Pratt County, Kansas

Not to be confused with Pratt, Kansas.

Pratt County
County
Pratt County Courthouse in Pratt (2009)
Location within the U.S. state of Kansas
Kansas's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 37°39′24″N98°44′24″W / 37.6567°N 98.74°W / 37.6567; -98.74
Country	United States
State	Kansas
Founded	February 26, 1867
Named for	Caleb S. Pratt [1]
Seat	Pratt
Largest city	Pratt
Area
• Total	736 sq mi (1,910 km2)
• Land	735 sq mi (1,900 km2)
• Water	0.7 sq mi (2 km2)  0.09%
Population  (2020) [2]
• Total	9,157
• Density	12.5/sq mi (4.8/km2)
Time zone	UTC−6 (Central)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district	4th
Website	PrattCounty.org

Pratt County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kansas. Its county seat and largest city is Pratt. ^[3] As of the 2020 census, the county population was 9,157. ^[2] The county was named for Caleb Pratt, a U.S. soldier who died in the Battle of Wilson's Creek during the American Civil War and had previously been involved in Bleeding Kansas.

The county consists overwhelmingly of prairie and contains few watercourses; the most important of these is the Ninnescah River. ^[4]

Farming continues to be important to the county, which is among the state’s leading winter wheat producers. ^[5]

History

See also: History of Kansas

Pratt County was established in 1867. The county's first attempt at organization, termed the "fraudulent organization," occurred in 1873. A group from Hutchinson traveled through various counties, organizing them as they went. However, since there were no genuine settlers in Pratt County at the time, this organization required the submission of false statements to the governor. This fraudulent attempt was not recognized, and the Pratt County was legitimately organized in 1879. ^[4]

The county's first bona fide settler, A. J. Johnson, arrived in the fall of 1873 near Springvale in the southwest corner, where he cultivated the county's first crops. The county saw significant settlement in 1877, primarily from Iowa, and further in 1878 from all sections of the United States, keeping land office officials busy with pre-emption claims. Despite a prosperous period for crops in 1879 and 1880, many settlers departed in subsequent years, while others arrived in large numbers, especially in 1882. During the county's early years, owing to the scarcity of lumber, many constructed sod houses or dugouts. ^[4]

The special election of September 2, 1879, focused on the choice of a county seat, was disputed due to irregularities. After a lawsuit second election was scheduled for August 19, 1880. In the lead-up to that election, a proponent of Saratoga named W. F. Gibbons made a deal with W. H. Weidner from Medicine Lodge, agreeing to pay him $40 to bring about fifteen cowboys into Pratt County thirty days before the election to vote for Saratoga. Each cowboy was promised $5, free whisky, and a free dance at Saratoga on the night of the election. Weidner located the cowboys and provided Gibbons with a list of names as agreed, receiving $25 as part payment. However, due to a contract dispute, all the cowboys left Pratt County before the election, causing Saratoga to lose their intended votes. Iuka was ultimately declared the county seat with a significant majority. ^[4]

Efforts to relocate the county seat to Pratt commenced in 1885 and succeeded in 1888 over the objections of Saratoga. An 1888 blizzard killed over 80% of the county's cattle, causing widespread hardship. ^{[5] [4]}

In 1887, the Chicago, Kansas and Nebraska Railway extended its main line from Herington to Pratt. ^[6] This main line connected Herington, Ramona, Tampa, Durham, Waldeck, Canton, Galva, McPherson, Groveland, Inman, Medora, Hutchinson, Whiteside, Partridge, Arlington, Langdon, Turon, Preston, Natrona, Pratt. In 1888, this main line was extended to Liberal. Later, this line was extended to Tucumcari, New Mexico and El Paso, Texas. This line is called the "Golden State Limited".

During World War II, Pratt Army Airfield trained, processed, and housed B-29s and their crews before they were sent to war. ^[5]

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 736 square miles (1,910 km²), of which 735 square miles (1,900 km²) is land and 0.7 square miles (1.8 km²) (0.09%) is water. ^[7]

Adjacent counties

• Stafford County (north)
• Reno County (northeast)
• Kingman County (east)
• Barber County (south)
• Kiowa County (west)
• Edwards County (northwest)

Demographics

Population pyramid based on 2000 census age data

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1880	1,890		—
1890	8,118		329.5%
1900	7,085		−12.7%
1910	11,156		57.5%
1920	12,909		15.7%
1930	13,312		3.1%
1940	12,348		−7.2%
1950	12,156		−1.6%
1960	12,122		−0.3%
1970	10,056		−17.0%
1980	10,275		2.2%
1990	9,702		−5.6%
2000	9,647		−0.6%
2010	9,656		0.1%
2020	9,157		−5.2%
2023 (est.)	9,082	[8]	−0.8%
U.S. Decennial Census [9] 1790-1960 [10] 1900-1990 [11] 1990-2000 [12] 2010-2020 [2]

As of the census ^[13] of 2000, there were 9,647 people, 3,963 households, and 2,639 families residing in the county. The population density was 13 people per square mile (5.0 people/km²). There were 4,633 housing units at an average density of 6 per square mile (2.3/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 95.28% White, 0.98% Black or African American, 0.35% Native American, 0.55% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 1.73% from other races, and 1.07% from two or more races. 3.09% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 3,963 households, out of which 30.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.70% were married couples living together, 7.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.40% were non-families. 30.40% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.35 and the average family size was 2.93.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 24.50% under the age of 18, 9.40% from 18 to 24, 24.00% from 25 to 44, 22.80% from 45 to 64, and 19.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 94.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.30 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $35,529, and the median income for a family was $43,156. Males had a median income of $31,138 versus $20,679 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,906. About 6.70% of families and 9.40% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.50% of those under age 18 and 8.90% of those age 65 or over.

Government

Presidential elections

Presidential election results

United States presidential election results for Pratt County, Kansas ^[14]

Year	Republican		Democratic		Third party(ies)
	No.	%	No.	%	No.	%
2024	3,047	74.79%	953	23.39%	74	1.82%
2020	3,108	75.13%	933	22.55%	96	2.32%
2016	2,838	73.87%	771	20.07%	233	6.06%
2012	2,771	72.90%	980	25.78%	50	1.32%
2008	2,822	67.35%	1,294	30.88%	74	1.77%
2004	3,121	71.19%	1,200	27.37%	63	1.44%
2000	2,885	65.33%	1,314	29.76%	217	4.91%
1996	2,591	58.87%	1,367	31.06%	443	10.07%
1992	1,779	37.17%	1,466	30.63%	1,541	32.20%
1988	2,505	59.01%	1,651	38.89%	89	2.10%
1984	3,244	71.31%	1,255	27.59%	50	1.10%
1980	2,866	61.20%	1,369	29.23%	448	9.57%
1976	2,427	50.04%	2,307	47.57%	116	2.39%
1972	3,253	71.20%	1,214	26.57%	102	2.23%
1968	2,670	57.91%	1,490	32.31%	451	9.78%
1964	2,493	48.61%	2,594	50.58%	42	0.82%
1960	3,501	63.59%	1,968	35.74%	37	0.67%
1956	3,620	64.53%	1,956	34.87%	34	0.61%
1952	3,998	68.87%	1,743	30.03%	64	1.10%
1948	2,878	50.22%	2,751	48.00%	102	1.78%
1944	2,658	52.85%	2,334	46.41%	37	0.74%
1940	2,930	49.94%	2,870	48.92%	67	1.14%
1936	1,946	33.40%	3,871	66.43%	10	0.17%
1932	2,167	40.15%	3,109	57.61%	121	2.24%
1928	4,055	80.58%	934	18.56%	43	0.85%
1924	2,762	57.36%	1,205	25.03%	848	17.61%
1920	2,722	64.15%	1,433	33.77%	88	2.07%
1916	1,820	37.93%	2,607	54.34%	371	7.73%
1912	372	15.05%	947	38.32%	1,152	46.62%
1908	1,193	50.53%	1,027	43.50%	141	5.97%
1904	1,076	63.44%	421	24.82%	199	11.73%
1900	821	49.04%	816	48.75%	37	2.21%
1896	621	42.71%	820	56.40%	13	0.89%
1892	947	44.19%	0	0.00%	1,196	55.81%
1888	1,115	50.18%	652	29.34%	455	20.48%

Laws

Following amendment to the Kansas Constitution in 1986, Pratt County remained a prohibition, or "dry", county until 2000, when voters approved the sale of alcoholic liquor by the individual drink with a 30 percent food sales requirement. ^[15]

Education

Colleges

• Pratt Community College

Unified school districts

• Pratt USD 382
• Skyline USD 438

Communities

2005 map of Pratt County (legend)

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

Cities

• Byers
• Coats
• Cullison
• Iuka
• Pratt (county seat)
• Preston
• Sawyer

Unincorporated communities

• Cairo
• Croft
• Hopewell
• Natrona

Townships

Pratt County is divided into seven townships. The city of Pratt 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.

Sources: 2000 U.S. Gazetteer from the U.S. Census Bureau.

Township	FIPS	Population center	Population	Population density /km2 (/sq mi)	Land area km2 (sq mi)	Water area km2 (sq mi)	Water %	Geographic coordinates
Township No. 6	71223		565	1 (4)	381 (147)	1 (0)	0.17%	37°44′25″N98°33′55″W / 37.74028°N 98.56528°W / 37.74028; -98.56528
Township No. 7	71228		366	3 (7)	136 (52)	0 (0)	0.02%	37°45′20″N98°43′49″W / 37.75556°N 98.73028°W / 37.75556; -98.73028
Township No. 8	71233		181	1 (2)	197 (76)	0 (0)	0%	37°47′3″N98°53′42″W / 37.78417°N 98.89500°W / 37.78417; -98.89500
Township No. 9	71238		317	1 (2)	379 (146)	0 (0)	0.05%	37°37′59″N98°54′7″W / 37.63306°N 98.90194°W / 37.63306; -98.90194
Township No. 10	71242		191	1 (3)	188 (73)	0 (0)	0.01%	37°30′45″N98°52′17″W / 37.51250°N 98.87139°W / 37.51250; -98.87139
Township No. 11	71245		496	2 (5)	281 (109)	0 (0)	0.06%	37°30′44″N98°38′21″W / 37.51222°N 98.63917°W / 37.51222; -98.63917
Township No. 12	71248		961	3 (8)	321 (124)	1 (0)	0.19%	37°37′44″N98°40′52″W / 37.62889°N 98.68111°W / 37.62889; -98.68111

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. "Pratt, Kansas History". Kansas Community Networks. Retrieved November 4, 2012.
2. "QuickFacts; Pratt County, Kansas; Population, Census, 2020 & 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on August 19, 2021. Retrieved August 19, 2021.
3. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
4. Cutler, William G. (1883). History of the State of Kansas.
5. "Pratt County, Kansas - Kansapedia - Kansas Historical Society". www.kshs.org. Retrieved February 3, 2024.
6. "Rock Island's Family Tree - Page 4". home.covad.net. Archived from the original on June 19, 2011. Retrieved April 18, 2011.
7. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
8. "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 3, 2024.
9. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 28, 2014.
10. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved July 28, 2014.
11. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 28, 2014.
12. "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.
13. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved January 31, 2008.
14. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org.
15. "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.
16. "General Highway Map of Pratt County, Kansas" (PDF). Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT). February 2010. Archived (PDF) from the original on February 7, 2023.

Notes

Further reading

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

• Standard Atlas of Pratt County, Kansas; Geo. A. Ogle & Co; 67 pages; 1922.
• Standard Atlas of Pratt County, Kansas; Geo. A. Ogle & Co; 54 pages; 1906.

External links

County

• Pratt County - Official Website
• Pratt County - Directory of Public Officials

Maps

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

37°39′N98°44′W / 37.650°N 98.733°W / 37.650; -98.733