Barton County, Kansas

Last updated

Barton County
Barton county courthouse kansas.jpg
Barton County Courthouse in Great Bend (1979)
Map of Kansas highlighting Barton County.svg
Location within the U.S. state of Kansas
Kansas in United States.svg
Kansas's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 38°28′N98°46′W / 38.467°N 98.767°W / 38.467; -98.767
CountryFlag of the United States.svg United States
StateFlag of Kansas.svg  Kansas
FoundedFebruary 26, 1867
Named for Clara Barton
Seat Great Bend
Largest cityGreat Bend
Area
  Total901 sq mi (2,330 km2)
  Land895 sq mi (2,320 km2)
  Water5.2 sq mi (13 km2)  0.6%
Population
 (2020) [1]
  Total25,493
  Density28.5/sq mi (11.0/km2)
Time zone UTC−6 (Central)
  Summer (DST) UTC−5 (CDT)
Area code 620
Congressional district 1st
Website BartonCounty.org

Barton County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kansas. Its county seat and most populous city is Great Bend. [2] As of the 2020 census, the county population was 25,493. [1] The county is named in honor of Clara Barton, responsible for the founding of the American Red Cross, and the only county in Kansas to be named for a woman. [3]

Contents

History

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

1915 Railroad Map of Barton County Stouffer's Railroad Map of Kansas 1915-1918 Barton County.png
1915 Railroad Map of Barton County

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, Barton County was established and named for Clara Barton. It is the only Kansas county named for a woman. [4]

In 1878, Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway and parties from Marion County and McPherson County chartered the Marion and McPherson Railway Company. [5] In 1879, a branch line was built from Florence to McPherson, in 1880 it was extended to Lyons, in 1881 it was extended to Ellinwood. [6] The line was leased and operated by the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway. The line from Florence to Marion, was abandoned in 1968. [7] In 1992, the line from Marion to McPherson was sold to Central Kansas Railway. In 1993, after heavy flood damage, the line from Marion to McPherson was abandoned. The original branch line connected Florence, Marion, Canada, Hillsboro, Lehigh, Canton, Galva, McPherson, Conway, Windom, Little River, Mitchell, Lyons, Chase, Ellinwood.

21st century

In 2001, an F4 tornado hit Hoisington during Hoisington High School's prom.

Geography

Barton County was drawn in the shape of a 30-by-30-mile (48 by 48 km) square. [8] According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 901 square miles (2,330 km2), of which 895 square miles (2,320 km2) is land and 5.2 square miles (13 km2) (0.6%) is water. [9] The geographic center of Kansas is located in Barton County.

Adjacent counties

Major highways

Sources: National Atlas, [10] U.S. Census Bureau [11]

Demographics

Population pyramid based on 2000 census age data USA Barton County, Kansas age pyramid.svg
Population pyramid based on 2000 census age data
Historical population
CensusPop.Note
1880 10,318
1890 13,17227.7%
1900 13,7844.6%
1910 17,87629.7%
1920 18,4223.1%
1930 19,7767.3%
1940 25,01026.5%
1950 29,90919.6%
1960 32,3688.2%
1970 30,663−5.3%
1980 31,3432.2%
1990 29,382−6.3%
2000 28,205−4.0%
2010 27,674−1.9%
2020 25,493−7.9%
2023 (est.)24,899 [12] −2.3%
U.S. Decennial Census [13]
1790-1960 [14] 1900-1990 [15]
1990-2000 [16] 2010-2020 [1]

The Great Bend Micropolitan Statistical Area includes all of Barton County.

As of the 2000 census, [17] there were 28,205 people, 11,393 households, and 7,530 families residing in the county. The population density was 32 people per square mile (12 people/km2). There were 12,888 housing units at an average density of 14 per square mile (5.4/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 92.98% White, 1.15% Black or African American, 0.51% Native American, 0.23% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 3.51% from other races, and 1.60% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 8.31% of the population.

There were 11,393 households, out of which 31.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.10% were married couples living together, 7.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.90% were non-families. 30.20% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.41 and the average family size was 3.01.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 26.00% under the age of 18, 9.00% from 18 to 24, 25.10% from 25 to 44, 22.00% from 45 to 64, and 17.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 93.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.10 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $32,176, and the median income for a family was $39,929. Males had a median income of $28,803 versus $20,428 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,695. About 9.90% of families and 12.90% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.00% of those under age 18 and 10.90% of those age 65 or over.

Government

Presidential elections

Prior to 1940, Barton County was a Democratic-leaning swing county in presidential elections, being a national bellwether from 1912 to 1936. From 1940 on, it has become a Republican Party stronghold, with the solitary Democratic Party presidential candidate to carry it since then being Lyndon B. Johnson in his national landslide of 1964.

Presidential election results
United States presidential election results for Barton County, Kansas [18]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No.%No.%No.%
2020 8,60877.20%2,34020.99%2021.81%
2016 7,88876.29%1,83917.79%6125.92%
2012 7,87476.14%2,29722.21%1701.64%
2008 7,80270.56%3,02727.38%2282.06%
2004 8,66674.03%2,87424.55%1661.42%
2000 7,30266.65%3,23829.56%4153.79%
1996 7,85564.92%3,12125.80%1,1239.28%
1992 5,11337.65%3,84628.32%4,62334.04%
1988 7,74159.20%5,02438.42%3102.37%
1984 10,23275.58%3,11122.98%1951.44%
1980 9,14766.03%3,66326.44%1,0427.52%
1976 7,31155.63%5,49741.83%3342.54%
1972 8,47968.87%3,48128.27%3522.86%
1968 6,70054.88%4,46436.57%1,0448.55%
1964 4,82639.49%7,34060.06%550.45%
1960 7,59955.61%6,03644.17%300.22%
1956 8,64466.17%4,37833.51%410.31%
1952 9,38070.43%3,84728.88%920.69%
1948 6,19153.37%5,30745.75%1020.88%
1944 5,54759.36%3,76140.25%370.40%
1940 6,01154.43%4,98245.11%500.45%
1936 3,53437.13%5,97862.81%50.05%
1932 3,36540.85%4,77657.98%971.18%
1928 4,96663.94%2,77735.75%240.31%
1924 4,10956.49%1,60522.06%1,56021.45%
1920 3,99368.77%1,68829.07%1252.15%
1916 2,89144.46%3,29250.63%3194.91%
1912 69217.01%2,06950.85%1,30832.15%
1908 1,72944.83%2,00451.96%1243.21%
1904 1,93958.19%1,23537.06%1584.74%
1900 1,56446.46%1,77252.64%300.89%
1896 1,21542.56%1,61656.60%240.84%
1892 1,38143.10%00.00%1,82356.90%
1888 1,35349.16%1,22844.62%1716.21%

Laws

Barton 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 2004. [19]

Education

Colleges

Unified school districts

The five school districts are part of the special education area of Barton County called Barton County Special Services.

Communities

2005 map of Barton County (map legend) Map of Barton Co, Ks, USA.png
2005 map of Barton County (map legend)

List of townships / incorporated cities / unincorporated communities / extinct former communities within Barton County. [20]

Cities

Unincorporated communities

‡ 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.

Townships

Barton County is divided into twenty-two townships. The cities of Ellinwood, Great Bend, and Hoisington 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.

Township FIPS Population
center
PopulationPopulation
density
/km2 (/sq mi)
Land area
km2 (sq mi)
Water area
km2 (sq mi)
Water %Geographic coordinates
Albion 00850581 (2)94 (36)0 (0)0.05% 38°33′37″N98°51′31″W / 38.56028°N 98.85861°W / 38.56028; -98.85861
Beaver 049751081 (3)95 (37)0 (0)0.05% 38°38′42″N98°39′18″W / 38.64500°N 98.65500°W / 38.64500; -98.65500
Buffalo 090754906 (14)88 (34)0 (0)0.12% 38°24′23″N98°51′47″W / 38.40639°N 98.86306°W / 38.40639; -98.86306
Cheyenne 130252381 (4)174 (67)13 (5)6.80% 38°31′46″N98°38′25″W / 38.52944°N 98.64028°W / 38.52944; -98.64028
Clarence 134751251 (3)93 (36)0 (0)0% 38°23′58″N98°58′25″W / 38.39944°N 98.97361°W / 38.39944; -98.97361
Cleveland 14025691 (2)94 (36)0 (0)0.12% 38°39′8″N98°31′27″W / 38.65222°N 98.52417°W / 38.65222; -98.52417
Comanche 151254523 (7)167 (64)0 (0)0.11% 38°17′50″N98°35′59″W / 38.29722°N 98.59972°W / 38.29722; -98.59972
Eureka 217501161 (3)93 (36)0 (0)0.24% 38°28′49″N98°51′37″W / 38.48028°N 98.86028°W / 38.48028; -98.86028
Fairview 22400 Galatia 1291 (4)93 (36)0 (0)0.03% 38°38′52″N98°58′8″W / 38.64778°N 98.96889°W / 38.64778; -98.96889
Grant 27475791 (2)92 (36)0 (0)0.10% 38°33′49″N98°58′15″W / 38.56361°N 98.97083°W / 38.56361; -98.97083
Great Bend 283251,83918 (46)104 (40)1 (0)0.50% 38°23′5″N98°44′50″W / 38.38472°N 98.74722°W / 38.38472; -98.74722
Independent 33975 Claflin 8449 (24)93 (36)0 (0)0.04% 38°32′36″N98°31′36″W / 38.54333°N 98.52667°W / 38.54333; -98.52667
Lakin 381252992 (4)172 (67)0 (0)0.23% 38°22′59″N98°33′58″W / 38.38306°N 98.56611°W / 38.38306; -98.56611
Liberty 398753214 (9)88 (34)0 (0)0.21% 38°18′33″N98°51′29″W / 38.30917°N 98.85806°W / 38.30917; -98.85806
Logan 417501762 (5)93 (36)0 (0)0.06% 38°28′59″N98°31′40″W / 38.48306°N 98.52778°W / 38.48306; -98.52778
North Homestead 512001331 (4)92 (36)0 (0)0.06% 38°33′44″N98°45′59″W / 38.56222°N 98.76639°W / 38.56222; -98.76639
Pawnee Rock 54900 Pawnee Rock 5446 (15)93 (36)0 (0)0.05% 38°16′59″N98°59′12″W / 38.28306°N 98.98667°W / 38.28306; -98.98667
South Bend 665256827 (19)93 (36)0 (0)0.17% 38°18′42″N98°45′56″W / 38.31167°N 98.76556°W / 38.31167; -98.76556
South Homestead 667253434 (10)90 (35)1 (0)1.23% 38°29′9″N98°46′38″W / 38.48583°N 98.77722°W / 38.48583; -98.77722
Union 72025 Susank 1281 (4)94 (36)0 (0)0.20% 38°38′46″N98°45′59″W / 38.64611°N 98.76639°W / 38.64611; -98.76639
Walnut 74825 Albert, Olmitz 4745 (13)93 (36)0 (0)0% 38°28′16″N98°58′8″W / 38.47111°N 98.96889°W / 38.47111; -98.96889
Wheatland 77600741 (2)94 (36)0 (0)0.14% 38°39′45″N98°51′48″W / 38.66250°N 98.86333°W / 38.66250; -98.86333
Sources: "Census 2000 U.S. Gazetteer Files". U.S. Census Bureau, Geography Division. Archived from the original on August 2, 2002.

See also

Community information for Kansas

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thomas County, Kansas</span> County in Kansas, United States

Thomas County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kansas. Its county seat is Colby. As of the 2020 census, the county population was 7,930. The county was named after George Thomas, a general during the American Civil War.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stanton County, Kansas</span> County in Kansas, United States

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

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stafford County, Kansas</span> County in Kansas, United States

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

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Russell County, Kansas</span> County in Kansas, United States

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

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rush County, Kansas</span> County in Kansas, United States

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

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rice County, Kansas</span> County in Kansas, United States

Rice County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kansas. Its county seat and largest city is Lyons. As of the 2020 census, the county population was 9,427. The county was named in memory of Samuel Allen Rice, Brigadier-General, United States volunteers, killed April 30, 1864, at Jenkins Ferry, Arkansas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Reno County, Kansas</span> County in Kansas, United States

Reno County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kansas. Its county seat and largest city is Hutchinson. As of the 2020 census, the population was 61,898. The county is named for Jesse Reno, a general during the American Civil War.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">McPherson County, Kansas</span> County in Kansas, United States

McPherson County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kansas. Its county seat and largest city is McPherson. As of the 2020 census, the county population was 30,223. The county was named for James McPherson, a general in the American Civil War.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lincoln County, Kansas</span> County in Kansas, United States

Lincoln County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kansas. Its county seat and largest city is Lincoln Center. As of the 2020 census, the county population was 2,939. The county was named after Abraham Lincoln, the 16th president of the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Labette County, Kansas</span> County in Kansas, United States

Labette County is a county located in Southeast Kansas. Its county seat is Oswego, and its most populous city is Parsons. As of the 2020 census, the county population was 20,184. The county was named after LaBette creek, the second-largest creek in the county, which runs roughly NNW-SSE from near Parsons to Chetopa. The creek in turn was named after French-Canadian fur trapper Pierre LaBette who had moved to the area, living along the Neosho River, and marrying into the Osage tribe in the 1830s and 1840s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Harvey County, Kansas</span> County in Kansas, United States

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Harper County, Kansas</span> County in Kansas, United States

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dickinson County, Kansas</span> County in Kansas, United States

Dickinson County is a county in Central Kansas. Its county seat and most populous city is Abilene. As of the 2020 census, the county population was 18,402. The county was named in honor of Daniel Dickinson, a U.S. Senator from New York that was a Kansas statehood advocate.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cherokee County, Kansas</span> County in Kansas, United States

Cherokee County is a U.S. county located in Southeast Kansas. Its county seat is Columbus, and its most populous city is Baxter Springs. As of the 2020 census, the county population was 19,362. The county was named for the Cherokee tribe.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Butler County, Kansas</span> County in Kansas, United States

Butler County is a county in the U.S. state of Kansas and is the largest county in the state by total area. Its county seat is El Dorado and its most populous city is Andover. As of the 2020 census, the county population was 67,380. The county was named for Andrew Butler, a U.S. Senator from South Carolina who coauthored the Kansas–Nebraska Act.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ellinwood, Kansas</span> City in Barton County, Kansas

Ellinwood is a city in the southeast corner of Barton County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2020 census, the population of the city was 2,011.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lehigh, Kansas</span> City in Marion County, Kansas

Lehigh is a city in Marion County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2020 census, the population of the city was 161. It is located between Hillsboro and Canton on the north side of U.S. Route 56.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">McPherson, Kansas</span> City in McPherson County, Kansas

McPherson is a city in and the county seat of McPherson County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2020 census, the population of the city was 14,082. The city is named after Union General James Birdseye McPherson, a Civil War general. It is home to McPherson College and Central Christian College.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Windom, Kansas</span> City in McPherson County, Kansas

Windom is a city in McPherson County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2020 census, the population of the city was 85.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Conway, Kansas</span> Unincorporated community in McPherson County, Kansas

Conway is an unincorporated community in southwestern Jackson Township, McPherson County, Kansas, United States. It lies along U.S. Route 56 and a Kansas and Oklahoma Railroad line, west of the city of McPherson.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "QuickFacts; Barton County, Kansas; Population, Census, 2020 & 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on August 15, 2021. Retrieved August 15, 2021.
  2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on March 2, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. Blackmar, Frank Wilson (1912). Kansas: A Cyclopedia of State History, Embracing Events, Institutions, Industries, Counties, Cities, Towns, Prominent Persons, Etc. Standard Publishing Company. pp.  153.
  4. Brackman, Barbara (1997). Kansas Trivia. Thomas Nelson Inc. p. 26. ISBN   9781418553814.
  5. Marion County Kansas : Past and Present; Sondra Van Meter; MB Publishing House; LCCN 72-92041; 344 pages; 1972.
  6. Fourth Annual Report of the Board of Railroad Commissioners for the Year Ending December 1, 1886 in State of Kansas; Kansas Publishing House; 1886.
  7. Railway Abandonment 1968
  8. History of the State of Kansas: Containing a Full Account of Its Growth from an Uninhabited Territory to a Wealthy and Important State. A. T. Andreas. 1883. p.  762.
  9. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  10. National Atlas Archived December 5, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  11. "U.S. Census Bureau TIGER shape files". Archived from the original on May 23, 2017. Retrieved December 6, 2017.
  12. "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 3, 2024.
  13. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 21, 2014.
  14. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved July 21, 2014.
  15. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 21, 2014.
  16. "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. Retrieved July 21, 2014.
  17. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  18. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections".
  19. "Map of Wet and Dry Counties". Alcoholic Beverage Control, Kansas Department of Revenue. November 2006. Archived from the original on October 8, 2007. Retrieved December 28, 2007.
  20. 1 2 "General Highway Map of Barton County, Kansas" (PDF). Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT). September 2009. Archived (PDF) from the original on July 19, 2023.

Further reading

County
Trails
County
Maps