Pawnee County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kansas. Its county seat and largest city is Larned.[2] As of the 2020 census, the county population was 6,253.[1] The county is named after the Pawnee tribe.[3]
Pawnee County | |
|---|---|
 Pawnee County Courthouse in Larned (2009) | |
 Location within the U.S. state of Kansas | |
 Kansas's location within the U.S. | |
| Coordinates: 38°09′N 99°12′W / 38.15°N 99.2°W | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  Kansas |
| Founded | February 26, 1867 |
| Named for | Pawnee tribe |
| Seat | Larned |
| Largest city | Larned |
| Area | |
• Total | 755 sq mi (1,960 km2) |
| • Land | 754 sq mi (1,950 km2) |
| • Water | 0.4 sq mi (1 km2) 0.05% |
| Population | |
• Total | 6,253 |
| • Density | 8.3/sq mi (3.2/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−6 (Central) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (CDT) |
| Congressional districts | 1st, 4th |
| Website | pawneecountykansas.com |
Agriculture remains a cornerstone of Pawnee County's economy, with the county being one of the state's leading producers of winter wheat. Other agricultural products include oilseed, grain, vegetables, melons, and cotton. The county also supports beef cattle ranching and feedlots.[4]
History
editPawnee County was established in 1867 and organized in 1872. The county derives its name from the Pawnee Indian tribe, who historically inhabited the region. Prior to its establishment as Pawnee County, the area was contained in the old Washington County, Peketon County, and later Marion County.[4]
Ford Larned was established near the site of present-day Larned, Kansas between 1859 and 1860 to provide protection for wagon trains traversing the Santa Fe Trail. Notably, in January 1863, a wagon train was stopped by a starving band Cheyenne and Arapaho Indians. After refusing the Indians' request for supplies, the wagon train was attacked and all but one of the teamsters killed. The survivor sought refuge at Ford Larned.[4]
Against this background of increasing tension in the region, Fort Larned became a base of operations for Major General Winfield Hancock's campaign against the Plains tribes. After Hancock requested reinforcements from U.S. Seventh Cavalry, led by Lieutenant Colonel George A. Custer, Custer began a campaign against the Cheyenne culminating in their defeat in the Battle of the Washita River in Oklahoma.[4]
Additionally, Fort Larned played a vital role in safeguarding railroad construction workers, distributing treaty-established annuities to the Indians, and serving as a Bureau of Indian Affairs office during the 1860s. While the fort officially closed in 1878, a detachment from Fort Dodge remained stationed there until 1883.[4]
Geography
editAccording to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 755 square miles (1,960 km2), of which 754 square miles (1,950 km2) is land and 0.4 square miles (1.0 km2) (0.05%) is water.[5]
Adjacent counties
edit- Rush County (north)
- Barton County (northeast)
- Stafford County (east)
- Edwards County (south)
- Hodgeman County (west)
- Ness County (northwest)
National protected area
editDemographics
edit
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1870 | 179 | — | |
| 1880 | 5,396 | 2,914.5% | |
| 1890 | 5,204 | −3.6% | |
| 1900 | 5,084 | −2.3% | |
| 1910 | 8,859 | 74.3% | |
| 1920 | 9,323 | 5.2% | |
| 1930 | 10,510 | 12.7% | |
| 1940 | 10,300 | −2.0% | |
| 1950 | 11,041 | 7.2% | |
| 1960 | 10,254 | −7.1% | |
| 1970 | 8,484 | −17.3% | |
| 1980 | 8,065 | −4.9% | |
| 1990 | 7,555 | −6.3% | |
| 2000 | 7,233 | −4.3% | |
| 2010 | 6,973 | −3.6% | |
| 2020 | 6,253 | −10.3% | |
| 2023 (est.) | 6,126 | [6] | −2.0% |
| U.S. Decennial Census[7] 1790-1960[8] 1900-1990[9] 1990-2000[10] 2010-2020[1] | |||
As of the census[11] of 2000, there were 7,233 people, 2,739 households, and 1,785 families residing in the county. The population density was 10 people per square mile (3.9 people/km2). There were 3,114 housing units at an average density of 4 per square mile (1.5/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 90.96% White, 5.00% Black or African American, 0.95% Native American, 0.57% Asian, 1.22% from other races, and 1.30% from two or more races. 4.16% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 2,739 households, out of which 29.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.80% were married couples living together, 7.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.80% were non-families. 32.20% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.31 and the average family size was 2.91.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 24.20% under the age of 18, 7.30% from 18 to 24, 25.40% from 25 to 44, 24.60% from 45 to 64, and 18.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 112.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 112.70 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $35,175, and the median income for a family was $45,634. Males had a median income of $26,751 versus $20,931 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,584. About 5.40% of families and 11.80% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.00% of those under age 18 and 9.90% of those age 65 or over.
Government
editPresidential elections
editPawnee County has been primarily Republican for the majority of its history. However, there have been multiple stretches where it was considered a swing county, backing the national winner in all presidential elections from 1904 to 1936 as well as 1964 to 1988. It has trended away from bellwether status since 1988 however.
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 2024 | 1,971 | 74.97% | 612 | 23.28% | 46 | 1.75% |
| 2020 | 2,045 | 74.66% | 643 | 23.48% | 51 | 1.86% |
| 2016 | 1,904 | 71.55% | 579 | 21.76% | 178 | 6.69% |
| 2012 | 1,836 | 70.40% | 718 | 27.53% | 54 | 2.07% |
| 2008 | 1,946 | 67.59% | 882 | 30.64% | 51 | 1.77% |
| 2004 | 2,172 | 72.69% | 773 | 25.87% | 43 | 1.44% |
| 2000 | 1,850 | 62.93% | 968 | 32.93% | 122 | 4.15% |
| 1996 | 1,927 | 61.10% | 932 | 29.55% | 295 | 9.35% |
| 1992 | 1,357 | 37.85% | 1,118 | 31.19% | 1,110 | 30.96% |
| 1988 | 1,825 | 54.11% | 1,474 | 43.70% | 74 | 2.19% |
| 1984 | 2,570 | 68.90% | 1,092 | 29.28% | 68 | 1.82% |
| 1980 | 2,170 | 58.79% | 1,184 | 32.08% | 337 | 9.13% |
| 1976 | 1,692 | 45.11% | 1,959 | 52.23% | 100 | 2.67% |
| 1972 | 2,370 | 65.83% | 1,110 | 30.83% | 120 | 3.33% |
| 1968 | 2,037 | 54.19% | 1,416 | 37.67% | 306 | 8.14% |
| 1964 | 1,468 | 36.03% | 2,577 | 63.25% | 29 | 0.71% |
| 1960 | 2,618 | 58.32% | 1,853 | 41.28% | 18 | 0.40% |
| 1956 | 2,788 | 63.73% | 1,567 | 35.82% | 20 | 0.46% |
| 1952 | 3,431 | 71.12% | 1,340 | 27.78% | 53 | 1.10% |
| 1948 | 2,221 | 52.44% | 1,945 | 45.93% | 69 | 1.63% |
| 1944 | 2,057 | 54.05% | 1,727 | 45.38% | 22 | 0.58% |
| 1940 | 2,329 | 50.77% | 2,216 | 48.31% | 42 | 0.92% |
| 1936 | 1,753 | 38.31% | 2,814 | 61.49% | 9 | 0.20% |
| 1932 | 1,889 | 42.52% | 2,451 | 55.17% | 103 | 2.32% |
| 1928 | 2,829 | 75.18% | 918 | 24.40% | 16 | 0.43% |
| 1924 | 2,407 | 62.54% | 1,111 | 28.86% | 331 | 8.60% |
| 1920 | 2,128 | 63.98% | 1,138 | 34.22% | 60 | 1.80% |
| 1916 | 1,499 | 38.72% | 2,131 | 55.05% | 241 | 6.23% |
| 1912 | 366 | 16.25% | 1,050 | 46.63% | 836 | 37.12% |
| 1908 | 1,000 | 48.43% | 961 | 46.54% | 104 | 5.04% |
| 1904 | 957 | 60.80% | 494 | 31.39% | 123 | 7.81% |
| 1900 | 684 | 48.00% | 727 | 51.02% | 14 | 0.98% |
| 1896 | 499 | 43.28% | 635 | 55.07% | 19 | 1.65% |
| 1892 | 670 | 47.86% | 0 | 0.00% | 730 | 52.14% |
| 1888 | 895 | 61.94% | 303 | 20.97% | 247 | 17.09% |
Laws
editFollowing amendment to the Kansas Constitution in 1986, Pawnee County remained a prohibition, or "dry", county until 1992, when voters approved the sale of alcoholic liquor by the individual drink with a 30 percent food sales requirement.[13]
Education
editUnified school districts
editCommunities
edit
List of townships / incorporated cities / unincorporated communities / extinct former communities within Pawnee County.[14]
Cities
editUnincorporated communities
editTownships
editPawnee County is divided into twenty-one townships. The city of Larned 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.
| Township | FIPS | Population center |
Population | Population density /km2 (/sq mi) |
Land area km2 (sq mi) |
Water area km2 (sq mi) |
Water % | Geographic coordinates |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ash Valley | 02825 | 49 | 1 (1) | 95 (37) | 0 (0) | 0.07% | 38°18′46″N 99°12′37″W / 38.31278°N 99.21028°W | |
| Browns Grove | 08750 | 310 | 3 (9) | 93 (36) | 0 (0) | 0% | 38°12′1″N 99°31′12″W / 38.20028°N 99.52000°W | |
| Conkling | 15225 | 26 | 0 (1) | 94 (36) | 0 (0) | 0.07% | 38°18′46″N 99°18′57″W / 38.31278°N 99.31583°W | |
| Garfield | 25775 | 259 | 3 (7) | 93 (36) | 0 (0) | 0.03% | 38°2′55″N 99°16′50″W / 38.04861°N 99.28056°W | |
| Grant | 27925 | 234 | 3 (7) | 92 (36) | 0 (0) | 0.04% | 38°11′54″N 99°24′18″W / 38.19833°N 99.40500°W | |
| Keysville | 36625 | 55 | 1 (2) | 94 (36) | 0 (0) | 0% | 38°8′2″N 99°25′12″W / 38.13389°N 99.42000°W | |
| Larned | 38725 | 266 | 3 (8) | 87 (34) | 0 (0) | 0% | 38°12′38″N 99°4′5″W / 38.21056°N 99.06806°W | |
| Lincoln | 40975 | 28 | 0 (1) | 93 (36) | 0 (0) | 0.12% | 38°17′55″N 99°24′33″W / 38.29861°N 99.40917°W | |
| Logan | 42075 | 48 | 1 (1) | 93 (36) | 0 (0) | 0.07% | 38°7′34″N 98°57′31″W / 38.12611°N 98.95861°W | |
| Morton | 48525 | 56 | 1 (2) | 92 (36) | 0 (0) | 0% | 38°12′40″N 99°18′19″W / 38.21111°N 99.30528°W | |
| Orange | 53000 | 73 | 1 (2) | 92 (36) | 0 (0) | 0% | 38°3′2″N 99°11′46″W / 38.05056°N 99.19611°W | |
| Pawnee | 54800 | 82 | 1 (2) | 93 (36) | 0 (0) | 0.06% | 38°11′45″N 99°11′54″W / 38.19583°N 99.19833°W | |
| Pleasant Grove | 56400 | 230 | 2 (6) | 93 (36) | 0 (0) | 0.22% | 38°9′20″N 99°5′13″W / 38.15556°N 99.08694°W | |
| Pleasant Ridge | 56475 | 56 | 1 (2) | 93 (36) | 0 (0) | 0.02% | 38°7′25″N 99°18′6″W / 38.12361°N 99.30167°W | |
| Pleasant Valley | 56600 | 128 | 1 (4) | 93 (36) | 0 (0) | 0% | 38°2′11″N 99°4′4″W / 38.03639°N 99.06778°W | |
| River | 60050 | 87 | 1 (2) | 92 (36) | 0 (0) | 0% | 38°13′19″N 98°57′44″W / 38.22194°N 98.96222°W | |
| Santa Fe | 63025 | 788 | 9 (22) | 92 (36) | 0 (0) | 0% | 38°9′0″N 99°10′37″W / 38.15000°N 99.17694°W | |
| Sawmill | 63250 | 24 | 0 (1) | 93 (36) | 0 (0) | 0.07% | 38°8′19″N 99°30′22″W / 38.13861°N 99.50611°W | |
| Shiley | 65275 | 28 | 0 (1) | 94 (36) | 0 (0) | 0.15% | 38°18′12″N 99°32′20″W / 38.30333°N 99.53889°W | |
| Valley Center | 73225 | 57 | 1 (2) | 92 (35) | 0 (0) | 0.07% | 38°3′4″N 98°57′47″W / 38.05111°N 98.96306°W | |
| Walnut | 75050 | 113 | 1 (3) | 93 (36) | 0 (0) | 0.08% | 38°18′44″N 99°4′44″W / 38.31222°N 99.07889°W |
See also
edit
- Community information for Kansas
References
edit- ^ a b c "QuickFacts; Pawnee County, Kansas; Population, Census, 2020 & 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on August 19, 2021. Retrieved August 19, 2021.
- ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
- ^ Swanton, John Reed (1952). The Indian Tribes of North America. US Government Printing Office. p. 290. ISBN 978-0-8063-1730-4.
- ^ a b c d e "Pawnee County, Kansas - Kansapedia - Kansas Historical Society". www.kshs.org. Retrieved February 13, 2024.
- ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
- ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 3, 2024.
- ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 28, 2014.
- ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved July 28, 2014.
- ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 28, 2014.
- ^ "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 28, 2014.
- ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
- ^ "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections".
- ^ "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 26, 2007.
- ^ a b "General Highway Map of Pawnee County, Kansas" (PDF). Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT). October 2010. Archived (PDF) from the original on June 3, 2023.
Further reading
edit- County
- Along the Old Trail; Tucker Vernon Co; 190 pages; 1910. History of Pawnee County (page 113 to 134). Larned and Pawnee County at Present (page 135 to 190).
- Atlas and Plat Book of Pawnee County, Kansas; Kenyon Co; 37 pages; 1916.
- Plat Book of Pawnee County, Kansas; North West Publishing Co; 36 pages; 1902.
- Trails
- The Story of the Marking of the Santa Fe Trail by the Daughters of the American Revolution in Kansas and the State of Kansas; Almira Cordry; Crane Co; 164 pages; 1915. (Download 4MB PDF eBook)
- The National Old Trails Road To Southern California, Part 1 (LA to KC); Automobile Club Of Southern California; 64 pages; 1916. (Download 6.8MB PDF eBook)
External links
edit
- County
- Maps