Saline County, Kansas

Saline County (standard abbreviation: SA) is located in the U.S. state of Kansas. As of the 2010 census, the county population was 55,606.[1] The largest city and county seat is Salina.[2]

Saline County
County
Smoky Hills Museum in Salina (2013)
Location within the U.S. state of Kansas
Kansas's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 38°47′00″N 97°40′00″W
Country United States
State Kansas
FoundedFebruary 15, 1860
Named forSaline River
SeatSalina
Largest citySalina
Area
 • Total721 sq mi (1,870 km2)
 • Land720 sq mi (1,900 km2)
 • Water1.1 sq mi (3 km2)  0.2%
Population
 (2010)
 • Total55,606
 • Estimate 
(2018)
54,401
 • Density77/sq mi (30/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district1st
Websitesaline.org

History
1915 Railroad Map of Saline County

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. 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 [cre. In 1848, after the Mexican–American War, the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo with Spain brought into the United States all or part of land for ten future states, including southwest Kansas. In 1854, the Kansas Territory was organized, then in 1861 Kansas became the 34th U.S. state.

19th century

In 1860, Saline County was founded.

20th century

Saline 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 1994.[3]

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 721 square miles (1,870 km2), of which 720 square miles (1,900 km2) is land and 1.1 square miles (2.8 km2) (0.2%) is water.[4]

Adjacent counties

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
18704,246—
188013,808225.2%
189017,44226.3%
190017,076−2.1%
191020,33819.1%
192025,10323.4%
193029,33716.9%
194029,5350.7%
195033,40913.1%
196054,71563.8%
197046,592−14.8%
198048,9055.0%
199049,3010.8%
200053,5978.7%
201055,6063.7%
2018 (est.)54,401[5]−2.2%
U.S. Decennial Census[6]
1790-1960[7] 1900-1990[8]
1990-2000[9] 2010-2016[1]
Age pyramid

Saline County is part of the Salina Micropolitan Statistical Area.[10]

As of the census[11] of 2000, there were 53,597 people, 21,436 households, and 14,212 families residing in the county. The population density was 74 people per square mile (29/km2). There were 22,695 housing units at an average density of 32 per square mile (12/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 89.17% White, 3.10% Black or African American, 0.52% Native American, 1.70% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 3.33% from other races, and 2.14% from two or more races. 6.02% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 21,436 households in the county, out of which 32.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.90% were married couples living together, 9.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.70% were non-families. 28.30% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 2.98.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 26.20% under the age of 18, 9.40% from 18 to 24, 28.40% from 25 to 44, 22.10% 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 97.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.40 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $37,308, and the median income for a family was $46,362. Males had a median income of $31,509 versus $22,047 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,073. About 6.00% of families and 8.80% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.60% of those under age 18 and 8.80% of those age 65 or over.

Government

Board of Commissioners

Saline County is governed by a Board of Commissioners. The commission enacts the annual budget for the county, currently set at about $38,000,000, creates policy to be implemented by the county administrator, approves contracts, and oversees legislation relating to the health, safety, and well-being of the county's citizens.[12]

The Board of Commissioners has three members, one elected from each of the three commission districts. Commissioners are elected on a partisan basis.[12] The districts are reapportioned every three years, with the three districts being equally populated. Term lengths are four years.[12]

Current representatives on the Board of Commissioners are John Price (District 3; vice chairman), Monte Shadwick (District 1; secretary), and Jim Gile (District 2; chairman).[12] In 2014, citizens voted to change the number of commissioners from three to five. The group, “Drive for Five”, successfully campaigned for better representation of the people. Monte Shadwick easily won against long time commissioner Randy Duncan.

Governor Sam Brownback was tasked with appointing the two new commission members that will serve for two years and then be up for election by the people. On January 12, 2015, Luci Larson and Dave Smith were appointed to the newly created 4th and 5th Districts.[13]

County administrator

The county administrator is hired by the Board of Commissioners and is the administrative officer for the county. The administrator is responsible for researching administrative and operational issues and then presenting suggestions for improvement in government efficiency to the Board of Commissioners and for reviewing all requests for action brought to the Board of Commissioners. The county administrator also implements policies enacted by the Board of Commissioners, prepares the annual budget, and "supervises accounts payable, payroll, human resource division and central purchasing for the county."[14] As needed, the county administrator will represent the county on boards and commissions.[14]

The current county administrator is Andrew Manley.[14]

Presidential elections
Presidential Elections Results
Presidential Elections Results[15]
Year Republican Democratic Third Parties
2016 62.7% 13,828 28.6% 6,317 8.7% 1,919
2012 64.4% 13,840 32.8% 7,040 2.9% 616
2008 62.2% 14,165 35.9% 8,186 1.9% 437
2004 65.6% 15,111 32.7% 7,524 1.8% 406
2000 57.7% 12,412 34.8% 7,487 7.6% 1,628
1996 55.3% 12,475 34.3% 7,728 10.4% 2,338
1992 36.3% 8,565 33.4% 7,890 30.3% 7,168
1988 58.0% 11,371 40.8% 7,998 1.3% 249
1984 69.4% 15,244 29.7% 6,526 0.9% 191
1980 60.3% 12,758 30.2% 6,382 9.6% 2,029
1976 55.8% 11,218 42.2% 8,476 2.1% 413
1972 68.7% 12,592 29.5% 5,406 1.8% 321
1968 55.4% 9,324 37.4% 6,286 7.2% 1,212
1964 39.9% 6,533 59.5% 9,725 0.6% 99
1960 62.7% 11,023 37.0% 6,495 0.3% 50
1956 69.3% 11,172 30.5% 4,908 0.2% 37
1952 75.1% 12,326 24.4% 4,003 0.5% 80
1948 53.1% 7,928 45.6% 6,798 1.3% 194
1944 59.5% 7,571 40.1% 5,097 0.4% 55
1940 54.7% 7,975 44.7% 6,514 0.6% 92
1936 43.4% 6,061 56.3% 7,872 0.4% 50
1932 41.2% 5,265 55.7% 7,118 3.1% 389
1928 71.2% 7,872 28.1% 3,108 0.7% 76
1924 62.2% 6,534 18.7% 1,966 19.1% 2,005
1920 64.4% 5,554 32.6% 2,808 3.0% 260
1916 43.3% 3,984 52.8% 4,860 4.0% 368
1912 11.2% 534 47.2% 2,263 41.6% 1,994
1908 50.2% 2,297 46.6% 2,134 3.3% 149
1904 70.4% 2,797 20.1% 798 9.6% 381
1900 49.7% 2,245 48.7% 2,199 1.7% 76
1896 42.0% 1,706 57.5% 2,334 0.5% 21
1892 45.2% 1,817 54.8% 2,206
1888 58.0% 2,263 30.4% 1,186 11.7% 455

Saline County is a Republican stronghold: the last Democrat to win a majority in the county was Lyndon Johnson in 1964, who was also the last Democrat to carry the state's electoral votes. Saline has voted for the statewide winner in every presidential election since 1872, including for James Weaver in 1892.[16]

Education

Colleges and universities

Unified school districts
School district office in neighboring county

Private schools

Communities
2005 KDOT Map of Saline County (map legend)

Cities

Census-designated places

Other unincorporated communities

Townships

Saline County is divided into eighteen townships. The city of Salina 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.

Sources: 2000 U.S. Gazetteer from the U.S. Census Bureau.
TownshipFIPSPopulation
center		 PopulationPopulation
density
/km2 (/sq mi)		 Land area
km2 (sq mi)		Water area
km2 (sq mi)		Water % Geographic coordinates
Cambria10100New Cambria4505 (13)93 (36)0 (0)0.16%38°54′3″N 97°31′44″W
Dayton171251341 (4)92 (36)0 (0)0.08%38°55′0″N 97°25′18″W
Elm Creek206508289 (23)92 (36)0 (0)0.39%38°54′8″N 97°38′55″W
Eureka21925Gypsum6647 (18)94 (36)0 (0)0.05%38°43′20″N 97°25′36″W
Falun229252601 (4)186 (72)0 (0)0.26%38°39′26″N 97°47′14″W
Glendale264751041 (3)93 (36)0 (0)0.30%38°53′57″N 97°52′33″W
Greeley2837580910 (26)79 (31)0 (0)0.09%38°50′21″N 97°32′35″W
Gypsum292751932 (5)93 (36)0 (0)0.01%38°39′35″N 97°25′22″W
Liberty403501832 (5)93 (36)0 (0)0.44%38°39′19″N 97°32′48″W
Ohio524254635 (13)94 (36)0 (0)0.13%38°49′12″N 97°45′9″W
Pleasant Valley566254225 (12)93 (36)0 (0)0.43%38°55′18″N 97°46′15″W
Smoky Hill660503245 (14)59 (23)0 (0)0.10%38°50′21″N 97°39′35″W
Smoky View66075Assaria95410 (27)93 (36)0 (0)0.06%38°39′25″N 97°37′34″W
Smolan661257499 (23)85 (33)0 (0)0.15%38°44′24″N 97°38′26″W
Solomon663753113 (9)94 (36)0 (0)0.06%38°49′56″N 97°26′14″W
Spring Creek67500Brookville3952 (6)185 (72)1 (0)0.38%38°46′42″N 97°51′47″W
Walnut751255536 (15)93 (36)1 (0)0.79%38°44′52″N 97°32′55″W
Washington757251221 (3)93 (36)0 (0)0.04%38°45′4″N 97°45′10″W

See also

References
  1. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 29, 2014.
  2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
  3. "Map of Wet and Dry Counties". Alcoholic Beverage Control, Kansas Department of Revenue. November 2006. Archived from the original on 2007-10-08. Retrieved 2007-12-28.
  4. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
  5. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved December 13, 2019.
  6. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 29, 2014.
  7. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved July 29, 2014.
  8. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 29, 2014.
  9. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 29, 2014.
  10. Nussle, Jim (2008-11-20). "Micropolitan Statistical Areas" (PDF). List 1-9. Office of Management and Budget, Executive Office of the President. p. 97. Retrieved 2010-04-02.
  11. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  12. "Saline County - Board of Commissioners". Saline County, Kansas. Archived from the original on 2012-03-30. Retrieved 2011-01-21.
  13. http://salina.com/news/new-commissioners-respond-to-county-issues/article_4441b2da-7066-5250-9654-400658f7b1bf.html
  14. "Administrator". Saline County, Kansas. Archived from the original on 2012-04-30. Retrieved 2011-01-21.
  15. http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS
  16. The Political Graveyard: Saline County, Kansas

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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