Hamilton County, Kansas

Hamilton County (county code HM) is a county located in the U.S. state of Kansas. Its county seat and most populous city is Syracuse.[2] As of the 2020 census, the county population was 2,518.[1] The county was founded in 1873 and named for Alexander Hamilton, a founding father of the United States.[3]

Not to be confused with Hamilton, Kansas.

Hamilton County
County
Hamilton County courthouse in Syracuse (2010)
Hamilton County courthouse in Syracuse (2010)
Map of Kansas highlighting Hamilton 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°01′00″N 101°40′01″W
Country United States
State Kansas
FoundedMarch 20, 1873
Named forAlexander Hamilton
SeatSyracuse
Largest citySyracuse
Area
 • Total998 sq mi (2,580 km2)
 • Land997 sq mi (2,580 km2)
 • Water1.1 sq mi (3 km2)  0.1%
Population
 (2020)[1]
 • Total2,518
 • Density2.5/sq mi (1.0/km2)
Time zoneUTC−7 (Mountain)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−6 (MDT)
Congressional district1st
WebsiteCounty Info

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, Hamilton County was established, and named for Alexander Hamilton.

In the 1930s, the prosperity of the area was severely affected by its location within the Dust Bowl. This catastrophe intensified the economic impact of the Great Depression in the region.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 998 square miles (2,580 km2), of which 997 square miles (2,580 km2) is land and 1.1 square miles (2.8 km2) (0.1%) is water.[4]

Major highways

Adjacent counties

Demographics
Population pyramid based on 2000 census age data
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1880168—
18902,0271,106.5%
19001,426−29.6%
19103,360135.6%
19202,586−23.0%
19303,32828.7%
19402,645−20.5%
19503,69639.7%
19603,144−14.9%
19702,747−12.6%
19802,514−8.5%
19902,388−5.0%
20002,67011.8%
20102,6900.7%
20202,518−6.4%
U.S. Decennial Census[5]
1790-1960[6] 1900-1990[7]
1990-2000[8] 2010-2020[1]

As of the 2000 census,[9] there were 2,670 people, 1,054 households, and 715 families residing in the county. The population density was 3 people per square mile (1.2 people/km2). There were 1,211 housing units at an average density of 1 per square mile (0.39/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 81.65% White, 0.56% Asian, 0.49% Black or African American, 0.49% Native American, 15.13% from other races, and 1.69% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 20.60% of the population.

There were 1,054 households, out of which 33.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.90% were married couples living together, 7.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.10% were non-families. 29.40% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.80% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 3.09.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 28.40% under the age of 18, 7.20% from 18 to 24, 25.30% from 25 to 44, 20.90% from 45 to 64, and 18.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 97.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.60 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $32,033, and the median income for a family was $38,550. Males had a median income of $26,701 versus $21,000 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,484. About 10.90% of families and 15.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.50% of those under age 18 and 9.40% of those age 65 or over.

Government

Hamilton County is often carried by Republican Candidates. The last time a Democratic candidate has carried Hamilton County was in 1976 by Jimmy Carter. As like many counties that border it, Republicans have been increasing their influence in the county's presidential elections, when Donald J. Trump in 2016 won by a margin of approximately 70%, as Hillary Clinton only managed to get 13% of the county's vote.

Presidential elections
Presidential election results
United States presidential election results for Hamilton County, Kansas[10]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No. %No. %No. %
2020 698 81.26% 141 16.41% 20 2.33%
2016 705 80.48% 121 13.81% 50 5.71%
2012 693 79.02% 163 18.59% 21 2.39%
2008 844 77.01% 233 21.26% 19 1.73%
2004 888 78.58% 229 20.27% 13 1.15%
2000 901 75.59% 264 22.15% 27 2.27%
1996 811 64.93% 342 27.38% 96 7.69%
1992 716 51.96% 386 28.01% 276 20.03%
1988 801 60.00% 517 38.73% 17 1.27%
1984 1,037 70.64% 408 27.79% 23 1.57%
1980 889 64.65% 402 29.24% 84 6.11%
1976 560 41.70% 746 55.55% 37 2.76%
1972 941 67.26% 394 28.16% 64 4.57%
1968 751 56.25% 410 30.71% 174 13.03%
1964 685 48.21% 726 51.09% 10 0.70%
1960 885 59.76% 591 39.91% 5 0.34%
1956 865 60.66% 552 38.71% 9 0.63%
1952 1,209 72.70% 437 26.28% 17 1.02%
1948 749 50.64% 722 48.82% 8 0.54%
1944 795 62.35% 471 36.94% 9 0.71%
1940 798 57.95% 569 41.32% 10 0.73%
1936 720 44.55% 885 54.76% 11 0.68%
1932 651 36.68% 1,021 57.52% 103 5.80%
1928 839 68.43% 363 29.61% 24 1.96%
1924 610 52.27% 307 26.31% 250 21.42%
1920 591 57.66% 371 36.20% 63 6.15%
1916 511 44.05% 522 45.00% 127 10.95%
1912 134 21.30% 263 41.81% 232 36.88%
1908 415 57.32% 275 37.98% 34 4.70%
1904 215 58.58% 126 34.33% 26 7.08%
1900 182 46.31% 194 49.36% 17 4.33%
1896 185 45.57% 216 53.20% 5 1.23%
1892 252 56.25% 0 0.00% 196 43.75%
1888 480 59.11% 295 36.33% 37 4.56%

Laws

Although the Kansas Constitution was amended in 1986 to allow the sale of alcoholic liquor by the individual drink with the approval of voters, Hamilton County has remained a prohibition, or "dry", county.[11]

Education

Unified school districts

Communities
2005 KDOT Map of Hamilton County (map legend)

Cities

Unincorporated community

Townships
Area affected by the Dust Bowl between 1935 and 1938.

Hamilton County is divided into eight 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
Bear Creek04850690 (0)452 (174)1 (0)0.19%37°49′19″N 101°56′36″W
Coolidge154251280 (1)297 (115)1 (0)0.37%38°2′22″N 101°59′41″W
Kendall364251010 (1)234 (90)0 (0)0%37°59′41″N 101°35′3″W
Lamont38275890 (1)426 (164)0 (0)0.02%37°48′9″N 101°38′41″W
Liberty40075380 (0)257 (99)0 (0)0.03%38°7′29″N 101°44′4″W
Medway45650530 (0)279 (108)1 (0)0.28%38°4′51″N 101°51′13″W
Richland59325270 (0)426 (164)0 (0)0%38°13′21″N 101°46′17″W
Syracuse698752,16510 (27)210 (81)0 (0)0.01%37°59′10″N 101°45′5″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; Hamilton County, Kansas; Population, Census, 2020 & 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on August 17, 2021. Retrieved August 16, 2021.
  2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. Blackmar, Frank Wilson (1912). Kansas: A Cyclopedia of State History, Embracing Events, Institutions, Industries, Counties, Cities, Towns, Prominent Persons, Etc. Standard Publishing Company. pp. 803.
  4. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  5. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 26, 2014.
  6. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved July 26, 2014.
  7. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 26, 2014.
  8. "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 26, 2014.
  9. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  10. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections".
  11. "Map of Wet and Dry Counties". Alcoholic Beverage Control, Kansas Department of Revenue. November 2004. Archived from the original on October 8, 2007. Retrieved January 21, 2007.

Further reading
See also: List of books about Kansas, including historical information about its counties and cities
See also: List of books about Santa Fe Trail
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Hamilton County, Kansas.
County
Maps

38°01′N 101°40′W

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