Harvey County, Kansas

Harvey County
County
Former Carnegie Library in Kansas, currently is the Harvey County Historical Museum
Location within the U.S. state of Kansas
Kansas's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 38°03′N97°26′W / 38.050°N 97.433°W / 38.050; -97.433
Country	United States
State	Kansas
Founded	March 7, 1872
Named after	James Harvey
Seat	Newton
Largest city	Newton
Area
• Total	541 sq mi (1,400 km2)
• Land	540 sq mi (1,400 km2)
Population  (2020) [1]
• Total	34,024
• Estimate  (2023) [2]	33,504
• Density	63.0/sq mi (24.3/km2)
Time zone	UTC−6 (Central)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district	4th
Website	harveycounty.com

Harvey County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kansas. Its county seat and most populous city is Newton. ^[3] As of the 2020 census, the county population was 34,024. ^[1] The county was named for James Harvey, a U.S. senator and the fifth governor of Kansas.

History

See also: History of Kansas

In 1854, the Kansas Territory was organized, then in 1861 Kansas became the 34th U.S. state.

In 1871, the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway extended a main line from Emporia to Newton. ^[4] The next year, in 1872, Harvey County was founded from portions of McPherson, Marion, and Sedgwick counties, and named in honor of the fifth Governor of Kansas James M. Harvey, with Newton designated the county seat. ^{[5] [6]}

The first settlers arrived in 1869, and by 1871, there was already significant pressure to organize a new county in what was then the northern portion of Sedgwick County, an effort which succeeded in 1872. The early years of Harvey County's government were dogged by persistent public discontent over missing records and financial irregularities, but by the mid-1870s confidence in the county's government was restored and the county grew rapidly, particularly with the arrival of large numbers of Mennonite settlers in 1872. ^[6]

The county developed quickly, with churches, schools, and businesses established within a few years of its founding. Despite early hardship from prairie fires, storms, and the devastating grasshopper plague of 1874, Harvey County rebounded with strong agricultural output and infrastructure improvements. The county's abundant water resources, fertile farmland, and natural materials like gypsum and limestone further strengthened its economy. By 1910, Harvey County had a population of 19,200 and no public debt, a rare achievement among Kansas counties at that time. ^[6]

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 541 square miles (1,400 km²), of which 540 square miles (1,400 km²) is land and 1.0 square mile (2.6 km²) (0.2%) is water. ^[7] The Little Arkansas River flows through the county.

Adjacent counties

• Marion County (northeast)
• Butler County (east)
• Sedgwick County (south)
• Reno County (west)
• McPherson County (northwest)

Demographics

Population pyramid based on 2000 census age data

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1880	11,451		—
1890	17,601		53.7%
1900	17,591		−0.1%
1910	19,200		9.1%
1920	20,744		8.0%
1930	22,120		6.6%
1940	21,712		−1.8%
1950	21,698		−0.1%
1960	25,865		19.2%
1970	27,236		5.3%
1980	30,531		12.1%
1990	31,028		1.6%
2000	32,869		5.9%
2010	34,684		5.5%
2020	34,024		−1.9%
2023 (est.)	33,504	[2]	−1.5%
U.S. Decennial Census [8] 1790-1960 [9] 1900-1990 [10] 1990-2000 [11] 2010-2020 [1]

Harvey County is part of the Wichita, KS Metropolitan Statistical Area.

2000 census

As of the 2000 census, ^[12] there were 32,869 people, 12,581 households, and 8,932 families residing in the county. The population density was 61 inhabitants per square mile (24/km²). There were 13,378 housing units at an average density of 25 per square mile (9.7/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 91.04% White, 1.59% Black or African American, 0.52% Native American, 0.52% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 4.17% from other races, and 2.14% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 7.97% of the population.

There were 12,581 households, out of which 32.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.20% were married couples living together, 7.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.00% were non-families. 25.80% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 3.00.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 26.00% under the age of 18, 9.10% from 18 to 24, 26.50% from 25 to 44, 21.60% from 45 to 64, and 16.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.60 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $40,907, and the median income for a family was $48,793. Males had a median income of $35,037 versus $22,492 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,715. About 4.20% of families and 6.40% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.50% of those under age 18 and 5.00% of those age 65 or over.

Government

Presidential elections

Presidential election results

United States presidential election results for Harvey County, Kansas ^[13]

Year	Republican		Democratic		Third party(ies)
	No.	%	No.	%	No.	%
2024	9,591	59.32%	6,202	38.36%	376	2.33%
2020	10,182	58.52%	6,747	38.78%	470	2.70%
2016	8,668	57.34%	5,068	33.53%	1,380	9.13%
2012	8,588	60.08%	5,373	37.59%	333	2.33%
2008	9,006	57.40%	6,318	40.27%	367	2.34%
2004	9,534	63.10%	5,331	35.28%	245	1.62%
2000	8,271	60.44%	4,591	33.55%	822	6.01%
1996	8,382	57.79%	4,918	33.91%	1,204	8.30%
1992	6,259	41.71%	5,047	33.63%	3,700	24.66%
1988	6,893	54.23%	5,503	43.29%	315	2.48%
1984	8,507	64.06%	4,599	34.63%	174	1.31%
1980	7,045	54.56%	4,173	32.32%	1,694	13.12%
1976	6,624	51.00%	6,003	46.22%	360	2.77%
1972	8,287	67.23%	3,555	28.84%	485	3.93%
1968	6,682	61.64%	3,351	30.91%	808	7.45%
1964	4,979	47.81%	5,306	50.95%	130	1.25%
1960	7,798	68.38%	3,537	31.02%	69	0.61%
1956	7,367	70.20%	3,084	29.39%	43	0.41%
1952	7,154	70.87%	2,726	27.00%	215	2.13%
1948	5,270	57.72%	3,615	39.59%	245	2.68%
1944	5,339	61.35%	3,300	37.92%	64	0.74%
1940	5,539	56.76%	4,087	41.88%	133	1.36%
1936	4,456	45.28%	5,357	54.44%	28	0.28%
1932	4,192	49.28%	4,091	48.09%	224	2.63%
1928	6,330	77.62%	1,748	21.43%	77	0.94%
1924	4,499	58.96%	1,744	22.86%	1,387	18.18%
1920	4,454	63.09%	2,457	34.80%	149	2.11%
1916	3,479	48.98%	3,131	44.08%	493	6.94%
1912	703	17.70%	1,499	37.74%	1,770	44.56%
1908	2,305	58.30%	1,475	37.30%	174	4.40%
1904	2,362	70.66%	690	20.64%	291	8.70%
1900	2,266	56.65%	1,658	41.45%	76	1.90%
1896	2,082	54.57%	1,678	43.98%	55	1.44%
1892	2,025	52.80%	0	0.00%	1,810	47.20%
1888	2,145	54.25%	1,065	26.93%	744	18.82%

Laws

Following amendment to the Kansas Constitution in 1986, the county remained a prohibition, or "dry", county until 1996, when voters approved the sale of alcoholic liquor by the individual drink with a 30% food sales requirement. ^[14]

The county voted "No" on the 2022 Kansas abortion referendum, an anti-abortion ballot measure, by 53% to 47% despite backing Donald Trump with 59% of the vote to Joe Biden's 39% in the 2020 presidential election. ^[15]

Education

Colleges

• Bethel College in North Newton
• Hesston College in Hesston

Unified school districts

• Burrton USD 369
• Newton USD 373
• Sedgwick USD 439
• Halstead–Bentley USD 440
• Hesston USD 460

School district office in neighboring county

• Remington USD 206
• Peabody–Burns USD 398
• Goessel USD 411
• Moundridge USD 423

Communities

2005 map of Harvey County (map legend)

List of townships / incorporated cities / unincorporated communities / extinct former communities within Harvey County. ^[16]

Cities

‡ means a community has portions in an adjacent county.

• Burrton
• Halstead
• Hesston
• Newton (county seat)
• North Newton
• Sedgwick‡
• Walton

Unincorporated communities

• McLain
• Patterson
• Putnam
• Zimmerdale

Ghost towns

• Annelly
• Van Arsdale

Townships

1915 railroad map

Harvey County is divided into fifteen townships. The cities of Halstead and Newton 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.

Township	FIPS	Population center	Population	Population density /km2 (/sq mi)	Land area km2 (sq mi)	Water area km2 (sq mi)	Water %	Geographic coordinates
Alta	01500		221	2 (6)	93 (36)	0 (0)	0.48%	38°7′27″N97°38′44″W / 38.12417°N 97.64556°W / 38.12417; -97.64556
Burrton	09600		1,143	12 (32)	93 (36)	0 (0)	0.17%	38°1′32″N97°39′55″W / 38.02556°N 97.66528°W / 38.02556; -97.66528
Darlington	17025		601	7 (17)	92 (35)	0 (0)	0.10%	37°57′5″N97°19′32″W / 37.95139°N 97.32556°W / 37.95139; -97.32556
Emma	21025		4,181	45 (116)	93 (36)	0 (0)	0%	38°8′10″N97°25′46″W / 38.13611°N 97.42944°W / 38.13611; -97.42944
Garden	25300		294	3 (8)	93 (36)	0 (0)	0%	38°7′44″N97°32′14″W / 38.12889°N 97.53722°W / 38.12889; -97.53722
Halstead	29625		353	4 (10)	92 (35)	0 (0)	0.07%	38°2′9″N97°31′51″W / 38.03583°N 97.53083°W / 38.03583; -97.53083
Highland	31875		415	5 (12)	92 (35)	0 (0)	0.19%	38°7′38″N97°19′9″W / 38.12722°N 97.31917°W / 38.12722; -97.31917
Lake	37825		173	2 (5)	92 (36)	1 (0)	1.05%	37°57′46″N97°39′7″W / 37.96278°N 97.65194°W / 37.96278; -97.65194
Lakin	38150		357	4 (10)	92 (35)	0 (0)	0.06%	37°57′18″N97°32′20″W / 37.95500°N 97.53889°W / 37.95500; -97.53889
Macon	43925		1,056	11 (30)	92 (36)	0 (0)	0%	38°2′8″N97°24′58″W / 38.03556°N 97.41611°W / 38.03556; -97.41611
Newton	50500		1,950	28 (73)	69 (27)	0 (0)	0.07%	38°3′27″N97°19′31″W / 38.05750°N 97.32528°W / 38.05750; -97.32528
Pleasant	56250		439	5 (12)	93 (36)	1 (0)	0.81%	38°2′27″N97°12′8″W / 38.04083°N 97.20222°W / 38.04083; -97.20222
Richland	59350		360	4 (10)	94 (36)	0 (0)	0.20%	37°57′39″N97°12′1″W / 37.96083°N 97.20028°W / 37.96083; -97.20028
Sedgwick	63825		1,711	18 (48)	93 (36)	0 (0)	0%	37°56′24″N97°25′22″W / 37.94000°N 97.42278°W / 37.94000; -97.42278
Walton	75225		552	6 (15)	95 (37)	0 (0)	0.06%	38°7′26″N97°13′1″W / 38.12389°N 97.21694°W / 38.12389; -97.21694
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 Harvey County, Kansas
• List of people from Harvey County, Kansas
• March 1990 Central US tornado outbreak
• Chisholm Trail

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; Harvey 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. Santa Fe Rail History
5. 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.  772.
6. Blackmar, Frank Wilson (1912). Kansas: A Cyclopedia of State History, Embracing Events, Institutions, Industries, Counties, Cities, Towns, Prominent Persons, Etc. ... with a Supplementary Volume Devoted to Selected Personal History and Reminiscence. Standard publishing Company.
7. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
8. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 26, 2014.
9. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved July 26, 2014.
10. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 26, 2014.
11. "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.
12. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved January 31, 2008.
13. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections".
14. "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.
15. Panetta, Grace (August 3, 2022). "14 of the 19 Kansas counties that rejected an anti-abortion amendment voted for Trump in 2020". Business Insider. Retrieved August 3, 2022.
16. "General Highway Map of Harvey County, Kansas" (PDF). Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT). January 2011. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 18, 2023.

Notes

Further reading

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

See also: List of books about Chisholm Trail

County

• Year Book; Automobile Club of Wichita; 92 pages; 1909 to 1910. Contains detailed maps of roads and railroads in City of Wichita, and Sedgwick / Harvey / Sumner / Harper / Rice / Pawnee Counties.
• Mitchell Map of Harvey County, Kansas; Grant Mitchell; 15 pages; 1926.
• Standard Atlas of Harvey County, Kansas; Geo. A. Ogle & Co; 70 pages; 1918.
• Plat Book of Harvey County, Kansas; North West Publishing Co; 34 pages; 1902.
• Historical Atlas of Harvey County, Kansas; 33 pages; John P. Edwards; 1882.

Newton

• Bernhard Warkentin and the Kansas Mennonite Pioneers ^{[ permanent dead link ‍]}; David A. Haury; Mennonite Life; December 1974.

External links

County

• Harvey County - Official
• Harvey County - Directory of Public Officials
• Harvey County - Economic Development Council

Historical

• Harvey County Historical Society
• Harvey County Genealogical Society
• Kansas State Historical Society

Maps

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