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Ellsworth County, Kansas

Coordinates: 38°42′N 98°12′W / 38.700°N 98.200°W / 38.700; -98.200
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Ellsworth County
County
Ellsworth County Courthouse in Ellsworth (2013)
Ellsworth County Courthouse in Ellsworth (2013)
Map of Kansas highlighting Ellsworth 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°42′N 98°12′W / 38.700°N 98.200°W / 38.700; -98.200
Country United States
State Kansas
FoundedFebruary 26, 1867
Named forFort Ellsworth
SeatEllsworth
Largest cityEllsworth
Area
 • Total
723 sq mi (1,870 km2)
 • Land716 sq mi (1,850 km2)
 • Water7.4 sq mi (19 km2)  1.0%
Population
 (2020)[1]
 • Total
6,376
 • Estimate 
(2023)[2]
6,357 Decrease
 • Density8.9/sq mi (3.4/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Area code785
Congressional district1st
Websiteellsworthcounty.org

Ellsworth County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kansas. Its county seat and most populous city is Ellsworth.[3] As of the 2020 census, the county population was 6,376.[1] The county was named after Fort Ellsworth.

History

[edit]
1915-1918 Railroad Map of Ellsworth County

Early history

[edit]
See also: History of Kansas

From the 16th century to 18th century, the Kingdom of France claimed ownership of large parts of North America both east and west of the Mississippi River. In 1762, after losing the French and Indian War to Great Britain, France secretly ceded New France to Spain, per the Treaty of Fontainebleau. In 1763 France ceded its territories east of the Mississippi River to Great Britain.

It regained the western territory under Napoleon, who sold it in 1803 to the United States in the Louisiana Purchase. He had decided to get rid of the New World territories after failing to regain control of Saint-Domingue, where a slave rebellion had toppled colonial control. In 1804 Haiti declared independence as the second republic of the Western Hemisphere.

The Plains Indians retained control of much of their territory until the late 19th century, giving way finally before superior United States arms and technology. Their territories were invaded by settlers, and crossed by the development of improved routes for settlers' emigrant wagon trains to the West Coast, followed by more permanent construction of transcontinental railroads. These brought tens of thousands of settlers to the Plains.[citation needed]

19th century

[edit]

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 1854, the Kansas Territory was organized; and in 1861 Kansas became the 34th U.S. state. Ellsworth County was established February 26, 1867. The county was named after the old Fort Ellsworth, named in honor of 2nd Lieutenant Allen Ellsworth of the 7th Iowa Cavalry (Company H), who supervised construction of the fort in 1864 during the American Civil War.[4] On November 17, 1866, the fort was renamed Fort Harker in honor of General Charles Garrison Harker who had died on June 27, 1864, from wounds received in an abortive offensive action in the Battle of Kennesaw Mountain. The fort was subsequently moved to a new site about one mile to the northeast, and the old fort's remaining buildings were ordered torn down in June 1867.[citation needed]

On March 22, 1869, Fourteen Pawnee Indians, including scouts who had been honorably discharged after working for the army, were traveling through Ellsworth County when they ran into U.S. cavalry troops. Though the Pawnees had discharge papers from the army, a fight ensued. The Indians retreated to a sandstone cave, known today as Palmer's Cave. Their attackers set fire to grass at the cave's entrance, and six to nine Pawnees were killed as they ran out. The others died from exposure without their possessions. A few days later, the post surgeon at nearby Fort Harker, in today's town of Kanopolis, removed six heads from their bodies, and shipped them to the Army Medical Museum in Washington, D.C., for cranial study.[5][6]

In the later 19th century, this area became known for cattle ranching and cattle drives. Town life was often riotous with cowboys celebrating after long drives.

Geography

[edit]

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 723 square miles (1,870 km2), of which 716 square miles (1,850 km2) is land and 7.4 square miles (19 km2) (1.0%) is water.[7] It is intersected by the Smoky Hill River.[8]

Adjacent counties

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Demographics

[edit]
Population pyramid based on 2000 census age data
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18701,185—
18808,494616.8%
18909,2729.2%
19009,6263.8%
191010,4448.5%
192010,379−0.6%
193010,132−2.4%
19409,855−2.7%
19508,465−14.1%
19607,677−9.3%
19706,146−19.9%
19806,6408.0%
19906,586−0.8%
20006,525−0.9%
20106,497−0.4%
20206,376−1.9%
2023 (est.)6,357[9]−0.3%
U.S. Decennial Census[10]
1790-1960[11] 1900-1990[12]
1990-2000[13] 2010-2020[1]

As of the 2000 census,[14] there were 6,525 people, 2,481 households, and 1,639 families residing in the county. The population density was 9 people per square mile (3.5 people/km2). There were 3,228 housing units at an average density of 4 per square mile (1.5/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 93.67% White, 3.56% Black or African American, 0.48% Native American, 0.25% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.86% from other races, and 1.18% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.59% of the population.

There were 2,481 households, out of which 27.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.20% were married couples living together, 6.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.90% were non-families. 31.40% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.30 and the average family size was 2.88.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 21.40% under the age of 18, 7.30% from 18 to 24, 27.10% from 25 to 44, 23.80% from 45 to 64, and 20.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 111.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 114.10 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $35,772, and the median income for a family was $44,360. Males had a median income of $30,110 versus $20,486 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,569. About 4.00% of families and 7.20% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.50% of those under age 18 and 11.10% of those age 65 or over.

Government

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Presidential elections

[edit]
Presidential election results
United States presidential election results for Ellsworth County, Kansas[15]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2024 2,019 74.97% 631 23.43% 43 1.60%
2020 2,148 75.29% 648 22.71% 57 2.00%
2016 1,969 72.76% 521 19.25% 216 7.98%
2012 1,930 71.17% 702 25.88% 80 2.95%
2008 2,021 68.79% 851 28.97% 66 2.25%
2004 2,259 72.82% 801 25.82% 42 1.35%
2000 1,845 64.99% 825 29.06% 169 5.95%
1996 2,078 64.14% 899 27.75% 263 8.12%
1992 1,197 36.96% 1,010 31.18% 1,032 31.86%
1988 1,711 57.03% 1,219 40.63% 70 2.33%
1984 2,353 71.35% 905 27.44% 40 1.21%
1980 2,155 65.90% 886 27.09% 229 7.00%
1976 1,618 49.85% 1,573 48.46% 55 1.69%
1972 2,087 65.20% 1,028 32.11% 86 2.69%
1968 1,776 57.53% 1,060 34.34% 251 8.13%
1964 1,406 39.75% 2,118 59.88% 13 0.37%
1960 2,189 59.37% 1,488 40.36% 10 0.27%
1956 2,524 64.90% 1,351 34.74% 14 0.36%
1952 3,219 74.67% 1,068 24.77% 24 0.56%
1948 2,155 52.83% 1,879 46.07% 45 1.10%
1944 2,290 57.62% 1,678 42.22% 6 0.15%
1940 2,658 54.13% 2,237 45.56% 15 0.31%
1936 2,058 40.71% 2,990 59.15% 7 0.14%
1932 1,607 34.95% 2,928 63.68% 63 1.37%
1928 2,450 60.23% 1,588 39.04% 30 0.74%
1924 2,286 58.77% 950 24.42% 654 16.81%
1920 2,264 65.60% 1,090 31.59% 97 2.81%
1916 1,945 48.33% 1,936 48.11% 143 3.55%
1912 353 15.33% 1,045 45.38% 905 39.30%
1908 1,213 52.95% 1,039 45.35% 39 1.70%
1904 1,359 68.43% 578 29.10% 49 2.47%
1900 1,333 56.68% 1,006 42.77% 13 0.55%
1896 1,048 50.92% 992 48.20% 18 0.87%
1892 1,102 49.80% 0 0.00% 1,111 50.20%
1888 1,159 56.51% 831 40.52% 61 2.97%

Laws

[edit]

Ellsworth County was a prohibition, or "dry", county until the Kansas Constitution was amended in 1986. Voters approved the sale of alcoholic liquor by the individual drink, with a 30% food sales requirement.[16]

Education

[edit]

Unified school districts

[edit]

Communities

[edit]
2005 map of Ellsworth County[17] (map legend)

List of townships / incorporated cities / unincorporated communities / extinct former communities within Ellsworth County.[17]

Cities

[edit]

Unincorporated communities

[edit]

Ghost towns

[edit]

Townships

[edit]

Ellsworth County is divided into nineteen townships. The city of Ellsworth 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.

Township FIPS Population
center 		Population Population
density
/km2 (/sq mi) 		Land area
km2 (sq mi)		 Water area
km2 (sq mi)		 Water % Geographic coordinates
Ash Creek 02575 58 1 (2) 93 (36) 0 (0) 0.51% 38°39′17″N 98°12′47″W / 38.65472°N 98.21306°W / 38.65472; -98.21306
Black Wolf 07025 87 1 (2) 94 (36) 0 (0) 0.10% 38°44′40″N 98°19′33″W / 38.74444°N 98.32583°W / 38.74444; -98.32583
Carneiro 10800 57 1 (2) 93 (36) 0 (0) 0.36% 38°45′2″N 97°59′46″W / 38.75056°N 97.99611°W / 38.75056; -97.99611
Clear Creek 13725 91 1 (3) 94 (36) 0 (0) 0.17% 38°44′10″N 98°6′16″W / 38.73611°N 98.10444°W / 38.73611; -98.10444
Columbia 15025 60 1 (2) 94 (36) 0 (0) 0.04% 38°50′5″N 98°18′50″W / 38.83472°N 98.31389°W / 38.83472; -98.31389
Ellsworth 20525 797 9 (23) 88 (34) 0 (0) 0.23% 38°43′6″N 98°10′58″W / 38.71833°N 98.18278°W / 38.71833; -98.18278
Empire 21150 174 1 (3) 171 (66) 14 (6) 7.79% 38°39′6″N 98°1′7″W / 38.65167°N 98.01861°W / 38.65167; -98.01861
Garfield 25575 27 0 (1) 92 (36) 0 (0) 0.30% 38°50′9″N 98°6′42″W / 38.83583°N 98.11167°W / 38.83583; -98.11167
Green Garden 28600 Lorraine 211 2 (6) 94 (36) 0 (0) 0.22% 38°33′30″N 98°19′19″W / 38.55833°N 98.32194°W / 38.55833; -98.32194
Langley 38600 76 1 (2) 92 (35) 2 (1) 1.86% 38°35′33″N 97°58′15″W / 38.59250°N 97.97083°W / 38.59250; -97.97083
Lincoln 40675 62 1 (2) 95 (37) 0 (0) 0.22% 38°39′8″N 98°18′0″W / 38.65222°N 98.30000°W / 38.65222; -98.30000
Mulberry 49050 44 0 (1) 93 (36) 0 (0) 0.24% 38°50′5″N 97°58′28″W / 38.83472°N 97.97444°W / 38.83472; -97.97444
Noble 50825 90 1 (3) 93 (36) 0 (0) 0.04% 38°44′51″N 98°25′33″W / 38.74750°N 98.42583°W / 38.74750; -98.42583
Palacky 54100 63 1 (2) 94 (36) 0 (0) 0.08% 38°38′51″N 98°25′56″W / 38.64750°N 98.43222°W / 38.64750; -98.43222
Sherman 64950 65 1 (2) 94 (36) 0 (0) 0.22% 38°49′21″N 98°13′7″W / 38.82250°N 98.21861°W / 38.82250; -98.21861
Thomas 70450 72 1 (2) 93 (36) 0 (0) 0.21% 38°33′56″N 98°11′33″W / 38.56556°N 98.19250°W / 38.56556; -98.19250
Trivoli 71525 55 1 (2) 93 (36) 0 (0) 0.38% 38°35′7″N 98°4′23″W / 38.58528°N 98.07306°W / 38.58528; -98.07306
Valley 72800 Holyrood 577 6 (16) 93 (36) 0 (0) 0.14% 38°34′22″N 98°24′56″W / 38.57278°N 98.41556°W / 38.57278; -98.41556
Wilson 79700 Wilson 894 10 (25) 93 (36) 0 (0) 0.06% 38°49′34″N 98°27′23″W / 38.82611°N 98.45639°W / 38.82611; -98.45639
Sources: "Census 2000 U.S. Gazetteer Files". U.S. Census Bureau, Geography Division. Archived from the original on August 2, 2002.

See also

[edit]
Community information for Kansas

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c "QuickFacts; Ellsworth County, Kansas; Population, Census, 2020 & 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on August 16, 2021. Retrieved August 16, 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. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  4. ^ Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Govt. Print. Off. pp. 118.
  5. ^ Wishart, David (1994). An Unspeakable Sadness: The Dispossession of the Nebraska Indians. U of Nebraska Press. pp. 182, 183.
  6. ^ "Spencer Painting Symbolizes Dark Chapter of Kansas History Few Have Ever Read". Kansas Public Radio. January 27, 2017. Retrieved February 13, 2017.
  7. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  8. ^ Ripley, George; Dana, Charles A., eds. (1879). "Ellsworth, a central county of Kansas" . The American Cyclopædia.
  9. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 3, 2024.
  10. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 24, 2014.
  11. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved July 24, 2014.
  12. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 24, 2014.
  13. ^ "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 24, 2014.
  14. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  15. ^ "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections".
  16. ^ "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 28, 2007.
  17. ^ a b "General Highway Map of Ellsworth County, Kansas" (PDF). Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT). July 2011. Archived (PDF) from the original on July 27, 2023.
  18. ^ "Ellsworth County Extinct Towns". Legends of America. Retrieved June 23, 2016.
Notes

Further reading

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