Barber County, Kansas

Barber County (county code BA) is a county located in the south-central portion of the U.S. state of Kansas. Its county seat and most populous city is Medicine Lodge.[2] As of the 2020 census, the county population was 4,228.[1] The county was named for Thomas Barber, an abolitionist who was killed in Douglas County in 1855 during the Wakarusa War.[3]

Barber County
County
Medicine Lodge Stockade Museum (left) and Carry A. Nation house (right) in Medicine Lodge
Medicine Lodge Stockade Museum (left) and Carry A. Nation house (right) in Medicine Lodge
Map of Kansas highlighting Barber County
Location within the U.S. state of Kansas
Map of the United States highlighting Kansas
Kansas's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 37°14′N 98°41′W
Country United States
State Kansas
FoundedFebruary 26, 1867
Named forThomas W. Barber
SeatMedicine Lodge
Largest cityMedicine Lodge
Area
 • Total1,136 sq mi (2,940 km2)
 • Land1,134 sq mi (2,940 km2)
 • Water2.1 sq mi (5 km2)  0.2%
Population
 (2020)[1]
 • Total4,228
 • Density3.7/sq mi (1.4/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Area code620
Congressional district4th
Websitebarber.ks.gov

History
See also: History of Kansas and Timeline of Kansas history

For many millennia, the Great Plains of North America was inhabited by nomadic Native Americans.

In 1854, the Kansas Territory was organized, then in 1861 Kansas became the 34th U.S. state.

In 1873, Barber County was established, and named for Thomas W. Barber.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,136 square miles (2,940 km2), of which 1,134 square miles (2,940 km2) is land and 2.1 square miles (5.4 km2) (0.2%) is water.[4]

Adjacent counties

Major highways

Sources: National Atlas,[5] U.S. Census Bureau[6]

Demographics
Population pyramid based on 2000 census age data
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18802,661—
18907,973199.6%
19006,594−17.3%
19109,91650.4%
19209,739−1.8%
193010,1784.5%
19409,073−10.9%
19508,521−6.1%
19608,7132.3%
19707,016−19.5%
19806,548−6.7%
19905,874−10.3%
20005,307−9.7%
20104,861−8.4%
20204,228−13.0%
U.S. Decennial Census[7]
1790-1960[8] 1900-1990[9]
1990-2000[10] 2010-2020[1]

As of the 2000 census,[11] there were 5,307 people, 2,235 households, and 1,510 families residing in the county. The population density was 5 people per square mile (1.9 people/km2). There were 2,740 housing units at an average density of 2 per square mile (0.77/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 97.06% White, 0.38% Black or African American, 0.58% Native American, 0.09% Asian, 0.89% from other races, and 1.00% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.02% of the population.

There were 2,235 households, out of which 28.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.70% were married couples living together, 6.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.40% were non-families. 29.90% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.35 and the average family size was 2.91.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 25.00% under the age of 18, 5.80% from 18 to 24, 23.20% from 25 to 44, 24.50% from 45 to 64, and 21.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females there were 92.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.40 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $33,407, and the median income for a family was $40,234. Males had a median income of $29,806 versus $20,046 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,627. About 7.50% of families and 10.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.60% of those under age 18 and 4.90% of those age 65 or over.

Government

Barber County Is a Republican stronghold. The last Democrat to carry this county was Lyndon B. Johnson in 1964.

Presidential elections
Presidential election results
United States presidential election results for Barber County, Kansas[12]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No. %No. %No. %
2020 2,014 85.99% 291 12.43% 37 1.58%
2016 1,850 81.82% 286 12.65% 125 5.53%
2012 1,772 76.58% 482 20.83% 60 2.59%
2008 1,833 74.45% 598 24.29% 31 1.26%
2004 1,782 74.16% 588 24.47% 33 1.37%
2000 1,755 70.26% 637 25.50% 106 4.24%
1996 1,696 62.15% 730 26.75% 303 11.10%
1992 1,225 42.52% 759 26.35% 897 31.14%
1988 1,539 56.87% 1,118 41.32% 49 1.81%
1984 2,112 71.84% 806 27.41% 22 0.75%
1980 1,872 62.53% 914 30.53% 208 6.95%
1976 1,568 50.43% 1,494 48.05% 47 1.51%
1972 2,308 74.26% 727 23.39% 73 2.35%
1968 2,023 60.55% 1,027 30.74% 291 8.71%
1964 1,758 48.51% 1,845 50.91% 21 0.58%
1960 2,703 66.48% 1,347 33.13% 16 0.39%
1956 2,698 68.32% 1,241 31.43% 10 0.25%
1952 3,071 74.09% 1,028 24.80% 46 1.11%
1948 2,013 50.92% 1,891 47.84% 49 1.24%
1944 2,140 58.28% 1,501 40.88% 31 0.84%
1940 2,389 52.84% 2,074 45.87% 58 1.28%
1936 1,816 39.41% 2,774 60.20% 18 0.39%
1932 1,671 40.88% 2,321 56.78% 96 2.35%
1928 2,984 76.43% 871 22.31% 49 1.26%
1924 2,218 58.25% 909 23.87% 681 17.88%
1920 2,400 66.45% 1,098 30.40% 114 3.16%
1916 1,632 40.97% 2,061 51.74% 290 7.28%
1912 295 12.73% 883 38.11% 1,139 49.16%
1908 1,097 53.72% 864 42.31% 81 3.97%
1904 967 58.29% 566 34.12% 126 7.59%
1900 862 51.16% 783 46.47% 40 2.37%
1896 597 44.45% 729 54.28% 17 1.27%
1892 883 37.75% 0 0.00% 1,456 62.25%
1888 977 48.80% 710 35.46% 315 15.73%

Laws

Barber County allows the sale of liquor at not only liquor stores but also in restaurants.[13]

Economy

RSI Corporation

Education

Unified school districts

Communities
2005 KDOT Map of Barber County (map legend)

Cities

Unincorporated communities

Ghost towns
  • Forest City
  • Lasswell
  • Mingona
  • Pixley

Townships

Barber County is divided into eighteen 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.

TownshipFIPSPopulation
center		 PopulationPopulation
density
/km2 (/sq mi)		 Land area
km2 (sq mi)		Water area
km2 (sq mi)		Water % Geographic coordinates
Aetna0040030 (0)318 (123)0 (0)0.13%37°5′37″N 98°56′43″W
Deerhead17300110 (0)165 (64)0 (0)0.07%37°13′59″N 98°58′3″W
Eagle19150420 (0)290 (112)0 (0)0.04%37°10′13″N 98°46′22″W
Elm Mills208001061 (2)155 (60)1 (0)0.35%37°25′37″N 98°38′45″W
Elwood20925Hardtner2751 (3)260 (100)0 (0)0.18%37°2′30″N 98°40′35″W
Hazelton31175Hazelton2131 (3)189 (73)1 (0)0.33%37°6′7″N 98°24′1″W
Kiowa37150Kiowa1,1649 (24)124 (48)0 (0)0.31%37°1′3″N 98°29′19″W
Lake City37900831 (2)109 (42)0 (0)0.20%37°21′11″N 98°49′2″W
McAdoo43550290 (1)93 (36)0 (0)0.36%37°26′16″N 98°49′31″W
Medicine Lodge45525Medicine Lodge2,5738 (22)309 (119)1 (0)0.33%37°17′17″N 98°34′5″W
Mingona47050570 (1)139 (54)0 (0)0.10%37°17′39″N 98°40′37″W
Moore48075320 (1)119 (46)0 (0)0.24%37°4′9″N 98°32′59″W
Nippawalla50775260 (0)140 (54)0 (0)0.26%37°9′56″N 98°32′5″W
Ridge (defunct, merged with Sharon)5977540 (0)93 (36)0 (0)0.12%37°22′37″N 98°25′7″W
Sharon64350Sharon3694 (10)95 (37)0 (0)0.04%37°14′56″N 98°24′32″W
Sun City69300Sun City1001 (2)124 (48)0 (0)0.09%37°22′39″N 98°55′13″W
Turkey Creek71675370 (1)123 (47)0 (0)0.12%37°26′6″N 98°55′0″W
Valley72750Isabel1832 (5)94 (36)0 (0)0.01%37°26′6″N 98°31′44″W
Sources: "Census 2000 U.S. Gazetteer Files". U.S. Census Bureau, Geography Division. Archived from the original on August 2, 2002.

See also
Community information for Kansas

References
  1. "QuickFacts; Barber County, Kansas; Population, Census, 2020 & 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on August 15, 2021. Retrieved August 15, 2021.
  2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. "Barber County KS". Archived from the original on June 6, 2014. Retrieved June 4, 2014.
  4. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  5. National Atlas Archived December 5, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  6. "U.S. Census Bureau TIGER shape files". Archived from the original on May 23, 2017. Retrieved December 5, 2017.
  7. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 21, 2014.
  8. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved July 21, 2014.
  9. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 21, 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 21, 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" (PDF). Alcoholic Beverage Control, Kansas Department of Revenue. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 25, 2012.

Further reading
See also: List of books about Kansas, including historical information about its counties and cities
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Barber County, Kansas.
County
Maps
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.