Sumner County, Kansas

Last updated

Sumner County
Oxford Mill - front.jpg
Map of Kansas highlighting Sumner County.svg
Location within the U.S. state of Kansas
Kansas in United States.svg
Kansas's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 37°14′N97°29′W / 37.233°N 97.483°W / 37.233; -97.483
CountryFlag of the United States.svg United States
StateFlag of Kansas.svg  Kansas
FoundedDecember 20, 1870
Named for Charles Sumner
Seat Wellington
Largest cityWellington
Area
  Total
1,185 sq mi (3,070 km2)
  Land1,182 sq mi (3,060 km2)
  Water3.0 sq mi (8 km2)  0.3%
Population
 (2020) [1]
  Total
22,382
  Estimate 
(2023) [2]
22,334 Decrease2.svg
  Density19/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.

Contents

History

Early history

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.

19th century

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".

21st century

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]

Geography

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]

Adjacent counties

Demographics

Population pyramid based on 2000 census age data USA Sumner County, Kansas age pyramid.svg
Population pyramid based on 2000 census age data
Historical population
CensusPop.Note
1870 22
1880 20,81294,500.0%
1890 30,27145.4%
1900 25,631−15.3%
1910 30,65419.6%
1920 29,213−4.7%
1930 28,960−0.9%
1940 26,163−9.7%
1950 23,646−9.6%
1960 25,3167.1%
1970 23,553−7.0%
1980 24,9285.8%
1990 25,8413.7%
2000 25,9460.4%
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.

Government

Presidential elections

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.

Presidential election results
United States presidential election results for Sumner County, Kansas [13]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.%No.%No.%
2024 7,81073.81%2,52723.88%2442.31%
2020 8,10574.17%2,59123.71%2322.12%
2016 6,98471.84%2,07621.35%6626.81%
2012 6,26068.48%2,65829.08%2232.44%
2008 6,73765.17%3,35332.44%2472.39%
2004 7,09267.62%3,21730.67%1791.71%
2000 6,17660.36%3,54934.69%5074.96%
1996 5,95254.22%3,63833.14%1,38712.64%
1992 4,08735.27%3,56430.76%3,93733.97%
1988 5,39453.71%4,41743.99%2312.30%
1984 6,94264.32%3,70834.36%1431.32%
1980 6,03857.53%3,76135.83%6976.64%
1976 4,64544.92%5,38552.08%3103.00%
1972 6,94168.08%2,68526.34%5695.58%
1968 5,62254.48%3,56234.52%1,13611.01%
1964 4,76045.55%5,57453.34%1161.11%
1960 7,21961.51%4,46238.02%550.47%
1956 7,02462.95%4,08836.64%460.41%
1952 8,13468.95%3,56730.24%960.81%
1948 5,92255.42%4,57142.78%1921.80%
1944 6,34359.87%4,18739.52%640.60%
1940 6,58551.86%5,98847.16%1250.98%
1936 4,94638.23%7,96661.57%270.21%
1932 4,92642.40%6,35354.68%3402.93%
1928 8,95179.64%2,10818.75%1811.61%
1924 5,55254.93%2,55625.29%2,00019.79%
1920 5,83060.49%3,45435.84%3543.67%
1916 4,07939.37%5,51953.27%7637.36%
1912 78112.21%2,55739.97%3,06047.83%
1908 3,23551.30%2,77243.96%2994.74%
1904 3,26461.61%1,48928.10%54510.29%
1900 3,18450.61%2,98247.40%1251.99%
1896 2,51544.76%3,04854.24%561.00%
1892 3,50345.52%00.00%4,19254.48%
1888 3,49949.72%2,13930.39%1,40019.89%

Laws

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]

Education

Unified school districts

Communities

2005 map of Sumner County (map legend) Map of Sumner Co, Ks, USA.png
2005 map of Sumner County (map legend)

List of townships / incorporated cities / unincorporated communities / extinct former communities within Sumner County. [15]

Cities

‡ means a community has portions in an adjacent county.

Unincorporated communities

† means a community is designated a Census-Designated Place (CDP) by the United States Census Bureau.

Ghost towns

Townships

1915 Railroad Map of Sumner County Stouffer's Railroad Map of Kansas 1915-1918 Sumner County.png
1915 Railroad Map of Sumner County

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.

Sources: 2000 U.S. Gazetteer from the U.S. Census Bureau.
Township FIPS Population
center
PopulationPopulation
density
/km2 (/sq mi)
Land area
km2 (sq mi)
Water area
km2 (sq mi)
Water %Geographic coordinates
Avon035753193 (9)93 (36)0 (0)0.03% 37°15′58″N97°18′56″W / 37.26611°N 97.31556°W / 37.26611; -97.31556
Belle Plaine055253,50433 (87)105 (40)1 (0)0.69% 37°24′33″N97°17′19″W / 37.40917°N 97.28861°W / 37.40917; -97.28861
Bluff07750741 (1)136 (53)0 (0)0% 37°3′19″N97°44′18″W / 37.05528°N 97.73833°W / 37.05528; -97.73833
Caldwell099252001 (4)136 (52)0 (0)0.02% 37°3′42″N97°37′52″W / 37.06167°N 97.63111°W / 37.06167; -97.63111
Chikaskia13150691 (2)94 (36)0 (0)0.02% 37°10′4″N97°38′4″W / 37.16778°N 97.63444°W / 37.16778; -97.63444
Conway153001,28614 (35)94 (36)0 (0)0% 37°24′33″N97°39′4″W / 37.40917°N 97.65111°W / 37.40917; -97.65111
Creek163002413 (7)95 (37)0 (0)0.05% 37°20′10″N97°44′18″W / 37.33611°N 97.73833°W / 37.33611; -97.73833
Dixon182007388 (20)94 (36)0 (0)0% 37°15′55″N97°45′44″W / 37.26528°N 97.76222°W / 37.26528; -97.76222
Downs185251592 (5)91 (35)0 (0)0% 37°10′43″N97°31′12″W / 37.17861°N 97.52000°W / 37.17861; -97.52000
Eden198004525 (12)95 (37)0 (0)0% 37°25′45″N97°45′36″W / 37.42917°N 97.76000°W / 37.42917; -97.76000
Falls228751871 (3)139 (54)0 (0)0% 37°4′48″N97°31′52″W / 37.08000°N 97.53111°W / 37.08000; -97.53111
Gore269752,22027 (70)83 (32)1 (1)1.69% 37°26′56″N97°12′28″W / 37.44889°N 97.20778°W / 37.44889; -97.20778
Greene28525801 (2)93 (36)0 (0)0.10% 37°10′28″N97°18′26″W / 37.17444°N 97.30722°W / 37.17444; -97.30722
Guelph291751641 (3)141 (55)0 (0)0% 37°4′10″N97°19′21″W / 37.06944°N 97.32250°W / 37.06944; -97.32250
Harmon301252773 (9)79 (31)0 (0)0% 37°21′31″N97°19′6″W / 37.35861°N 97.31833°W / 37.35861; -97.31833
Illinois338001782 (5)94 (36)0 (0)0.05% 37°25′20″N97°31′6″W / 37.42222°N 97.51833°W / 37.42222; -97.51833
Jackson349251532 (4)94 (36)0 (0)0.02% 37°10′36″N97°24′38″W / 37.17667°N 97.41056°W / 37.17667; -97.41056
London424007747 (19)107 (41)1 (0)0.93% 37°26′4″N97°24′32″W / 37.43444°N 97.40889°W / 37.43444; -97.40889
Morris48375350 (1)94 (36)0 (0)0% 37°10′35″N97°44′17″W / 37.17639°N 97.73806°W / 37.17639; -97.73806
Osborne533352733 (8)92 (35)1 (0)1.30% 37°15′11″N97°32′9″W / 37.25306°N 97.53583°W / 37.25306; -97.53583
Oxford538751,40314 (37)99 (38)1 (0)1.08% 37°16′29″N97°10′31″W / 37.27472°N 97.17528°W / 37.27472; -97.17528
Palestine541752493 (9)72 (28)1 (0)1.26% 37°21′7″N97°13′5″W / 37.35194°N 97.21806°W / 37.35194; -97.21806
Ryan619502393 (7)92 (36)0 (0)0% 37°15′37″N97°38′51″W / 37.26028°N 97.64750°W / 37.26028; -97.64750
Seventy Six640002383 (7)93 (36)0 (0)0% 37°21′15″N97°24′40″W / 37.35417°N 97.41111°W / 37.35417; -97.41111
South Haven666756705 (12)140 (54)0 (0)0% 37°2′44″N97°24′51″W / 37.04556°N 97.41417°W / 37.04556; -97.41417
Springdale675757618 (21)93 (36)0 (0)0% 37°21′57″N97°38′54″W / 37.36583°N 97.64833°W / 37.36583; -97.64833
Sumner692251502 (4)94 (36)0 (0)0% 37°21′8″N97°31′12″W / 37.35222°N 97.52000°W / 37.35222; -97.52000
Valverde733501472 (4)93 (36)1 (0)0.76% 37°11′5″N97°12′13″W / 37.18472°N 97.20361°W / 37.18472; -97.20361
Walton753004313 (8)139 (54)0 (0)0% 37°4′43″N97°11′36″W / 37.07861°N 97.19333°W / 37.07861; -97.19333
Wellington765003444 (11)81 (31)0 (0)0.06% 37°16′17″N97°25′16″W / 37.27139°N 97.42111°W / 37.27139; -97.42111

See also

Community information for Kansas

References

  1. 1 2 3 "QuickFacts; Sumner County, Kansas; Population, Census, 2020 & 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on August 20, 2021. Retrieved August 20, 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. "Rock Island Rail History". Archived from the original on June 19, 2011. Retrieved April 18, 2011.
  5. Kansas Star Casino Plans To Open; The Wichita Eagle; December 7, 2011.
  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 2006. Archived from the original on October 8, 2007. Retrieved December 26, 2007.
  15. 1 2 "General Highway Map of Sumner County, Kansas" (PDF). Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT). May 2010. Archived (PDF) from the original on May 19, 2024.
Notes

    Further reading

    County
    Historical
    Maps