Republic County, Kansas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Republic County
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Republic County Courthouse in Belleville (2010)
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Location within the U.S. state of Kansas
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 Kansas's location within the U.S. |
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  Kansas |
| Founded | February 27, 1860 |
| Named for | Republican River |
| Seat | Belleville |
| Largest city | Belleville |
| Area | |
| • Total | 720.31 sq mi (1,865.6 km2) |
| • Land | 716.38 sq mi (1,855.4 km2) |
| • Water | 3.93 sq mi (10.2 km2) 0.55%% |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 4,674 |
| • Density | 6.5/sq mi (2.5/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−6 (Central) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (CDT) |
| Area code | 785 |
| Congressional district | 1st |
Republic County is a county in the state of Kansas. It is located just south of the Nebraska border. Its main city and county seat is Belleville. In 2020, about 4,674 people lived here. The county got its name from the Republican River.
Contents
History of Republic County
How did Republic County begin?
For thousands of years, the Great Plains of North America were home to nomadic Native American tribes. From the 1500s to the 1700s, France claimed much of North America. In 1762, after a war, France gave New France to Spain.
In 1802, Spain returned most of this land to France. Then, in 1803, the United States bought a huge area from France. This was part of the Louisiana Purchase. It included what is now Kansas.
Before European settlers arrived, tribes like the Pawnee, Iowa, and Otoe lived in the area. Other tribes, such as the Arapaho and Cheyenne, also hunted buffalo here.
When was Republic County established?
In 1854, the Kansas Territory was formed. The Kansas legislature officially created Republic County in 1860. In 1861, Kansas became the 34th state in the U.S. The county is named after the Republican River. This river flows through the county from the northwest to the south.
The first European settlers, Daniel and Conrad Myers, arrived in February 1861. By 1868, Republic County was holding elections. Daniel Myers became a judge, and Conrad Myers joined the County Commission. In 1869, people voted on where the county seat should be. Belleville won the vote.
After the Civil War, many European immigrants came to Belleville. These included people from Sweden and Bohemia (now the Czech Republic).
How did railroads connect Republic County?
In 1887, the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway built a train line. It connected many towns, including Concordia, Courtland, and Webber in Republic County. This line helped people and goods travel across the region.
Later, in 1996, the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway merged with another company. It became the BNSF Railway. However, many local people still call it the "Santa Fe."
Geography and Location
Republic County covers about 720 square miles. Most of this area is land (about 716 square miles). A small part, about 4 square miles, is water.
Which counties are next to Republic County?
Republic County shares borders with several other counties:
- Thayer County, Nebraska (to the north)
- Jefferson County, Nebraska (to the northeast)
- Washington County (to the east)
- Cloud County (to the south)
- Jewell County (to the west)
- Nuckolls County, Nebraska (to the northwest)
People and Population
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1870 | 1,281 | — | |
| 1880 | 14,913 | 1,064.2% | |
| 1890 | 19,002 | 27.4% | |
| 1900 | 18,248 | −4.0% | |
| 1910 | 17,447 | −4.4% | |
| 1920 | 15,855 | −9.1% | |
| 1930 | 14,745 | −7.0% | |
| 1940 | 13,124 | −11.0% | |
| 1950 | 11,478 | −12.5% | |
| 1960 | 9,768 | −14.9% | |
| 1970 | 8,498 | −13.0% | |
| 1980 | 7,569 | −10.9% | |
| 1990 | 6,482 | −14.4% | |
| 2000 | 5,835 | −10.0% | |
| 2010 | 4,980 | −14.7% | |
| 2020 | 4,674 | −6.1% | |
| 2023 (est.) | 4,627 | −7.1% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census 1790-1960 1900-1990 1990-2000 2010-2020 |
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In 2000, there were 5,835 people living in Republic County. The population density was about 8 people per square mile. Most residents were White (98.56%). Other groups included Black or African American, Native American, and Asian. About 0.94% of the population was Hispanic or Latino.
Many people in the county have German (24.1%), Swedish (13.6%), or Czech (12.4%) backgrounds. English (9.2%), Irish (9.0%), and American (8.6%) ancestries are also common.
The average age in the county was 46 years old in 2000. About 22.3% of the population was under 18. About 26.1% were 65 years or older.
Education in Republic County
What are the school districts?
Republic County has two main school districts:
- Republic County USD 109
- Pike Valley USD 426
Communities in Republic County
Republic County has several cities, smaller communities, and even some "ghost towns."
Cities in Republic County
Unincorporated Communities
These are smaller communities that are not officially cities. Some are also called Census-Designated Places (CDP).
Ghost Towns
These are former communities that are no longer inhabited.
Townships in Republic County
Republic County is divided into twenty areas called townships. The city of Belleville is separate from these township populations. The table below shows the population for each township.
| Township | Population | Land area km2 (sq mi) |
Water area km2 (sq mi) |
Water % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albion | 174 | 92 (36) | 0 (0) | 0.12% |
| Beaver | 137 | 91 (35) | 3 (1) | 3.04% |
| Belleville | 231 | 89 (34) | 0 (0) | 0.11% |
| Big Bend | 242 | 92 (35) | 1 (0) | 1.39% |
| Courtland | 450 | 94 (36) | 0 (0) | 0.06% |
| Elk Creek | 175 | 94 (36) | 0 (0) | 0.15% |
| Fairview | 155 | 94 (36) | 0 (0) | 0.49% |
| Farmington | 81 | 93 (36) | 0 (0) | 0.20% |
| Freedom | 186 | 90 (35) | 0 (0) | 0.28% |
| Grant | 77 | 95 (37) | 0 (0) | 0.15% |
| Jefferson | 107 | 95 (37) | 0 (0) | 0.05% |
| Liberty | 52 | 93 (36) | 0 (0) | 0.19% |
| Lincoln | 103 | 92 (36) | 0 (0) | 0.09% |
| Norway | 163 | 92 (36) | 1 (0) | 1.19% |
| Richland | 318 | 92 (36) | 0 (0) | 0.11% |
| Rose Creek | 170 | 94 (36) | 0 (0) | 0.44% |
| Scandia | 541 | 92 (36) | 1 (0) | 1.23% |
| Union | 51 | 93 (36) | 0 (0) | 0.18% |
| Washington | 95 | 93 (36) | 0 (0) | 0.24% |
| White Rock | 88 | 92 (36) | 1 (0) | 1.09% |
Famous People from Republic County
Many notable people have connections to Republic County.
- Actors: Robert Gordon, Greta Granstedt, Harry A. Pollard
- Athletes: Herb Bradley (baseball), Thomas Bushby (football), Lloyd Cardwell (football), Larry Cheney (baseball), Dean Nesmith (football, Olympic trainer), Ronald Severa (Olympic water polo), Anthony Zuzzio (football)
- Clergy and Scholars: Allen Wikgren (pastor, Bible scholar), Richard B. Wilke (pastor, writer)
- Journalists: J. C. Humphrey (newspaper founder), A.Q. Miller (namesake of a journalism school)
- Medical Professionals: C. M. Arbuthnot (early physician)
- Community Advocates: Elizabeth A. Johnson (Kansas history advocate)
- Politicians: Clay Aurand (Kansas Legislature), Charles H. Blosser (namesake of an airport), Edwin C. Johnson (Governor of Colorado), William C. Perry (Chief Justice), Isaac O. Savage (state senator)
- Early Settlers: Ransom Henry Gile, Thomas Lovewell (founded White Rock)
See also
In Spanish: Condado de Republic para niños
