Coffey County, Kansas

Not to be confused with Coffeyville, Kansas.

Coffey County
County
Burlington Carnegie Free Library (2016)
Location within the U.S. state of Kansas
Kansas's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 38°14′N95°44′W / 38.233°N 95.733°W / 38.233; -95.733
Country	United States
State	Kansas
Founded	August 25, 1855
Named for	Asbury M. Coffey
Seat	Burlington
Largest city	Burlington
Area
• Total	654 sq mi (1,690 km2)
• Land	627 sq mi (1,620 km2)
• Water	27 sq mi (70 km2)  4.2%
Population  (2020) [1]
• Total	8,360
• Estimate  (2023) [2]	8,251
• Density	13.3/sq mi (5.1/km2)
Time zone	UTC−6 (Central)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−5 (CDT)
Area code	620
Congressional district	2nd
Website	CoffeyCountyKS.org

Coffey County is a county located in Eastern Kansas. Its county seat and most populous city is Burlington. ^[3] As of the 2020 census, the county population was 8,360. ^[1] It was named after A.M. Coffey, a territorial legislator and Free-Stater during Bleeding Kansas era.

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 Kansas Territory was organized, then in 1861 Kansas became the 34th U.S. state. In 1855, Coffey County was established.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 654 square miles (1,690 km²), of which 627 square miles (1,620 km²) is land and 27 square miles (70 km²) (4.2%) is water. ^[4]

Adjacent counties

• Osage County (north)
• Franklin County (northeast)
• Anderson County (east)
• Allen County (southeast)
• Woodson County (south)
• Greenwood County (southwest)
• Lyon County (northwest)

Major highways

Sources: National Atlas, ^[5] U.S. Census Bureau ^[6]

• Interstate 35
• U.S. Route 50
• U.S. Route 75
• K-31
• K-58

National protected area

• Flint Hills National Wildlife Refuge (part)

Demographics

Population pyramid based on 2000 census age data

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1860	2,842		—
1870	6,201		118.2%
1880	11,438		84.5%
1890	15,856		38.6%
1900	16,643		5.0%
1910	15,205		−8.6%
1920	14,254		−6.3%
1930	13,653		−4.2%
1940	12,278		−10.1%
1950	10,408		−15.2%
1960	8,403		−19.3%
1970	7,397		−12.0%
1980	9,370		26.7%
1990	8,404		−10.3%
2000	8,865		5.5%
2010	8,601		−3.0%
2020	8,360		−2.8%
2023 (est.)	8,251	[2]	−1.3%
U.S. Decennial Census [7] 1790-1960 [8] 1900-1990 [9] 1990-2000 [10] 2010-2020 [1]

As of the 2000 census, ^[11] there were 8,865 people, 3,489 households, and 2,477 families residing in the county. The population density was 14 people per square mile (5.4 people/km²). There were 3,876 housing units at an average density of 6 per square mile (2.3/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 96.95% White, 0.25% Black or African American, 0.52% Native American, 0.34% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.50% from other races, and 1.43% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.55% of the population.

There were 3,489 households, out of which 33.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.70% were married couples living together, 6.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.00% were non-families. 26.00% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 2.99.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 26.80% under the age of 18, 6.50% from 18 to 24, 26.40% from 25 to 44, 24.00% from 45 to 64, and 16.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 96.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.50 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $37,839, and the median income for a family was $44,912. Males had a median income of $31,356 versus $20,666 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,337. About 5.00% of families and 6.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.00% of those under age 18 and 9.80% of those age 65 or over.

Government

Presidential elections

Presidential election results

United States presidential election results for Coffey County, Kansas ^[12]

Year	Republican		Democratic		Third party(ies)
	No.	%	No.	%	No.	%
2024	3,323	76.57%	927	21.36%	90	2.07%
2020	3,489	76.43%	964	21.12%	112	2.45%
2016	3,050	74.98%	727	17.87%	291	7.15%
2012	2,903	74.32%	898	22.99%	105	2.69%
2008	3,054	72.16%	1,121	26.49%	57	1.35%
2004	3,259	73.93%	1,093	24.80%	56	1.27%
2000	2,700	66.83%	1,196	29.60%	144	3.56%
1996	2,369	57.92%	1,118	27.33%	603	14.74%
1992	1,824	42.44%	1,021	23.76%	1,453	33.81%
1988	2,581	66.69%	1,246	32.20%	43	1.11%
1984	3,063	74.00%	1,037	25.05%	39	0.94%
1980	2,491	69.16%	938	26.04%	173	4.80%
1976	2,145	56.70%	1,549	40.95%	89	2.35%
1972	2,667	75.70%	782	22.20%	74	2.10%
1968	2,223	63.06%	933	26.47%	369	10.47%
1964	1,998	55.41%	1,594	44.20%	14	0.39%
1960	2,925	69.69%	1,263	30.09%	9	0.21%
1956	3,286	72.24%	1,247	27.41%	16	0.35%
1952	3,731	74.78%	1,239	24.83%	19	0.38%
1948	2,945	61.20%	1,796	37.32%	71	1.48%
1944	3,461	67.28%	1,660	32.27%	23	0.45%
1940	4,164	64.26%	2,272	35.06%	44	0.68%
1936	3,900	59.29%	2,662	40.47%	16	0.24%
1932	2,707	43.77%	3,389	54.80%	88	1.42%
1928	4,342	73.81%	1,514	25.74%	27	0.46%
1924	3,552	62.47%	1,631	28.68%	503	8.85%
1920	3,370	64.20%	1,785	34.01%	94	1.79%
1916	2,799	45.57%	3,121	50.81%	222	3.61%
1912	681	18.73%	1,581	43.48%	1,374	37.79%
1908	2,094	53.38%	1,729	44.07%	100	2.55%
1904	2,164	59.39%	1,280	35.13%	200	5.49%
1900	2,159	50.46%	2,066	48.28%	54	1.26%
1896	2,000	46.84%	2,194	51.38%	76	1.78%
1892	1,769	47.53%	0	0.00%	1,953	52.47%
1888	1,970	52.59%	1,227	32.75%	549	14.66%

Laws

Following amendment to the Kansas Constitution in 1986, Coffey County remained a prohibition, or "dry", county until 2004, when voters approved the sale of alcoholic liquor by the individual drink with a 30 percent food sales requirement. ^[13]

Education

Unified school districts

They include: ^[14]

• Lebo–Waverly USD 243
• Burlington USD 244
• LeRoy–Gridley USD 245 (Southern Coffey County)

School district office in neighboring county ^[14]

• Southern Lyon County USD 252
• Garnett USD 365

Communities

2005 map of Coffey County (map legend)

List of townships / incorporated cities / unincorporated communities / extinct former communities within Coffey County. ^[15]

Cities

• Burlington (county seat)
• Gridley
• Lebo
• LeRoy
• New Strawn
• Waverly

Unincorporated communities

• Agricola
• Aliceville
• Halls Summit
• Ottumwa
• Sharpe

Townships

Coffey County is divided into fourteen townships. The city of Burlington 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
Avon	03550		183	2 (6)	80 (31)	0 (0)	0.40%	38°10′1″N95°35′16″W / 38.16694°N 95.58778°W / 38.16694; -95.58778
Burlington	09425		300	4 (10)	81 (31)	0 (0)	0.48%	38°10′40″N95°45′18″W / 38.17778°N 95.75500°W / 38.17778; -95.75500
Hampden	29775		114	2 (5)	56 (22)	20 (8)	26.43%	38°12′14″N95°42′10″W / 38.20389°N 95.70278°W / 38.20389; -95.70278
Key West	36650		237	2 (5)	123 (48)	1 (0)	0.68%	38°23′53″N95°44′50″W / 38.39806°N 95.74722°W / 38.39806; -95.74722
Le Roy	39675		669	12 (32)	54 (21)	0 (0)	0.39%	38°5′2″N95°38′5″W / 38.08389°N 95.63472°W / 38.08389; -95.63472
Liberty	39925		634	3 (9)	186 (72)	1 (0)	0.57%	38°6′0″N95°53′7″W / 38.10000°N 95.88528°W / 38.10000; -95.88528
Lincoln	40550		1,268	7 (18)	181 (70)	3 (1)	1.60%	38°23′24″N95°52′34″W / 38.39000°N 95.87611°W / 38.39000; -95.87611
Neosho	49750		140	1 (3)	124 (48)	0 (0)	0.34%	38°5′38″N95°44′1″W / 38.09389°N 95.73361°W / 38.09389; -95.73361
Ottumwa	53700		740	6 (16)	122 (47)	15 (6)	11.06%	38°16′54″N95°44′34″W / 38.28167°N 95.74278°W / 38.28167; -95.74278
Pleasant	56225		272	2 (4)	158 (61)	18 (7)	10.40%	38°13′57″N95°53′38″W / 38.23250°N 95.89389°W / 38.23250; -95.89389
Pottawatomie	57200		217	2 (4)	140 (54)	1 (0)	0.87%	38°17′28″N95°35′20″W / 38.29111°N 95.58889°W / 38.29111; -95.58889
Rock Creek	60500		1,025	7 (19)	140 (54)	1 (1)	1.00%	38°24′4″N95°35′26″W / 38.40111°N 95.59056°W / 38.40111; -95.59056
Spring Creek	67375		118	1 (3)	90 (35)	1 (0)	0.76%	38°5′31″N95°34′50″W / 38.09194°N 95.58056°W / 38.09194; -95.58056
Star	68000		158	2 (5)	90 (35)	1 (0)	1.15%	38°13′40″N95°36′27″W / 38.22778°N 95.60750°W / 38.22778; -95.60750
Sources: "Census 2000 U.S. Gazetteer Files". U.S. Census Bureau, Geography Division. Archived from the original on August 2, 2002.

Notable people

• Alan L. Hart (1890–1962), transgender physician, radiologist, tuberculosis researcher, writer, and novelist

See also

• Kansas portal

Community information for Kansas

• Kansas locations by per capita income
• List of counties in Kansas
• List of townships in Kansas
• List of cities in Kansas
• List of unincorporated communities in Kansas
• List of ghost towns in Kansas

References

1. "QuickFacts; Coffey County, Kansas; Population, Census, 2020 & 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on August 16, 2021. Retrieved August 15, 2021.
2. "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 24, 2024.
3. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
4. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
5. National Atlas Archived December 5, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
6. U.S. Census Bureau TIGER shape files
7. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 22, 2014.
8. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Archived from the original on August 11, 2012. Retrieved July 22, 2014.
9. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 22, 2014.
10. "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 22, 2014.
11. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved January 31, 2008.
12. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections".
13. "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.
14. "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Coffey County, KS" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau . Retrieved November 10, 2024. - Text list
15. "General Highway Map of Coffey County, Kansas" (PDF). Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT). November 2008. Archived (PDF) from the original on June 9, 2023.

Further reading

See also: List of books about Kansas, including historical information about its counties and cities

• Standard Atlas of Coffey County, Kansas; Geo. A. Ogle & Co; 69 pages; 1919.
• Plat Book of Coffey County, Kansas; North West Publishing Co; 40 pages; 1901.
• An Illustrated Historical Atlas of Coffey County, Kansas; Edwards Brothers; 44 pages; 1878.

External links

County

• Coffey County - Official
• Coffey County - Directory of Public Officials

Maps

• Coffey County Maps: Current, Historic, KDOT
• Kansas Highway Maps: Current, Historic, KDOT
• Kansas Railroad Maps: Current, 1996, 1915, KDOT and Kansas Historical Society