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Ford County, Kansas facts for kids

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Ford County
Ford County Courthouse in Dodge City (2009)
Ford County Courthouse in Dodge City (2009)
Map of Kansas highlighting Ford 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 James Ford
Seat Dodge City
Largest city Dodge City
Area
 • Total 1,099 sq mi (2,850 km2)
 • Land 1,098 sq mi (2,840 km2)
 • Water 0.8 sq mi (2 km2)  0.07%%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 34,287
 • Density 31.2/sq mi (12.0/km2)
Time zone UTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST) UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district 1st

Ford County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kansas. Its county seat and most populous city is Dodge City. As of the 2020 census, its population was 34,287. The county was named in honor of James Ford, a brevet brigadier general during the American Civil War.

History

One of the earliest military posts in Kansas, Fort Atkinson, was located in Ford County. Fort Dodge, established in 1864, was on the north bank of the Arkansas River, about five miles southeast of what would become Dodge City. During the California Gold Rush in 1849, thousands of gold seekers passed through the area along the Santa Fe Trail, but few settled there.

Ford County was established in 1867 and named for Colonel James H. Ford of the Second Colorado Cavalry, who was in charge of the construction of Fort Dodge after the Civil War. The region had been frequently traveled by pioneers along the Santa Fe Trail since the early 19th century.

The town of Dodge City was established in 1872 upon the completion of the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad. Before the buffalo were wiped out, their hides were extensively shipped from Dodge City. Dodge City would later develop into a rough and tumble cowtown during the peak cattle drive years of 1875-1885.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,099 square miles (2,850 km2), of which 1,098 sq mi (2,840 km2) are land and 0.8 square miles (2.1 km2) (0.07%) is covered by water.

Adjacent counties

Transit

  • D-TRAN
  • Dodge City station

Major highways

Demographics

USA Ford County, Kansas age pyramid
Population pyramid based on 2000 census age data
Historical population
Census Pop.
1870 427
1880 3,122 631.1%
1890 5,308 70.0%
1900 5,497 3.6%
1910 11,393 107.3%
1920 14,273 25.3%
1930 20,647 44.7%
1940 17,254 −16.4%
1950 19,670 14.0%
1960 20,938 6.4%
1970 22,587 7.9%
1980 24,315 7.7%
1990 27,463 12.9%
2000 32,458 18.2%
2010 33,848 4.3%
2020 34,287 1.3%
2023 (est.) 33,980 0.4%
U.S. Decennial Census
1790-1960 1900-1990
1990-2000 2010-2020

The Dodge City Micropolitan Statistical Area includes all of Ford County.

As of the 2000 census, 33,848 people, 10,852 households, and 7,856 families were residing in the county. The population density was 30 people/sq mi (12 people/km2). The 11,650 housing units averaged 11 per square mile (4.2/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 75.3% White, 2.1% African American, 1.0% Native American, 1.4% Asian, 0.2% Pacific Islander, 17.8% from other races, and 2.7% from two or more races. Hispanic and Latino Americans of any race were 51.2% of the population.

Of the 10,852 households, 40.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.90% were married couples living together, 9.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.60% were not families. About 22.70% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.92, and the average family size was 3.42.

In the county, the age distribution was 31.10% under 18, 11.20% from 18 to 24, 29.40% from 25 to 44, 17.30% from 45 to 64, and 11.00% who were 65 or older. The median age was 30 years. For every 100 females, there were 107.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 105.30 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $37,860, and for a family was $42,734. Males had a median income of $27,189 versus $22,165 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,721. About 9.90% of families and 12.40% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.40% of those under age 18 and 8.40% of those age 65 or over.

Education

Colleges

  • Dodge City Community College

Unified school districts

  • Spearville USD 381
  • Dodge City USD 443
  • Bucklin USD 459

Communities

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

List of townships / incorporated cities / unincorporated communities / extinct former communities within Ford County.

Cities

Unincorporated communities

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

Townships

Ford County is divided into 14 townships. The city of Dodge City 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
Bloom 07375 113 1 (2) 144 (55) 0 (0) 0% 37°30′23″N 99°55′4″W / 37.50639°N 99.91778°W / 37.50639; -99.91778
Bucklin 09025 900 3 (8) 285 (110) 0 (0) 0.02% 37°34′44″N 99°37′9″W / 37.57889°N 99.61917°W / 37.57889; -99.61917
Concord 15150 117 1 (2) 187 (72) 0 (0) 0.11% 37°36′36″N 100°5′52″W / 37.61000°N 100.09778°W / 37.61000; -100.09778
Dodge 18225 899 13 (33) 70 (27) 0 (0) 0.21% 37°47′0″N 100°0′52″W / 37.78333°N 100.01444°W / 37.78333; -100.01444
Enterprise 21450 1,113 6 (17) 175 (67) 0 (0) 0.19% 37°40′47″N 99°57′8″W / 37.67972°N 99.95222°W / 37.67972; -99.95222
Fairview 22500 346 2 (5) 188 (73) 0 (0) 0.06% 37°45′11″N 100°8′57″W / 37.75306°N 100.14917°W / 37.75306; -100.14917
Ford 23750 456 2 (5) 249 (96) 0 (0) 0.01% 37°36′58″N 99°46′27″W / 37.61611°N 99.77417°W / 37.61611; -99.77417
Grandview 27350 784 3 (9) 226 (87) 0 (0) 0.20% 37°47′10″N 99°55′54″W / 37.78611°N 99.93167°W / 37.78611; -99.93167
Richland 59300 931 9 (24) 99 (38) 0 (0) 0.17% 37°42′10″N 100°2′19″W / 37.70278°N 100.03861°W / 37.70278; -100.03861
Royal 61575 105 1 (1) 185 (72) 0 (0) 0.06% 37°51′51″N 100°6′44″W / 37.86417°N 100.11222°W / 37.86417; -100.11222
Sodville 66150 110 1 (2) 145 (56) 0 (0) 0.01% 37°31′16″N 99°45′6″W / 37.52111°N 99.75167°W / 37.52111; -99.75167
Spearville 67150 1,150 2 (6) 479 (185) 0 (0) 0.03% 37°47′58″N 99°45′4″W / 37.79944°N 99.75111°W / 37.79944; -99.75111
Wheatland 77675 170 1 (2) 193 (74) 0 (0) 0% 37°48′58″N 99°37′22″W / 37.81611°N 99.62278°W / 37.81611; -99.62278
Wilburn 79100 88 0 (1) 187 (72) 0 (0) 0% 37°31′22″N 100°7′10″W / 37.52278°N 100.11944°W / 37.52278; -100.11944
Sources:

Notable people

Numerous figures of the American Old West lived in Dodge City during its period as a frontier cowtown. These included, most notably, lawmen Wyatt Earp and Bat Masterson, and gunfighter Doc Holliday.

See also

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

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