Wichita County, Kansas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Wichita County
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Wichita County Courthouse in Leoti (2015)
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Location within the U.S. state of Kansas
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 Kansas's location within the U.S. |
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  Kansas |
| Founded | December 24, 1886 |
| Named for | Wichita tribe |
| Seat | Leoti |
| Largest city | Leoti |
| Area | |
| • Total | 719 sq mi (1,860 km2) |
| • Land | 719 sq mi (1,860 km2) |
| • Water | 0.02 sq mi (0.05 km2) 0.0% |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 2,152 |
| • Density | 3.0/sq mi (1.2/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−6 (Central) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (CDT) |
| Congressional district | 1st |
Wichita County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kansas. Its county seat is Leoti. As of the 2020 census, the county population was 2,152. The county was named after the Wichita tribe.
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, in accordance with the Treaty of Fontainebleau.
19th century
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, then in 1861 Kansas became the 34th U.S. state. In 1886, Wichita County was established.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 719 square miles (1,860 km2), virtually all of which is land.
Major highways
Kansas Highway 25
Kansas Highway 96
Adjacent counties
- Logan County (north)
- Scott County (east)
- Kearny County (south)
- Hamilton County (southwest/Mountain Time border)
- Greeley County (west/Mountain Time border)
- Wallace County (northwest/Mountain Time border)
Demographics
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1880 | 14 | — | |
| 1890 | 1,827 | 12,950.0% | |
| 1900 | 1,197 | −34.5% | |
| 1910 | 2,006 | 67.6% | |
| 1920 | 1,856 | −7.5% | |
| 1930 | 2,579 | 39.0% | |
| 1940 | 2,185 | −15.3% | |
| 1950 | 2,640 | 20.8% | |
| 1960 | 2,765 | 4.7% | |
| 1970 | 3,274 | 18.4% | |
| 1980 | 3,041 | −7.1% | |
| 1990 | 2,758 | −9.3% | |
| 2000 | 2,531 | −8.2% | |
| 2010 | 2,234 | −11.7% | |
| 2020 | 2,152 | −3.7% | |
| 2023 (est.) | 2,082 | −6.8% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census 1790-1960 1900-1990 1990-2000 2010-2020 |
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As of the census of 2000, there were 2,531 people, 967 households, and 723 families residing in the county. The population density was 4 people per square mile (1.5 people/km2). There were 1,119 housing units at an average density of 2 per square mile (0.77/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 86.25% White, 0.08% Black or African American, 0.71% Native American, 0.08% Asian, 10.51% from other races, and 2.37% from two or more races. 18.41% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 967 households, out of which 35.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 65.30% were married couples living together, 5.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.20% were non-families. 23.70% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.59 and the average family size was 3.07.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 28.70% under the age of 18, 7.30% from 18 to 24, 25.70% from 25 to 44, 22.30% from 45 to 64, and 16.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 104.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 102.60 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $33,462, and the median income for a family was $41,034. Males had a median income of $27,523 versus $18,807 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,720. About 11.20% of families and 14.80% of the population were below the poverty line, including 23.20% of those under age 18 and 4.70% of those age 65 or over.
Education
- Leoti USD 467
Communities
List of townships / incorporated cities / unincorporated communities / extinct former communities within Wichita County.
† means a community is designated a Census-Designated Place (CDP) by the United States Census Bureau.
Cities
- Leoti (county seat)
Unincorporated communities
Ghost towns
Townships
Wichita County has a single township. 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 |
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| Leoti | 39575 | Leoti | 2,531 | 1 (4) | 1,861 (719) | 0 (0) | 0% | 38°29′54″N 101°21′50″W / 38.49833°N 101.36389°W |
See also
In Spanish: Condado de Wichita (Kansas) para niños
