Elk County, Kansas

Elk County, Kansas
County
Map of Kansas highlighting Elk County
Location in the U.S. state of Kansas
Map of the United States highlighting Kansas
Kansas's location in the U.S.
Founded March 25, 1875
Named for Elk River
Seat Howard
Largest city Howard
Area
 • Total 650 sq mi (1,683 km2)
 • Land 644 sq mi (1,668 km2)
 • Water 6.2 sq mi (16 km2), 1.0%
Population
 • (2010) 2,882
 • Density 4.5/sq mi (2/km²)
Congressional district 4th
Time zone Central: UTC-6/-5
Website elkcountyks.org

Coordinates: 37°27′N 96°14′W / 37.450°N 96.233°W / 37.450; -96.233

Elk County (county code EK) is a county located in the U.S. state of Kansas. As of the 2010 census, the county population was 2,882.[1] Its county seat and most populous city is Howard.[2]

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

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 1875, Elk County was established and named for the Elk River.[3]

The first railroad in Elk County was built through that territory in 1879.[4]

Geography

According to the U.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.[5]

Adjacent counties

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop. %±
188010,623—
189012,21615.0%
190011,443−6.3%
191010,128−11.5%
19209,034−10.8%
19309,2101.9%
19408,180−11.2%
19506,679−18.3%
19605,048−24.4%
19703,858−23.6%
19803,9181.6%
19903,327−15.1%
20003,261−2.0%
20102,882−11.6%
Est. 20152,605[6]−9.6%
U.S. Decennial Census[7]
1790-1960[8] 1900-1990[9]
1990-2000[10] 2010-2013[1]
Population pyramid

As of the U.S. Census in 2000,[11] there were 3,261 people, 1,412 households, and 923 families residing in the county. The population density was 5 people per square mile (2/km²). There were 1,860 housing units at an average density of 3 per square mile (1/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 95.06% White, 0.21% Black or African American, 0.95% Native American, 0.18% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 1.20% from other races, and 2.33% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.18% of the population.

There were 1,412 households out of which 24.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.00% were married couples living 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.

The median income for a household in 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. The per capita income for the county was $16,066. About 9.20% of families and 13.80% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.80% of those under age 18 and 15.00% of those age 65 or over.

Law and government

Although the Kansas Constitution was amended in 1986 to allow the sale of alcoholic liquor by the individual drink with the approval of voters, Elk County has remained a prohibition, or "dry", county.[12]

Education

Unified school districts

Communities

2005 KDOT Map of Elk County (map legend)

Cities

Unincorporated communities

Townships

Elk County is divided into ten 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.

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″N 96°12′26″W / 37.37139°N 96.20722°W / 37.37139; -96.20722
Greenfield 28550 321 2 (5) 171 (66) 1 (0) 0.62% 37°21′8″N 96°27′5″W / 37.35222°N 96.45139°W / 37.35222; -96.45139
Howard 33275 Howard 1,006 6 (16) 166 (64) 1 (1) 0.86% 37°28′3″N 96°15′14″W / 37.46750°N 96.25389°W / 37.46750; -96.25389
Liberty 40025 117 1 (2) 154 (59) 0 (0) 0.19% 37°34′22″N 96°1′55″W / 37.57278°N 96.03194°W / 37.57278; -96.03194
Longton 42675 530 5 (12) 116 (45) 0 (0) 0.11% 37°22′38″N 96°5′27″W / 37.37722°N 96.09083°W / 37.37722; -96.09083
Oak Valley 51950 154 1 (3) 116 (45) 0 (0) 0.24% 37°21′59″N 96°1′14″W / 37.36639°N 96.02056°W / 37.36639; -96.02056
Painterhood 54075 68 0 (1) 154 (59) 1 (0) 0.37% 37°27′35″N 96°2′37″W / 37.45972°N 96.04361°W / 37.45972; -96.04361
Paw Paw 54925 116 1 (2) 141 (54) 0 (0) 0.24% 37°33′19″N 96°13′46″W / 37.55528°N 96.22944°W / 37.55528; -96.22944
Union Center 72500 116 0 (1) 371 (143) 2 (1) 0.46% 37°31′44″N 96°23′31″W / 37.52889°N 96.39194°W / 37.52889; -96.39194
Wildcat 79150 637 5 (12) 135 (52) 2 (1) 1.35% 37°21′33″N 96°19′10″W / 37.35917°N 96.31944°W / 37.35917; -96.31944
Sources: "Census 2000 U.S. Gazetteer Files". U.S. Census Bureau, Geography Division. 

See also

Further reading

Elk County
Kansas

References

  1. 1 2 "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 24, 2014.
  2. ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
  3. ↑ "Elk County, Kansas". Kansas Historical Society. Retrieved 20 March 2014.
  4. ↑ 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.
  5. ↑ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
  6. ↑ "County Totals Dataset: Population, Population Change and Estimated Components of Population Change: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2015". Retrieved July 2, 2016.
  7. ↑ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 24, 2014.
  8. ↑ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved July 24, 2014.
  9. ↑ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 24, 2014.
  10. ↑ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 24, 2014.
  11. ↑ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  12. ↑ "Map of Wet and Dry Counties". Alcoholic Beverage Control, Kansas Department of Revenue. November 2004. Retrieved 2007-01-21.
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