Sumner County | |
---|---|
Coordinates: 37°14′N97°29′W / 37.233°N 97.483°W | |
Country | United States |
State | Kansas |
Founded | December 20, 1870 |
Named for | Charles Sumner |
Seat | Wellington |
Largest city | Wellington |
Area | |
• Total | 1,185 sq mi (3,070 km2) |
• Land | 1,182 sq mi (3,060 km2) |
• Water | 3.0 sq mi (8 km2) 0.3% |
Population | |
• Total | 22,382 |
22,334 | |
• Density | 18.9/sq mi (7.3/km2) |
Time zone | UTC−6 (Central) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (CDT) |
Area code | 620 |
Congressional district | 4th |
Website | County website |
Sumner County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kansas. Its county seat is Wellington. [3] As of the 2020 census, the population was 22,382. [1] The county is named after Charles Sumner, a U.S. Senator from Massachusetts who was a leader of Reconstruction politics.
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. 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 1848, after the Mexican–American War, the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo with Spain brought into the United States all or part of land for ten future states, including southwest Kansas. In 1854, the Kansas Territory was organized, then in 1861 Kansas became the 34th U.S. state.
On February 26, 1867, Sumner County was created from parts of Marion County and Butler County. It was named in honor of Charles Sumner, a U.S. Senator from Massachusetts (1811–74), who was a strong advocate of Kansas becoming a free state.
In 1887, the Chicago, Kansas and Nebraska Railway built a branch line north–south from Herington to Caldwell. [4] This branch line connected Herington, Lost Springs, Lincolnville, Antelope, Marion, Aulne, Peabody, Elbing, Whitewater, Furley, Kechi, Wichita, Peck, Corbin, Wellington, Caldwell. By 1893, this branch line was incrementally built to Fort Worth, Texas. This line is called the "OKT". The Chicago, Kansas and Nebraska Railway was foreclosed in 1891 and was taken over by Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railway, which shut down in 1980 and reorganized as Oklahoma, Kansas and Texas Railroad, merged in 1988 with Missouri Pacific Railroad, and finally merged in 1997 with Union Pacific Railroad. Most locals still refer to this railroad as the "Rock Island".
In December 2011, the Kansas Star Casino opened approximately 4.5 miles (7.2 km) west of the center of Mulvane, adjacent to an exit on the Kansas Turnpike that was added in the mid-1980s. The casino is located a couple blocks west of the turnpike exit. [5]
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,185 square miles (3,070 km2), of which 1,182 square miles (3,060 km2) is land and 3.0 square miles (7.8 km2) (0.3%) is water. [6]
Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
---|---|---|---|
1870 | 22 | — | |
1880 | 20,812 | 94,500.0% | |
1890 | 30,271 | 45.4% | |
1900 | 25,631 | −15.3% | |
1910 | 30,654 | 19.6% | |
1920 | 29,213 | −4.7% | |
1930 | 28,960 | −0.9% | |
1940 | 26,163 | −9.7% | |
1950 | 23,646 | −9.6% | |
1960 | 25,316 | 7.1% | |
1970 | 23,553 | −7.0% | |
1980 | 24,928 | 5.8% | |
1990 | 25,841 | 3.7% | |
2000 | 25,946 | 0.4% | |
2010 | 24,132 | −7.0% | |
2020 | 22,382 | −7.3% | |
2023 (est.) | 22,334 | [7] | −0.2% |
U.S. Decennial Census [8] 1790-1960 [9] 1900-1990 [10] 1990-2000 [11] 2010-2020 [1] |
Sumner County is part of the Wichita, KS Metropolitan Statistical Area.
As of the census [12] of 2000, there were 25,946 people, 9,888 households, and 7,089 families residing in the county. The population density was 22 people per square mile (8.5 people/km2). There were 10,877 housing units at an average density of 9 per square mile (3.5/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 94.62% White, 0.71% Black or African American, 1.05% Native American, 0.22% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 1.29% from other races, and 2.06% from two or more races. 3.58% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 9,888 households, out of which 34.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.90% were married couples living together, 8.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.30% were non-families. 25.60% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.58 and the average family size was 3.10.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 28.50% under the age of 18, 7.50% from 18 to 24, 26.20% from 25 to 44, 22.40% from 45 to 64, and 15.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.90 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $39,415, and the median income for a family was $46,739. Males had a median income of $36,616 versus $23,020 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,305. About 7.20% of families and 9.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.20% of those under age 18 and 6.80% of those age 65 or over.
Sumner County, like many neighboring counties, often votes for the Republican Party in presidential elections. However, in 1992 independent candidate Ross Perot came within two percent of winning the county against George H. W. Bush. The last time the county voted for a Democratic candidate was Jimmy Carter in 1976.
Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
2024 | 7,643 | 73.64% | 2,495 | 24.04% | 241 | 2.32% |
2020 | 8,105 | 74.17% | 2,591 | 23.71% | 232 | 2.12% |
2016 | 6,984 | 71.84% | 2,076 | 21.35% | 662 | 6.81% |
2012 | 6,260 | 68.48% | 2,658 | 29.08% | 223 | 2.44% |
2008 | 6,737 | 65.17% | 3,353 | 32.44% | 247 | 2.39% |
2004 | 7,092 | 67.62% | 3,217 | 30.67% | 179 | 1.71% |
2000 | 6,176 | 60.36% | 3,549 | 34.69% | 507 | 4.96% |
1996 | 5,952 | 54.22% | 3,638 | 33.14% | 1,387 | 12.64% |
1992 | 4,087 | 35.27% | 3,564 | 30.76% | 3,937 | 33.97% |
1988 | 5,394 | 53.71% | 4,417 | 43.99% | 231 | 2.30% |
1984 | 6,942 | 64.32% | 3,708 | 34.36% | 143 | 1.32% |
1980 | 6,038 | 57.53% | 3,761 | 35.83% | 697 | 6.64% |
1976 | 4,645 | 44.92% | 5,385 | 52.08% | 310 | 3.00% |
1972 | 6,941 | 68.08% | 2,685 | 26.34% | 569 | 5.58% |
1968 | 5,622 | 54.48% | 3,562 | 34.52% | 1,136 | 11.01% |
1964 | 4,760 | 45.55% | 5,574 | 53.34% | 116 | 1.11% |
1960 | 7,219 | 61.51% | 4,462 | 38.02% | 55 | 0.47% |
1956 | 7,024 | 62.95% | 4,088 | 36.64% | 46 | 0.41% |
1952 | 8,134 | 68.95% | 3,567 | 30.24% | 96 | 0.81% |
1948 | 5,922 | 55.42% | 4,571 | 42.78% | 192 | 1.80% |
1944 | 6,343 | 59.87% | 4,187 | 39.52% | 64 | 0.60% |
1940 | 6,585 | 51.86% | 5,988 | 47.16% | 125 | 0.98% |
1936 | 4,946 | 38.23% | 7,966 | 61.57% | 27 | 0.21% |
1932 | 4,926 | 42.40% | 6,353 | 54.68% | 340 | 2.93% |
1928 | 8,951 | 79.64% | 2,108 | 18.75% | 181 | 1.61% |
1924 | 5,552 | 54.93% | 2,556 | 25.29% | 2,000 | 19.79% |
1920 | 5,830 | 60.49% | 3,454 | 35.84% | 354 | 3.67% |
1916 | 4,079 | 39.37% | 5,519 | 53.27% | 763 | 7.36% |
1912 | 781 | 12.21% | 2,557 | 39.97% | 3,060 | 47.83% |
1908 | 3,235 | 51.30% | 2,772 | 43.96% | 299 | 4.74% |
1904 | 3,264 | 61.61% | 1,489 | 28.10% | 545 | 10.29% |
1900 | 3,184 | 50.61% | 2,982 | 47.40% | 125 | 1.99% |
1896 | 2,515 | 44.76% | 3,048 | 54.24% | 56 | 1.00% |
1892 | 3,503 | 45.52% | 0 | 0.00% | 4,192 | 54.48% |
1888 | 3,499 | 49.72% | 2,139 | 30.39% | 1,400 | 19.89% |
Following amendment to the Kansas Constitution in 1986, Sumner County remained a prohibition, or "dry", county until 1992, when voters approved the sale of alcoholic liquor by the individual drink with a 30 percent food sales requirement. [14]
List of townships / incorporated cities / unincorporated communities / extinct former communities within Sumner County. [15]
‡ means a community has portions in an adjacent county.
† means a community is designated a Census-Designated Place (CDP) by the United States Census Bureau.
Sumner County is divided into thirty townships. The cities of Caldwell and Wellington 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.
Wilson County is a county located in Southeast Kansas. Its county seat is Fredonia. As of the 2020 census, the county population was 8,624. The county was named after Hiero Wilson, a colonel in the American Civil War.
Sedgwick County is located in the U.S. state of Kansas. Its county seat is Wichita, the most populous city in the state. As of the 2020 census, the population was 523,824, making it the second-most populous county in Kansas. The county was named for John Sedgwick, the highest ranking Union general killed during the American Civil War.
Reno County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kansas. Its county seat and largest city is Hutchinson. As of the 2020 census, the population was 61,898. The county is named for Jesse Reno, a general during the American Civil War.
Pottawatomie County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kansas. Its county seat is Westmoreland. As of the 2020 census, the county population was 25,348. The county was named for the Potawatomi tribe.
Phillips County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kansas. Its county seat and largest city is Phillipsburg. As of the 2020 census, the county population was 4,981. The county was named after William Phillips, a free-state abolition journalist and colonel in the American Civil War.
Ottawa County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kansas. Its county seat and largest city is Minneapolis. As of the 2020 census, the county population was 5,735. The county was named after the Odawa tribe.
Osage County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kansas. Its county seat is Lyndon, and its most populous city is Osage City. As of the 2020 census, the county population was 15,766. The county was originally organized in 1855 as Weller County, then renamed in 1859 after the Osage tribe.
Leavenworth County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kansas and is part of the Kansas City metropolitan area. Its county seat and most populous city is Leavenworth. As of the 2020 census, the county population was 81,881. The county was named after Henry Leavenworth, a general in the Indian Wars who established Fort Leavenworth.
Jackson County is a county in the U.S. state of Kansas. Its county seat and most populous city is Holton. As of the 2020 census, the county population was 13,232. The county, first named Calhoun County for pro-slavery South Carolina Senator John C. Calhoun, was renamed in 1859 for President Andrew Jackson. The Prairie Band Potawatomi Indian Reservation, near the center of the county, comprises about 18.5% of the county's area.
Harvey County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kansas. Its county seat and most populous city is Newton. As of the 2020 census, the county population was 34,024. The county was named for James Harvey, a U.S. senator and 5th governor of Kansas.
Greenwood County is a county located in the southeast portion of the U.S. state of Kansas. Its county seat and most populous city is Eureka. As of the 2020 census, the county population was 6,016. The county was named for Alfred Greenwood, a U.S. congressman from Arkansas that advocated Kansas statehood.
Gray County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kansas. Its county seat and most populous city is Cimarron. As of the 2020 census, the county population was 5,653. The county was named after Alfred Gray, a 19th century Kansas politician.
Dickinson County is a county in Central Kansas. Its county seat and most populous city is Abilene. As of the 2020 census, the county population was 18,402. The county was named in honor of Daniel Dickinson, a U.S. Senator from New York that was a Kansas statehood advocate.
Cherokee County is a U.S. county located in Southeast Kansas. Its county seat is Columbus, and its most populous city is Baxter Springs. As of the 2020 census, the county population was 19,362. The county was named for the Cherokee tribe.
Butler County is a county in the U.S. state of Kansas and is the largest county in the state by total area. Its county seat is El Dorado and its most populous city is Andover. As of the 2020 census, the county population was 67,380. The county was named for Andrew Butler, a U.S. Senator from South Carolina who coauthored the Kansas–Nebraska Act.
Barber County is a county located in the south-central portion of the U.S. state of Kansas. Its county seat and most populous city is Medicine Lodge. As of the 2020 census, the county population was 4,228. The county was named for Thomas Barber, an abolitionist who was killed in Douglas County in 1855 during the Wakarusa War.
Wellington is a city in and the county seat of Sumner County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2020 census, the population of the city was 7,715.
Mulvane is a city in Sedgwick and Sumner counties in the U.S. state of Kansas. As of the 2020 census, the population of the city was 6,286.
Peck is a census-designated place (CDP) in Sedgwick and Sumner counties in the U.S. state of Kansas. As of the 2020 census, the population areas was 162. It is located about 2 miles west of the Kansas Star Casino at Meridian Ave and 119th St S, next to the Union Pacific Railroad.
Milton is a census-designated place (CDP) in Sumner County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2020 census, the population was 155. It is located 4.5 miles (7.2 km) southeast of Norwich at the intersection of N Argonia Rd and W 120th Ave N, next to the railroad.