Elk County, Kansas
Elk County | |
---|---|
![]() Elk County Courthouse inHoward(2023) | |
![]() Location within the U.S. state ofKansas | |
![]() Kansas's location within theU.S. | |
Coordinates:37°27′N96°14′W/ 37.450°N 96.233°W | |
Country | ![]() |
State | ![]() |
Founded | March 25, 1875 |
Named for | Elk River |
Seat | Howard |
Largest city | Howard |
Area | |
• Total | 650 sq mi (1,700 km2) |
• Land | 644 sq mi (1,670 km2) |
• Water | 6.2 sq mi (16 km2) 1.0% |
Population | |
• Total | 2,483 |
• Density | 3.9/sq mi (1.5/km2) |
Time zone | UTC−6(Central) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC−5(CDT) |
Area code | 620 |
Congressional district | 4th |
Website | elkcountyks.org |
Elk Countyis acountylocated in theU.S. stateofKansas.Itscounty seatand most populous city isHoward.[2]As of the2020 census,the county population was 2,483.[1]The county was named for theElk River.
History
[edit]Early history
[edit]For manymillennia,theGreat PlainsofNorth Americawas inhabited bynomadicNative Americans.From the 16th century to 18th century, theKingdom of Franceclaimed ownership of large parts ofNorth America.In 1762, after theFrench and Indian War,France secretly cededNew FrancetoSpain,per theTreaty of Fontainebleau.
19th century
[edit]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 formodern day Kansaswas acquired by the United States from France as part of the 828,000 square mileLouisiana Purchasefor 2.83centsperacre.
In 1854, after first serving as an area to relocate Native American tribes from the east, the United States organizedKansas Territory.In 1861,Kansaswas admitted as the 34thU.S. state.The area that today is Elk County was, for a brief period, reserved to theOsage Indiansas hunting grounds for buffalo and other game. In 1867, when Howard County was formed, it encompassed both present day Elk andChautauquacounties. Disputes over county seats caused a division.[3]In 1875,Elk Countywas established, named for theElk River.[4]
The first railroad in Elk County was built in 1879.[5]It connected cattle ranches and farms to eastern markets.
Geography
[edit]According to theU.S. Census Bureau,the county has a total area of 650 square miles (1,700 km2), of which 644 square miles (1,670 km2) is land and 6.2 square miles (16 km2) (1.0%) is water.[6]
Adjacent counties
[edit]- Greenwood County(north)
- Wilson County(east)
- Montgomery County(southeast)
- Chautauqua County(south)
- Cowley County(southwest)
- Butler County(northwest)
Demographics
[edit]![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a0/USA_Elk_County%2C_Kansas_age_pyramid.svg/175px-USA_Elk_County%2C_Kansas_age_pyramid.svg.png)
Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
---|---|---|---|
1880 | 10,623 | — | |
1890 | 12,216 | 15.0% | |
1900 | 11,443 | −6.3% | |
1910 | 10,128 | −11.5% | |
1920 | 9,034 | −10.8% | |
1930 | 9,210 | 1.9% | |
1940 | 8,180 | −11.2% | |
1950 | 6,679 | −18.3% | |
1960 | 5,048 | −24.4% | |
1970 | 3,858 | −23.6% | |
1980 | 3,918 | 1.6% | |
1990 | 3,327 | −15.1% | |
2000 | 3,261 | −2.0% | |
2010 | 2,882 | −11.6% | |
2020 | 2,483 | −13.8% | |
2023 (est.) | 2,467 | [7] | −0.6% |
U.S. Decennial Census[8] 1790-1960[9]1900-1990[10] 1990-2000[11]2010-2020[1] |
As of the2000 census,[12]there were 3,261 people, 1,412 households, and 923 families residing in the county. Thepopulation densitywas 5 people per square mile (1.9 people/km2). There were 1,860 housing units at an average density of 3 per square mile (1.2/km2). Theracial makeupof the county was 95.06%White,0.21%BlackorAfrican American,0.95%Native American,0.18%Asian,0.06%Pacific Islander,1.20% from other races, and 2.33% fromtwo or more races.HispanicorLatinoof any race were 2.18% of the population.
There were 1,412households,out of which 24.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.00% weremarried couplesliving together, 6.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.60% were non-families. 32.90% of all households were made up of individuals, and 18.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.25 and the average family size was 2.84.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 22.50% under the age of 18, 5.80% from 18 to 24, 20.00% from 25 to 44, 26.50% from 45 to 64, and 25.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 46 years. For every 100 females there were 91.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.70 males.
Themedian income for a householdin the county was $27,267, and the median income for a family was $34,148. Males had a median income of $28,580 versus $16,219 for females. Theper capita incomefor the county was $16,066. About 9.20% of families and 13.80% of the population were below thepoverty line,including 18.80% of those under age 18 and 15.00% of those age 65 or over.
Government
[edit]Presidential elections
[edit]Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
2020 | 1,140 | 83.76% | 195 | 14.33% | 26 | 1.91% |
2016 | 1,048 | 83.24% | 160 | 12.71% | 51 | 4.05% |
2012 | 1,049 | 76.63% | 281 | 20.53% | 39 | 2.85% |
2008 | 1,042 | 72.66% | 363 | 25.31% | 29 | 2.02% |
2004 | 1,119 | 73.86% | 369 | 24.36% | 27 | 1.78% |
2000 | 1,080 | 69.68% | 402 | 25.94% | 68 | 4.39% |
1996 | 933 | 56.79% | 488 | 29.70% | 222 | 13.51% |
1992 | 748 | 42.94% | 485 | 27.84% | 509 | 29.22% |
1988 | 1,075 | 63.01% | 608 | 35.64% | 23 | 1.35% |
1984 | 1,301 | 72.89% | 452 | 25.32% | 32 | 1.79% |
1980 | 1,280 | 69.68% | 482 | 26.24% | 75 | 4.08% |
1976 | 1,087 | 54.84% | 865 | 43.64% | 30 | 1.51% |
1972 | 1,522 | 76.02% | 428 | 21.38% | 52 | 2.60% |
1968 | 1,327 | 64.64% | 503 | 24.50% | 223 | 10.86% |
1964 | 1,267 | 55.74% | 994 | 43.73% | 12 | 0.53% |
1960 | 1,830 | 68.46% | 823 | 30.79% | 20 | 0.75% |
1956 | 1,909 | 69.90% | 812 | 29.73% | 10 | 0.37% |
1952 | 2,380 | 76.38% | 717 | 23.01% | 19 | 0.61% |
1948 | 1,962 | 63.80% | 1,087 | 35.35% | 26 | 0.85% |
1944 | 2,283 | 70.33% | 954 | 29.39% | 9 | 0.28% |
1940 | 2,774 | 64.77% | 1,478 | 34.51% | 31 | 0.72% |
1936 | 2,355 | 53.24% | 2,059 | 46.55% | 9 | 0.20% |
1932 | 1,746 | 43.04% | 2,239 | 55.19% | 72 | 1.77% |
1928 | 3,007 | 77.50% | 831 | 21.42% | 42 | 1.08% |
1924 | 2,443 | 64.26% | 1,104 | 29.04% | 255 | 6.71% |
1920 | 2,253 | 65.27% | 1,110 | 32.16% | 89 | 2.58% |
1916 | 1,769 | 43.94% | 2,053 | 50.99% | 204 | 5.07% |
1912 | 605 | 24.09% | 971 | 38.67% | 935 | 37.24% |
1908 | 1,454 | 54.11% | 1,187 | 44.18% | 46 | 1.71% |
1904 | 1,713 | 67.47% | 706 | 27.81% | 120 | 4.73% |
1900 | 1,632 | 55.21% | 1,311 | 44.35% | 13 | 0.44% |
1896 | 1,339 | 47.57% | 1,464 | 52.01% | 12 | 0.43% |
1892 | 1,235 | 47.19% | 0 | 0.00% | 1,382 | 52.81% |
1888 | 1,566 | 53.70% | 696 | 23.87% | 654 | 22.43% |
Laws
[edit]TheKansas Constitutionwas amended in 1986 to allow the sale of alcoholic liquor by the individual drink, with approval by voters. Elk County voters have chosen to remain a prohibition, or"dry",county.[14]
Education
[edit]Unified school districts
[edit]Communities
[edit]![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0a/Map_of_Elk_Co%2C_Ks%2C_USA.png/300px-Map_of_Elk_Co%2C_Ks%2C_USA.png)
List of townships / incorporated cities / unincorporated communities / extinct former communities within Elk County.[16]
Cities
[edit]Unincorporated communities
[edit]Ghost towns
[edit]Townships
[edit]Elk County is divided into tentownships.None of the cities within the county is designated asgovernmentally independent.All population 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.
Township | FIPS | Population center |
Population | Population density /km2(/sq mi) |
Land area km2(sq mi) |
Water area km2(sq mi) |
Water % | Geographic coordinates |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Elk Falls | 20325 | 196 | 1 (3) | 152 (59) | 0 (0) | 0.19% | 37°22′17″N96°12′26″W/ 37.37139°N 96.20722°W | |
Greenfield | 28550 | 321 | 2 (5) | 171 (66) | 1 (0) | 0.62% | 37°21′8″N96°27′5″W/ 37.35222°N 96.45139°W | |
Howard | 33275 | Howard | 1,006 | 6 (16) | 166 (64) | 1 (1) | 0.86% | 37°28′3″N96°15′14″W/ 37.46750°N 96.25389°W |
Liberty | 40025 | 117 | 1 (2) | 154 (59) | 0 (0) | 0.19% | 37°34′22″N96°1′55″W/ 37.57278°N 96.03194°W | |
Longton | 42675 | 530 | 5 (12) | 116 (45) | 0 (0) | 0.11% | 37°22′38″N96°5′27″W/ 37.37722°N 96.09083°W | |
Oak Valley | 51950 | 154 | 1 (3) | 116 (45) | 0 (0) | 0.24% | 37°21′59″N96°1′14″W/ 37.36639°N 96.02056°W | |
Painterhood | 54075 | 68 | 0 (1) | 154 (59) | 1 (0) | 0.37% | 37°27′35″N96°2′37″W/ 37.45972°N 96.04361°W | |
Paw Paw | 54925 | 116 | 1 (2) | 141 (54) | 0 (0) | 0.24% | 37°33′19″N96°13′46″W/ 37.55528°N 96.22944°W | |
Union Center | 72500 | 116 | 0 (1) | 371 (143) | 2 (1) | 0.46% | 37°31′44″N96°23′31″W/ 37.52889°N 96.39194°W | |
Wildcat | 79150 | 637 | 5 (12) | 135 (52) | 2 (1) | 1.35% | 37°21′33″N96°19′10″W/ 37.35917°N 96.31944°W | |
Sources:"Census 2000 U.S. Gazetteer Files".U.S. Census Bureau, Geography Division. Archived fromthe originalon August 2, 2002. |
See also
[edit]- Community information for Kansas
- Kansas locations by per capita income
- List of counties in Kansas
- List of townships in Kansas
- List of cities in Kansas
- List of unincorporated communities in Kansas
- List of ghost towns in Kansas
References
[edit]- ^abc"QuickFacts; Elk County, Kansas; Population, Census, 2020 & 2010".United States Census Bureau.Archivedfrom the original on August 16, 2021.RetrievedAugust 16,2021.
- ^"Find a County".National Association of Counties. Archived fromthe originalon May 31, 2011.RetrievedJune 7,2011.
- ^"Elk County".June 16, 2022.
- ^"Elk County, Kansas".Kansas Historical Society.RetrievedMarch 20,2014.
- ^Blackmar, Frank Wilson (1912).Kansas: A Cyclopedia of State History, Embracing Events, Institutions, Industries, Counties, Cities, Towns, Prominent Persons, Etc.Standard Publishing Company. pp.573–574.
- ^"US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990".United States Census Bureau.February 12, 2011.RetrievedApril 23,2011.
- ^"Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023".United States Census Bureau.RetrievedApril 3,2024.
- ^"U.S. Decennial Census".United States Census Bureau.RetrievedJuly 24,2014.
- ^"Historical Census Browser".University of Virginia Library.RetrievedJuly 24,2014.
- ^"Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990".United States Census Bureau.RetrievedJuly 24,2014.
- ^"Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000"(PDF).United States Census Bureau.Archived(PDF)from the original on March 27, 2010.RetrievedJuly 24,2014.
- ^"U.S. Census website".United States Census Bureau.RetrievedJanuary 31,2008.
- ^"Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections".
- ^"Map of Wet and Dry Counties".Alcoholic Beverage Control, Kansas Department of Revenue. November 2004. Archived fromthe originalon October 8, 2007.RetrievedJanuary 21,2007.
- ^Elk Valley USD 283
- ^ab"General Highway Map of Elk County, Kansas"(PDF).Kansas Department of Transportation(KDOT). August 2007.Archived(PDF)from the original on November 14, 2023.
Further reading
[edit]- Elk County, Kansas;H. F. Smith; 1927.
- Handbook of Elk and Chautauqua Counties, Kansas;C.S. Burch Publishing Co; 24 pages; 1886.
- Elk County Rural Landowners Plat Map;1927.
- Standard Atlas of Elk County, Kansas;George A. Ogle & Co; 43 pages; 1903.
- Atlas of Elk County;Davy Map & Atlas Co; 45 pages; 1885.
External links
[edit]![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/4a/Commons-logo.svg/30px-Commons-logo.svg.png)
- County
- Maps