text:
Jefferson County, Kansas

Jefferson County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kansas. Its county seat and most populous city is Oskaloosa. As of the 2020 census, the county population was 18,368. The county was named after Thomas Jefferson, the 3rd president of the United States.

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, Jefferson County was established, and was named for President Thomas Jefferson. Settlement of the county was slowed by events prior to and during the Civil War, but the present day unincorporated community of Thompsonville (3 miles northwest of Perry on the Delaware River) was the first established in 1851 by Mormon settlers who initially refused to accompany the main group led by Brigham Young to the Salt Lake Valley. The settlement was first abandoned due to the violence resulting from the border wars, but was re-established when the Civil War ended.

Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 557 sqmi, of which 533 sqmi is land and 2.4 sqmi (4.3%) is water.

Adjacent counties

 * Atchison County (north)
 * Leavenworth County (east)
 * Douglas County (south)
 * Shawnee County (southwest)
 * Jackson County (northwest)

Demographics

Jefferson County is included in the Topeka, KS Metropolitan Statistical Area.

At the 2000 Census, there were 18,426 people, 6,830 households and 5,190 families residing in the county. The population density was 34 PD/sqmi. There were 7,491 housing units at an average density of 14 /mi2. The racial makeup of the county was 96.70% White, 0.92% Native American, 0.37% Black or African American, 0.17% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.42% from other races, and 1.41% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.28% of the population.

There were 6,830 households, of which 35.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 65.20% were married couples living together, 7.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.00% were non-families. 20.10% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.66 and the average family size was 3.07.

27.40% of the population were under the age of 18, 7.00% from 18 to 24, 28.00% from 25 to 44, 24.90% from 45 to 64, and 12.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 102.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.90 males.

The median household income was $45,535 and the median family income was $50,557. Males had a median income of $36,174 compared with $25,468 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,373. About 5.30% of families and 6.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.90% of those under age 18 and 7.70% of those age 65 or over.

Presidential elections
Like all of Kansas outside the eastern cities, Jefferson County is a Republican stronghold, having not been won by a Democrat since Franklin D. Roosevelt’s 1932 landslide – although it was one of three Kansas counties to give a plurality to Ross Perot in 1992.

Laws
Jefferson 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 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 65% of the vote to Joe Biden's 33% in the 2020 presidential election.

Media
Jefferson County has two newspapers which are still in operation, The Oskaloosa Independent and The Valley Falls Vindicator. Both of which are owned by Davis Publications. Together, the two papers cover the happenings of Jefferson County and its townships. The editor for both papers is Holly Allen.

Unified school districts

 * Valley Falls USD 338
 * Jefferson County North USD 339
 * Jefferson West USD 340
 * Oskaloosa USD 341
 * McLouth USD 342
 * Perry-Lecompton USD 343

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

Cities

 * McLouth
 * Meriden
 * Nortonville
 * Oskaloosa (county seat)
 * Ozawkie
 * Perry
 * Valley Falls
 * Winchester

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

 * Boyle
 * Buck Creek
 * Dunavant
 * Grantville†
 * Half Mound
 * Lakeside Village
 * Medina
 * Mooney Creek
 * Newman
 * Rock Creek
 * Thompsonville
 * Williamstown†

Townships
Jefferson 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.

Notable people

 * Roger Barker (1903-1990), American environmental psychologist
 * John Curry (1897–1946), painter
 * Mary Lowman (1842-1912), first woman in Kansas to be elected mayor with a city council composed entirely of women.
 * Charles Roberts (1936-), American politician

title: Jefferson County, Kansas


text:
Jackson County, Kansas

Jackson County is a county in the U.S. state of Kansas. Its county seat and most populous city is Holton. As of the 2020 census, the county population was 13,232. The county, first named Calhoun County for pro-slavery South Carolina Senator John C. Calhoun, was renamed in 1859 for President Andrew Jackson. The Prairie Band Potawatomi Indian Reservation, near the center of the county, comprises about 18.5% of the county's area.

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 sqmi. In 1803, most of the land for modern day Kansas was acquired by the United States from France as part of the 828,000 sqmi 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 1859, Jackson County was established.

Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has an area of 658 sqmi, of which 656 sqmi is land and 1.8 sqmi (0.3%) is water.

Adjacent counties

 * Brown County (northeast)
 * Atchison County (east)
 * Jefferson County (southeast)
 * Shawnee County (south)
 * Pottawatomie County (west)
 * Nemaha County (northwest)

Demographics

Jackson County is included in the Topeka Metropolitan Statistical Area.

As of the 2000 census, there were 12,657 people, 4,727 households, and 3,507 families residing in the county. The population density was 19 /mi2. There were 5,094 housing units at an average density of 8 /mi2. The county's racial makeup was 90.21% White, 6.84% Native American, 0.53% Black or African American, 0.17% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.39% from other races, and 1.84% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.49% of the population.

There were 4,727 households, of which 35.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.30% were married couples living together, 8.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.80% were non-families. 22.70% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.63 and the average family size was 3.09.

28.30% of the county's residents were under the age of 18, 6.80% were from 18 to 24, 26.70% were from 25 to 44, 23.40% were from 45 to 64, and 14.90% were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.80 males.

The county's median household income was $40,451, and the median family income was $46,520. Males had a median income of $32,195 versus $22,305 for females. The county's per capita income was $18,606. About 6.40% of families and 8.80% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.50% of those under age 18 and 9.20% of those age 65 or over.

Presidential elections
Jackson County has supported the Republican Party candidate in every presidential election from 1936 onward. Democratic Party candidates for president have only won the county twice since 1880, in 1912 & 1932.

Laws
Following an amendment to the Kansas Constitution in 1986, the county remained a prohibition, or "dry", county until 2004, when voters approved the sale of alcoholic liquor by the individual drink with a 30% food sales requirement. The food sales requirement was removed in 2020.

The county voted "No" on the 2022 Kansas Value Them Both Amendment, an anti-abortion ballot measure, by 52% to 48% despite backing Donald Trump with 69% of the vote to Joe Biden's 29% in the 2020 presidential election.

Unified school districts

 * North Jackson USD 335
 * Holton USD 336
 * Royal Valley USD 337

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

Cities

 * Circleville
 * Delia
 * Denison
 * Holton (county seat)
 * Hoyt
 * Mayetta
 * Netawaka
 * Soldier
 * Whiting

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

Indian reservations

 * Kickapoo Reservation‡
 * Prairie Band Potawatomi Indian Reservation

Townships
Jackson County is divided into fifteen townships. The city of Holton 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.

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

title: Jackson County, Kansas


text:
Hodgeman County, Kansas

Hodgeman County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kansas. Its county seat and most populous city is Jetmore. As of the 2020 census, the county population was 1,723. It was named for Amos Hodgman, a member of the 7th Regiment Kansas Volunteer Cavalry.

History
In 1867, Hodgeman County was established, and named for Amos Hodgman, member of the 7th Regiment Kansas Volunteer Cavalry. The letter E was later added to the namesake's name. The county was not formally organized until 1879.

The Homestead Act of 1862 drew many settlers to the region beginning in the spring of 1877, with only a small amount of wheat sown that year due to hail damage. Crop yields improved in 1878. The county initially had several competing towns vying to become the county seat, including Buckner (present-day Jetmore), which eventually won out. While many small towns, such as Kidderville and Milroy, sprung up in the early years of the county, only Jetmore and Hanston survived as permanent settlements.

By the late 1870s, Hodgeman County had a population of around 1,500 people.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 860 sqmi, of which 860 sqmi is land and 0.3 sqmi (0.04%) is water.

Adjacent counties

 * Ness County (north)
 * Pawnee County (east)
 * Edwards County (southeast)
 * Ford County (south)
 * Gray County (southwest)
 * Finney County (west)

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 2,085 people, 796 households, and 581 families residing in the county. The population density was 2 /mi2. There were 945 housing units at an average density of 1 /mi2. The racial makeup of the county was 97.31% White, 0.91% Black or African American, 0.24% Native American, 0.48% from other races, and 1.06% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.69% of the population.

There were 796 households, out of which 34.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 65.10% were married couples living together, 4.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.00% were non-families. 24.70% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.20% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.58 and the average family size was 3.09.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 29.00% under the age of 18, 4.70% from 18 to 24, 25.20% from 25 to 44, 22.10% from 45 to 64, and 19.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 97.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.90 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $35,994, and the median income for a family was $39,358. Males had a median income of $27,568 versus $21,534 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,599. About 10.70% of families and 11.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.90% of those under age 18 and 7.70% of those age 65 or over.

Presidential elections
Hodgeman County is a Republican stronghold. Only six Republican presidential candidates have failed to win the county from 1888 to the present, and no Democrat has to managed to win even a quarter of the county's votes since Michael Dukakis in 1988. The last Democrat to carry the county was Jimmy Carter in 1976.

Laws
Following amendment to the Kansas Constitution in 1986, the county remained an alcohol-free, or "dry", county until 2004, when voters approved the sale of alcoholic beverages by the individual drink with a 30% food sales requirement.

Unified school districts

 * Hodgeman County USD 227

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

Cities

 * Hanston
 * Jetmore (county seat)

Townships
Hodgeman County is divided into nine 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.

In popular culture
At the beginning of the 1992 film Unforgiven, the protagonist William Munny, played by Clint Eastwood, is living in Hodgeman County and working as a pig farmer, while attempting to hide evidence of his violent past from all those around him.

title: Hodgeman County, Kansas


text:
Haskell County, Kansas

Haskell County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kansas. Its county seat and most populous city is Sublette. As of the 2020 census, the county population was 3,780. The county was named after Dudley Haskell, a congressman during the 1870s and 1880s.

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.

Haskell County was founded in 1887. It was named for Dudley C. Haskell, a former member of Congress.

Origin of the Spanish flu pandemic
Historian John M. Barry concluded that Haskell County was the location of the first outbreak of the 1918 flu pandemic (nicknamed "Spanish flu"), which killed between 21 and 100 million people. Loring Miner, a Haskell County doctor, warned the editors of Public Health Reports of the U.S. Public Health Service about the new and more deadly variant of the virus. It produced the common influenza symptoms with a new intensity: "violent headache and body aches, high fever, non-productive cough... This was violent, rapid in its progress through the body, and sometimes lethal. This influenza killed. Soon dozens of patients—the strongest, the healthiest, the most robust people in the county—were being struck down as suddenly as if they had been shot." Barry writes that in the first six months of 1918, Miner's warning of "the influenza of a severe type" was the only reference in that journal to influenza anywhere in the world. Haskell County, Kansas, is the first recorded instance anywhere in the world of an outbreak of influenza so unusual that a physician warned public health officials. It remains the first recorded instance suggesting that a new virus was adapting, violently, to man. If the virus did not originate in Haskell, there is no good explanation for how it arrived there. There were no other known outbreaks anywhere in the United States from which someone could have carried the disease to Haskell and no suggestions of influenza outbreaks in either newspapers or reflected in vital statistics anywhere else in the region. And unlike the 1916 outbreak in France, one can trace with perfect definiteness the route of the virus from Haskell to the outside world.

Miner's report was not published until April 1918 and it failed to collect the attention it needed. It was not until after 2000 that historians' research revealed the origin of one of the deadliest epidemics in human history.

Historians have generally reported that the path of the disease from Haskell to the world occurred when newly inducted soldiers from the county traveled 200 miles from the county to Camp Funston (now Fort Riley) and were then deployed to Europe at the beginning of United States involvement in World War I.

However, Haskell County's role in the pandemic is widely disputed. Many pathologists believe that Haskell County did not play a role in the virus's origin and that historical accounts are entirely coincidental.

Surviving the Dust Bowl
The railroad and the development of oil and gas fields in the 1930s, and the locating of many deep wells for irrigation significantly improved the economy of the area helping overcome the "dust bowl" of that period. Haskell County was one of the hardest hit counties in the Midwest during the drought of 1930–1937.

The first rodeo and fair was held in Sublette in 1916 and the fair continues at the same location. The first school district was founded in Santa Fe in 1887. Amanda I. Watkins, who owned a considerable amount of land in the county, was named "World Wheat Queen" in 1926.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 578 sqmi, of which 578 sqmi is land and 0.4 sqmi (0.06%) is water.

Haskell County is the flattest county in Kansas.

Adjacent counties

 * Finney County (north)
 * Gray County (east)
 * Meade County (southeast)
 * Seward County (south)
 * Stevens County (southwest)
 * Grant County (west)
 * Kearny County (northwest)

Demographics

As of the U.S. Census in 2000, there were 4,307 people, 1,481 households, and 1,153 families residing in the county. The population density was 8 /mi2. There were 1,639 housing units at an average density of 3 /mi2. The racial makeup of the county was 85.07% White, 0.63% Asian, 0.58% Native American, 0.19% Black or African American, 11.45% from other races, and 2.09% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 23.57% of the population.

There were 1,481 households, out of which 43.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 69.40% were married couples living together, 5.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.10% were non-families. 20.10% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.20% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.88 and the average family size was 3.35.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 32.90% under the age of 18, 9.10% from 18 to 24, 27.80% from 25 to 44, 19.50% from 45 to 64, and 10.60% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females there were 103.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.30 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $38,634, and the median income for a family was $43,354. Males had a median income of $31,296 versus $22,857 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,349. About 8.00% of families and 11.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.40% of those under age 18 and 9.40% of those age 65 or over.

Presidential elections
As do most counties in rural western Kansas, Haskell County leans heavily Republican. The last time Haskell County was carried by a Democratic presidential nominee was 1964, when Lyndon B. Johnson won the county as part of his nationwide landslide victory.

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, Haskell County remained a prohibition, or "dry", county until 2023, after voters in the county approved the 1986 amendment with a 30% food sales requirement.

Unified school districts

 * Sublette USD 374
 * Satanta USD 507

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

Cities

 * Satanta
 * Sublette (county seat)

Unincorporated community

 * Tice

Ghost town

 * Santa Fe (historical)

Townships
Haskell 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.

title: Haskell County, Kansas


text:
Harvey County, Kansas

Harvey County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kansas. Its county seat and most populous city is Newton. As of the 2020 census, the county population was 34,024. The county was named for James Harvey, a U.S. senator and 5th governor of Kansas.

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

In 1871, the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway extended a main line from Emporia to Newton.

In 1872, Harvey County was founded, and named in honor of the fifth Governor of Kansas James M. Harvey.

Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 541 sqmi, of which 540 sqmi is land and 1.0 sqmi (0.2%) is water. The Little Arkansas River flows through the county.

Adjacent counties

 * Marion County (northeast)
 * Butler County (east)
 * Sedgwick County (south)
 * Reno County (west)
 * McPherson County (northwest)

Demographics

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

2000 census
As of the 2000 census, there were 32,869 people, 12,581 households, and 8,932 families residing in the county. The population density was 61 PD/sqmi. There were 13,378 housing units at an average density of 25 /mi2. The racial makeup of the county was 91.04% White, 1.59% Black or African American, 0.52% Native American, 0.52% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 4.17% from other races, and 2.14% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 7.97% of the population.

There were 12,581 households, out of which 32.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.20% were married couples living together, 7.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.00% were non-families. 25.80% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 3.00.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 26.00% under the age of 18, 9.10% from 18 to 24, 26.50% from 25 to 44, 21.60% from 45 to 64, and 16.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.60 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $40,907, and the median income for a family was $48,793. Males had a median income of $35,037 versus $22,492 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,715. About 4.20% of families and 6.40% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.50% of those under age 18 and 5.00% of those age 65 or over.

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.

The county voted "No" on the 2022 Kansas Value Them Both Amendment, an anti-abortion ballot measure, by 53% to 47% despite backing Donald Trump with 59% of the vote to Joe Biden's 39% in the 2020 presidential election.

Colleges

 * Bethel College in North Newton
 * Hesston College in Hesston

Unified school districts

 * Burrton USD 369
 * Newton USD 373
 * Sedgwick USD 439
 * Halstead–Bentley USD 440
 * Hesston USD 460

 * School district office in neighboring county
 * Remington USD 206
 * Peabody–Burns USD 398
 * Goessel USD 411
 * Moundridge USD 423

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

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

 * Burrton
 * Halstead
 * Hesston
 * Newton (county seat)
 * North Newton
 * Sedgwick‡
 * Walton

Unincorporated communities

 * McLain
 * Patterson
 * Putnam
 * Zimmerdale

Ghost towns

 * Annelly
 * Van Arsdale

Townships
Harvey County is divided into fifteen townships. The cities of Halstead and Newton 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.

title: Harvey County, Kansas


text:
Harper County, Kansas

Harper County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kansas. Its county seat and most populous city is Anthony. As of the 2020 census, the county population was 5,485. The county was named for Sergeant Marion Harper of the 2nd Kansas Cavalry, who died in battle 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, Harper County was established.

The original organization of Harper County was one of the largest frauds in county government. In 1873, a group of three men organized Harper County, designating the then fictitious city of "Bluff City" as the county seat. The petition for organization used several names out of a Cincinnati city directory to represent as residents of Harper County. In 1874, the state attorney general investigated, and found not a single resident of the county. The "founders" of the county had sold $40,000 worth of bonds.

Harper County was settled starting in 1877, and the county was organized for a second time in 1878 by the Glenn and Robinson families. Since Bluff City could not be shown to have existed, Anthony was designated as the temporary county seat. In an election in 1879, Anthony won as county seat even though 2,960 votes were cast in a county with 800 legal voters.

21st century
Due to new and high-paying jobs at area oil fields and wind farms, Harper County experienced an economic boom; as of 2012, rental housing and office space in towns such as Danville, Harper, and Anthony had more than quadrupled in price, in properties ranging from double-wide trailers to a Carnegie library. However, by 2016, the oil fracking boom had largely played out and the economies of Harper and adjacent counties suffered under the impact. Earthquakes, due to induced seismicity from injection wells, had also substantially reduced in frequency and intensity, thanks to a Kansas Corporation Commission order mandating cutbacks in volumes and pressures. SandRidge Energy, which along with Chesapeake Energy was one of the two major producers in Harper county, appealed the order, but soon went into bankruptcy.

Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 803 sqmi, of which 801 sqmi is land and 1.5 sqmi (0.2%) is water.

Adjacent counties

 * Kingman County (north)
 * Sumner County (east)
 * Grant County, Oklahoma (southeast)
 * Alfalfa County, Oklahoma (southwest)
 * Barber County (west)

Demographics

As of the 2000 census, there were 6,536 people, 2,773 households, and 1,807 families residing in the county. The population density was 8 /mi2. There were 3,270 housing units at an average density of 4 /mi2. The racial makeup of the county was 97.23% White, 0.83% Native American, 0.23% Black or African American, 0.14% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.38% from other races, and 1.18% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.07% of the population.

There were 2,773 households, out of which 27.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.30% were married couples living together, 6.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.80% were non-families. 32.10% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.30 and the average family size was 2.90.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 24.70% under the age of 18, 6.60% from 18 to 24, 22.00% from 25 to 44, 23.50% from 45 to 64, and 23.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females there were 93.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.40 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $29,776, and the median income for a family was $39,866. Males had a median income of $27,869 versus $20,000 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,368. About 8.50% of families and 11.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.70% of those under age 18 and 7.70% of those age 65 or over.

Laws
Following amendment to the Kansas Constitution in 1986, Harper County remained a prohibition, or "dry", county until 2006, when voters approved the sale of alcoholic liquor by the individual drink with a 30% food sales requirement.

Unified school districts

 * Chaparral USD 361
 * Attica USD 511

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

Cities

 * Anthony (county seat)
 * Attica
 * Bluff City
 * Danville
 * Harper
 * Waldron

Unincorporated communities

 * Corwin
 * Crystal Springs
 * Duquoin
 * Freeport
 * Runnymede

Ghost Towns

 * Albion
 * Crisfield
 * Midway
 * Ruella
 * Shook
 * Yankton

Townships
Harper County is divided into six townships. The cities of Anthony and Harper 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.

Harper County is one of only four counties in Kansas that have numbered, not named, townships. The other three are Morris County, Pratt County, and Rooks County.

title: Harper County, Kansas


text:
Hamilton County, Kansas

Hamilton County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kansas. Its county seat and most populous city is Syracuse. As of the 2020 census, the county population was 2,518. The county was founded in 1873 and named for Alexander Hamilton, a founding father of the United States.

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 1873, Hamilton County was established, and named for Alexander Hamilton.

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 998 sqmi, of which 997 sqmi is land and 1.1 sqmi (0.1%) is water.

Major highways

 * US 50.svg U.S. Highway 50
 * US 400.svg U.S. Highway 400
 * K-27.svg K-27

Adjacent counties

 * Greeley County (north)
 * Wichita County (northeast/Central Time border)
 * Kearny County (east/Central Time border)
 * Stanton County (south/Central Time border)
 * Prowers County, Colorado (west)

Demographics

As of the 2000 census, there were 2,670 people, 1,054 households, and 715 families residing in the county. The population density was 3 /mi2. There were 1,211 housing units at an average density of 1 /mi2. The racial makeup of the county was 81.65% White, 0.56% Asian, 0.49% Black or African American, 0.49% Native American, 15.13% from other races, and 1.69% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 20.60% of the population.

There were 1,054 households, out of which 33.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.90% were married couples living together, 7.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.10% were non-families. 29.40% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.80% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 3.09.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 28.40% under the age of 18, 7.20% from 18 to 24, 25.30% from 25 to 44, 20.90% from 45 to 64, and 18.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 97.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.60 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $32,033, and the median income for a family was $38,550. Males had a median income of $26,701 versus $21,000 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,484. About 10.90% of families and 15.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.50% of those under age 18 and 9.40% of those age 65 or over.

Government
Hamilton County is often carried by Republican Candidates. The last time a Democratic candidate has carried Hamilton County was in 1976 by Jimmy Carter. As like many counties that border it, Republicans have been increasing their influence in the county's presidential elections, when Donald J. Trump in 2016 won by a margin of approximately 70%, as Hillary Clinton only managed to get 13% of the county's vote.

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, Hamilton County has remained a prohibition, or "dry", county.

Unified school districts

 * Syracuse USD 494

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

Cities

 * Coolidge
 * Syracuse (county seat)

Unincorporated community

 * Kendall

Townships
Hamilton County is divided into eight 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: Hamilton County, Kansas


text:
Greenwood County, Kansas

Greenwood County is a county located in the southeast portion of the U.S. state of Kansas. Its county seat and most populous city is Eureka. As of the 2020 census, the county population was 6,016. The county was named for Alfred Greenwood, a U.S. congressman from Arkansas that advocated Kansas statehood.

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, Greenwood County was established, and named for Alfred B. Greenwood, a U.S. Congressman from Arkansas.

The first railroad in Greenwood County was built through that territory in 1879.

Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1153 sqmi, of which 1143 sqmi is land and 9.3 sqmi (0.8%) is water. It is the fifth-largest county in Kansas by area.

Adjacent counties

 * Lyon County (north)
 * Coffey County (northeast)
 * Woodson County (east)
 * Wilson County (southeast)
 * Elk County (south)
 * Butler County (west)
 * Chase County (northwest)

Demographics

As of the 2000 census, there were 7,673 people, 3,234 households, and 2,153 families residing in the county. The population density was 7 /mi2. There were 4,273 housing units at an average density of 4 /mi2. The racial makeup of the county was 96.53% White, 0.83% Native American, 0.14% Black or African American, 0.10% Asian, 0.81% from other races, and 1.58% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.72% of the population.

There were 3,234 households, out of which 27.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.50% were married couples living together, 6.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.40% were non-families. 30.30% 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 2.31 and the average family size was 2.86.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 23.70% under the age of 18, 6.50% from 18 to 24, 23.20% from 25 to 44, 23.70% from 45 to 64, and 22.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females there were 95.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.50 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $30,169, and the median income for a family was $38,140. Males had a median income of $27,021 versus $19,356 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,976. About 8.20% of families and 12.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.20% of those under age 18 and 10.10% of those age 65 or over.

Government
Greenwood county is often carried by Republican Candidates. The last time a Democratic candidate has carried this county was in 1936 by Franklin D. Roosevelt.

Laws
Greenwood 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 county narrowly voted "No" on the 2022 Kansas Value Them Both Amendment, an anti-abortion ballot measure, by 50.16% to 48.84% despite backing Donald Trump with 79% of the vote to Joe Biden's 18% in the 2020 presidential election.

Unified school districts

 * Madison–Virgil USD 386
 * Eureka USD 389
 * Hamilton USD 390

 * School district office in neighboring county
 * West Elk USD 282 (serving Severy and southern Greenwood county)
 * Fredonia USD 484 (serving Fall River and southeastern corner of Greenwood county)

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

Cities

 * Climax
 * Eureka (county seat)
 * Fall River
 * Hamilton
 * Madison
 * Severy
 * Virgil

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

 * Lamont
 * Neal†
 * Piedmont†
 * Quincy
 * Reece
 * Tonovay

Ghost towns

 * Ivanpah
 * Lapland
 * Teterville
 * Thrall
 * Utopia

Townships
Greenwood County is divided into fifteen townships. The city of Eureka 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: Greenwood County, Kansas


text:
Greeley County, Kansas

Greeley County is a county located in western Kansas, in the Central United States. Its county seat and largest city is Tribune. As of the 2020 census, the population was 1,284, making it the least populous county in Kansas. As of 2018, it is tied with Wallace County as the least densely populated county in the state. The county is named after Horace Greeley, editor of the New York Tribune, who encouraged western settlement with the motto "Go West, young man".

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 Spain kept title to about 7,500 square miles. In 1803, most of the land in 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, and Kansas became the 34th U.S. state in 1861. In 1873, Greeley County was established.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 778 sqmi, all of which is land. It is the largest of five United States counties and twelve (Virginia) independent cities that officially have no water area.

Adjacent counties

 * Wallace County (north)
 * Wichita County (east/Central Time border)
 * Hamilton County (south)
 * Prowers County, Colorado (southwest)
 * Kiowa County, Colorado (west)
 * Cheyenne County, Colorado (northwest)

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 1,534 people, 602 households, and 414 families residing in the county. The population density was 2 /mi2. There were 712 housing units at an average density of 1 /mi2. The racial makeup of the county was 93.09% White, 0.26% Native American, 0.20% Black or African American, 0.13% Pacific Islander, 0.07% Asian, 5.22% from other races, and 1.04% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 11.54% of the population.

There were 602 households, out of which 34.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.10% were married couples living together, 4.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.20% were non-families. 28.60% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.80% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 3.10.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 28.20% under the age of 18, 6.80% from 18 to 24, 27.30% from 25 to 44, 19.90% from 45 to 64, and 17.70% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 98.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.80 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $34,605, and the median income for a family was $45,625. Males had a median income of $29,018 versus $18,984 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,974. About 8.20% of families and 11.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.20% of those under age 18 and 6.80% of those age 65 or over.

County
As of January 1, 2009, Greeley County and the City of Tribune have operated as a unified government. The resulting government consists of a five-member commission with two members elected by city residents, two by rural residents, and one at-large. Similar to Wyandotte County, the only other consolidated city-county in the state, part of the county was not included: Horace decided against consolidation.

Presidential elections
This county is often carried by Republican candidates, as are most rural western Kansas counties. The last time a Democratic candidate won the county was in 1976, and a Democratic candidate has only won the county three times in its history: 1932 (Franklin D. Roosevelt), 1964 (Lyndon B. Johnson), and most recently in 1976 by Jimmy Carter.

Laws
The Kansas Constitution was amended in 1986 to allow the sale of alcoholic liquor by the individual drink with the approval of voters. Greeley County remained a prohibition, or "dry", county until 2008, when voters approved to allow sales of liquor by the drink.

Unified school districts

 * Greeley County USD 200

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

Cities

 * Horace
 * Tribune (county seat)

Ghost Towns

 * Astor
 * Colokan
 * Hector
 * Walkinghood
 * Whitelaw

Townships
Greeley County was previously divided into three townships. However, in 1992, Colony Township and Harrison Township were merged into Tribune Township, leaving only one township for the county. This was not reported to the U.S. census until 2006, thus the 2000 census did not reflect the merger, but the 2010 census did.

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: Greeley County, Kansas


text:
Gray County, Kansas

Gray County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kansas. Its county seat and most populous city is Cimarron. As of the 2020 census, the county population was 5,653. The county was named after Alfred Gray, a 19th century Kansas politician.

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.

Gray County was founded in 1881 and named for Alfred Gray. Between 1887 and 1893, a county seat war took place in Gray County that involved several notable Old West figures, such as Bat Masterson, Bill Tilghman, and Ben Daniels. As a result of the dispute, Cimarron became the permanent county seat of Gray County.

Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 869 sqmi, of which 869 sqmi is land and 0.4 sqmi (0.05%) is water.

Since 2001, NextEra Energy Resources has operated the largest wind farm in Kansas—170 turbines with a generating capacity of 110 megawatts—on a 12000 acre site near Montezuma.

Adjacent counties

 * Finney County (north)
 * Hodgeman County (northeast)
 * Ford County (east)
 * Meade County (south)
 * Haskell County (west)

Demographics

As of the 2000 census, there were 5,904 people, 2,045 households, and 1,556 families residing in the county. The population density was 7 /mi2. There were 2,181 housing units at an average density of 2 /mi2. The racial makeup of the county was 92.31% White, 0.46% Native American, 0.19% Black or African American, 0.10% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 5.42% from other races, and 1.46% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 9.81% of the population.

There were 2,045 households, out of which 42.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 67.70% were married couples living together, 5.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.90% were non-families. 21.20% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.82 and the average family size was 3.31.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 31.60% under the age of 18, 8.30% from 18 to 24, 27.30% from 25 to 44, 20.20% from 45 to 64, and 12.70% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 100.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.20 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $40,000, and the median income for a family was $45,299. Males had a median income of $31,519 versus $21,563 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,632. About 6.50% of families and 9.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.80% of those under age 18 and 8.00% of those age 65 or over.

Religion
Gray County has by far the highest percentage of adherents of the Church of God in Christ, Mennonite in the US. There were 1,032 members of the Church in Gray County in 2010, which is 17.18% of the population. It is the largest Church in the county.

Presidential elections
Gray county is often carried easily by Republican candidates. The last time a Democratic candidate carried this county 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, Gray County has remained a prohibition, or "dry", county.

Unified school districts

 * Cimarron–Ensign USD 102
 * Montezuma USD 371
 * Copeland USD 476
 * Ingalls USD 477

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

Cities and Towns

 * Cimarron (county seat)
 * Copeland
 * Ensign
 * Ingalls
 * Montezuma

Unincorporated communities

 * Charleston
 * Haggard

Townships
Gray County is divided into seven 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: Gray County, Kansas


text:
Grant County, Kansas

Grant County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kansas. Its county seat and only city is Ulysses. As of the 2020 census, the county population was 7,352. Both the county and its seat are named after Ulysses Grant, the 18th President of the United States.

History
In 1873, the part of Kansas west of Range 25 was divided into 25 new counties. The new counties were Decatur, Rawlins, Cheyenne, Sheridan, Thomas, Sherman, Lane, Buffalo, Foote, Meade, Scott, Sequoyah, Arapahoe, Seward, Wichita, Kearny, Greeley, Hamilton, Stanton, Kansas, Stevens, and Grant.

Grant County, Kansas was named after Ulysses S. Grant, the 18th President of the United States (1869–1877), and incumbent president at the time of the county's formation. The initial survey establishing county boundaries was in the summer of 1874.

In 1883, Kearny, Sequoyah, Arapahoe, Kansas, Stevens, Meade, Clark and Grant counties disappeared. Hamilton, Ford, Seward, and Hodgeman counties enlarged and Finney County was created. Grant County was split with the western portion becoming a part of Hamilton County and the eastern portion becoming a part of the newly created Finney County.

On June 9, 1888, Grant County was again established as a Kansas county, with original county boundaries, with the first officers of the new Grant County being sworn in on June 18, 1888.

In October 1888, the county seat election for Grant County resulted in victory for Ulysses, Kansas, election results were:.

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.

Early Day Settlements

 * "Old" Ulysses, subsequently moved to New Ulysses in 1909
 * Surprise-Tilden
 * Cincinnati-Appomattox
 * Shockey (Shockeyville)
 * Golden
 * Zionville
 * Lawson
 * Waterford
 * Gognac
 * Spurgeon

Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 575 sqmi, of which 575 sqmi is land and 0.3 sqmi (0.06%) is water.

Major highways

 * US 160.svg U.S. Highway 160
 * K-25.svg Kansas Highway 25

Adjacent counties

 * Kearny County (north)
 * Finney County (northeast)
 * Haskell County (east)
 * Stevens County (south)
 * Stanton County (west)
 * Hamilton County (northwest)

Demographics

As of the 2000 census, there were 7,909 people, 2,742 households, and 2,097 families residing in the county. The population density was 14 /mi2. There were 3,027 housing units at an average density of 5 /mi2. The racial makeup of the county was 77.00% White, 0.86% Native American, 0.37% Asian, 0.21% Black or African American, 19.46% from other races, and 2.10% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 34.67% of the population.

There were 2,742 households, out of which 43.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 66.40% were married couples living together, 7.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.50% were non-families. 21.00% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.20% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.86 and the average family size was 3.34.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 32.80% under the age of 18, 8.70% from 18 to 24, 28.70% from 25 to 44, 20.20% from 45 to 64, and 9.60% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females there were 100.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.50 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $39,854, and the median income for a family was $44,914. Males had a median income of $34,464 versus $22,000 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,072. About 6.50% of families and 10.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.60% of those under age 18 and 7.50% of those age 65 or over.

Presidential elections
Grant County is heavily Republican. Lyndon B. Johnson was the last Democrat to win the county, and Jimmy Carter narrowly lost the county in 1976. Michael Dukakis (as of 2020) is the last Democrat to win more than a quarter of the county's vote.

Laws
Grant 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.

Unified school districts

 * Ulysses USD 214

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

City

 * Ulysses (county seat)

Unincorporated communities

 * Hickok
 * Ryus
 * Stano
 * Sullivans Tracks

Townships
Grant 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.

title: Grant County, Kansas


text:
Graham County, Kansas

Graham County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kansas. Its county seat and most populous city is Hill City. As of the 2020 census, the county population was 2,415. The county was named for John Graham, a captain in the American Civil War that died during the Battle of Chickamauga. The county is home to Nicodemus, founded 1877, which is the only remaining western town established by African Americans during the Reconstruction Period following 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. Graham County was organized in 1880. In 1887, Graham County was established and named for Captain John L. Graham, a Union soldier killed in action at the Battle of Chickamauga in Tennessee on September 19, 1863.

Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 899 sqmi, of which 899 sqmi is land and 0.2 sqmi (0.03%) is water.

Graham County roughly contains 3600 quarter sections, and is the fourth county east of Colorado line and the second county south of the Nebraska line. The 100th meridian west passes nearly through its center. The average elevation in the county is 2700 ft above sea level. It is intersected by the south fork of Solomon River, and drained by Saline River.

Adjacent counties

 * Norton County (north)
 * Phillips County (northeast)
 * Rooks County (east)
 * Ellis County (southeast)
 * Trego County (south)
 * Gove County (southwest)
 * Sheridan County (west)
 * Decatur County (northwest)

National protected area

 * Nicodemus National Historic Site

Demographics

As of the 2000 census, there were 2,946 people, 1,263 households, and 847 families residing in the county. The population density was 3 /mi2. There were 1,553 housing units at an average density of 2 /mi2. The racial makeup of the county was 94.91% White, 3.22% Black or African American, 0.34% Native American, 0.27% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.41% from other races, and 0.81% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.78% of the population.

There were 1,263 households, out of which 27.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.50% were married couples living together, 5.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.90% were non-families. 30.10% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.28 and the average family size was 2.84.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 22.50% under the age of 18, 5.30% from 18 to 24, 23.10% from 25 to 44, 25.40% from 45 to 64, and 23.70% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females there were 95.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.20 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $31,286, and the median income for a family was $38,036. Males had a median income of $26,642 versus $18,222 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,050. About 8.60% of families and 11.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.60% of those under age 18 and 10.40% of those age 65 or over.

Laws
Following amendment to the Kansas Constitution in 1986, Graham County remained a prohibition, or "dry", county until 1992, when voters approved the sale of alcoholic liquor by the individual drink without a food sales requirement.

Unified school districts

 * Graham County USD 281

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

Cities

 * Bogue
 * Hill City (county seat)
 * Morland

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

 * Nicodemus†
 * Penokee
 * St. Peter

Ghost towns

 * Fargo
 * Happy
 * Houston
 * Kebar
 * Millbrook
 * Olean
 * Roscoe
 * Togo
 * Turnerville
 * Whitfield
 * Wild Horse

Townships
Graham County is divided into thirteen 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.

In art
Noted regional artist Birger Sandzén frequently painted landscapes in Graham County, where his wife's parents moved in 1906. Examples include Still Water currently profiled in the collection at Kansas State University's Marianna Kistler Beach Museum of Art which depicts Wild Horse Creek in the county.

title: Graham County, Kansas


text:
Gove County, Kansas

Gove County is a county in the U.S. state of Kansas. Its county seat is Gove City, and its most populous city is Quinter. As of the 2020 census, the county population was 2,718. The county was named for Granville Gove, a captain of Company G of the 11th Kansas Cavalry Regiment Volunteer Cavalry, who died from battle wounds during the American Civil War.

Early history
Eighty million years ago, Gove County was part of an ancient inland sea known as the Western Interior Seaway. Many students still visit the Castle Rock Badlands today to explore fossils.

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 1868, Gove County was established and named for Granville Llewellyn Gove, member of the 11th Regiment Kansas Volunteer Cavalry, and son of Moses Gove, a former mayor of Manhattan, Kansas.

21st century
In 2020, USA Today profiled Gove County during the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States and called it the "deadliest place in America" due to it having the highest death rate from COVID-19 compared to any other county in the nation: 1 out of every 132 people. The first deaths were reported on October 7; as of November 2020, 20 residents died from the virus, and 314 other positive cases were reported. The article attributed the high death rate to predominant public opposition towards wearing face masks, doubts over the pandemic's severity, and the county's high median age, all of which left residents highly vulnerable.

Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has an area of 1072 sqmi, of which 1072 sqmi is land and 0.1 sqmi (0.01%) is water.

Adjacent counties

 * Sheridan County (north)
 * Graham County (northeast)
 * Trego County (east)
 * Ness County (southeast)
 * Lane County (south)
 * Scott County (southwest)
 * Logan County (west)
 * Thomas County (northwest)

Demographics

As of the 2000 census, there were 3,068 people, 1,245 households, and 861 families residing in the county. The population density was 3 /mi2. There were 1,423 housing units at an average density of 1 /mi2. The racial makeup of the county was 97.95% White, 0.10% Black or African American, 0.16% Native American, 0.10% Asian, 0.72% from other races, and 0.98% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.24% of the population.

There were 1,245 households, out of which 28.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.50% were married couples living together, 3.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.80% were non-families. 29.70% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 3.01.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 26.20% under the age of 18, 5.40% from 18 to 24, 22.10% from 25 to 44, 23.70% from 45 to 64, and 22.70% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females there were 95.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.30 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $33,510, and the median income for a family was $40,438. Males had a median income of $26,863 versus $21,357 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,852. About 8.00% of families and 10.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.90% of those under age 18 and 6.90% of those age 65 or over.

In 2020, Gove County had 2,600 residents, and the median age was about 50, a decade older than the national average.

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, Gove County has remained a prohibition, or "dry", county.

Unified school districts

 * Grinnell USD 291
 * Wheatland USD 292
 * Quinter USD 293

Attractions

 * Castle Rock
 * Monument Rocks

Communities
List of townships / incorporated cities / unincorporated communities / extinct former communities within Gove County. ‡ means a community has portions in an adjacent county.

Cities

 * Gove City (county seat)
 * Grainfield
 * Grinnell
 * Oakley‡ - originally named Carlyle & Cleveland
 * Park - originally named Buffalo Park
 * Quinter - originally named Melota & Familton

Unincorporated community

 * Campus

Ghost towns

 * Alanthus
 * Hackberry
 * Jerome

Townships
Gove County is divided into nine 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: Gove County, Kansas


text:
Geary County, Kansas

Geary County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kansas. Its county seat and most populous city is Junction City. As of the 2020 census, the county population was 36,739. The county is named in honor of John Geary, the first mayor of San Francisco, a governor of the Kansas Territory, and the 16th governor of Pennsylvania.

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. Geary County was formed on August 30, 1855, as an original county from open, free territory. It was among the first 33 counties established by the territory government.

Geary County was originally named Davis County in 1855 after Jefferson Davis (then the United States Secretary of War). During the American Civil War, when Davis became president of the Confederacy, attempts were made to change the county's name, but both failed. Federal and state census records show it as Davis County from 1860 through 1885. In 1888 the county was renamed in honor of John W. Geary, an early Governor of the Kansas Territory.

Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 404 sqmi, of which 385 sqmi is land and 20 sqmi (4.9%) is water. It is the second-smallest county in Kansas by land area and third-smallest by total area.

Adjacent counties

 * Riley County (north)
 * Wabaunsee County (east)
 * Morris County (south)
 * Dickinson County (west)
 * Clay County (northwest)

Demographics

Geary County is part of the Manhattan, KS Metropolitan Statistical Area.

As of the 2000 census, there were 27,947 people, 10,458 households, and 7,582 families residing in the county. The population density was 73 PD/sqmi. There were 11,959 housing units at an average density of 31 /mi2. The racial makeup of the county was 64.13% White, 22.03% Black or African American, 0.75% Native American, 3.16% Asian, 0.41% Pacific Islander, 4.10% from other races, and 5.41% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 8.45% of the population.

There were 10,458 households, out of which 39.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.90% were married couples living together, 12.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.50% were non-families. 22.50% 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 2.61 and the average family size was 3.07.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 29.60% under the age of 18, 13.60% from 18 to 24, 30.00% from 25 to 44, 17.40% from 45 to 64, and 9.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 29 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.30 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $31,917, and the median income for a family was $36,372. Males had a median income of $25,942 versus $21,389 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,199. About 9.70% of families and 12.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.80% of those under age 18 and 9.90% of those age 65 or over.

Presidential elections
For most of its history, Geary County has been dominated by the Republican Party. The party's presidential candidates have failed to win the county only seven times from 1880 to the present day, the last of these occurring in 1964.

Laws
Geary 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 1990.

The county voted "No" on the 2022 Kansas Value Them Both Amendment, an anti-abortion ballot measure, by 61% to 39% despite backing Donald Trump with 55% of the vote to Joe Biden's 41% in the 2020 presidential election.

Unified school districts

 * Geary County USD 475

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

Cities

 * Grandview Plaza
 * Junction City (county seat)
 * Milford

Unincorporated community
‡ means a community has portions in an adjacent county. † means a community is designated a Census-Designated Place (CDP) by the United States Census Bureau.
 * Fort Riley†‡ (formerly Fort Riley North)
 * Wreford

Ghost towns

 * Alida, razed when Milford Lake was built
 * Pawnee

Fort Riley
Located north of the junction of the Smoky Hill and Republican rivers, the Fort Riley Military Reservation covers 100656 acre in Geary and Riley counties. The fort has a daytime population of nearly 25,000 and includes one census-designated place.

Townships
Geary County is divided into eight townships. The city of Junction 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: Geary County, Kansas


text:
Franklin County, Kansas

Franklin County is a county located in the eastern portion of the U.S. state of Kansas. Its county seat and most populous city is Ottawa. As of the 2020 census, the county population was 25,996. The county was named for Benjamin Franklin, a founding father of the United States. Formerly it was considered part of the Kansas City metropolitan area, but was removed in 2013.

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.

The area was included in a treaty ceding land to the Osage Nation in 1808, and ceded back to the federal government in 1825. After 1825 and prior to 1867, treaties with various Indian nations set off parts of what was later to become Franklin County for the use of Indian tribes removed from their ancestral lands. These tribes included: Ottawa, Chippewa, Sac and Fox, Peoria, and Potawatomi.

In 1854, the Kansas Territory was organized under the provisions of the Kansas-Nebraska Act. In 1855, Franklin County was established as one of the 33 original Kansas Territory counties created by the first Territorial Legislature of 1855. The county was named after Benjamin Franklin. In 1861, Kansas became the 34th U.S. state.

Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 577 sqmi, of which 572 sqmi is land and 5.4 sqmi (0.9%) is water.

Major highways

 * Interstate 35
 * U.S. Route 50
 * U.S. Route 59
 * K-33
 * K-68

Adjacent counties

 * Douglas County (north)
 * Johnson County (northeast)
 * Miami County (east)
 * Linn County (southeast)
 * Anderson County (south)
 * Coffey County (southwest)
 * Osage County (west)

Demographics

Franklin County comprises the Ottawa, KS Micropolitan Statistical Area, which is included in the Kansas City-Overland Park-Kansas City, MO-KS Combined Statistical Area.

As of the U.S. Census in 2000, there were 24,784 people, 9,452 households, and 6,720 families residing in the county. The population density was 43 /mi2. There were 10,229 housing units at an average density of 18 /mi2. The racial makeup of the county was 95.05% White, 1.21% Black or African American, 0.94% Native American, 0.31% Asian, 0.78% from other races, and 1.71% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.62% of the population.

There were 9,452 households, out of which 34.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.10% were married couples living together, 8.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.90% were non-families. 24.80% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.56 and the average family size was 3.04.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 27.50% under the age of 18, 8.90% from 18 to 24, 28.30% from 25 to 44, 21.20% 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 98.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.10 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $39,052, and the median income for a family was $45,197. Males had a median income of $31,223 versus $22,992 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,311. About 5.60% of families and 7.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.40% of those under age 18 and 7.30% of those age 65 or over.

Presidential elections
Franklin County is often carried by Republican Candidates. The last time a Democratic candidate has carried Franklin County was in 1964 by Lyndon B. Johnson.

Laws
Following amendment to the Kansas Constitution in 1986, the county remained a prohibition, or "dry", county until 1994, when voters approved the sale of alcoholic liquor by the individual drink with a 30 percent food sales requirement.

The county voted "No" on the 2022 Kansas Value Them Both Amendment, an anti-abortion ballot measure, by 56% to 44% despite backing Donald Trump with 68% of the vote to Joe Biden's 30% in the 2020 presidential election.

Unified school districts

 * West Franklin USD 287
 * Central Heights USD 288
 * Wellsville USD 289
 * Ottawa USD 290

Colleges and universities

 * Ottawa University, Ottawa
 * Neosho County Community College (branch campus), Ottawa

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

Cities

 * Lane
 * Ottawa (county seat)
 * Pomona
 * Princeton
 * Rantoul
 * Richmond
 * Wellsville
 * Williamsburg

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

 * Centropolis†
 * Homewood
 * Imes
 * LeLoup
 * Peoria
 * Ransomville
 * Richter

Ghost towns

 * Minneola
 * Norwood
 * Ohio City
 * Pleasant Hill
 * Shermansville
 * Silkville

Townships
Franklin County is divided into sixteen townships. The city of Ottawa 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.

Notable people

 * Foster Dwight Coburn, Secretary of Agriculture, Kansas
 * Steve Grogan, NFL quarterback, who grew up in Ottawa.
 * Chely Wright, Singer
 * James Still (playwright), writer, who grew up in Pomona
 * Gary Hart, Democratic US Senator

title: Franklin County, Kansas


text:
Ford County, Kansas

Ford County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kansas. Its county seat and most populous city is Dodge City. As of the 2020 census, its population was 34,287. The county was named in honor of James Ford, a brevet brigadier general during the American Civil War.

History
One of the earliest military posts in Kansas, Fort Atkinson, was located in Ford County. Fort Dodge, established in 1864, was on the north bank of the Arkansas River, about five miles southeast of what would become Dodge City. During the California Gold Rush in 1849, thousands of gold seekers passed through the area along the Santa Fe Trail, but few settled there.

Ford County was established in 1867 and named for Colonel James H. Ford of the Second Colorado Cavalry, who was in charge of the construction of Fort Dodge after the Civil War. The region had been frequently traveled by pioneers along the Santa Fe Trail since the early 19th century.

The town of Dodge City was established in 1872 upon the completion of the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad. Before the buffalo were wiped out, their hides were extensively shipped from Dodge City. Dodge City would later develop into a rough and tumble cowtown during the peak cattle drive years of 1875-1885.

Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1099 sqmi, of which 1098 sqmi are land and 0.8 sqmi (0.07%) is covered by water.

Adjacent counties

 * Hodgeman County (north)
 * Edwards County (northeast)
 * Kiowa County (east)
 * Clark County (south)
 * Meade County (southwest)
 * Gray County (west)

Transit

 * D-TRAN
 * Dodge City station

Major highways

 * [[Image:US 50.svg|20px]] U.S. Route 50
 * [[Image:US 54.svg|20px]] U.S. Route 54
 * [[Image:US 56.svg|20px]] U.S. Route 56
 * [[Image:US 283.svg|20px]] U.S. Route 283
 * [[Image:US 400.svg|20px]] U.S. Route 400
 * [[Image:K-34.svg|25px]] K-34

Demographics

The Dodge City Micropolitan Statistical Area includes all of Ford County.

As of the 2000 census, 33,848 people, 10,852 households, and 7,856 families were residing in the county. The population density was 30 /mi2. The 11,650 housing units averaged 11 /mi2. The racial makeup of the county was 75.3% White, 2.1% African American, 1.0% Native American, 1.4% Asian, 0.2% Pacific Islander, 17.8% from other races, and 2.7% from two or more races. Hispanic and Latino Americans of any race were 51.2% of the population.

Of the 10,852 households, 40.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.90% were married couples living together, 9.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.60% were not families. About 22.70% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.92, and the average family size was 3.42.

In the county, the age distribution was 31.10% under 18, 11.20% from 18 to 24, 29.40% from 25 to 44, 17.30% from 45 to 64, and 11.00% who were 65 or older. The median age was 30 years. For every 100 females, there were 107.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 105.30 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $37,860, and for a family was $42,734. Males had a median income of $27,189 versus $22,165 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,721. About 9.90% of families and 12.40% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.40% of those under age 18 and 8.40% of those age 65 or over.

Presidential elections
Ford County has been strongly Republican for most of its history, especially in recent elections. Only eight Democratic presidential candidates from 1880 to 2020 have carried the county, the most recent being Jimmy Carter in 1976.

Laws
Ford 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.

Colleges

 * Dodge City Community College

Unified school districts

 * Spearville USD 381
 * Dodge City USD 443
 * Bucklin USD 459

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

Cities

 * Bucklin
 * Dodge City (county seat)
 * Ford
 * Spearville

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

 * Bellefont
 * Bloom
 * Fort Dodge†
 * Howell
 * Kingsdown
 * Wilroads Gardens†
 * Windhorst
 * Wright†

Townships
Ford County is divided into 14 townships. The city of Dodge 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.

Notable people
Numerous figures of the American Old West lived in Dodge City during its period as a frontier cowtown. These included, most notably, lawmen Wyatt Earp and Bat Masterson, and gunfighter Doc Holliday.

title: Ford County, Kansas


text:
Finney County, Kansas

Finney County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kansas. Its county seat and most populous city is Garden City. As of the 2020 census, the county population was 38,470. The county was named for David Finney, the Lieutenant Governor of Kansas from 1881 and 1885. In 2020, 51.4 percent of the population in the county was Hispanic, one of a few counties in Kansas with a Hispanic majority population.

History
Finney County was established in 1867 and named after Lt. Gov. John W. Finney. The first white settlers arrived in 1878, settling along the Arkansas River and its tributaries.

Finney County began about 1880 as Buffalo County and Sequoyah County, named after Sequoyah, the Cherokee Indian responsible for the development of the Cherokee alphabet. The two counties were merged and renamed Finney County in honor of then Lieutenant Governor David Wesley Finney. The county grew to the current shape after Garfield County was annexed to it in 1893. The northeast block, separate from the otherwise rectangular area, represents what at one time was Garfield County, which is now occupied partially by the Garfield Township.

The town of Garden City was founded in 1879 by the cattle firm of Jones and Plummer, who established it as a shipping point for Texas cattle being driven along the Jones & Plummer Trail to Dodge City. Garden City grew rapidly as a railroad hub when the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe and Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific railroads arrived in 1888.

As described in Blackmar's Cyclopedia, Garden City "was a typical frontier town, with its gambling houses, dance halls and other adjuncts of border civilization" in its early years, but it quickly transformed into an agricultural center for southwest Kansas.

Other early settlements like Holcomb, Kalvesta, and Pierceville sprung up in the 1880s as Finney County became a prosperous region for wheat farming and cattle ranching. The county population boomed from just 537 in 1880 to over 5,000 by 1890 as homesteaders poured in.

In 1893, the former Garfield County was annexed into Finney County and organized as Garfield Township. Garfield County had originally been established in 1887 from parts of Finney County and other surrounding counties, but it struggled to maintain a viable tax base and population.

By 1910, Finney County had a population exceeding 10,000 as agriculture firmly took root in the region after its pioneering days on the frontier.

Between 2007 and 2008 Finney County became majority-minority.

Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1303 sqmi, of which 1302 sqmi is land and 0.7 sqmi (0.05%) is water. It is the second-largest county in Kansas by area.

Adjacent counties

 * Scott County (north)
 * Lane County (north)
 * Ness County (northeast)
 * Hodgeman County (east)
 * Haskell County (south)
 * Gray County (south)
 * Grant County (southwest)
 * Kearny County (west)

Demographics

Finney County is included in the Garden City, KS Micropolitan Statistical Area.

2010 census
As of the 2010 census there were 36,776 people, 12,359 households and 8,903 families living in the county. The racial makeup of the county was 77.0% White, 2.3% Black or African American, 0.9% Native American, 3.4% Asian, 0.0% Pacific Islander, 13.6% from other races, and 2.9% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 46.7% of the population.

2000 census
As of the 2000 census, there were 40,523 people, 12,948 households, and 9,749 families living in the county. The population density was 31 /mi2. There were 13,763 housing units at an average density of 11 /mi2. The racial makeup of the county was 69.05% White, 1.25% Black or African American, 0.96% Native American, 2.87% Asian, 0.08% Pacific Islander, 22.99% from other races, and 2.80% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 43.30% of the population.

There were 12,948 households, out of which 46.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.80% were married couples living together, 10.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.70% were non-families. 19.60% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.09 and the average family size was 3.55.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 34.30% under the age of 18, 11.00% from 18 to 24, 31.10% from 25 to 44, 16.60% from 45 to 64, and 7.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 28 years. For every 100 females there were 104.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 103.30 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $38,474, and the median income for a family was $42,839. Males had a median income of $29,948 versus $21,510 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,377. About 10.00% of families and 14.20% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.60% of those under age 18 and 10.70% of those age 65 or over.

Presidential election results
Finney County has primarily supported Republican presidential candidates throughout its history. In only six elections from 1884 to the present has the county not backed the Republican candidate, the last of these being in 1976 when Jimmy Carter won the county by only 102 votes.

Laws
Finney 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.

Unified school districts

 * Holcomb USD 363
 * Garden City USD 457

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

Cities

 * Garden City (county seat)
 * Holcomb

Unincorporated communities

 * Friend
 * Gano
 * Kalvesta
 * Lowe
 * Mansfield
 * Peterson
 * Pierceville†
 * Plymell
 * Quinby
 * Ritchal
 * Rodkey
 * Tennis
 * Wolf

Ghost towns

 * Eminence
 * Ravanna

Townships
Finney County is divided into seven townships. The city of Garden 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: Finney County, Kansas


text:
Ellsworth County, Kansas

Ellsworth County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kansas. Its county seat and most populous city is Ellsworth. As of the 2020 census, the county population was 6,376. The county was named after Fort Ellsworth.

Early history
From the 16th century to 18th century, the Kingdom of France claimed ownership of large parts of North America both east and west of the Mississippi River. In 1762, after losing the French and Indian War to Great Britain, France secretly ceded New France to Spain, per the Treaty of Fontainebleau. In 1763 France ceded its territories east of the Mississippi River to Great Britain.

It regained the western territory under Napoleon, who sold it in 1803 to the United States in the Louisiana Purchase. He had decided to get rid of the New World territories after failing to regain control of Saint-Domingue, where a slave rebellion had toppled colonial control. In 1804 Haiti declared independence as the second republic of the Western Hemisphere.

The Plains Indians retained control of much of their territory until the late 19th century, giving way finally before superior United States arms and technology. Their territories were invaded by settlers, and crossed by the development of improved routes for settlers' emigrant wagon trains to the West Coast, followed by more permanent construction of transcontinental railroads. These brought tens of thousands of settlers to the Plains.

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; and in 1861 Kansas became the 34th U.S. state. Ellsworth County was established February 26, 1867. The county was named after the old Fort Ellsworth, named in honor of 2nd Lieutenant Allen Ellsworth of the 7th Iowa Cavalry (Company H), who supervised construction of the fort in 1864 during the American Civil War. On November 17, 1866, the fort was renamed Fort Harker in honor of General Charles Garrison Harker who had died on June 27, 1864, from wounds received in an abortive offensive action in the Battle of Kennesaw Mountain. The fort was subsequently moved to a new site about one mile to the northeast, and the old fort's remaining buildings were ordered torn down in June 1867.

On March 22, 1869, Fourteen Pawnee Indians, including scouts who had been honorably discharged after working for the army, were traveling through Ellsworth County when they ran into U.S. cavalry troops. Though the Pawnees had discharge papers from the army, a fight ensued. The Indians retreated to a sandstone cave, known today as Palmer's Cave. Their attackers set fire to grass at the cave's entrance, and six to nine Pawnees were killed as they ran out. The others died from exposure without their possessions. A few days later, the post surgeon at nearby Fort Harker, in today's town of Kanopolis, removed six heads from their bodies, and shipped them to the Army Medical Museum in Washington, D.C., for cranial study.

In the later 19th century, this area became known for cattle ranching and cattle drives. Town life was often riotous with cowboys celebrating after long drives.

Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 723 sqmi, of which 716 sqmi is land and 7.4 sqmi (1.0%) is water. It is intersected by the Smoky Hill River.

Adjacent counties

 * Lincoln County (north)
 * Saline County (east)
 * McPherson County (southeast)
 * Rice County (south)
 * Barton County (southwest)
 * Russell County (northwest)

Demographics

As of the 2000 census, there were 6,525 people, 2,481 households, and 1,639 families residing in the county. The population density was 9 /mi2. There were 3,228 housing units at an average density of 4 /mi2. The racial makeup of the county was 93.67% White, 3.56% Black or African American, 0.48% Native American, 0.25% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.86% from other races, and 1.18% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.59% of the population.

There were 2,481 households, out of which 27.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.20% were married couples living together, 6.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.90% were non-families. 31.40% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.30 and the average family size was 2.88.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 21.40% under the age of 18, 7.30% from 18 to 24, 27.10% from 25 to 44, 23.80% from 45 to 64, and 20.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 111.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 114.10 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $35,772, and the median income for a family was $44,360. Males had a median income of $30,110 versus $20,486 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,569. About 4.00% of families and 7.20% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.50% of those under age 18 and 11.10% of those age 65 or over.

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

Unified school districts

 * Central Plains USD 112
 * Ellsworth USD 327

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

Cities

 * Ellsworth (county seat)
 * Wilson
 * Kanopolis
 * Holyrood
 * Lorraine

Unincorporated communities

 * Black Wolf
 * Carneiro
 * Delight
 * Elkhorn
 * Langley
 * Venango
 * Yankee Run

Ghost towns

 * Arcola
 * Terra Cotta
 * Frantz
 * Midway

Townships
Ellsworth County is divided into nineteen townships. The city of Ellsworth 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: Ellsworth County, Kansas