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Greenwood County, Kansas facts for kids

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Greenwood County
AT&SF Railroad Depot in Eureka (2013)
Map of Kansas highlighting Greenwood 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 August 25, 1855
Named for Alfred B. Greenwood
Seat Eureka
Largest city Eureka
Area
 • Total 1,153 sq mi (2,990 km2)
 • Land 1,143 sq mi (2,960 km2)
 • Water 9.3 sq mi (24 km2)  0.8%%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 6,016
 • Density 5.3/sq mi (2.0/km2)
Time zone UTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST) UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district 4th

Greenwood County (county code GW) is a county located in the southeast portion of the U.S. state of Kansas. As of the 2020 census, the county population was 6,016. Its county seat and most populous city is Eureka.

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

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 1855, Greenwood County was established, and named for Alfred B. Greenwood, a U.S. Congressman from Arkansas.

The first railroad in Greenwood County was built through that territory in 1879.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,153 square miles (2,990 km2), of which 1,143 square miles (2,960 km2) is land and 9.3 square miles (24 km2) (0.8%) is water. It is the fifth-largest county in Kansas by area.

Adjacent counties

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop.
1860 769
1870 3,484 353.1%
1880 10,548 202.8%
1890 16,309 54.6%
1900 16,196 −0.7%
1910 16,060 −0.8%
1920 14,715 −8.4%
1930 19,235 30.7%
1940 16,495 −14.2%
1950 13,574 −17.7%
1960 11,253 −17.1%
1970 9,141 −18.8%
1980 8,764 −4.1%
1990 7,847 −10.5%
2000 7,673 −2.2%
2010 6,689 −12.8%
2020 6,016 −10.1%
U.S. Decennial Census
1790-1960 1900-1990
1990-2000 2010-2020

As of the 2000 census, there were 7,673 people, 3,234 households, and 2,153 families residing in the county. The population density was 7 people per square mile (3/km2). There were 4,273 housing units at an average density of 4 per square mile (1/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 96.53% White, 0.83% Native American, 0.14% Black or African American, 0.10% Asian, 0.81% from other races, and 1.58% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.72% of the population.

There were 3,234 households, out of which 27.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.50% were married couples living together, 6.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.40% were non-families. 30.30% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.80% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.31 and the average family size was 2.86.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 23.70% under the age of 18, 6.50% from 18 to 24, 23.20% from 25 to 44, 23.70% from 45 to 64, and 22.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females there were 95.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.50 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $30,169, and the median income for a family was $38,140. Males had a median income of $27,021 versus $19,356 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,976. About 8.20% of families and 12.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.20% of those under age 18 and 10.10% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

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

Cities

Unincorporated communities

Ghost towns

Townships

Greenwood County is divided into fifteen townships. The city of Eureka 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
Bachelor 03625 230 1 (4) 155 (60) 1 (0) 0.70% 37°49′57″N 96°12′21″W / 37.83250°N 96.20583°W / 37.83250; -96.20583
Eureka 21825 451 3 (8) 149 (58) 2 (1) 1.50% 37°50′41″N 96°17′49″W / 37.84472°N 96.29694°W / 37.84472; -96.29694
Fall River 22800 229 1 (4) 154 (60) 2 (1) 1.13% 37°42′36″N 96°12′4″W / 37.71000°N 96.20111°W / 37.71000; -96.20111
Janesville 35000 548 1 (4) 371 (143) 2 (1) 0.62% 37°59′4″N 96°11′29″W / 37.98444°N 96.19139°W / 37.98444; -96.19139
Lane 38425 167 1 (3) 138 (53) 1 (0) 0.52% 37°58′36″N 96°0′59″W / 37.97667°N 96.01639°W / 37.97667; -96.01639
Madison 44075 1,155 4 (9) 320 (124) 3 (1) 0.85% 38°7′32″N 96°12′11″W / 38.12556°N 96.20306°W / 38.12556; -96.20306
Otter Creek 53650 211 1 (2) 290 (112) 2 (1) 0.55% 37°40′20″N 96°24′0″W / 37.67222°N 96.40000°W / 37.67222; -96.40000
Pleasant Grove 56375 52 0 (1) 150 (58) 2 (1) 1.57% 37°47′21″N 96°1′41″W / 37.78917°N 96.02806°W / 37.78917; -96.02806
Quincy 58175 163 1 (3) 155 (60) 1 (0) 0.38% 37°51′8″N 96°2′59″W / 37.85222°N 96.04972°W / 37.85222; -96.04972
Salem 62650 35 0 (0) 233 (90) 2 (1) 0.89% 38°1′45″N 96°24′29″W / 38.02917°N 96.40806°W / 38.02917; -96.40806
Salt Springs 62875 463 3 (7) 182 (70) 10 (4) 5.16% 37°38′55″N 96°3′59″W / 37.64861°N 96.06639°W / 37.64861; -96.06639
Shell Rock 64600 173 1 (3) 136 (53) 1 (0) 0.87% 38°5′53″N 96°1′18″W / 38.09806°N 96.02167°W / 38.09806; -96.02167
South Salem 66925 127 1 (1) 224 (87) 3 (1) 1.13% 37°52′42″N 96°27′4″W / 37.87833°N 96.45111°W / 37.87833; -96.45111
Spring Creek 67425 154 1 (3) 139 (54) 1 (1) 0.93% 37°47′49″N 96°26′50″W / 37.79694°N 96.44722°W / 37.79694; -96.44722
Twin Grove 71825 601 4 (11) 148 (57) 1 (0) 0.57% 37°38′7″N 96°14′3″W / 37.63528°N 96.23417°W / 37.63528; -96.23417
Sources:

Education

Unified school districts

  • Madison–Virgil USD 386
  • Eureka USD 389
School district office in neighboring county
  • West Elk USD 282 (serving Severy and extreme southern GW county)

See also

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

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