Elk County, Kansas

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]

Elk County
County
Location within the U.S. state of Kansas
Kansas's location within the U.S.
Coordinates:
Country United States
State Kansas
FoundedMarch 25, 1875
Named forElk River
SeatHoward
Largest cityHoward
Area
 • Total650 sq mi (1,700 km2)
 • Land644 sq mi (1,670 km2)
 • Water6.2 sq mi (16 km2)  1.0%%
Population
 • Estimate 
(2018)
2,508
 • Density4.5/sq mi (1.7/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Area code620
Congressional district4th
Websiteelkcountyks.org

History

Early history
See also: History of Kansas

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 United States organized Kansas Territory, after it had served as an area to relocate Native American tribes from the Southeast. In 1861, Kansas was admitted as the 34th U.S. state. In 1875, Elk County was established, named for the Elk River.[3]

The first railroad in Elk County was built through that territory in 1879.[4] It connected ranches and farms to markets.

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
CensusPop.%±
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%
2018 (est.)2,508[6]−13.0%
U.S. Decennial Census[7]
1790-1960[8] 1900-1990[9]
1990-2000[10] 2010-2016[1]
Population pyramid

As of the 2000 census,[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.

Government

Presidential elections
Presidential Elections Results
Presidential Elections Results[12]
Year Republican Democratic Third Parties
2016 83.2% 1,048 12.7% 160 4.1% 51
2012 76.6% 1,049 20.5% 281 2.9% 39
2008 72.7% 1,042 25.3% 363 2.0% 29
2004 73.9% 1,119 24.4% 369 1.8% 27
2000 69.7% 1,080 25.9% 402 4.4% 68
1996 56.8% 933 29.7% 488 13.5% 222
1992 42.9% 748 27.8% 485 29.2% 509
1988 63.0% 1,075 35.6% 608 1.4% 23
1984 72.9% 1,301 25.3% 452 1.8% 32
1980 69.7% 1,280 26.2% 482 4.1% 75
1976 54.8% 1,087 43.6% 865 1.5% 30
1972 76.0% 1,522 21.4% 428 2.6% 52
1968 64.6% 1,327 24.5% 503 10.9% 223
1964 55.7% 1,267 43.7% 994 0.5% 12
1960 68.5% 1,830 30.8% 823 0.8% 20
1956 69.9% 1,909 29.7% 812 0.4% 10
1952 76.4% 2,380 23.0% 717 0.6% 19
1948 63.8% 1,962 35.4% 1,087 0.9% 26
1944 70.3% 2,283 29.4% 954 0.3% 9
1940 64.8% 2,774 34.5% 1,478 0.7% 31
1936 53.2% 2,355 46.6% 2,059 0.2% 9
1932 43.0% 1,746 55.2% 2,239 1.8% 72
1928 77.5% 3,007 21.4% 831 1.1% 42
1924 64.3% 2,443 29.0% 1,104 6.7% 255
1920 65.3% 2,253 32.2% 1,110 2.6% 89
1916 43.9% 1,769 51.0% 2,053 5.1% 204
1912 24.1% 605 38.7% 971 37.2% 935
1908 54.1% 1,454 44.2% 1,187 1.7% 46
1904 67.5% 1,713 27.8% 706 4.7% 120
1900 55.2% 1,632 44.4% 1,311 0.4% 13
1896 47.6% 1,339 52.0% 1,464 0.4% 12
1892 47.2% 1,235 52.8% 1,382
1888 53.7% 1,566 23.9% 696 22.4% 654

Laws

The Kansas Constitution was 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.[13]

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 is designated as governmentally 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.

TownshipFIPSPopulation
center		 PopulationPopulation
density
/km2 (/sq mi)		 Land area
km2 (sq mi)		Water area
km2 (sq mi)		Water % Geographic coordinates
Elk Falls203251961 (3)152 (59)0 (0)0.19%37°22′17″N 96°12′26″W
Greenfield285503212 (5)171 (66)1 (0)0.62%37°21′8″N 96°27′5″W
Howard33275Howard1,0066 (16)166 (64)1 (1)0.86%37°28′3″N 96°15′14″W
Liberty400251171 (2)154 (59)0 (0)0.19%37°34′22″N 96°1′55″W
Longton426755305 (12)116 (45)0 (0)0.11%37°22′38″N 96°5′27″W
Oak Valley519501541 (3)116 (45)0 (0)0.24%37°21′59″N 96°1′14″W
Painterhood54075680 (1)154 (59)1 (0)0.37%37°27′35″N 96°2′37″W
Paw Paw549251161 (2)141 (54)0 (0)0.24%37°33′19″N 96°13′46″W
Union Center725001160 (1)371 (143)2 (1)0.46%37°31′44″N 96°23′31″W
Wildcat791506375 (12)135 (52)2 (1)1.35%37°21′33″N 96°19′10″W
Sources: "Census 2000 U.S. Gazetteer Files". U.S. Census Bureau, Geography Division. Archived from the original on 2002-08-02.

See also

References
  1. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on August 6, 2011. Retrieved July 24, 2014.
  2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on 2011-05-31. 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. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved December 23, 2019.
  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. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  12. http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS
  13. "Map of Wet and Dry Counties". Alcoholic Beverage Control, Kansas Department of Revenue. November 2004. Archived from the original on 2007-10-08. Retrieved 2007-01-21.

Further reading
See also: List of books about State of Kansas (which includes historical information about its counties and cities too)
County
Maps
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