Barton County, Kansas

Barton County (standard abbreviation: BT) is a county located in the U.S. state of Kansas. As of the 2010 census, the county population was 27,674.[1] Its county seat and most populous city is Great Bend.[2] The county is named in honor of Clara Barton, responsible for the founding of the American Red Cross. It is the only one of Kansas' 105 counties to be named for a woman.[3]

Barton County
County
Barton County Courthouse in Great Bend (1979)
Location within the U.S. state of Kansas
Kansas's location within the U.S.
Coordinates:
Country United States
State Kansas
FoundedFebruary 26, 1867
Named forClara Barton
SeatGreat 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
 • Estimate 
(2018)
26,111
 • Density31/sq mi (12/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Area code620
Congressional district1st
WebsiteBartonCounty.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
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
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
188010,318—
189013,17227.7%
190013,7844.6%
191017,87629.7%
192018,4223.1%
193019,7767.3%
194025,01026.5%
195029,90919.6%
196032,3688.2%
197030,663−5.3%
198031,3432.2%
199029,382−6.3%
200028,205−4.0%
201027,674−1.9%
2018 (est.)26,111[12]−5.6%
U.S. Decennial Census[13]
1790-1960[14] 1900-1990[15]
1990-2000[16] 2010-2016[1]
Population pyramid

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/km2). There were 12,888 housing units at an average density of 14 per square mile (6/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
Presidential election results[18]
Year Republican Democratic Third Parties
2020 77.3% 8,608 21.0% 2,340 1.6% 182
2016 76.3% 7,888 17.8% 1,839 5.9% 610
2012 76.1% 7,874 22.2% 2,297 1.6% 170
2008 70.6% 7,802 27.4% 3,027 2.1% 228
2004 74.0% 8,666 24.6% 2,874 1.4% 166
2000 66.7% 7,302 29.6% 3,238 3.8% 415
1996 64.9% 7,855 25.8% 3,121 9.3% 1,123
1992 37.7% 5,113 28.3% 3,846 34.0% 4,623
1988 59.2% 7,741 38.4% 5,024 2.4% 310
1984 75.6% 10,232 23.0% 3,111 1.4% 195
1980 66.0% 9,147 26.4% 3,663 7.5% 1,042
1976 55.6% 7,311 41.8% 5,497 2.5% 334
1972 68.9% 8,479 28.3% 3,481 2.9% 352
1968 54.9% 6,700 36.6% 4,464 8.6% 1,044
1964 39.5% 4,826 60.1% 7,340 0.5% 55
1960 55.6% 7,599 44.2% 6,036 0.2% 30
1956 66.2% 8,644 33.5% 4,378 0.3% 41
1952 70.4% 9,380 28.9% 3,847 0.7% 92
1948 53.4% 6,191 45.8% 5,307 0.9% 102
1944 59.4% 5,547 40.3% 3,761 0.4% 37
1940 54.4% 6,011 45.1% 4,982 0.5% 50
1936 37.1% 3,534 62.8% 5,978 0.1% 5
1932 40.9% 3,365 58.0% 4,776 1.2% 97
1928 63.9% 4,966 35.8% 2,777 0.3% 24
1924 56.5% 4,109 22.1% 1,605 21.5% 1,560
1920 68.8% 3,993 29.1% 1,688 2.2% 125
1916 44.5% 2,891 50.6% 3,292 4.9% 319
1912 17.0% 692 50.9% 2,069 32.1% 1,308
1908 44.8% 1,729 52.0% 2,004 3.2% 124
1904 58.2% 1,939 37.1% 1,235 4.7% 158
1900 46.5% 1,564 52.6% 1,772 0.9% 30
1896 42.6% 1,215 56.6% 1,616 0.8% 24
1892 43.1% 1,381 56.9% 1,823
1888 49.2% 1,353 44.6% 1,228 6.2% 171

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 KDOT Map of Barton County (map legend)

Cities

Census-designated place

Other unincorporated communities

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.

TownshipFIPSPopulation
center		 PopulationPopulation
density
/km2 (/sq mi)		 Land area
km2 (sq mi)		Water area
km2 (sq mi)		Water % Geographic coordinates
Albion00850581 (2)94 (36)0 (0)0.05%38°33′37″N 98°51′31″W
Beaver049751081 (3)95 (37)0 (0)0.05%38°38′42″N 98°39′18″W
Buffalo090754906 (14)88 (34)0 (0)0.12%38°24′23″N 98°51′47″W
Cheyenne130252381 (4)174 (67)13 (5)6.80%38°31′46″N 98°38′25″W
Clarence134751251 (3)93 (36)0 (0)0%38°23′58″N 98°58′25″W
Cleveland14025691 (2)94 (36)0 (0)0.12%38°39′8″N 98°31′27″W
Comanche151254523 (7)167 (64)0 (0)0.11%38°17′50″N 98°35′59″W
Eureka217501161 (3)93 (36)0 (0)0.24%38°28′49″N 98°51′37″W
Fairview22400Galatia1291 (4)93 (36)0 (0)0.03%38°38′52″N 98°58′8″W
Grant27475791 (2)92 (36)0 (0)0.10%38°33′49″N 98°58′15″W
Great Bend283251,83918 (46)104 (40)1 (0)0.50%38°23′5″N 98°44′50″W
Independent33975Claflin8449 (24)93 (36)0 (0)0.04%38°32′36″N 98°31′36″W
Lakin381252992 (4)172 (67)0 (0)0.23%38°22′59″N 98°33′58″W
Liberty398753214 (9)88 (34)0 (0)0.21%38°18′33″N 98°51′29″W
Logan417501762 (5)93 (36)0 (0)0.06%38°28′59″N 98°31′40″W
North Homestead512001331 (4)92 (36)0 (0)0.06%38°33′44″N 98°45′59″W
Pawnee Rock54900Pawnee Rock5446 (15)93 (36)0 (0)0.05%38°16′59″N 98°59′12″W
South Bend665256827 (19)93 (36)0 (0)0.17%38°18′42″N 98°45′56″W
South Homestead667253434 (10)90 (35)1 (0)1.23%38°29′9″N 98°46′38″W
Union72025Susank1281 (4)94 (36)0 (0)0.20%38°38′46″N 98°45′59″W
Walnut74825Albert, Olmitz4745 (13)93 (36)0 (0)0%38°28′16″N 98°58′8″W
Wheatland77600741 (2)94 (36)0 (0)0.14%38°39′45″N 98°51′48″W
Sources: "Census 2000 U.S. Gazetteer Files". U.S. Census Bureau, Geography Division. Archived from the original on August 2, 2002.

See also

References
  1. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on July 6, 2011. Retrieved July 21, 2014.
  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. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved December 23, 2019.
  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. Retrieved July 21, 2014.
  17. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  18. http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS
  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.

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