Stafford County, Kansas

Stafford County
County
Stafford County Museum in Stafford (2017)
Location within the U.S. state of Kansas
Kansas's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 38°04′00″N98°43′00″W / 38.0667°N 98.7167°W / 38.0667; -98.7167
Country	United States
State	Kansas
Founded	1879
Named for	Lewis Stafford
Seat	St. John
Largest city	St. John
Area
• Total	795 sq mi (2,060 km2)
• Land	792 sq mi (2,050 km2)
• Water	2.9 sq mi (8 km2)  0.4%
Population  (2020) [1]
• Total	4,072
• Density	5.1/sq mi (2.0/km2)
Time zone	UTC−6 (Central)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district	4th
Website	StaffordCounty.org

Stafford County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kansas. ^[2] Its county seat is St. John. As of the 2020 census, the county population was 4,072. ^[1] The county is named in honor of Lewis Stafford, a captain of Company E, First Kansas Infantry, who died at the Battle of Young's Point during the American Civil War. ^[3]

History

See also: History of Kansas

19th century

The boundaries of Stafford County were defined by the Kansas Legislature of 1870 but for several years, the county remained unorganized. The Legislature of 1875, with the intention of obliterating the county from the map, gave the territory in Stafford County to other counties. They gave the portion in Range 15 West to Pawnee County; the portion included in Ranges 11, 12, 13 and 14 to Barton County; and the south half of the county, excepting the portion in Range 15, was added to Pratt County. But after each of the counties had taken its part, a strip six miles wide and twelve miles long (two townships) remained as Stafford County. This was the condition of the county until April 25, 1879, when, by a decision of the Supreme Court, the act of the Legislature dividing the county was declared unconstitutional and the county was restored to its original boundaries. ^[4] Stafford County was organized in 1879.

Amidst this legal turmoil, settlers began to establish themselves in the county. Among the earliest pioneers was W. R. Hoole, who in May 1874, laid claim to land in what would become Stafford County, followed by John Birbeck, who erected the county's first frame house shortly after and broke the first prairie in the county in 1875. The first child was born in the county in 1875, also to W. R. Hoole and his wife. A short-lived attempt at manufacturing salt at Salt Marsh, in the northeastern part of the county, was undertaken in 1876. The marsh was ultimately found to be better used as a pasture for livestock. ^[5]

In addition to individual settlers, a sizable Mormon settlement, known as Zion Valley, was established near St. John in the spring of 1875. Led by William Bickerton, this community established the county's first post office and erected a frame temple before internal disputes led to its dissolution and the temple's conversion into a commercial establishment. ^[5]

Educational infrastructure also began to take shape with the construction of the county's first schoolhouse, the Hoole Schoolhouse, in 1876, with Miss Ella Miller serving as its inaugural teacher. ^[5]

The early economy of Stafford County was heavily reliant on the gathering of buffalo bones, which were abundant across the region. This industry proved, however, to be short-lived, as the easily accessible bone deposits were quickly depleted. ^[5]

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 795 square miles (2,060 km²), of which 792 square miles (2,050 km²) is land and 2.9 square miles (7.5 km²) (0.4%) is water. ^[6]

Adjacent counties

• Barton County (north)
• Rice County (northeast)
• Reno County (east)
• Pratt County (south)
• Edwards County (west)
• Pawnee County (west)

National protected area

• Quivira National Wildlife Refuge (part)

Demographics

Population pyramid based on 2000 census age data

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1880	4,755		—
1890	7,520		58.1%
1900	9,829		30.7%
1910	12,510		27.3%
1920	11,559		−7.6%
1930	10,460		−9.5%
1940	10,487		0.3%
1950	8,816		−15.9%
1960	7,451		−15.5%
1970	5,943		−20.2%
1980	5,694		−4.2%
1990	5,365		−5.8%
2000	4,789		−10.7%
2010	4,437		−7.4%
2020	4,072		−8.2%
2023 (est.)	3,909	[7]	−4.0%
U.S. Decennial Census [8] 1790-1960 [9] 1900-1990 [10] 1990-2000 [11] 2010-2020 [1]

As of the census ^[12] of 2000, there were 4,789 people, 2,010 households, and 1,294 families residing in the county. The population density was 6 people per square mile (2.3 people/km²). There were 2,458 housing units at an average density of 3 per square mile (1.2/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 94.97% White, 0.15% Black or African American, 0.38% Native American, 0.13% Asian, 2.97% from other races, and 1.42% from two or more races. 5.41% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 2,010 households, out of which 29.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.90% were married couples living together, 5.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.60% were non-families. 33.00% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.20% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.34 and the average family size was 2.99.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 26.30% under the age of 18, 5.40% from 18 to 24, 24.60% from 25 to 44, 22.50% from 45 to 64, and 21.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 95.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.40 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $31,107, and the median income for a family was $38,235. Males had a median income of $27,328 versus $21,063 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,409. About 8.70% of families and 11.80% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.20% of those under age 18 and 8.90% of those age 65 or over.

Government

Stafford County is often carried by Republican Candidates. The last time they have been carried by a democratic candidate was in 1976 by Jimmy Carter.

Presidential elections

Presidential election results

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

Year	Republican		Democratic		Third party
	No.	%	No.	%	No.	%
2020	1,645	80.88%	357	17.55%	32	1.57%
2016	1,490	78.59%	304	16.03%	102	5.38%
2012	1,385	75.31%	404	21.97%	50	2.72%
2008	1,495	72.08%	542	26.13%	37	1.78%
2004	1,649	75.43%	506	23.15%	31	1.42%
2000	1,546	70.27%	567	25.77%	87	3.95%
1996	1,604	63.03%	651	25.58%	290	11.39%
1992	1,064	38.55%	777	28.15%	919	33.30%
1988	1,532	55.95%	1,121	40.94%	85	3.10%
1984	2,062	69.71%	844	28.53%	52	1.76%
1980	1,865	62.67%	872	29.30%	239	8.03%
1976	1,430	45.22%	1,659	52.47%	73	2.31%
1972	2,200	70.35%	844	26.99%	83	2.65%
1968	1,851	55.75%	1,205	36.30%	264	7.95%
1964	1,516	41.64%	2,087	57.32%	38	1.04%
1960	2,531	65.54%	1,305	33.79%	26	0.67%
1956	2,728	68.37%	1,242	31.13%	20	0.50%
1952	3,162	71.28%	1,174	26.47%	100	2.25%
1948	2,304	51.74%	2,049	46.01%	100	2.25%
1944	2,493	56.25%	1,908	43.05%	31	0.70%
1940	2,795	52.17%	2,509	46.84%	53	0.99%
1936	1,939	37.50%	3,212	62.12%	20	0.39%
1932	1,945	41.23%	2,651	56.19%	122	2.59%
1928	3,278	75.27%	1,025	23.54%	52	1.19%
1924	3,100	68.58%	957	21.17%	463	10.24%
1920	2,779	70.04%	1,057	26.64%	132	3.33%
1916	1,812	41.87%	2,148	49.63%	368	8.50%
1912	422	16.14%	1,094	41.85%	1,098	42.00%
1908	1,334	50.99%	1,135	43.39%	147	5.62%
1904	1,419	63.12%	585	26.02%	244	10.85%
1900	1,055	46.81%	1,139	50.53%	60	2.66%
1896	710	35.34%	1,276	63.51%	23	1.14%
1892	840	39.25%	0	0.00%	1,300	60.75%
1888	975	47.51%	483	23.54%	594	28.95%

Laws

Although the Kansas Constitution was amended in 1986 to allow the sale of alcoholic liquor by the individual drink with the approval of voters, Stafford County remained a prohibition, or "dry", county ^[14] until an election in 2016 when this prohibition was removed by 1,304 to 535, 71% of the vote. ^[15]

Education

Unified school districts

• Stafford USD 349
• St. John-Hudson USD 350
• Macksville USD 351

Communities

2005 map of Stafford County (map legend)

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

Cities

• Hudson
• Macksville
• Radium
• Seward
• Stafford
• St. John (county seat)

Unincorporated communities

• Dillwyn
• Neola
• Zenith

Townships

Stafford County is divided into twenty-one townships. None of the cities within the county are considered governmentally independent, and all figures for the townships include those of the cities. 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
Albano	00800		56	1 (2)	94 (36)	0 (0)	0%	37°52′43″N98°51′43″W / 37.87861°N 98.86194°W / 37.87861; -98.86194
Byron	09825		80	1 (2)	94 (36)	0 (0)	0.07%	38°12′50″N98°38′7″W / 38.21389°N 98.63528°W / 38.21389; -98.63528
Clear Creek	13825		36	0 (1)	93 (36)	0 (0)	0%	37°50′57″N98°57′31″W / 37.84917°N 98.95861°W / 37.84917; -98.95861
Cleveland	14125		68	1 (2)	93 (36)	0 (0)	0.04%	38°2′11″N98°52′2″W / 38.03639°N 98.86722°W / 38.03639; -98.86722
Douglas	18375		138	1 (4)	93 (36)	0 (0)	0%	38°8′16″N98°52′2″W / 38.13778°N 98.86722°W / 38.13778; -98.86722
East Cooper	19350		90	1 (3)	92 (36)	1 (0)	0.75%	38°2′43″N98°31′6″W / 38.04528°N 98.51833°W / 38.04528; -98.51833
Fairview	22675		98	1 (3)	93 (36)	0 (0)	0%	37°56′52″N98°31′4″W / 37.94778°N 98.51778°W / 37.94778; -98.51778
Farmington	23250		591	6 (16)	93 (36)	0 (0)	0%	37°57′30″N98°58′2″W / 37.95833°N 98.96722°W / 37.95833; -98.96722
Hayes	31025		212	2 (6)	93 (36)	0 (0)	0%	38°7′20″N98°38′49″W / 38.12222°N 98.64694°W / 38.12222; -98.64694
Lincoln	41225		113	1 (3)	93 (36)	0 (0)	0.02%	38°12′38″N98°52′2″W / 38.21056°N 98.86722°W / 38.21056; -98.86722
North Seward	51375		186	2 (5)	93 (36)	0 (0)	0.03%	38°12′36″N98°45′27″W / 38.21000°N 98.75750°W / 38.21000; -98.75750
Ohio	52475		409	4 (11)	95 (36)	0 (0)	0%	37°58′40″N98°45′7″W / 37.97778°N 98.75194°W / 37.97778; -98.75194
Putnam	58050		19	0 (0)	182 (70)	5 (2)	2.91%	38°10′26″N98°31′51″W / 38.17389°N 98.53083°W / 38.17389; -98.53083
Richland	59650		70	1 (2)	94 (36)	0 (0)	0%	37°57′49″N98°51′12″W / 37.96361°N 98.85333°W / 37.96361; -98.85333
Rose Valley	61300		74	1 (2)	94 (36)	0 (0)	0%	37°51′41″N98°44′19″W / 37.86139°N 98.73861°W / 37.86139; -98.73861
St. John	62300		1,037	11 (29)	94 (36)	0 (0)	0.07%	38°0′58″N98°45′21″W / 38.01611°N 98.75583°W / 38.01611; -98.75583
South Seward	66975		55	1 (2)	93 (36)	0 (0)	0.09%	38°8′11″N98°44′36″W / 38.13639°N 98.74333°W / 38.13639; -98.74333
Stafford	67800		1,291	14 (36)	93 (36)	0 (0)	0%	37°57′40″N98°36′50″W / 37.96111°N 98.61389°W / 37.96111; -98.61389
Union	72450		41	0 (1)	93 (36)	0 (0)	0.09%	37°52′31″N98°37′40″W / 37.87528°N 98.62778°W / 37.87528; -98.62778
West Cooper	76875		64	1 (2)	93 (36)	0 (0)	0.14%	38°2′37″N98°38′9″W / 38.04361°N 98.63583°W / 38.04361; -98.63583
York	80800		61	1 (2)	93 (36)	0 (0)	0.27%	37°52′14″N98°31′9″W / 37.87056°N 98.51917°W / 37.87056; -98.51917

See also

• Kansas portal

• National Register of Historic Places listings in Stafford 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

References

1. "QuickFacts; Stafford County, Kansas; Population, Census, 2020 & 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on August 20, 2021. Retrieved August 20, 2021.
2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
3. A History of Stafford County, Frank A. Steele, 1982
4. Stafford County, Kansas 1870-1990, Stafford County Historical & Genealogical Society, 1990, p.5
5. Cutler, William G. History of the State of Kansas: With Biographical Sketches and Portraits. Library Reprints, Incorporated. ISBN   978-0-7222-4875-1.
6. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
7. "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 3, 2024.
8. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 29, 2014.
9. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved July 29, 2014.
10. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 29, 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 29, 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 2004. Archived from the original on October 8, 2007. Retrieved January 21, 2007.
15. "Two Kansas counties approve liquor by the drink" . Retrieved November 14, 2018.
16. "General Highway Map of Stafford County, Kansas" (PDF). Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT). November 2010. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 30, 2024.

Notes

Further reading

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

• Standard Atlas of Stafford County, Kansas; Geo. A. Ogle & Co; 56 pages; 1904.

External links

County

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

Maps

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

38°04′N98°43′W / 38.067°N 98.717°W / 38.067; -98.717