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Pawnee County, Kansas

Coordinates: 38°09′N 99°12′W / 38.150°N 99.200°W / 38.150; -99.200
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Not to be confused with Pawnee, Kansas.

Pawnee County
County
Pawnee County Courthouse in Larned (2009)
Pawnee County Courthouse in Larned (2009)
Map of Kansas highlighting Pawnee County
Location within the U.S. state of Kansas
Map of the United States highlighting Kansas
Kansas's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 38°09′N 99°12′W / 38.15°N 99.2°W / 38.15; -99.2
Country United States
State Kansas
FoundedFebruary 26, 1867
Named forPawnee tribe
SeatLarned
Largest cityLarned
Area
 • Total
755 sq mi (1,960 km2)
 • Land754 sq mi (1,950 km2)
 • Water0.4 sq mi (1 km2)  0.05%
Population
 (2020)[1]
 • Total
6,253
 • Density8.3/sq mi (3.2/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional districts1st, 4th
Websitepawneecountykansas.com

Pawnee County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kansas. Its county seat and largest city is Larned.[2] As of the 2020 census, the county population was 6,253.[1] The county is named after the Pawnee tribe.[3]

Agriculture remains a cornerstone of Pawnee County's economy, with the county being one of the state's leading producers of winter wheat. Other agricultural products include oilseed, grain, vegetables, melons, and cotton. The county also supports beef cattle ranching and feedlots.[4]

History

[edit]
See also: History of Kansas

Pawnee County was established in 1867 and organized in 1872. The county derives its name from the Pawnee Indian tribe, who historically inhabited the region. Prior to its establishment as Pawnee County, the area was contained in the old Washington County, Peketon County, and later Marion County.[4]

Ford Larned was established near the site of present-day Larned, Kansas between 1859 and 1860 to provide protection for wagon trains traversing the Santa Fe Trail. Notably, in January 1863, a wagon train was stopped by a starving band Cheyenne and Arapaho Indians. After refusing the Indians' request for supplies, the wagon train was attacked and all but one of the teamsters killed. The survivor sought refuge at Ford Larned.[4]

Against this background of increasing tension in the region, Fort Larned became a base of operations for Major General Winfield Hancock's campaign against the Plains tribes. After Hancock requested reinforcements from U.S. Seventh Cavalry, led by Lieutenant Colonel George A. Custer, Custer began a campaign against the Cheyenne culminating in their defeat in the Battle of the Washita River in Oklahoma.[4]

Additionally, Fort Larned played a vital role in safeguarding railroad construction workers, distributing treaty-established annuities to the Indians, and serving as a Bureau of Indian Affairs office during the 1860s. While the fort officially closed in 1878, a detachment from Fort Dodge remained stationed there until 1883.[4]

Geography

[edit]

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 755 square miles (1,960 km2), of which 754 square miles (1,950 km2) is land and 0.4 square miles (1.0 km2) (0.05%) is water.[5]

Adjacent counties

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National protected area

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Demographics

[edit]
Population pyramid based on 2000 census age data
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1870179—
18805,3962,914.5%
18905,204−3.6%
19005,084−2.3%
19108,85974.3%
19209,3235.2%
193010,51012.7%
194010,300−2.0%
195011,0417.2%
196010,254−7.1%
19708,484−17.3%
19808,065−4.9%
19907,555−6.3%
20007,233−4.3%
20106,973−3.6%
20206,253−10.3%
2023 (est.)6,126[6]−2.0%
U.S. Decennial Census[7]
1790-1960[8] 1900-1990[9]
1990-2000[10] 2010-2020[1]

As of the census[11] of 2000, there were 7,233 people, 2,739 households, and 1,785 families residing in the county. The population density was 10 people per square mile (3.9 people/km2). There were 3,114 housing units at an average density of 4 per square mile (1.5/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 90.96% White, 5.00% Black or African American, 0.95% Native American, 0.57% Asian, 1.22% from other races, and 1.30% from two or more races. 4.16% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 2,739 households, out of which 29.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.80% were married couples living together, 7.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.80% were non-families. 32.20% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.31 and the average family size was 2.91.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 24.20% under the age of 18, 7.30% from 18 to 24, 25.40% from 25 to 44, 24.60% from 45 to 64, and 18.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 112.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 112.70 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $35,175, and the median income for a family was $45,634. Males had a median income of $26,751 versus $20,931 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,584. About 5.40% of families and 11.80% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.00% of those under age 18 and 9.90% of those age 65 or over.

Government

[edit]

Presidential elections

[edit]

Pawnee County has been primarily Republican for the majority of its history. However, there have been multiple stretches where it was considered a swing county, backing the national winner in all presidential elections from 1904 to 1936 as well as 1964 to 1988. It has trended away from bellwether status since 1988 however.

Presidential election results
United States presidential election results for Pawnee County, Kansas[12]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2024 1,971 74.97% 612 23.28% 46 1.75%
2020 2,045 74.66% 643 23.48% 51 1.86%
2016 1,904 71.55% 579 21.76% 178 6.69%
2012 1,836 70.40% 718 27.53% 54 2.07%
2008 1,946 67.59% 882 30.64% 51 1.77%
2004 2,172 72.69% 773 25.87% 43 1.44%
2000 1,850 62.93% 968 32.93% 122 4.15%
1996 1,927 61.10% 932 29.55% 295 9.35%
1992 1,357 37.85% 1,118 31.19% 1,110 30.96%
1988 1,825 54.11% 1,474 43.70% 74 2.19%
1984 2,570 68.90% 1,092 29.28% 68 1.82%
1980 2,170 58.79% 1,184 32.08% 337 9.13%
1976 1,692 45.11% 1,959 52.23% 100 2.67%
1972 2,370 65.83% 1,110 30.83% 120 3.33%
1968 2,037 54.19% 1,416 37.67% 306 8.14%
1964 1,468 36.03% 2,577 63.25% 29 0.71%
1960 2,618 58.32% 1,853 41.28% 18 0.40%
1956 2,788 63.73% 1,567 35.82% 20 0.46%
1952 3,431 71.12% 1,340 27.78% 53 1.10%
1948 2,221 52.44% 1,945 45.93% 69 1.63%
1944 2,057 54.05% 1,727 45.38% 22 0.58%
1940 2,329 50.77% 2,216 48.31% 42 0.92%
1936 1,753 38.31% 2,814 61.49% 9 0.20%
1932 1,889 42.52% 2,451 55.17% 103 2.32%
1928 2,829 75.18% 918 24.40% 16 0.43%
1924 2,407 62.54% 1,111 28.86% 331 8.60%
1920 2,128 63.98% 1,138 34.22% 60 1.80%
1916 1,499 38.72% 2,131 55.05% 241 6.23%
1912 366 16.25% 1,050 46.63% 836 37.12%
1908 1,000 48.43% 961 46.54% 104 5.04%
1904 957 60.80% 494 31.39% 123 7.81%
1900 684 48.00% 727 51.02% 14 0.98%
1896 499 43.28% 635 55.07% 19 1.65%
1892 670 47.86% 0 0.00% 730 52.14%
1888 895 61.94% 303 20.97% 247 17.09%

Laws

[edit]

Following amendment to the Kansas Constitution in 1986, Pawnee 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.[13]

Education

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Unified school districts

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Communities

[edit]
2005 map of Pawnee County[14] (map legend)

List of townships / incorporated cities / unincorporated communities / extinct former communities within Pawnee County.[14]

Cities

[edit]

Unincorporated communities

[edit]

Townships

[edit]

Pawnee County is divided into twenty-one townships. The city of Larned 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
Ash Valley 02825 49 1 (1) 95 (37) 0 (0) 0.07% 38°18′46″N 99°12′37″W / 38.31278°N 99.21028°W / 38.31278; -99.21028
Browns Grove 08750 310 3 (9) 93 (36) 0 (0) 0% 38°12′1″N 99°31′12″W / 38.20028°N 99.52000°W / 38.20028; -99.52000
Conkling 15225 26 0 (1) 94 (36) 0 (0) 0.07% 38°18′46″N 99°18′57″W / 38.31278°N 99.31583°W / 38.31278; -99.31583
Garfield 25775 259 3 (7) 93 (36) 0 (0) 0.03% 38°2′55″N 99°16′50″W / 38.04861°N 99.28056°W / 38.04861; -99.28056
Grant 27925 234 3 (7) 92 (36) 0 (0) 0.04% 38°11′54″N 99°24′18″W / 38.19833°N 99.40500°W / 38.19833; -99.40500
Keysville 36625 55 1 (2) 94 (36) 0 (0) 0% 38°8′2″N 99°25′12″W / 38.13389°N 99.42000°W / 38.13389; -99.42000
Larned 38725 266 3 (8) 87 (34) 0 (0) 0% 38°12′38″N 99°4′5″W / 38.21056°N 99.06806°W / 38.21056; -99.06806
Lincoln 40975 28 0 (1) 93 (36) 0 (0) 0.12% 38°17′55″N 99°24′33″W / 38.29861°N 99.40917°W / 38.29861; -99.40917
Logan 42075 48 1 (1) 93 (36) 0 (0) 0.07% 38°7′34″N 98°57′31″W / 38.12611°N 98.95861°W / 38.12611; -98.95861
Morton 48525 56 1 (2) 92 (36) 0 (0) 0% 38°12′40″N 99°18′19″W / 38.21111°N 99.30528°W / 38.21111; -99.30528
Orange 53000 73 1 (2) 92 (36) 0 (0) 0% 38°3′2″N 99°11′46″W / 38.05056°N 99.19611°W / 38.05056; -99.19611
Pawnee 54800 82 1 (2) 93 (36) 0 (0) 0.06% 38°11′45″N 99°11′54″W / 38.19583°N 99.19833°W / 38.19583; -99.19833
Pleasant Grove 56400 230 2 (6) 93 (36) 0 (0) 0.22% 38°9′20″N 99°5′13″W / 38.15556°N 99.08694°W / 38.15556; -99.08694
Pleasant Ridge 56475 56 1 (2) 93 (36) 0 (0) 0.02% 38°7′25″N 99°18′6″W / 38.12361°N 99.30167°W / 38.12361; -99.30167
Pleasant Valley 56600 128 1 (4) 93 (36) 0 (0) 0% 38°2′11″N 99°4′4″W / 38.03639°N 99.06778°W / 38.03639; -99.06778
River 60050 87 1 (2) 92 (36) 0 (0) 0% 38°13′19″N 98°57′44″W / 38.22194°N 98.96222°W / 38.22194; -98.96222
Santa Fe 63025 788 9 (22) 92 (36) 0 (0) 0% 38°9′0″N 99°10′37″W / 38.15000°N 99.17694°W / 38.15000; -99.17694
Sawmill 63250 24 0 (1) 93 (36) 0 (0) 0.07% 38°8′19″N 99°30′22″W / 38.13861°N 99.50611°W / 38.13861; -99.50611
Shiley 65275 28 0 (1) 94 (36) 0 (0) 0.15% 38°18′12″N 99°32′20″W / 38.30333°N 99.53889°W / 38.30333; -99.53889
Valley Center 73225 57 1 (2) 92 (35) 0 (0) 0.07% 38°3′4″N 98°57′47″W / 38.05111°N 98.96306°W / 38.05111; -98.96306
Walnut 75050 113 1 (3) 93 (36) 0 (0) 0.08% 38°18′44″N 99°4′44″W / 38.31222°N 99.07889°W / 38.31222; -99.07889

See also

[edit]
Community information for Kansas

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c "QuickFacts; Pawnee County, Kansas; Population, Census, 2020 & 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on August 19, 2021. Retrieved August 19, 2021.
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ Swanton, John Reed (1952). The Indian Tribes of North America. US Government Printing Office. p. 290. ISBN 978-0-8063-1730-4.
  4. ^ a b c d e "Pawnee County, Kansas - Kansapedia - Kansas Historical Society". www.kshs.org. Retrieved February 13, 2024.
  5. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  6. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 3, 2024.
  7. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 28, 2014.
  8. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved July 28, 2014.
  9. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 28, 2014.
  10. ^ "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.
  11. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  12. ^ "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections".
  13. ^ "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.
  14. ^ a b "General Highway Map of Pawnee County, Kansas" (PDF). Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT). October 2010. Archived (PDF) from the original on June 3, 2023.

Further reading

[edit]
See also: List of books about Kansas, including historical information about its counties and cities
See also: List of books about Santa Fe Trail
County
Trails
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Pawnee County, Kansas.
County
Maps

38°09′N 99°12′W / 38.150°N 99.200°W / 38.150; -99.200

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