Decatur County, Kansas
Decatur County (county code DC) is a county located in Northwest Kansas. Its county seat and most populous city is Oberlin.[2] As of the 2020 census, the county population was 2,764.[1] The county was named in honor of Stephen Decatur, Jr., a commodore in the United States Navy who served during both Barbary Wars in North Africa, the Quasi-War with France, and the War of 1812 with Britain.
Decatur County | |
|---|---|
 Bank of Oberlin (2014) | |
 Location within the U.S. state of Kansas | |
 Kansas's location within the U.S. | |
| Coordinates: 39°48′N 100°28′W | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  Kansas |
| Founded | March 20, 1873 |
| Named for | Stephen Decatur, Jr. |
| Seat | Oberlin |
| Largest city | Oberlin |
| Area | |
| • Total | 894 sq mi (2,320 km2) |
| • Land | 894 sq mi (2,320 km2) |
| • Water | 0.6 sq mi (2 km2) 0.07% |
| Population | |
| • Total | 2,764 |
| • Density | 3.1/sq mi (1.2/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−6 (Central) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (CDT) |
| Area code | 785 |
| Congressional district | 1st |
| Website | oberlinks.com |
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, per 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. Decatur County was established March 20, 1873 and organized on December 15, 1879. It is named for the Navy war hero Commodore Stephen Decatur, Jr.,[3] who served during the First Barbary War and the Second Barbary War and the War of 1812.
In 1878, the Sappa Creek valley in Decatur county was the scene of the last raid by Native Americans (Indians) in Kansas. In the Northern Cheyenne Exodus after the Battle of Punished Woman's Fork, a band of Cheyenne needing horses and provisions raged through the valley, killing more than 30 civilians and raping several woman. Several Cheyenne elderly, women, and children were also killed in the region by soldiers and civilians.[4] In Oberlin, the Decatur County Last Indian Raid Museum commemorates the Cheyenne raid.[5][6]
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 894 square miles (2,320 km2), of which 894 square miles (2,320 km2) is land and 0.6 square miles (1.6 km2) (0.07%) is water.[7]
Adjacent counties
- Red Willow County, Nebraska (north)
- Furnas County, Nebraska (northeast)
- Norton County (east)
- Sheridan County (south)
- Thomas County (southwest)
- Rawlins County (west)
Demographics
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1880 | 4,180 | — | |
| 1890 | 8,414 | 101.3% | |
| 1900 | 9,234 | 9.7% | |
| 1910 | 8,976 | −2.8% | |
| 1920 | 8,121 | −9.5% | |
| 1930 | 8,866 | 9.2% | |
| 1940 | 7,434 | −16.2% | |
| 1950 | 6,185 | −16.8% | |
| 1960 | 5,778 | −6.6% | |
| 1970 | 4,988 | −13.7% | |
| 1980 | 4,509 | −9.6% | |
| 1990 | 4,021 | −10.8% | |
| 2000 | 3,472 | −13.7% | |
| 2010 | 2,961 | −14.7% | |
| 2020 | 2,764 | −6.7% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census[8] 1790-1960[9] 1900-1990[10] 1990-2000[11] 2010-2020[1] | |||
As of the 2000 census,[12] there were 3,472 people, 1,494 households, and 981 families residing in the county. The population density was 4 people per square mile (1.5 people/km2). There were 1,821 housing units at an average density of 2 per square mile (0.77/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 97.87% White, 0.52% Black or African American, 0.09% Native American, 0.14% Asian, 0.12% Pacific Islander, 0.37% from other races, and 0.89% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.98% of the population.
There were 1,494 households, out of which 25.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.00% were married couples living together, 5.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.30% were non-families. 32.80% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.24 and the average family size was 2.83.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 23.60% under the age of 18, 4.70% from 18 to 24, 22.90% from 25 to 44, 22.60% from 45 to 64, and 26.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females there were 97.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.40 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $30,257, and the median income for a family was $34,982. Males had a median income of $25,139 versus $17,368 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,348. About 8.00% of families and 11.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.20% of those under age 18 and 6.30% of those age 65 or over.
Government
Decatur county is heavily Republican. The last time a democratic candidate carried the county was in 1936 by Franklin D. Roosevelt.
Presidential elections
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 2020 | 1,260 | 84.11% | 218 | 14.55% | 20 | 1.34% |
| 2016 | 1,210 | 83.05% | 178 | 12.22% | 69 | 4.74% |
| 2012 | 1,218 | 79.50% | 266 | 17.36% | 48 | 3.13% |
| 2008 | 1,189 | 76.81% | 343 | 22.16% | 16 | 1.03% |
| 2004 | 1,355 | 77.87% | 355 | 20.40% | 30 | 1.72% |
| 2000 | 1,255 | 71.35% | 424 | 24.10% | 80 | 4.55% |
| 1996 | 1,255 | 68.06% | 417 | 22.61% | 172 | 9.33% |
| 1992 | 940 | 45.00% | 576 | 27.57% | 573 | 27.43% |
| 1988 | 1,291 | 60.10% | 793 | 36.92% | 64 | 2.98% |
| 1984 | 1,770 | 78.15% | 467 | 20.62% | 28 | 1.24% |
| 1980 | 1,642 | 72.98% | 443 | 19.69% | 165 | 7.33% |
| 1976 | 1,232 | 52.74% | 1,011 | 43.28% | 93 | 3.98% |
| 1972 | 1,707 | 70.22% | 616 | 25.34% | 108 | 4.44% |
| 1968 | 1,654 | 65.74% | 652 | 25.91% | 210 | 8.35% |
| 1964 | 1,382 | 50.96% | 1,314 | 48.45% | 16 | 0.59% |
| 1960 | 1,846 | 63.83% | 1,038 | 35.89% | 8 | 0.28% |
| 1956 | 2,028 | 68.58% | 920 | 31.11% | 9 | 0.30% |
| 1952 | 2,451 | 74.54% | 821 | 24.97% | 16 | 0.49% |
| 1948 | 1,545 | 51.41% | 1,402 | 46.66% | 58 | 1.93% |
| 1944 | 1,758 | 59.92% | 1,159 | 39.50% | 17 | 0.58% |
| 1940 | 2,018 | 56.16% | 1,546 | 43.03% | 29 | 0.81% |
| 1936 | 1,727 | 42.08% | 2,362 | 57.55% | 15 | 0.37% |
| 1932 | 1,439 | 36.26% | 2,422 | 61.02% | 108 | 2.72% |
| 1928 | 2,314 | 66.53% | 1,129 | 32.46% | 35 | 1.01% |
| 1924 | 1,621 | 46.89% | 1,218 | 35.23% | 618 | 17.88% |
| 1920 | 1,448 | 51.55% | 1,221 | 43.47% | 140 | 4.98% |
| 1916 | 1,007 | 27.73% | 2,431 | 66.95% | 193 | 5.32% |
| 1912 | 256 | 14.88% | 955 | 55.52% | 509 | 29.59% |
| 1908 | 898 | 39.33% | 1,250 | 54.75% | 135 | 5.91% |
| 1904 | 1,215 | 59.71% | 411 | 20.20% | 409 | 20.10% |
| 1900 | 848 | 41.77% | 1,158 | 57.04% | 24 | 1.18% |
| 1896 | 594 | 36.37% | 1,032 | 63.20% | 7 | 0.43% |
| 1892 | 619 | 38.59% | 0 | 0.00% | 985 | 61.41% |
| 1888 | 1,224 | 57.41% | 731 | 34.29% | 177 | 8.30% |
Laws
Following amendment to the Kansas Constitution in 1986, the county remained a prohibition, or "dry", county until 2002, when voters approved the sale of alcoholic liquor by the individual drink with a 30% food sales requirement.[14]
Education
Unified school districts
Communities
‡ means a community has portions in an adjacent county.
Ghost towns
Townships
Decatur County is divided into twenty-five townships. The city of Oberlin 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allison | 01300 | 39 | 0 (1) | 93 (36) | 0 (0) | 0.01% | 39°35′36″N 100°12′24″W | |
| Altory | 01650 | 16 | 0 (0) | 93 (36) | 0 (0) | 0% | 39°47′22″N 100°21′15″W | |
| Bassettville | 04475 | 26 | 0 (1) | 93 (36) | 0 (0) | 0% | 39°41′12″N 100°40′38″W | |
| Beaver | 05050 | 86 | 1 (2) | 92 (36) | 0 (0) | 0.11% | 39°58′42″N 100°34′2″W | |
| Center | 11650 | 60 | 1 (2) | 93 (36) | 0 (0) | 0.03% | 39°47′5″N 100°27′38″W | |
| Cook | 15375 | 44 | 0 (1) | 93 (36) | 0 (0) | 0.08% | 39°36′16″N 100°40′32″W | |
| Custer | 16850 | 27 | 0 (1) | 93 (36) | 0 (0) | 0.04% | 39°41′17″N 100°26′59″W | |
| Dresden | 18625 | 141 | 2 (4) | 92 (36) | 0 (0) | 0.01% | 39°36′39″N 100°27′5″W | |
| Finley | 23425 | 39 | 0 (1) | 93 (36) | 0 (0) | 0% | 39°57′42″N 100°41′20″W | |
| Garfield | 25525 | 41 | 0 (1) | 92 (36) | 0 (0) | 0% | 39°46′38″N 100°14′44″W | |
| Grant | 27600 | 31 | 0 (1) | 92 (36) | 0 (0) | 0.07% | 39°57′36″N 100°14′11″W | |
| Harlan | 30050 | 51 | 1 (1) | 92 (36) | 0 (0) | 0.05% | 39°56′50″N 100°20′56″W | |
| Jennings | 35400 | 173 | 2 (5) | 93 (36) | 0 (0) | 0.34% | 39°40′35″N 100°18′56″W | |
| Liberty | 39975 | 48 | 1 (1) | 91 (35) | 0 (0) | 0.03% | 39°53′2″N 100°33′31″W | |
| Lincoln | 40600 | 203 | 2 (6) | 92 (36) | 0 (0) | 0.02% | 39°50′58″N 100°12′21″W | |
| Logan | 41825 | 52 | 1 (1) | 93 (36) | 0 (0) | 0% | 39°52′38″N 100°42′42″W | |
| Lyon | 43450 | 24 | 0 (1) | 93 (36) | 0 (0) | 0% | 39°36′52″N 100°21′8″W | |
| Oberlin | 52025 | 91 | 1 (3) | 89 (34) | 0 (0) | 0.08% | 39°47′32″N 100°34′20″W | |
| Olive | 52675 | 68 | 1 (2) | 92 (35) | 1 (0) | 0.65% | 39°51′43″N 100°28′18″W | |
| Pleasant Valley | 56525 | 46 | 0 (1) | 93 (36) | 0 (0) | 0.05% | 39°41′53″N 100°13′59″W | |
| Prairie Dog | 57475 | 50 | 1 (1) | 93 (36) | 0 (0) | 0.01% | 39°36′33″N 100°33′49″W | |
| Roosevelt | 61025 | 32 | 0 (1) | 93 (36) | 0 (0) | 0.07% | 39°53′1″N 100°21′43″W | |
| Sappa | 63050 | 43 | 0 (1) | 93 (36) | 0 (0) | 0.04% | 39°45′57″N 100°41′48″W | |
| Sherman | 64900 | 25 | 0 (1) | 92 (36) | 0 (0) | 0.01% | 39°57′5″N 100°28′7″W | |
| Summit | 69075 | 22 | 0 (1) | 93 (36) | 0 (0) | 0.09% | 39°41′27″N 100°34′37″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
- "QuickFacts; Decatur County, Kansas; Population, Census, 2020 & 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on August 16, 2021. Retrieved August 15, 2021.
- "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
- Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Govt. Print. Off. p. 102.
- Leiker, James N.; Powers, Ramon (2011). The Northern Cheyenne Exodus in History and Memory. Norman: University of Oklahoma Press. pp. 59–67. ISBN 9780806142210.
- "Decatur County Last Indian Raid Museum". Decatur County. Retrieved July 10, 2022.
- Weiser, Kathy (March 2012). "Cheyenne Raid in Kansas". Legendsofkansas.com. Retrieved November 10, 2016.
- "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
- "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 24, 2014.
- "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved July 24, 2014.
- "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 24, 2014.
- "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.
- "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
- "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections".
- "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.
Further reading
- Handbook of Decatur County, Kansas; C.S. Burch Publishing Co; 25 pages; 1885.
- Standard Atlas of Decatur County, Kansas; Geo. A. Ogle & Co; 80 pages; 1921.
- Standard Atlas of Decatur County, Kansas; Geo. A. Ogle & Co; 69 pages; 1905.
External links
- County
- Maps
- Decatur County Maps: Current, Historic, KDOT
- Kansas Highway Maps: Current, Historic, KDOT
- Kansas Railroad Maps: Current, 1996, 1915, KDOT and Kansas Historical Society
Places adjacent to Decatur County, Kansas | |
|---|---|
Municipalities and communities of Decatur County, Kansas, United States | ||
|---|---|---|
| Cities | Map of Kansas highlighting Decatur County | |
| Unincorporated communities | ||
| Ghost towns | ||
| Townships | ||
| Footnotes | ‡This community also has portions in an adjacent county or counties. | |