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Lane County, Kansas facts for kids

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Lane County
Lane County Courthouse in Dighton (2015)
Lane County Courthouse in Dighton (2015)
Map of Kansas highlighting Lane 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 March 20, 1873
Named for James H. Lane
Seat Dighton
Largest city Dighton
Area
 • Total 718 sq mi (1,860 km2)
 • Land 717 sq mi (1,860 km2)
 • Water 0.2 sq mi (0.5 km2)  0.03%%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 1,574
 • Estimate 
(2021)
1,565 Decrease
 • Density 2.2/sq mi (0.8/km2)
Time zone UTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST) UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district 1st

Lane County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kansas. Its county seat is Dighton, the only incorporated city in the county. As of the 2020 census, the county population was 1,574, making it the third-least populous county in Kansas. The county was named after James Lane, a leader of the Jayhawker abolitionist movement and served as one of the first U.S. senators from Kansas.

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 1873, Lane County was established.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 718 square miles (1,860 km2), of which 717 square miles (1,860 km2) is land and 0.2 square miles (0.52 km2) (0.03%) is water.

Adjacent counties

Demographics

USA Lane County, Kansas age pyramid
Population pyramid based on 2000 census age data
Historical population
Census Pop.
1880 604
1890 2,060 241.1%
1900 1,563 −24.1%
1910 2,603 66.5%
1920 2,848 9.4%
1930 3,372 18.4%
1940 2,821 −16.3%
1950 2,808 −0.5%
1960 3,060 9.0%
1970 2,707 −11.5%
1980 2,472 −8.7%
1990 2,375 −3.9%
2000 2,155 −9.3%
2010 1,750 −18.8%
2020 1,574 −10.1%
2023 (est.) 1,529 −12.6%
U.S. Decennial Census
1790-1960 1900-1990
1990-2000 2010-2020

As of the census of 2000, there were 2,155 people, 910 households, and 613 families residing in the county. The population density was 3 people per square mile (1.2 people/km2). There were 1,065 housing units at an average density of 2 per square mile (0.77/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 97.73% White, 0.05% Native American, 0.09% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.51% from other races, and 1.58% from two or more races. 1.44% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 910 households, out of which 29.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.10% were married couples living together, 5.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.60% were non-families. 30.30% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.34 and the average family size was 2.91.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 25.40% under the age of 18, 5.40% from 18 to 24, 24.60% from 25 to 44, 24.10% from 45 to 64, and 20.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 100.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.70 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $36,047, and the median income for a family was $41,892. Males had a median income of $29,429 versus $20,446 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,606. About 5.40% of families and 8.20% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.40% of those under age 18 and 7.60% of those age 65 or over.

Education

Unified school districts

  • Healy USD 468 - this school district is planning to dissolve and consolidate in 2025.
  • Dighton USD 482

Communities

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

List of townships / incorporated cities / unincorporated communities / extinct former communities within Lane County.
† means a community is designated a Census-Designated Place (CDP) by the United States Census Bureau.

City

Unincorporated communities

Townships

Lane County is divided into five townships. None of the cities within the county are considered governmentally independent, and all figures for the townships include those of the cities. 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.
Township FIPS Population
center
Population Population
density
/km2 (/sq mi)
Land area
km2 (sq mi)
Water area
km2 (sq mi)
Water % Geographic coordinates
Alamota 00775 108 0 (1) 414 (160) 0 (0) 0% 38°24′55″N 100°19′43″W / 38.41528°N 100.32861°W / 38.41528; -100.32861
Cheyenne 13050 336 1 (4) 245 (94) 0 (0) 0% 38°36′21″N 100°37′22″W / 38.60583°N 100.62278°W / 38.60583; -100.62278
Dighton 18075 1,573 2 (5) 785 (303) 0 (0) 0.01% 38°27′23″N 100°30′11″W / 38.45639°N 100.50306°W / 38.45639; -100.50306
White Rock 77950 26 0 (0) 207 (80) 0 (0) 0.02% 38°37′49″N 100°19′55″W / 38.63028°N 100.33194°W / 38.63028; -100.33194
Wilson 79725 112 1 (1) 206 (80) 0 (0) 0.20% 38°36′47″N 100°28′12″W / 38.61306°N 100.47000°W / 38.61306; -100.47000

See also

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

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