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Barton County, Kansas facts for kids

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Barton County
Barton County Courthouse in Great Bend (1979)
Barton County Courthouse in Great Bend (1979)
Map of Kansas highlighting Barton County
Location within the U.S. state of Kansas
Map of the United States highlighting Kansas
Kansas's location within the U.S.
Country  United States
State  Kansas
Founded February 26, 1867
Named for Clara Barton
Seat Great Bend
Largest city Great Bend
Area
 • Total 901 sq mi (2,330 km2)
 • Land 895 sq mi (2,320 km2)
 • Water 5.2 sq mi (13 km2)  0.6%%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 25,493
 • Density 28.5/sq mi (11.0/km2)
Time zone UTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST) UTC−5 (CDT)
Area code 620
Congressional district 1st

Barton County (standard abbreviation: BT) is a county located in the U.S. state of Kansas. As of the 2020 census, the county population was 25,493. Its county seat and most populous city is Great Bend. The county is named in honor of Clara Barton, responsible for the founding of the American Red Cross. It is the only one of Kansas' 105 counties to be named for a woman.

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

Stouffer's Railroad Map of Kansas 1915-1918 Barton County
1915 Railroad Map of Barton County

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, Barton County was established and named for Clara Barton, it is the only Kansas county named for a woman.

In 1878, Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway and parties from Marion County and McPherson County chartered the Marion and McPherson Railway Company. 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. The line was leased and operated by the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway. The line from Florence to Marion, was abandoned in 1968. 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.

21st century

In 2001, an F4 tornado hit Hoisington.

Geography

Barton County was drawn in the shape of a 30-by-30-mile (48 by 48 km) square. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 901 square miles (2,330 km2), of which 895 square miles (2,320 km2) is land and 5.2 square miles (13 km2) (0.6%) is water. The geographic center of Kansas is located in Barton County.

Adjacent counties

Major highways

Sources: National Atlas, U.S. Census Bureau

  • U.S. Route 56
  • U.S. Route 281
  • Kansas Highway 4
  • Kansas Highway 96
  • Kansas Highway 156

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop.
1880 10,318
1890 13,172 27.7%
1900 13,784 4.6%
1910 17,876 29.7%
1920 18,422 3.1%
1930 19,776 7.3%
1940 25,010 26.5%
1950 29,909 19.6%
1960 32,368 8.2%
1970 30,663 −5.3%
1980 31,343 2.2%
1990 29,382 −6.3%
2000 28,205 −4.0%
2010 27,674 −1.9%
2020 25,493 −7.9%
U.S. Decennial Census
1790-1960 1900-1990
1990-2000 2010-2020

The Great Bend Micropolitan Statistical Area includes all of Barton County.

As of the 2000 census, there were 28,205 people, 11,393 households, and 7,530 families residing in the county. The population density was 32 people per square mile (12/km2). There were 12,888 housing units at an average density of 14 per square mile (6/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 92.98% White, 1.15% Black or African American, 0.51% Native American, 0.23% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 3.51% from other races, and 1.60% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 8.31% of the population.

There were 11,393 households, out of which 31.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.10% were married couples living together, 7.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.90% were non-families. 30.20% 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 2.41 and the average family size was 3.01.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 26.00% under the age of 18, 9.00% from 18 to 24, 25.10% from 25 to 44, 22.00% from 45 to 64, and 17.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 93.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.10 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $32,176, and the median income for a family was $39,929. Males had a median income of $28,803 versus $20,428 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,695. About 9.90% of families and 12.90% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.00% of those under age 18 and 10.90% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

Map of Barton Co, Ks, USA
2005 KDOT Map of Barton County (map legend)

Cities

Census-designated place

Other unincorporated communities

Townships

Barton County is divided into twenty-two townships. The cities of Ellinwood, Great Bend, and Hoisington 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.

Township FIPS Population
center
Population Population
density
/km² (/sq mi)
Land area
km² (sq mi)
Water area
km² (sq mi)
Water % Geographic coordinates
Albion 00850 58 1 (2) 94 (36) 0 (0) 0.05% 38°33′37″N 98°51′31″W / 38.56028°N 98.85861°W / 38.56028; -98.85861
Beaver 04975 108 1 (3) 95 (37) 0 (0) 0.05% 38°38′42″N 98°39′18″W / 38.64500°N 98.65500°W / 38.64500; -98.65500
Buffalo 09075 490 6 (14) 88 (34) 0 (0) 0.12% 38°24′23″N 98°51′47″W / 38.40639°N 98.86306°W / 38.40639; -98.86306
Cheyenne 13025 238 1 (4) 174 (67) 13 (5) 6.80% 38°31′46″N 98°38′25″W / 38.52944°N 98.64028°W / 38.52944; -98.64028
Clarence 13475 125 1 (3) 93 (36) 0 (0) 0% 38°23′58″N 98°58′25″W / 38.39944°N 98.97361°W / 38.39944; -98.97361
Cleveland 14025 69 1 (2) 94 (36) 0 (0) 0.12% 38°39′8″N 98°31′27″W / 38.65222°N 98.52417°W / 38.65222; -98.52417
Comanche 15125 452 3 (7) 167 (64) 0 (0) 0.11% 38°17′50″N 98°35′59″W / 38.29722°N 98.59972°W / 38.29722; -98.59972
Eureka 21750 116 1 (3) 93 (36) 0 (0) 0.24% 38°28′49″N 98°51′37″W / 38.48028°N 98.86028°W / 38.48028; -98.86028
Fairview 22400 Galatia 129 1 (4) 93 (36) 0 (0) 0.03% 38°38′52″N 98°58′8″W / 38.64778°N 98.96889°W / 38.64778; -98.96889
Grant 27475 79 1 (2) 92 (36) 0 (0) 0.10% 38°33′49″N 98°58′15″W / 38.56361°N 98.97083°W / 38.56361; -98.97083
Great Bend 28325 1,839 18 (46) 104 (40) 1 (0) 0.50% 38°23′5″N 98°44′50″W / 38.38472°N 98.74722°W / 38.38472; -98.74722
Independent 33975 Claflin 844 9 (24) 93 (36) 0 (0) 0.04% 38°32′36″N 98°31′36″W / 38.54333°N 98.52667°W / 38.54333; -98.52667
Lakin 38125 299 2 (4) 172 (67) 0 (0) 0.23% 38°22′59″N 98°33′58″W / 38.38306°N 98.56611°W / 38.38306; -98.56611
Liberty 39875 321 4 (9) 88 (34) 0 (0) 0.21% 38°18′33″N 98°51′29″W / 38.30917°N 98.85806°W / 38.30917; -98.85806
Logan 41750 176 2 (5) 93 (36) 0 (0) 0.06% 38°28′59″N 98°31′40″W / 38.48306°N 98.52778°W / 38.48306; -98.52778
North Homestead 51200 133 1 (4) 92 (36) 0 (0) 0.06% 38°33′44″N 98°45′59″W / 38.56222°N 98.76639°W / 38.56222; -98.76639
Pawnee Rock 54900 Pawnee Rock 544 6 (15) 93 (36) 0 (0) 0.05% 38°16′59″N 98°59′12″W / 38.28306°N 98.98667°W / 38.28306; -98.98667
South Bend 66525 682 7 (19) 93 (36) 0 (0) 0.17% 38°18′42″N 98°45′56″W / 38.31167°N 98.76556°W / 38.31167; -98.76556
South Homestead 66725 343 4 (10) 90 (35) 1 (0) 1.23% 38°29′9″N 98°46′38″W / 38.48583°N 98.77722°W / 38.48583; -98.77722
Union 72025 Susank 128 1 (4) 94 (36) 0 (0) 0.20% 38°38′46″N 98°45′59″W / 38.64611°N 98.76639°W / 38.64611; -98.76639
Walnut 74825 Albert, Olmitz 474 5 (13) 93 (36) 0 (0) 0% 38°28′16″N 98°58′8″W / 38.47111°N 98.96889°W / 38.47111; -98.96889
Wheatland 77600 74 1 (2) 94 (36) 0 (0) 0.14% 38°39′45″N 98°51′48″W / 38.66250°N 98.86333°W / 38.66250; -98.86333
Sources:

Education

Colleges

  • Barton Community College

Unified school districts

The five school districts are part of the special education area of Barton County called Barton County Special Services.

  • Central Plains USD 112
  • Great Bend USD 428
  • Hoisington USD 431

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Condado de Barton (Kansas) para niños

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