Smith County, Kansas
Template:Short description Template:Use American English Template:Use mdy dates Script error: No such module "Settlement short description".Script error: No such module "Infobox".Template:Template otherScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".Script error: No such module "Check for conflicting parameters".Expression error: Unexpected < operator.Template:Category handlerScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Smith County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kansas. Its county seat is Smith Center.[1] As of the 2020 census, the population was 3,570.[2] The county is named in memory of J. Nelson Smith, a major in the 2nd Colorado Cavalry, killed at the Battle of Westport on October 21, 1864. The geographic center of the contiguous United States is located within the county, near Lebanon.[3]
History
Early history
Script error: No such module "Labelled list hatnote". For many millennia, the Great Plains of North America were 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.
19th century
In 1802, Spain returned most of the land to France, while retaining title to approximately Script error: No such module "convert"..Script error: No such module "Unsubst". In 1803, most of the land for modern day Kansas was acquired by the United States from France as part of the Script error: No such module "convert". Louisiana Purchase for 2.83 cents per acre.
In 1854, the Kansas Territory was organized, then in 1861 Kansas became the 34th U.S. state. In 1872, Smith County was established. The first homestead in Smith County was in 1871 and there were 3,800 inhabitants by 1875. The county grew to 15,000 people by 1889. Corn was the main crop at first but drought and grasshopper plagues severely hurt the crops. When hardy Winter wheat was introduced to Kansas by Russian settlers, it eventually became the predominant crop in Smith County. The population of the county has slowly declined since 1900 due in large part because of advanced farming techniques that require less human labor.Script error: No such module "Unsubst".
Brewster Higley wrote the song "Home on the Range" in 1873 in a cabin nine miles northwest of Smith Center. It later became the Kansas State song.[4][5]
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of Script error: No such module "convert"., of which Script error: No such module "convert". is land and Script error: No such module "convert". (0.2%) is water.[6] The county is divided into 25 townships, each of which is listed below in the subdivisions section of this article.
The geographic center of the 48 contiguous states is located within the county, near the city of Lebanon.[7] The geographic center of North America is located in neighboring Osborne County.
The Solomon River runs through the southern part of the county and provides a flat basin and water for irrigated crops.
Major highways
There are two major highways serving the county. The main east–west route is U.S. Highway 36, which travels through Athol, Kensington, and Smith Center. The main north–south route is U.S. Highway 281, which intersects US-36 in Smith Center. Kansas state highways K-8, K-9 and K-180 serve other areas of the county.
Adjacent counties
- Webster County, Nebraska (northeast)
- Jewell County (east)
- Osborne County (south)
- Rooks County (southwest)
- Phillips County (west)
- Franklin County, Nebraska (northwest)
Demographics
<templatestyles src="US Census population/styles.css"/>
| Census | Pop. | Template:Sronly | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1870 | 66 | — | |
| 1880 | 13,883 | Script error: No such module "String".% | |
| 1890 | 15,613 | Script error: No such module "String".% | |
| 1900 | 16,384 | Script error: No such module "String".% | |
| 1910 | 15,365 | Script error: No such module "String".% | |
| 1920 | 14,985 | Script error: No such module "String".% | |
| 1930 | 13,545 | Script error: No such module "String".% | |
| 1940 | 10,582 | Script error: No such module "String".% | |
| 1950 | 8,846 | Script error: No such module "String".% | |
| 1960 | 7,776 | Script error: No such module "String".% | |
| 1970 | 6,757 | Script error: No such module "String".% | |
| 1980 | 5,947 | Script error: No such module "String".% | |
| 1990 | 5,078 | Script error: No such module "String".% | |
| 2000 | 4,536 | Script error: No such module "String".% | |
| 2010 | 3,853 | Script error: No such module "String".% | |
| 2020 | 3,570 | Script error: No such module "String".% | |
| 2023 (est.) | 3,590 | [8] | Script error: No such module "String".% |
| U.S. Decennial Census[9] 1790-1960[10] 1900-1990[11] 1990-2000[12] 2010-2020[2] | |||
Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
2020 census
As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 3,570. The median age was 52.1 years. 19.9% of residents were under the age of 18 and 29.4% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 103.2 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 100.4 males age 18 and over.[13][14]
The racial makeup of the county was 95.0% White, 0.5% Black or African American, 0.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% Asian, 0.0% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 1.0% from some other race, and 2.9% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 1.9% of the population.[14]
0.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 100.0% lived in rural areas.[15]
There were 1,627 households in the county, of which 23.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 20.8% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 34.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 17.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[13]
There were 2,026 housing units, of which 19.7% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 80.9% were owner-occupied and 19.1% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.1% and the rental vacancy rate was 14.8%.[13]
2000 census
As of the census[16] of 2000, there were 4,536 people, 1,953 households, and 1,322 families residing in the county. The population density was Script error: No such module "convert".. There were 2,326 housing units at an average density of Script error: No such module "convert".. The racial makeup of the county was 98.79% White, 0.11% Black or African American, 0.24% Native American, 0.04% Asian, 0.11% Pacific Islander, 0.22% from other races, and 0.49% from two or more races. 0.73% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
Out of the 1,953 households, 25.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.60% were married couples living together, 4.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.30% were non-families. 30.20% of all households were made up of individuals, and 18.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.27 and the average family size was 2.78.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 21.70% under the age of 18, 4.70% from 18 to 24, 22.10% from 25 to 44, 23.60% from 45 to 64, and 27.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 46 years. For every 100 females there were 92.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.40 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $28,486, and the median income for a family was $36,951. Males had a median income of $25,089 versus $18,608 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,983. About 8.80% of families and 10.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.80% of those under age 18 and 9.50% of those age 65 or over.
The population distribution by township is as follows according to the 2000 census: Banner 54; Beaver 60; Blaine 60; Cedar 619; Center 2,094; Cora 38; Crystal Plains 40; Dor 46; Garfield 33; German 34; Harlan 100; Harvey 130; Houston 206; Lane 134; Lincoln 73; Logan 47; Martin 24; Oak 399; Pawnee 35; Pleasant 34; Swan 42; Valley 75; Washington 63; Webster 47; White Rock 49.
Government
Presidential elections
<templatestyles src="Template:Hidden begin/styles.css"/>
Template:PresHead Template:PresRow Template:PresRow Template:PresRow Template:PresRow Template:PresRow Template:PresRow Template:PresRow Template:PresRow Template:PresRow Template:PresRow Template:PresRow Template:PresRow Template:PresRow Template:PresRow Template:PresRow Template:PresRow Template:PresRow Template:PresRow Template:PresRow Template:PresRow Template:PresRow Template:PresRow Template:PresRow Template:PresRow Template:PresRow Template:PresRow Template:PresRow Template:PresRow Template:PresRow Template:PresRow Template:PresRow Template:PresRow Template:PresRow Template:PresRow Template:PresRow
Template:PresFootLaws
Following amendment to the Kansas Constitution in 1986, the 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.[17]
Education
Unified school districts
Communities
List of townships / incorporated cities / unincorporated communities / extinct former communities within Smith County.[18]
Cities
<templatestyles src="Div col/styles.css"/>
- Athol
- Cedar
- Gaylord
- Kensington
- Lebanon
- Smith Center (county seat)
Unincorporated communities
<templatestyles src="Div col/styles.css"/>
Ghost towns
<templatestyles src="Div col/styles.css"/>
Post offices
Townships
Smith County is divided into twenty-five 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.
| Township | FIPS | Population center |
Population | Population density /km2 (/sq mi) |
Land area km2 (sq mi) |
Water area km2 (sq mi) |
Water % | Geographic coordinates |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Banner | 04100 | 54 | 0.58 (1.50) | 93.29 (36.02) | 0 (0) | 0% | Script error: No such module "Coordinates". | |
| Beaver | 05200 | 60 | 0.65 (1.67) | 92.89 (35.86) | 0.27 (0.10) | 0.29% | Script error: No such module "Coordinates". | |
| Blaine | 07200 | 60 | 0.64 (1.67) | 93.24 (36.00) | 0.04 (0.01) | 0.04% | Script error: No such module "Coordinates". | |
| Cedar | 11350 | Kensington | 619 | 6.68 (17.29) | 92.71 (35.80) | 0.08 (0.03) | 0.09% | Script error: No such module "Coordinates". |
| Center | 12175 | Smith Center | 2,094 | 22.48 (58.22) | 93.15 (35.97) | 0.04 (0.02) | 0.05% | Script error: No such module "Coordinates". |
| Cora | 15525 | 38 | 0.41 (1.06) | 92.96 (35.89) | 0.17 (0.06) | 0.18% | Script error: No such module "Coordinates". | |
| Crystal Plains | 16575 | 40 | 0.43 (1.11) | 93.00 (35.91) | 0.05 (0.02) | 0.05% | Script error: No such module "Coordinates". | |
| Dor | 18300 | 46 | 0.50 (1.29) | 92.55 (35.73) | 0.30 (0.11) | 0.32% | Script error: No such module "Coordinates". | |
| Garfield | 25825 | 33 | 0.35 (0.92) | 92.96 (35.89) | 0.04 (0.02) | 0.04% | Script error: No such module "Coordinates". | |
| German | 26150 | 34 | 0.37 (0.96) | 91.78 (35.44) | 0.27 (0.10) | 0.29% | Script error: No such module "Coordinates". | |
| Harlan | 30100 | 100 | 1.07 (2.78) | 93.03 (35.92) | 0.05 (0.02) | 0.05% | Script error: No such module "Coordinates". | |
| Harvey | 30550 | Cedar | 130 | 1.40 (3.63) | 92.86 (35.85) | 0.00 (0.00) | 0% | Script error: No such module "Coordinates". |
| Houston | 33225 | Gaylord | 206 | 2.22 (5.74) | 92.94 (35.88) | 0.14 (0.05) | 0.15% | Script error: No such module "Coordinates". |
| Lane | 38450 | Athol | 134 | 1.44 (3.73) | 92.98 (35.90) | 0.03 (0.01) | 0.04% | Script error: No such module "Coordinates". |
| Lincoln | 41200 | 73 | 0.79 (2.04) | 92.80 (35.83) | 0.15 (0.06) | 0.16% | Script error: No such module "Coordinates". | |
| Logan | 42275 | 47 | 0.51 (1.32) | 92.50 (35.72) | 0.14 (0.05) | 0.15% | Script error: No such module "Coordinates". | |
| Martin | 45000 | 24 | 0.26 (0.67) | 92.49 (35.71) | 0.25 (0.10) | 0.27% | Script error: No such module "Coordinates". | |
| Oak | 51650 | Lebanon | 399 | 4.30 (11.13) | 92.88 (35.86) | 0.07 (0.03) | 0.07% | Script error: No such module "Coordinates". |
| Pawnee | 54825 | 35 | 0.38 (0.98) | 92.13 (35.57) | 0.41 (0.16) | 0.44% | Script error: No such module "Coordinates". | |
| Pleasant | 56300 | 34 | 0.37 (0.95) | 92.69 (35.79) | 0.05 (0.02) | 0.05% | Script error: No such module "Coordinates". | |
| Swan | 69625 | 42 | 0.46 (1.18) | 92.00 (35.52) | 0.23 (0.09) | 0.25% | Script error: No such module "Coordinates". | |
| Valley | 73175 | 75 | 0.81 (2.09) | 92.82 (35.84) | 0.015 (0.006) | 0.02% | Script error: No such module "Coordinates". | |
| Washington | 75775 | 63 | 0.68 (1.76) | 92.87 (35.86) | 0 (0) | 0% | Script error: No such module "Coordinates". | |
| Webster | 76275 | 47 | 0.51 (1.31) | 92.76 (35.82) | 0.02 (0.01) | 0.02% | Script error: No such module "Coordinates". | |
| White Rock | 78000 | 49 | 0.53 (1.37) | 92.88 (35.86) | 0.04 (0.02) | 0.04% | Script error: No such module "Coordinates". |
See also
Script error: No such module "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
<templatestyles src="Reflist/styles.css" />
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Geographic Center of the Lower 48 United States
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ a b c Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ a b Template:Cite thesis
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Further reading
- Standard Atlas of Smith County, Kansas; Geo. A. Ogle & Co; 82 pages; 1917.
- Plat Book of Smith County, Kansas; North West Publishing Co; 48 pages; 1900.
External links
- County
- Script error: No such module "Official website".Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
- Smith County - Directory of Public Officials
- Other
- Maps
- Smith County Maps: Current, Historic, KDOT
- Kansas Highway Maps: Current, Historic, KDOT
- Kansas Railroad Maps: Current, 1996, 1915, KDOT and Kansas Historical Society
Script error: No such module "Navbox". Script error: No such module "navbox". Template:Authority control