medicine
 * WSU Tech
 * Wichita State University

Unified school districts

 * Wichita USD 259
 * Derby USD 260
 * Haysville USD 261
 * Valley Center USD 262
 * Mulvane USD 263
 * Clearwater USD 264
 * Goddard USD 265
 * Maize USD 266
 * Renwick USD 267
 * Cheney USD 268

Points of interest

 * Sedgwick County Extension Arboretum
 * Sedgwick County Zoo
 * Sedgwick County Fair
 * Wichita-Sedgwick County Historical Museum
 * INTRUST Bank Arena

Communities
List of townships / incorporated cities / unincorporated communities / extinct former communities within Sedgwick County.

Cities
‡ means a community has portions in an adjacent county.

 * Andale
 * Bel Aire
 * Bentley
 * Cheney
 * Clearwater
 * Colwich
 * Derby
 * Eastborough
 * Garden Plain
 * Goddard
 * Haysville
 * Kechi
 * Maize
 * Mount Hope
 * Mulvane‡
 * Park City
 * Sedgwick‡
 * Valley Center
 * Viola
 * Wichita (county seat)

Unincorporated communities
† means a community is designated a Census-Designated Place (CDP) by the United States Census Bureau.

 * Anness
 * Aleppo (located at "W 13th St N" and "N 263rd St W")
 * Bayneville
 * Clonmel
 * Furley†
 * Greenwich†
 * McConnell AFB†
 * Oaklawn-Sunview†
 * Peck†‡
 * Schulte
 * St. Marks† (located along "W 29th St N")
 * Sunnydale
 * Trails View (previously named Spasticville)

Ghost towns

 * Davidson
 * Hatfield
 * Huckle
 * Jamesburg
 * Marshall
 * Oatville
 * Wichita Heights

Townships
Sedgwick County is divided into twenty-seven townships. The cities of Bel Aire and Wichita are considered governmentally independent and are excluded from the census figures for the townships. In the following table, the population center is the largest city (or cities) included in that township's population total, if it is of a significant size. The county used to have one more township, Wichita Township, but it no longer exists.

title: Sedgwick County, Kansas


text:
Scott County, Kansas

Scott County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kansas. Its county seat is Scott City, the only incorporated city in the county. As of the 2020 census, the county population was 5,151. The county was named after Winfield Scott, a general in the United States Army from 1814 to 1861.

Early history
For many millennia, the Great Plains of North America was inhabited by nomadic Native Americans. From the 16th century to 18th century, the Kingdom of France claimed ownership of large parts of North America. In 1762, after the French and Indian War, France secretly ceded New France to Spain, per the Treaty of Fontainebleau.

19th century
In 1802, Spain returned most of the land to France, but keeping title to about 7,500 square miles. In 1803, most of the land for modern day Kansas was acquired by the United States from France as part of the 828,000 square mile Louisiana Purchase for 2.83 cents per acre.

In 1854, the Kansas Territory was organized, then in 1861 Kansas became the 34th U.S. state. In 1873, Scott County was established.

Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 718 sqmi, of which 718 sqmi is land and 0.1 sqmi (0.02%) is water.

Adjacent counties

 * Gove County (northeast)
 * Lane County (east)
 * Finney County (south)
 * Kearny County (southwest)
 * Wichita County (west)
 * Logan County (northwest)

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 5,120 people, 2,045 households, and 1,435 families residing in the county. The population density was 7 /mi2. There were 2,291 housing units at an average density of 3 /mi2. The racial makeup of the county was 95.47% White, 0.10% Black or African American, 0.55% Native American, 0.12% Asian, 2.75% from other races, and 1.02% from two or more races. 6.31% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 2,045 households, out of which 33.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.00% were married couples living together, 6.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.80% were non-families. 27.30% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 3.01.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 27.10% under the age of 18, 6.60% from 18 to 24, 25.30% from 25 to 44, 24.40% from 45 to 64, and 16.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 97.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.40 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $40,534, and the median income for a family was $50,549. Males had a median income of $32,166 versus $20,221 for females. The per capita income for the county was $20,443. About 2.10% of families and 5.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.00% of those under age 18 and 8.10% of those age 65 or over.

Presidential elections
Prior to 1940, Scott County was a swing county, voting for the national winner in every presidential election from 1904 to 1936. From 1940 on, it has become one of the most Republican counties in the entire nation, with Barry Goldwater in 1964 being the lone Republican candidate since then to be held to single-digit margin of victory in the county. In addition, each of the last six presidential elections have resulted in the Republican candidate winning over 70 percent of the county's vote & the Democratic candidate being held under 20 percent.

Laws
Although the Kansas Constitution was amended in 1986 to allow the sale of alcoholic liquor by the individual drink with the approval of voters, Scott County has remained a prohibition, or "dry", county, with 3.2% cereal-malt beverages available in grocery stores.

Unified school districts

 * Scott County USD 466

Library
The Scott County Public Library is located at 110 West 8th in Scott City. The Scott County Library was the first free county public library in the state of Kansas. It was started in September 1923 with the five members of the library committee each checking out a book for herself and one for her husband thus the library checked out ten books on the first day that it was open. Two rooms on the second floor of the Cretcher Lumber Company office building were made available for the library. L. W. Cretcher, owner of the lumber yard, gave the library a boost by painting the rooms, furnishing a stove, shelves, cupboards, lights, and free rent. In November 1924 a proposal was placed on the ballot for the library to be a county funded entity. A room was set aside in the basement of the newly built courthouse for the library, which at that time possessed 861 books. The library in the courthouse was opened to the public in July 1925. The library remained in the basement of the Scott County Courthouse until a separate library building was constructed at 110 West 8th Street in 1964. This building was 4150 sqft with a 660 sqft meeting room available to the public. In 2004, the Scott County Library Board began a fundraising effort for a Library Building expansion of 7350 ft. The Library expansion and remodel to 12160 sqft was completed in May 2009.

Communities
List of townships / incorporated cities / unincorporated communities / extinct former communities within Scott County. † means a community is designated a Census-Designated Place (CDP) by the United States Census Bureau.

Cities

 * Scott City (county seat)

Unincorporated communities

 * Chevron
 * Grigston
 * Hutchins
 * Manning
 * Modoc
 * Pence
 * Shallow Water†

Townships
Scott County is divided into seven townships. Scott City is considered governmentally independent and is excluded from the census figures for the townships. In the following table, the population center is the largest city (or cities) included in that township's population total, if it is of a significant size.

title: Scott County, Kansas


text:
Saline County, Kansas

Saline County is located in the U.S. state of Kansas. Its county seat and largest city is Salina. As of the 2020 census, the county population was 54,303. The county was named after the Saline River.

Early history
For many millennia, the Great Plains of North America was inhabited by nomadic Native Americans. From the 16th century to 18th century, the Kingdom of France claimed ownership of large parts of North America. In 1762, after the French and Indian War, France secretly ceded New France to Spain, per the Treaty of Fontainebleau. In 1802, Spain returned most of the land to France, but keeping title to about 7,500 square miles.

In 1803, most of the land for modern day Kansas was acquired by the United States from France as part of the 828,000 square mile Louisiana Purchase for 2.83 cents per acre. In 1848, after the Mexican–American War, the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo with Spain brought into the United States all or part of land for ten future states, including southwest Kansas. In 1854, the Kansas Territory was organized, then in 1861 Kansas became the 34th U.S. state.

19th century
In 1860, Saline County was founded.

20th century
Saline County was a prohibition, or "dry", county until the Kansas Constitution was amended in 1986 and voters approved the sale of alcoholic liquor by the individual drink with a 30% food sales requirement. The food sales requirement was removed with voter approval in 1994.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 721 sqmi, of which 720 sqmi is land and 1.1 sqmi (0.2%) is water.

Adjacent counties

 * Ottawa County (north)
 * Dickinson County (east)
 * Marion County (southeast)
 * McPherson County (south)
 * Ellsworth County (west)
 * Lincoln County (northwest)

Demographics

Saline County is part of the Salina Micropolitan Statistical Area.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 53,597 people, 21,436 households, and 14,212 families residing in the county. The population density was 74 PD/sqmi. There were 22,695 housing units at an average density of 32 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the county was 89.17% White, 3.10% Black or African American, 0.52% Native American, 1.70% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 3.33% from other races, and 2.14% from two or more races. 6.02% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 21,436 households in the county, out of which 32.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.90% were married couples living together, 9.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.70% were non-families. 28.30% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 2.98.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 26.20% under the age of 18, 9.40% from 18 to 24, 28.40% from 25 to 44, 22.10% from 45 to 64, and 14.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.40 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $37,308, and the median income for a family was $46,362. Males had a median income of $31,509 versus $22,047 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,073. About 6.00% of families and 8.80% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.60% of those under age 18 and 8.80% of those age 65 or over.

Board of Commissioners
Saline County is governed by a Board of Commissioners. The commission enacts the annual budget for the county, currently set at about $38,000,000, creates policy to be implemented by the county administrator, approves contracts, and oversees legislation relating to the health, safety, and well-being of the county's citizens.

The Board of Commissioners has three members, one elected from each of the three commission districts. Commissioners are elected on a partisan basis. The districts are reapportioned every three years, with the three districts being equally populated. Term lengths are four years.

Current representatives on the Board of Commissioners are John Price (District 3; vice chairman), Monte Shadwick (District 1; secretary), and Jim Gile (District 2; chairman). In 2014, citizens voted to change the number of commissioners from three to five. The group, “Drive for Five”, successfully campaigned for better representation of the people. Monte Shadwick defeated incumbent commissioner Randy Duncan, who finished last in a three-way race.

Governor Sam Brownback was tasked with appointing the two new commission members that will serve for two years and then be up for election by the people. On January 12, 2015, Luci Larson and Dave Smith were appointed to the newly created 4th and 5th Districts.

County administrator
The county administrator is hired by the Board of Commissioners and is the administrative officer for the county. The administrator is responsible for researching administrative and operational issues and then presenting suggestions for improvement in government efficiency to the Board of Commissioners and for reviewing all requests for action brought to the Board of Commissioners. The county administrator also implements policies enacted by the Board of Commissioners, prepares the annual budget, and "supervises accounts payable, payroll, human resource division and central purchasing for the county." As needed, the county administrator will represent the county on boards and commissions.

The current county administrator is Andrew Manley.

Presidential elections
Saline County is a Republican stronghold: the last Democrat to win a majority in the county was Lyndon Johnson in 1964, who was also the last Democrat to carry the state's electoral votes. Saline has voted for the statewide winner in every presidential election since 1872, including for James Weaver in 1892.

Laws
The county voted "No" on the 2022 Kansas Value Them Both Amendment, an anti-abortion ballot measure, by 55% to 45% despite backing Donald Trump with 64% of the vote to Joe Biden's 33% in the 2020 presidential election.

Colleges and universities

 * Kansas State University Polytechnic Campus in Salina
 * Kansas Wesleyan University in Salina
 * Salina Area Technical College in Salina

Unified school districts

 * Salina USD 305
 * Southeast of Saline USD 306
 * Ell-Saline USD 307

 * School district office in neighboring county
 * Twin Valley USD 240
 * Solomon USD 393
 * Smoky Valley USD 400

Private schools

 * St. John's Military School
 * Sacred Heart High School

Communities
List of townships / incorporated cities / unincorporated communities / extinct former communities within Saline County.

Cities
‡ means a community has portions in an adjacent county.

 * Assaria
 * Brookville
 * Gypsum
 * New Cambria
 * Salina (county seat)
 * Smolan
 * Solomon‡

Unincorporated communities
† means a community is designated a Census-Designated Place (CDP) by the United States Census Bureau.

 * Bavaria†
 * Bridgeport†
 * Falun†
 * Glendale
 * Hedville
 * Kipp†
 * Mentor†
 * Salemsborg
 * Shipton
 * Trenton

Townships
Saline County is divided into eighteen townships. The city of Salina is considered governmentally independent and is excluded from the census figures for the townships. In the following table, the population center is the largest city (or cities) included in that township's population total, if it is of a significant size.

title: Saline County, Kansas


text:
Russell County, Kansas

Russell County is a county in the U.S. state of Kansas. Its county seat and largest city is Russell. As of the 2020 census, the population was 6,691. The county was named for Avra Russell. The city of Russell was the home of former U.S. Senate Majority leader and 1996 GOP presidential nominee Bob Dole for many years.

Early history
For many millennia, the Great Plains of North America was inhabited by nomadic Native Americans. From the 16th century to 18th century, the Kingdom of France claimed ownership of large parts of North America. In 1762, after the French and Indian War, France secretly ceded New France to Spain, per the Treaty of Fontainebleau.

19th century
In 1802, Spain returned most of the land to France, but keeping title to about 7,500 square miles. In 1803, most of the land for modern day Kansas was acquired by the United States from France as part of the Louisiana Purchase.

In 1854, the Kansas Territory was organized, then in 1861 Kansas became the 34th U.S. state. In 1867, Russell County was established.

Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 899 sqmi, of which 886 sqmi is land and 13 sqmi (1.5%) is water.

Adjacent counties

 * Osborne County (north)
 * Lincoln County (east)
 * Ellsworth County (southeast)
 * Barton County (south)
 * Rush County (southwest)
 * Ellis County (west)

Major highways
The city of Russell is the junction of Interstate 70, a major east–west highway through the Midwestern United States, and U.S. Route 281, which begins at the Canada–US border in North Dakota and ends at the Mexico–US border in Texas. I-70 also runs through Gorham on the western end of the county and Dorrance on the eastern end. Hays is 27 mi west of Russell and Salina is 67 mi east of Russell.

Further along I-70, Russell is approximately 250 mi west of Kansas City, Missouri and 360 mi east of Denver, Colorado.

K-18, a major east–west state highway in northern Kansas, enters from Osborne County to the west and runs through Paradise before joining up with US 281 through Waldo. US 281 and K-18 split again at the city limits of Luray, and K-18 continues east through Lucas and into Lincoln County. US 281 heads north into Osborne County.

South of I-70, US 281 heads into Barton County and towards the city of Great Bend.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 7,370 people, 3,207 households, and 2,020 families residing in the county. The population density was 8 /mi2. There were 3,871 housing units at an average density of 4 /mi2. The racial makeup of the county was 97.58% White, 0.50% Black or African American, 0.56% Native American, 0.33% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.27% from other races, and 0.75% from two or more races. 0.91% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 3,207 households, out of which 25.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.40% were married couples living together, 7.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.00% were non-families. 32.80% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.80% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.23 and the average family size was 2.83.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 22.40% under the age of 18, 5.80% from 18 to 24, 23.30% from 25 to 44, 24.30% from 45 to 64, and 24.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females there were 92.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.70 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $29,284, and the median income for a family was $40,355. Males had a median income of $25,916 versus $17,957 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,073. About 9.10% of families and 12.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.80% of those under age 18 and 8.50% of those age 65 or over.

Presidential elections
Russell County is overwhelmingly Republican. The last Democrat to carry the county was Lyndon B. Johnson in 1964, and Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1932 and 1936 is the only other to ever achieve this feat. In 1996, aided by a strong “favorite son” vote, Russell was Bob Dole's second strongest county nationwide behind the famous Republican bastion of Ochiltree County, Texas.

Laws
Russell County was a prohibition, or "dry", county until the Kansas Constitution was amended in 1986 and voters approved the sale of alcoholic liquor by the individual drink with a 30 percent food sales requirement.

Education
Schools in Russell County have experienced major change in the 2010–11 school year. USD 407, which previously served all of Russell County except the northwest and southeast corners, retracted its footprint and will only serve the cities of Russell, Gorham and Bunker Hill and areas to the south of Interstate 70 along and adjacent to US 281.

Lucas-Luray High School, previously operated by USD 407, was acquired by the school district in Sylvan Grove in western Lincoln County and will be converted into a K-6 school. Meanwhile, the elementary school in Luray has closed. Students in Lucas and Luray in grades 7-12 will attend school in Sylvan Grove.

Unified school districts

 * Central Plains USD 112 (serves Dorrance and southeastern part of county south of I-70; extends into Barton, Ellsworth and Rice Counties)
 * Sylvan–Lucas USD 299 (serves Lucas, Luray and northeast part of county along K-18; extends into Lincoln County)
 * Paradise-Natoma-Waldo USD 399 (serves Paradise, Waldo and northwest part of county along K-18; extends into Osborne and Rooks Counties)
 * Russell County USD 407 (serves cities of Russell, Gorham, Bunker Hill and rural south central and southwest parts of county; does not extend into any other counties)

Communities
List of townships / incorporated cities / unincorporated communities / extinct former communities within Russell County.

Cities

 * Bunker Hill
 * Dorrance
 * Gorham
 * Lucas
 * Luray
 * Paradise
 * Russell (county seat)
 * Waldo

Unincorporated communities
‡ means a community has portions in an adjacent county.

 * Dubuque‡
 * Fairport
 * Milberger

Ghost towns

 * Bayne
 * Blue Stem
 * East Wolf
 * Fay
 * Forest Hill
 * Greenvale
 * Hawley
 * Homer
 * Jack
 * Kennebec
 * Success
 * Winterset
 * Woodville

Townships
Russell County is divided into twelve townships. The city of Russell is considered governmentally independent and is excluded from the census figures for the townships. In the following table, the population center is the largest city (or cities) included in that township's population total, if it is of a significant size.

title: Russell County, Kansas


text:
Rush County, Kansas

Rush County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kansas. Its county seat and largest city is La Crosse. As of the 2020 census, the county population was 2,956. The county was named for Alexander Rush.

Early history
For many millennia, the Great Plains of North America was inhabited by nomadic Native Americans. From the 16th century to 18th century, the Kingdom of France claimed ownership of large parts of North America. In 1762, after the French and Indian War, France secretly ceded New France to Spain, per the Treaty of Fontainebleau.

19th century
In 1802, Spain returned most of the land to France, but keeping title to about 7,500 square miles. In 1803, most of the land for modern day Kansas was acquired by the United States from France as part of the 828,000 square mile Louisiana Purchase for 2.83 cents per acre.

In 1854, the Kansas Territory was organized, then in 1861 Kansas became the 34th U.S. state. In 1867, Rush County was established. Rush County was organized on December 5, 1874. There was a county seat struggle between La Crosse and Rush Center lasting 10 years until La Crosse finally became the county seat.

20th century
The first county fair was held in 1910 south of Rush Center.

21st century
In 2015, the "Alexander Wind Farm" was constructed south of Alexander. It cost about $85 million and generates 48 megawatts of power.

Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 718 sqmi, of which 718 sqmi is land and 0.2 sqmi (0.03%) is water.

It is intersected by Walnut Creek, a tributary of the Arkansas River, and watered by other streams.

Adjacent counties

 * Ellis County (north)
 * Russell County (northeast)
 * Barton County (east)
 * Pawnee County (south)
 * Ness County (west)

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 3,551 people, 1,548 households, and 1,013 families residing in the county. The population density was 5 /mi2. There were 1,928 housing units at an average density of 3 /mi2. The racial makeup of the county was 98.45% White, 0.31% Black or African American, 0.42% Native American, 0.11% Asian, 0.17% from other races, and 0.54% from two or more races. 1.04% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 1,548 households, out of which 26.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.10% were married couples living together, 5.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.50% were non-families. 31.70% of all households were made up of individuals, and 18.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.24 and the average family size was 2.80.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 22.10% under the age of 18, 5.50% from 18 to 24, 22.90% from 25 to 44, 24.20% from 45 to 64, and 25.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 45 years. For every 100 females there were 94.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.60 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $31,268, and the median income for a family was $38,821. Males had a median income of $25,408 versus $20,307 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,033. About 6.70% of families and 9.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.50% of those under age 18 and 9.90% of those age 65 or over.

Presidential elections
Rush County is presently overwhelmingly Republican, although as recently as 1988 Michael Dukakis, aided by a major Great Plains drought, came within 25 votes of carrying the county for the Democrats.

Laws
Rush County was a prohibition, or "dry," county until the Kansas Constitution was amended in 1986 and voters approved the sale of alcoholic liquor by the individual drink with a 30 percent food sales requirement.

Unified school districts

 * La Crosse USD 395
 * Otis-Bison USD 403

Communities
List of townships / incorporated cities / unincorporated communities / extinct former communities within Rush County.

Cities

 * Alexander
 * Bison
 * La Crosse (county seat)
 * Liebenthal
 * McCracken
 * Otis
 * Rush Center
 * Timken

Unincorporated communities

 * Hargrave
 * Loretta
 * Nekoma
 * Schaffer

Ghost towns

 * Belfield
 * Brookdale
 * Fenton
 * Flavius
 * Hampton
 * Hutton
 * Lippard
 * Olney
 * Pioneer
 * Ryan
 * Saunders
 * West Point

Townships
Rush County is divided into twelve townships. None of the cities within the county are considered governmentally independent, and all figures for the townships include those of the cities. In the following table, the population center is the largest city (or cities) included in that township's population total, if it is of a significant size.

Former townships

 * West Point, Kansas

title: Rush County, Kansas


text:
Rooks County, Kansas

Rooks County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kansas. Its county seat is Stockton, and its largest city is Plainville. As of the 2020 census, the county population was 4,919. The county was named for John Rooks, a private in Company I of the 11th Kansas Cavalry Regiment, who died at the Battle of Prairie Grove during the American Civil War.

Early history
For many millennia, the Great Plains of North America was inhabited by nomadic Native Americans. From the 16th century to 18th century, the Kingdom of France claimed ownership of large parts of North America. In 1762, after the French and Indian War, France secretly ceded New France to Spain, per the Treaty of Fontainebleau.

19th century
In 1802, Spain returned most of the land to France, but keeping title to about 7,500 square miles. In 1803, most of the land for modern day Kansas was acquired by the United States from France as part of the 828,000 square mile Louisiana Purchase for 2.83 cents per acre.

In 1854, the Kansas Territory was organized, then in 1861 Kansas became the 34th U.S. state. In 1867, Rooks County was established.

In 1881, the first county courthouse was built in Stockton. The county jail was built nearby from cottonwood logs strengthened by tons of iron.

20th century
In 1923, a new courthouse opened in Stockton. The Rooks County Courthouse was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2002.

Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 895 sqmi, of which 891 sqmi is land and 4.6 sqmi (0.5%) is water.

Adjacent counties

 * Phillips County (north)
 * Smith County (northeast)
 * Osborne County (east)
 * Ellis County (south)
 * Trego County (southwest)
 * Graham County (west)

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 5,685 people, 2,362 households, and 1,556 families residing in the county. The population density was 6 /mi2. There were 2,758 housing units at an average density of 3 /mi2. The racial makeup of the county was 97.13% White, 1.13% Black or African American, 0.42% Native American, 0.19% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.37% from other races, and 0.74% from two or more races. 1.06% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 2,362 households, out of which 29.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.40% were married couples living together, 7.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.10% were non-families. 31.80% of all households were made up of individuals, and 18.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.32 and the average family size was 2.93.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 25.20% under the age of 18, 6.40% from 18 to 24, 25.50% from 25 to 44, 21.50% from 45 to 64, and 21.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 98.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.30 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $30,457, and the median income for a family was $36,931. Males had a median income of $26,794 versus $18,389 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,588. About 7.30% of families and 9.80% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.70% of those under age 18 and 7.40% of those age 65 or over.

Presidential elections
Rooks County is overwhelmingly Republican. No Democratic presidential candidate has won Rooks County since Franklin D. Roosevelt – ironically against Kansan Alf Landon – carried the county by eighty-five votes in 1936. The last Democrat to exceed a quarter of the county's vote was Michael Dukakis in 1988 during a major drought on the Great Plains.

Laws
Following amendment to the Kansas Constitution in 1986, the county remained a prohibition, or "dry", county until 2000, when voters approved the sale of alcoholic liquor by the individual drink with a 30 percent food sales requirement.

Unified school districts

 * Palco USD 269
 * limited to western edge of county; includes Palco, Damar and Zurich
 * Plainville USD 270
 * southern half of county, except western edge zoned to Palco
 * Stockton USD 271
 * northern half of county

Communities
List of townships / incorporated cities / unincorporated communities / extinct former communities within Rooks County.

Cities

 * Damar
 * Palco
 * Plainville
 * Stockton (county seat)
 * Woodston
 * Zurich

Unincorporated communities
† means a community is designated a Census-Designated Place (CDP) by the United States Census Bureau.

 * Codell†
 * Webster

Ghost towns

 * Adamson
 * Alcona
 * Amboy
 * Chandler
 * Cresson
 * Earnest
 * Frankton
 * Gould City
 * Highhill
 * Hoskins
 * Igo
 * Laton
 * McHale
 * Motor
 * Nyra
 * Portage
 * Slate
 * Sugarloaf
 * Survey
 * Rockport

Townships
Rooks County is divided into twelve townships. None of the cities within the county are considered governmentally independent, and all figures for the townships include those of the cities. In the following table, the population center is the largest city (or cities) included in that township's population total, if it is of a significant size.

title: Rooks County, Kansas