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Rush County, Kansas facts for kids

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Rush County
Rush County courthouse in La Crosse (2016)
Rush County courthouse in La Crosse (2016)
Map of Kansas highlighting Rush 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 Alexander Rush
Seat La Crosse
Largest city La Crosse
Area
 • Total 718 sq mi (1,860 km2)
 • Land 718 sq mi (1,860 km2)
 • Water 0.2 sq mi (0.5 km2)  0.03%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 2,956
 • Density 4.1/sq mi (1.6/km2)
Time zone UTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST) UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district 1st

Rush County (standard abbreviation: RH) is a county located in the U.S. state of Kansas. As of the 2020 census, the county population was 2,956. The largest city and county seat is La Crosse.

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 1867, Rush County was established. Rush County was organized on December 5, 1874. There was a county seat struggle between La Crosse and Rush Center lasting 10 years until La Crosse finally became the county seat.

20th century

The first county fair was held in 1910 south of Rush Center.

21st century

In 2015, the "Alexander Wind Farm" will be constructed south of Alexander. It will cost about $85 Million and generate 48 Megawatt of power.

Geography

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

It is intersected by Walnut Creek, a tributary of the Arkansas River, and watered by other streams.

Adjacent counties

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop.
1880 5,490
1890 5,204 −5.2%
1900 6,134 17.9%
1910 7,826 27.6%
1920 8,360 6.8%
1930 9,093 8.8%
1940 8,285 −8.9%
1950 7,231 −12.7%
1960 6,160 −14.8%
1970 5,117 −16.9%
1980 4,516 −11.7%
1990 3,842 −14.9%
2000 3,551 −7.6%
2010 3,307 −6.9%
2020 2,956 −10.6%
U.S. Decennial Census
1790-1960 1900-1990
1990-2000 2010-2020
USA Rush County, Kansas age pyramid
Age pyramid

As of the census of 2000, there were 3,551 people, 1,548 households, and 1,013 families residing in the county. The population density was 5 people per square mile (2/km2). There were 1,928 housing units at an average density of 3 per square mile (1/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 98.45% White, 0.31% Black or African American, 0.42% Native American, 0.11% Asian, 0.17% from other races, and 0.54% from two or more races. 1.04% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 1,548 households, out of which 26.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.10% were married couples living together, 5.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.50% were non-families. 31.70% of all households were made up of individuals, and 18.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.24 and the average family size was 2.80.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 22.10% under the age of 18, 5.50% from 18 to 24, 22.90% from 25 to 44, 24.20% from 45 to 64, and 25.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 45 years. For every 100 females there were 94.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.60 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $31,268, and the median income for a family was $38,821. Males had a median income of $25,408 versus $20,307 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,033. About 6.70% of families and 9.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.50% of those under age 18 and 9.90% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

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

Cities

Unincorporated community

Townships

Rush County is divided into twelve 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
Alexander-Belle Prairie 01087 139 1 (2) 220 (85) 0 (0) 0.02% 38°27′23″N 99°31′49″W / 38.45639°N 99.53028°W / 38.45639; -99.53028
Banner 04075 191 1 (4) 139 (54) 0 (0) 0.01% 38°25′53″N 99°11′28″W / 38.43139°N 99.19111°W / 38.43139; -99.19111
Big Timber 06775 164 1 (3) 122 (47) 0 (0) 0.03% 38°39′1″N 99°18′54″W / 38.65028°N 99.31500°W / 38.65028; -99.31500
Center 12125 256 2 (5) 139 (54) 0 (0) 0% 38°26′6″N 99°18′13″W / 38.43500°N 99.30361°W / 38.43500; -99.30361
Garfield 25800 132 1 (2) 139 (54) 0 (0) 0.01% 38°25′15″N 99°4′45″W / 38.42083°N 99.07917°W / 38.42083; -99.07917
Hampton-Fairview 29812 304 1 (3) 276 (107) 0 (0) 0.11% 38°37′32″N 99°30′12″W / 38.62556°N 99.50333°W / 38.62556; -99.50333
Illinois 33750 47 0 (1) 125 (48) 0 (0) 0.01% 38°38′48″N 99°11′28″W / 38.64667°N 99.19111°W / 38.64667; -99.19111
La Crosse-Brookdale 37525 1,475 7 (17) 218 (84) 0 (0) 0.01% 38°32′2″N 99°20′15″W / 38.53389°N 99.33750°W / 38.53389; -99.33750
Lone Star 42500 319 3 (8) 110 (42) 0 (0) 0% 38°31′21″N 99°11′46″W / 38.52250°N 99.19611°W / 38.52250; -99.19611
Pioneer 55950 426 4 (10) 108 (42) 0 (0) 0.01% 38°32′13″N 99°4′4″W / 38.53694°N 99.06778°W / 38.53694; -99.06778
Pleasantdale 56325 33 0 (1) 124 (48) 0 (0) 0.07% 38°38′20″N 99°5′17″W / 38.63889°N 99.08806°W / 38.63889; -99.08806
Union 72350 65 0 (1) 141 (54) 0 (0) 0.01% 38°26′4″N 99°25′47″W / 38.43444°N 99.42972°W / 38.43444; -99.42972

Education

Unified school districts

  • La Crosse USD 395

See also

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

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