Harper County, Kansas

Harper County
County
Harper County Courthouse in Anthony (2015)
Location within the U.S. state of Kansas
Kansas's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 37°12′N98°05′W / 37.200°N 98.083°W / 37.200; -98.083
Country	United States
State	Kansas
Founded	February 26, 1867
Named for	Marion Harper
Seat	Anthony
Largest city	Anthony
Area
• Total	803 sq mi (2,080 km2)
• Land	801 sq mi (2,070 km2)
• Water	1.5 sq mi (4 km2)  0.2%
Population  (2020) [1]
• Total	5,485
• Estimate  (2023) [2]	5,435
• Density	6.8/sq mi (2.6/km2)
Time zone	UTC−6 (Central)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−5 (CDT)
Area code	620
Congressional district	4th
Website	HarperCountyKS.gov

Harper County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kansas. Its county seat and most populous city is Anthony. ^[3] As of the 2020 census, the county population was 5,485. ^[1] The county was named for Sergeant Marion Harper of the 2nd Kansas Cavalry, who died in battle during the American Civil War. ^[4]

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 1867, Harper County was established.

The original organization of Harper County was one of the largest frauds in county government. In 1873, a group of three men organized Harper County, designating the then fictitious city of "Bluff City" as the county seat. The petition for organization used several names out of a Cincinnati city directory to represent as residents of Harper County. ^[5] In 1874, the state attorney general investigated, and found not a single resident of the county. The "founders" of the county had sold $40,000 worth of bonds. ^[6]

Harper County was settled starting in 1877, and the county was organized for a second time in 1878 by the Glenn and Robinson families. Since Bluff City could not be shown to have existed, Anthony was designated as the temporary county seat. In an election in 1879, Anthony won as county seat even though 2,960 votes were cast in a county with 800 legal voters. ^[6]

21st century

Due to new and high-paying jobs at area oil fields and wind farms, Harper County experienced an economic boom; as of 2012, rental housing and office space in towns such as Danville, Harper, and Anthony had more than quadrupled in price, in properties ranging from double-wide trailers to a Carnegie library. ^[7] However, by 2016, the oil fracking boom had largely played out and the economies of Harper and adjacent counties suffered under the impact. ^[8] Earthquakes, due to induced seismicity from injection wells, had also substantially reduced in frequency and intensity, thanks to a Kansas Corporation Commission order mandating cutbacks in volumes and pressures. SandRidge Energy, which along with Chesapeake Energy was one of the two major producers in Harper county, appealed the order, but soon went into bankruptcy. ^{[9] [10] [11]}

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 803 square miles (2,080 km²), of which 801 square miles (2,070 km²) is land and 1.5 square miles (3.9 km²) (0.2%) is water. ^[12]

Adjacent counties

• Kingman County (north)
• Sumner County (east)
• Grant County, Oklahoma (southeast)
• Alfalfa County, Oklahoma (southwest)
• Barber County (west)

Demographics

Population pyramid based on 2000 census age data

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1880	4,133		—
1890	13,266		221.0%
1900	10,310		−22.3%
1910	14,748		43.0%
1920	13,656		−7.4%
1930	12,823		−6.1%
1940	12,068		−5.9%
1950	10,263		−15.0%
1960	9,541		−7.0%
1970	7,871		−17.5%
1980	7,778		−1.2%
1990	7,124		−8.4%
2000	6,536		−8.3%
2010	6,034		−7.7%
2020	5,485		−9.1%
2023 (est.)	5,435	[2]	−0.9%
U.S. Decennial Census [13] 1790-1960 [14] 1900-1990 [15] 1990-2000 [16] 2010-2020 [1]

As of the 2000 census, ^{[17] [ needs update ]} there were 6,536 people, 2,773 households, and 1,807 families residing in the county. The population density was 8 people per square mile (3.1 people/km²). There were 3,270 housing units at an average density of 4 per square mile (1.5/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 97.23% White, 0.83% Native American, 0.23% Black or African American, 0.14% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.38% from other races, and 1.18% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.07% of the population.

There were 2,773 households, out of which 27.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.30% were married couples living together, 6.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.80% were non-families. 32.10% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.30 and the average family size was 2.90.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 24.70% under the age of 18, 6.60% from 18 to 24, 22.00% from 25 to 44, 23.50% from 45 to 64, and 23.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females there were 93.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.40 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $29,776, and the median income for a family was $39,866. Males had a median income of $27,869 versus $20,000 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,368. About 8.50% of families and 11.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.70% of those under age 18 and 7.70% of those age 65 or over.

Government

Presidential elections

Presidential election results

United States presidential election results for Harper County, Kansas ^[18]

Year	Republican		Democratic		Third party(ies)
	No.	%	No.	%	No.	%
2024	2,017	80.94%	431	17.30%	44	1.77%
2020	2,168	80.96%	461	17.21%	49	1.83%
2016	1,996	77.16%	393	15.19%	198	7.65%
2012	1,759	73.63%	550	23.02%	80	3.35%
2008	1,999	71.49%	736	26.32%	61	2.18%
2004	2,154	73.52%	727	24.81%	49	1.67%
2000	2,076	67.95%	869	28.45%	110	3.60%
1996	1,941	61.44%	836	26.46%	382	12.09%
1992	1,371	40.59%	845	25.01%	1,162	34.40%
1988	1,941	59.39%	1,235	37.79%	92	2.82%
1984	2,521	73.09%	893	25.89%	35	1.01%
1980	2,254	64.18%	990	28.19%	268	7.63%
1976	1,777	50.00%	1,681	47.30%	96	2.70%
1972	2,628	75.71%	729	21.00%	114	3.28%
1968	2,351	63.99%	1,015	27.63%	308	8.38%
1964	1,969	51.68%	1,813	47.59%	28	0.73%
1960	3,158	68.33%	1,439	31.13%	25	0.54%
1956	3,111	69.99%	1,311	29.49%	23	0.52%
1952	3,575	78.62%	927	20.39%	45	0.99%
1948	2,702	59.25%	1,752	38.42%	106	2.32%
1944	2,849	63.76%	1,573	35.21%	46	1.03%
1940	3,205	55.73%	2,478	43.09%	68	1.18%
1936	2,441	41.70%	3,391	57.93%	22	0.38%
1932	2,116	41.13%	2,860	55.59%	169	3.28%
1928	3,712	77.85%	1,005	21.08%	51	1.07%
1924	2,280	53.25%	1,321	30.85%	681	15.90%
1920	2,593	61.65%	1,486	35.33%	127	3.02%
1916	1,797	36.79%	2,648	54.22%	439	8.99%
1912	365	11.63%	1,274	40.60%	1,499	47.77%
1908	1,490	48.46%	1,404	45.66%	181	5.89%
1904	1,459	61.72%	597	25.25%	308	13.03%
1900	1,190	47.04%	1,261	49.84%	79	3.12%
1896	812	37.37%	1,332	61.30%	29	1.33%
1892	1,288	38.57%	0	0.00%	2,051	61.43%
1888	1,490	48.79%	940	30.78%	624	20.43%

Laws

Following amendment to the Kansas Constitution in 1986, Harper County remained a prohibition, or "dry", county until 2006, when voters approved the sale of alcoholic liquor by the individual drink with a 30% food sales requirement. ^[19]

Education

Unified school districts

• Chaparral USD 361
• Attica USD 511

Communities

2005 map of Harper County (map legend)

List of townships / incorporated cities / unincorporated communities / extinct former communities within Harper County. ^[20]

Cities

• Anthony (county seat)
• Attica
• Bluff City
• Danville
• Harper
• Waldron

Unincorporated communities

• Corwin
• Crystal Springs
• Duquoin
• Freeport
• Runnymede

Ghost Towns

• Albion
• Crisfield
• Midway
• Ruella
• Shook
• Yankton

Townships

The townships of Harper County (Townships are numbers in counter-clockwise order, with Township 1 highlighted in red).

Harper County is divided into six townships. The cities of Anthony and Harper 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.

Harper County is one of only four counties in Kansas that have numbered, not named, townships. The other three are Morris County, Pratt County, and Rooks County.

Township	FIPS	Population center	Population	Population density /km2 (/sq mi)	Land area km2 (sq mi)	Water area km2 (sq mi)	Water %	Geographic coordinates
Township 1	71201		1,000	2 (6)	468 (181)	1 (0)	0.12%	37°15′23″N98°14′0″W / 37.25639°N 98.23333°W / 37.25639; -98.23333
Township 2	71205		144	0 (1)	363 (140)	1 (0)	0.23%	37°4′23″N98°14′22″W / 37.07306°N 98.23944°W / 37.07306; -98.23944
Township 3	71209		394	1 (3)	383 (148)	2 (1)	0.44%	37°7′58″N98°2′7″W / 37.13278°N 98.03528°W / 37.13278; -98.03528
Township 4	71213		232	1 (2)	297 (115)	0 (0)	0.06%	37°7′2″N97°51′45″W / 37.11722°N 97.86250°W / 37.11722; -97.86250
Township 5	71217		463	2 (4)	277 (107)	0 (0)	0.16%	37°15′47″N97°56′23″W / 37.26306°N 97.93972°W / 37.26306; -97.93972
Township 6	71221		296	1 (3)	280 (108)	0 (0)	0.06%	37°20′26″N97°58′17″W / 37.34056°N 97.97139°W / 37.34056; -97.97139
Sources: "Census 2000 U.S. Gazetteer Files". U.S. Census Bureau, Geography Division. Archived from the original on August 2, 2002.

See also

• Kansas portal

• National Register of Historic Places listings in Harper County, Kansas

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
• Dry counties

References

1. "QuickFacts; Harper County, Kansas; Population, Census, 2020 & 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on August 17, 2021. Retrieved August 16, 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. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
4. Kansas Place-Names, John Rydjord, University of Oklahoma Press, 1972, ISBN   0-8061-0994-7
5. Blackmar, Frank Wilson (1912). Kansas: A Cyclopedia of State History, Embracing Events, Institutions, Industries, Counties, Cities, Towns, Prominent Persons, Etc. Standard Publishing Company. ISBN   9780722249055.
6. Cutler, William G. (1883). History of the State of Kansas. A.T. Andreas. Archived from the original on December 31, 2002.
7. Blake Ellis (June 1, 2012). "Where trailer homes rent for $2,000 a month". CNN Money. CNN.com. Retrieved June 2, 2012.
8. Downward flow's ripples: Oil, gas downturn hitting counties on many levels, Kansas Agland, Amy Bickel, February 13, 2016. Retrieved March 26, 2017.
9. Fracking divides small town of Anthony, Kansas, University Daily Kansan , Rebecca Dowd, July 12, 2015. Retrieved March 26, 2017.
10. Increasing Number Of Earthquakes Prompts New Regulations In Kansas, Oklahoma Oil Industries, KMUW , Abigail Beckman, January 11, 2016. Retrieved March 26, 2017.
11. SandRidge Energy emerges from bankruptcy, The Oklahoman , Adam Wilmoth, October 4, 2016. Retrieved March 26, 2017.
12. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
13. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 26, 2014.
14. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved July 26, 2014.
15. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 26, 2014.
16. "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 26, 2014.
17. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved January 31, 2008.
18. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections".
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 26, 2007.
20. "General Highway Map of Harper County, Kansas" (PDF). Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT). June 2010. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 3, 2023.

Notes

Further reading

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

• Standard Atlas of Harper County, Kansas; Geo. A. Ogle & Co; 75 pages; 1919.
• Standard Atlas of Harper County, Kansas; Geo. A. Ogle & Co; 54 pages; 1902.

External links

County

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

Maps

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