Rice County, Kansas

Rice County (standard abbreviation: RC) is a county located in the U.S. state of Kansas. Its county seat and largest city is Lyons.[2] As of the 2020 census, the county population was 9,427.[1] The county was named in memory of Samuel Allen Rice, Brigadier-General, United States volunteers, killed April 30, 1864 at Jenkins Ferry, Arkansas.[3]

Rice County
County
Rice County Courthouse (2022)
Rice County Courthouse (2022)
Map of Kansas highlighting Rice 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°21′N 98°12′W
Country United States
State Kansas
FoundedFebruary 26, 1867
Named forSamuel Allen Rice
SeatLyons
Largest cityLyons
Area
 • Total728 sq mi (1,890 km2)
 • Land726 sq mi (1,880 km2)
 • Water1.7 sq mi (4 km2)  0.2%
Population
 (2020)[1]
 • Total9,427
 • Density13.0/sq mi (5.0/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district1st
Websitericecounty.us

History

Early history
See also: History of Kansas

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. In 1867, Rice County was established.

The Santa Fe Trail followed the route of present-day U.S. Route 56. Ruts in the earth from the trail are still visible in several locations. (Ralph's Ruts are visible in aerial photos at 38.35959264°N 98.42225502°W / 38.35959264; -98.42225502.)[4]

In 1878, Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway and parties from Marion County and McPherson County chartered the Marion and McPherson Railway Company.[5] In 1879, a branch line was built from Florence to McPherson, in 1880 it was extended to Lyons, in 1881 it was extended to Ellinwood.[6] The line was leased and operated by the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway. The line from Florence to Marion, was abandoned in 1968.[7] In 1992, the line from Marion to McPherson was sold to Central Kansas Railway. In 1993, after heavy flood damage, the line from Marion to McPherson was abandoned. The original branch line connected Florence, Marion, Canada, Hillsboro, Lehigh, Canton, Galva, McPherson, Conway, Windom, Little River, Mitchell, Lyons, Chase, Ellinwood.

  • Samuel Allen Rice in 1864
    Samuel Allen Rice in 1864
  • 1845 Santa Fe Trail crossing Rice County
    1845 Santa Fe Trail crossing Rice County
  • 1915-1918 Railroad Map of Rice County
    1915-1918 Railroad Map of Rice County
  • Bushton Grain Elevators (2004)
    Bushton Grain Elevators (2004)

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 728 square miles (1,890 km2), of which 726 square miles (1,880 km2) is land and 1.7 square miles (4.4 km2) (0.2%) is water.[8]

Adjacent counties

National protected area

Demographics
Population pyramid based on 2000 census age data
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18705—
18809,292185,740.0%
189014,45155.5%
190014,7452.0%
191015,1062.4%
192014,832−1.8%
193013,800−7.0%
194017,21324.7%
195015,635−9.2%
196013,909−11.0%
197012,320−11.4%
198011,900−3.4%
199010,610−10.8%
200010,7611.4%
201010,083−6.3%
20209,427−6.5%
U.S. Decennial Census[9]
1790-1960[10] 1900-1990[11]
1990-2000[12] 2010-2020[1]

As of the census[13] of 2000, there were 10,761 people, 4,050 households, and 2,830 families residing in the county. The population density was 15 people per square mile (5.8 people/km2). There were 4,609 housing units at an average density of 6 per square mile (2.3/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 94.68% White, 1.15% Black or African American, 0.57% Native American, 0.33% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 1.84% from other races, and 1.39% from two or more races. 5.61% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 4,050 households, out of which 31.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.10% were married couples living together, 7.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.10% were non-families. 27.80% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 2.97.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 24.70% under the age of 18, 13.30% from 18 to 24, 22.80% from 25 to 44, 21.30% from 45 to 64, and 18.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 92.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.20 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $35,671, and the median income for a family was $40,960. Males had a median income of $31,175 versus $18,968 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,064. About 8.50% of families and 10.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.60% of those under age 18 and 8.20% of those age 65 or over.

Government

Presidential elections
Presidential election results
United States presidential election results for Rice County, Kansas[14]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No. %No. %No. %
2020 3,262 75.53% 965 22.34% 92 2.13%
2016 2,837 74.58% 695 18.27% 272 7.15%
2012 2,676 72.70% 911 24.75% 94 2.55%
2008 2,780 69.14% 1,163 28.92% 78 1.94%
2004 3,182 72.71% 1,130 25.82% 64 1.46%
2000 2,903 64.23% 1,422 31.46% 195 4.31%
1996 2,842 59.34% 1,434 29.94% 513 10.71%
1992 2,158 40.94% 1,555 29.50% 1,558 29.56%
1988 2,503 53.89% 2,033 43.77% 109 2.35%
1984 3,598 68.68% 1,559 29.76% 82 1.57%
1980 3,211 57.67% 1,847 33.17% 510 9.16%
1976 2,584 44.82% 3,056 53.01% 125 2.17%
1972 3,843 66.22% 1,825 31.45% 135 2.33%
1968 3,141 56.23% 2,049 36.68% 396 7.09%
1964 2,390 39.19% 3,665 60.10% 43 0.71%
1960 4,329 64.81% 2,328 34.85% 23 0.34%
1956 4,638 70.48% 1,926 29.27% 17 0.26%
1952 5,572 74.51% 1,832 24.50% 74 0.99%
1948 4,002 58.15% 2,752 39.99% 128 1.86%
1944 4,024 61.12% 2,505 38.05% 55 0.84%
1940 4,792 56.49% 3,635 42.85% 56 0.66%
1936 3,318 40.24% 4,905 59.49% 22 0.27%
1932 3,107 49.33% 3,037 48.22% 154 2.45%
1928 4,321 74.05% 1,462 25.06% 52 0.89%
1924 3,920 68.53% 1,303 22.78% 497 8.69%
1920 3,651 68.95% 1,532 28.93% 112 2.12%
1916 2,494 42.62% 2,801 47.86% 557 9.52%
1912 697 20.57% 1,314 38.77% 1,378 40.66%
1908 1,832 51.35% 1,407 39.43% 329 9.22%
1904 1,994 64.16% 727 23.39% 387 12.45%
1900 2,013 54.42% 1,527 41.28% 159 4.30%
1896 1,729 48.75% 1,731 48.80% 87 2.45%
1892 1,724 46.78% 0 0.00% 1,961 53.22%
1888 1,851 57.79% 934 29.16% 418 13.05%

Laws

The Kansas Constitution was amended in 1986 to allow the sale of alcoholic liquor by the individual drink with the approval of voters, either with or without a minimum of 30% of sales coming from food. Rice County is one of 35 counties in the state that allows for the sale of liquor by the drink without the minimum food sales stipulation.[15]

Education

Colleges

Unified school districts
School district office in neighboring county

Communities
2005 KDOT Map of Rice County (map legend)

Cities

Unincorporated communities

Ghost towns

Townships

Rice County is divided into twenty townships. The cities of Lyons and Sterling 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.

Sources: 2000 U.S. Gazetteer from the U.S. Census Bureau.
TownshipFIPSPopulation
center		 PopulationPopulation
density
/km2 (/sq mi)		 Land area
km2 (sq mi)		Water area
km2 (sq mi)		Water % Geographic coordinates
Atlanta030752333 (7)90 (35)0 (0)0.25%38°18′22″N 98°11′58″W
Bell05375180 (0)94 (36)1 (0)0.65%38°13′10″N 98°24′2″W
Center120751361 (4)95 (37)0 (0)0.04%38°17′50″N 98°18′12″W
East Washington197251792 (5)93 (36)0 (0)0.03%38°13′18″N 97°58′34″W
Eureka21900651 (2)95 (37)0 (0)0%38°29′52″N 98°19′21″W
Farmer231004415 (12)94 (36)0 (0)0%38°30′0″N 98°24′55″W
Galt25175511 (1)94 (36)0 (0)0.22%38°28′8″N 98°5′59″W
Harrison304251922 (5)92 (35)0 (0)0.06%38°23′3″N 98°11′49″W
Lincoln411005776 (16)95 (37)0 (0)0%38°22′10″N 98°19′19″W
Mitchell475251311 (4)94 (36)0 (0)0.18%38°23′24″N 98°5′42″W
Odessa52150551 (2)93 (36)0 (0)0.10%38°28′17″N 97°59′21″W
Pioneer559251011 (3)94 (36)0 (0)0.03%38°23′34″N 98°25′39″W
Raymond585751852 (5)92 (36)1 (0)0.71%38°17′38″N 98°24′56″W
Rockville607251341 (4)93 (36)0 (0)0.04%38°18′17″N 97°57′36″W
Sterling682252232 (5)114 (44)1 (0)1.01%38°12′19″N 98°11′44″W
Union723257418 (21)93 (36)0 (0)0%38°23′34″N 97°59′32″W
Valley731002764 (9)77 (30)1 (0)1.11%38°13′27″N 98°18′44″W
Victoria738253644 (10)94 (36)0 (0)0.06%38°29′57″N 98°10′24″W
West Washington774251381 (4)93 (36)0 (0)0.12%38°13′9″N 98°4′58″W
Wilson797751472 (4)94 (36)0 (0)0.02%38°18′2″N 98°6′2″W

Trivia

The CW television series Superman & Lois places Superman's home town of Smallville in Rice County ("Pilot").

See also
Community information for Kansas

References
  1. "QuickFacts; Rice County, Kansas; Population, Census, 2020 & 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on August 19, 2021. Retrieved August 19, 2021.
  2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. "Rice County". Kansas State Library. Archived from the original on August 10, 2007. Retrieved August 13, 2007.
  4. "Aerial Photos Topo Maps of Santa Fe Trail Ruts and Sites". Retrieved December 28, 2007.
  5. Marion County Kansas : Past and Present; Sondra Van Meter; MB Publishing House; LCCN 72-92041; 344 pages; 1972.
  6. Fourth Annual Report of the Board of Railroad Commissioners for the Year Ending December 1, 1886 in State of Kansas; Kansas Publishing House; 1886.
  7. Railway Abandonment 1968
  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 28, 2014.
  10. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved July 28, 2014.
  11. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 28, 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 28, 2014.
  13. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  14. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections".
  15. "Map of Wet and Dry Counties" (PDF). Kansas Department of Revenue Alcoholic Beverage Control. December 30, 2019. Archived (PDF) from the original on November 4, 2020. Retrieved November 4, 2020.
Notes

    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
    County
    Trails
    Wikimedia Commons has media related to Rice County, Kansas.
    County
    Maps

    38°21′N 98°12′W

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