Labette County, Kansas

Labette County (county code LB) is a county located in Southeast Kansas. Its county seat is Oswego,[2] and its most populous city is Parsons. As of the 2020 census, the county population was 20,184.[1] The county was named after LaBette creek,[3][4] the second-largest creek in the county, which runs roughly NNW-SSE from near Parsons to Chetopa. The creek in turn was named after French-Canadian fur trapper Pierre LaBette who had moved to the area, living along the Neosho River, and marrying into the Osage tribe in the 1830s and 1840s.[4]

Labette County
County
Big Hill Lake (2015)
Big Hill Lake (2015)
Map of Kansas highlighting Labette 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°12′N 95°17′W
Country United States
State Kansas
FoundedFebruary 26, 1867
Named forPierre La Bette
SeatOswego
Largest cityParsons
Area
 • Total653 sq mi (1,690 km2)
 • Land645 sq mi (1,670 km2)
 • Water7.8 sq mi (20 km2)  1.2%
Population
 (2020)[1]
 • Total20,184
 • Density31.3/sq mi (12.1/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Area code620
Congressional district2nd
WebsiteLabetteCounty.com

History

In the 1840s Labette County had a population mainly consisting of Osage people, although there were also many Cherokee and Euro-Americans. Many of the Euro-Americans were merchants with Osage or Cherokee wives.[5]

Between 1871 and 1873, at least eleven people vanished in the vicinity of an inn and general store operated by the Bender family in Labette County. Following the disappearance of the Benders in 1873, it was discovered that they had apparently murdered a number of travellers. Between eight and eleven bodies were discovered buried on the premises. Governor Thomas A. Osborn offered a reward of $2,000 for the apprehension of the Benders, but they were never found.[6][7]

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 653 square miles (1,690 km2), of which 645 square miles (1,670 km2) is land and 7.8 square miles (20 km2) (1.2%) is water.[8]

Adjacent counties

Demographics
Population pyramid based on 2000 census age data
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18709,973—
188022,735128.0%
189027,58621.3%
190027,387−0.7%
191031,42314.7%
192034,0478.4%
193031,346−7.9%
194030,352−3.2%
195029,285−3.5%
196026,805−8.5%
197025,775−3.8%
198025,682−0.4%
199023,693−7.7%
200022,169−6.4%
201021,607−2.5%
202020,184−6.6%
U.S. Decennial Census[9]
1790-1960[10] 1900-1990[11]
1990-2000[12] 2010-2020[1]

The Parsons, KS Micropolitan Statistical Area includes all of Labette County.

As of the 2010 Census Labette County had a population of 21,607. The median age was 41. The racial and ethnic composition of the population was 85.5% non-Hispanic white, 4.7% African-American, 2.2% Native America, 0.4% Asian, 0.1% non-Hispanics of some other race, 3.6% non-Hispanics reporting two or more races and 4.0% Hispanic or Latino.[13]

As of the 2000 census,[14] there were 22,835 people, 9,194 households, and 6,114 families residing in the county. The population density was 35 inhabitants per square mile (14/km2). There were 10,306 housing units at an average density of 16 per square mile (6.2/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 89.28% White, 4.66% Black or African American, 1.95% Native American, 0.32% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 1.20% from other races, and 2.58% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.07% of the population.

There were 9,194 households, out of which 31.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.10% were married couples living together, 10.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.50% were non-families. 29.80% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 2.95.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 25.70% under the age of 18, 8.70% from 18 to 24, 25.80% from 25 to 44, 22.50% from 45 to 64, and 17.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.00 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $30,875, and the median income for a family was $37,519. Males had a median income of $29,043 versus $21,706 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,525. About 8.90% of families and 12.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.70% of those under age 18 and 11.90% of those age 65 or over.

Government

Presidential elections

Similar to most Kansas counties Labette County is strongly Republican. While Jimmy Carter & Bill Clinton both won the county once each, it has shifted strongly away from the Democratic Party, with Hillary Clinton garnering the lowest percentage since 1928.

Presidential election results
United States presidential election results for Labette County, Kansas[15]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No. %No. %No. %
2020 5,735 66.97% 2,655 31.01% 173 2.02%
2016 5,335 64.92% 2,291 27.88% 592 7.20%
2012 4,742 59.00% 3,117 38.78% 178 2.21%
2008 5,001 55.38% 3,839 42.51% 191 2.11%
2004 5,400 59.09% 3,615 39.56% 124 1.36%
2000 4,475 52.41% 3,745 43.86% 318 3.72%
1996 4,283 45.66% 3,931 41.91% 1,166 12.43%
1992 3,368 33.09% 4,196 41.23% 2,613 25.68%
1988 5,125 52.92% 4,433 45.78% 126 1.30%
1984 6,542 63.76% 3,631 35.39% 87 0.85%
1980 5,244 52.86% 3,947 39.78% 730 7.36%
1976 4,640 45.59% 5,294 52.02% 243 2.39%
1972 6,399 64.76% 3,210 32.49% 272 2.75%
1968 5,503 51.19% 3,974 36.97% 1,273 11.84%
1964 4,761 43.04% 6,208 56.12% 93 0.84%
1960 7,491 58.49% 5,248 40.98% 68 0.53%
1956 7,677 59.35% 5,202 40.21% 57 0.44%
1952 8,624 61.99% 5,219 37.51% 70 0.50%
1948 6,298 50.12% 6,113 48.65% 154 1.23%
1944 7,480 57.87% 5,398 41.76% 48 0.37%
1940 8,210 54.17% 6,860 45.26% 87 0.57%
1936 6,610 44.91% 8,050 54.69% 59 0.40%
1932 5,794 42.12% 7,667 55.74% 294 2.14%
1928 9,048 74.22% 2,969 24.35% 174 1.43%
1924 6,593 55.25% 2,971 24.90% 2,369 19.85%
1920 6,596 57.94% 4,328 38.02% 460 4.04%
1916 5,328 42.61% 6,421 51.35% 755 6.04%
1912 1,516 21.85% 2,568 37.02% 2,853 41.13%
1908 3,367 49.17% 2,783 40.64% 698 10.19%
1904 3,700 58.68% 1,637 25.96% 968 15.35%
1900 3,319 48.77% 3,425 50.33% 61 0.90%
1896 3,206 46.20% 3,669 52.88% 64 0.92%
1892 2,950 47.89% 0 0.00% 3,210 52.11%
1888 2,870 47.38% 976 16.11% 2,211 36.50%

Laws

Following amendment to the Kansas Constitution in 1986, the county remained a prohibition, or "dry", county until 1996, when voters approved the sale of alcoholic liquor by the individual drink with a 30% food sales requirement.[16]

Education

Colleges

Unified school districts
District Office In Neighboring County

Communities
2005 KDOT Map of Labette County (map legend)

† means a community is designated a Census-Designated Place (CDP) by the United States Census Bureau.

Cities

Unincorporated communities

Ghost towns

Townships

Labette County is divided into sixteen townships. The cities of Chetopa, Oswego, and Parsons are considered governmentally independent and are 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.

TownshipFIPSPopulation
center		 PopulationPopulation
density
/km2 (/sq mi)		 Land area
km2 (sq mi)		Water area
km2 (sq mi)		Water % Geographic coordinates
Canada103252172 (5)103 (40)0 (0)0.22%37°6′18″N 95°27′4″W
Elm Grove207507986 (16)130 (50)0 (0)0.17%37°3′22″N 95°20′12″W
Fairview225502393 (7)94 (36)0 (0)0.11%37°10′9″N 95°12′6″W
Hackberry293504033 (8)131 (51)0 (0)0.15%37°3′30″N 95°12′44″W
Howard333003573 (8)111 (43)0 (0)0.13%37°2′23″N 95°27′33″W
Labette374003734 (10)94 (36)0 (0)0.18%37°15′43″N 95°18′54″W
Liberty401753954 (11)95 (37)0 (0)0.11%37°15′47″N 95°11′45″W
Montana478501793 (7)71 (27)1 (1)1.90%37°15′28″N 95°7′34″W
Mound Valley488508065 (13)166 (64)0 (0)0.11%37°12′30″N 95°25′40″W
Mount Pleasant489501,35114 (37)93 (36)0 (0)0.34%37°10′50″N 95°18′14″W
Neosho497752223 (8)70 (27)2 (1)2.40%37°20′11″N 95°6′37″W
North509756127 (19)83 (32)0 (0)0.16%37°19′39″N 95°12′40″W
Osage531507034 (12)157 (61)5 (2)2.93%37°20′4″N 95°26′18″W
Oswego534753105 (12)66 (25)1 (0)1.73%37°9′21″N 95°6′22″W
Richland594253033 (8)97 (38)0 (0)0.43%37°3′29″N 95°6′19″W
Walton752507269 (23)83 (32)0 (0)0.16%37°20′59″N 95°19′2″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; Labette County, Kansas; Population, Census, 2020 & 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on August 18, 2021. Retrieved August 17, 2021.
  2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. "Labette Co History". Labette County, Kansas. 2013. Archived from the original on June 5, 2016. Retrieved May 9, 2016.
  4. "Kansas Counties:Labette County, Kansas". Kansas Historical Society. Retrieved May 9, 2016.
  5. Nelson Case's history of Labette County, Kansas Archived 2009-07-07 at the Wayback Machine
  6. "Bender Knife". Kansas Historical Society. Retrieved May 6, 2016.
  7. Potter, Tim. "The Bloody Benders: 140-year-old crime scene still fascinates today". Wichita Eagle. August 24, 2013. Retrieved May 6, 2016.
  8. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  9. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 26, 2014.
  10. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved July 26, 2014.
  11. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 26, 2014.
  12. "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.
  13. 2010 census general population statistics on Labette County, Kansa]
  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 26, 2007.
Notes

    Further reading
    See also: List of books about Kansas, including historical information about its counties and cities
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