Wilson County, Kansas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Wilson County
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Brown Hotel in Neodesha (2017)
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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 | 1855 |
| Named for | Hiero T. Wilson |
| Seat | Fredonia |
| Largest city | Neodesha |
| Area | |
| • Total | 575 sq mi (1,490 km2) |
| • Land | 570 sq mi (1,500 km2) |
| • Water | 4.7 sq mi (12 km2) 0.8% |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 8,624 |
| • Density | 15.1/sq mi (5.8/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−6 (Central) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (CDT) |
| Congressional district | 2nd |
Wilson County (standard abbreviation: WL) is a county located in Southeast Kansas. As of the 2020 census, the county population was 8,624. Its county seat is Fredonia.
Contents
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, Wilson County was established.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 575 square miles (1,490 km2), of which 570 square miles (1,500 km2) is land and 4.7 square miles (12 km2) (0.8%) is water.
Adjacent counties
- Woodson County (north)
- Allen County (northeast)
- Neosho County (east)
- Montgomery County (south)
- Elk County (west)
- Greenwood County (northwest)
Demographics
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1860 | 27 | — | |
| 1870 | 6,694 | 24,692.6% | |
| 1880 | 13,775 | 105.8% | |
| 1890 | 15,286 | 11.0% | |
| 1900 | 15,621 | 2.2% | |
| 1910 | 19,810 | 26.8% | |
| 1920 | 21,157 | 6.8% | |
| 1930 | 18,646 | −11.9% | |
| 1940 | 17,723 | −5.0% | |
| 1950 | 14,815 | −16.4% | |
| 1960 | 13,077 | −11.7% | |
| 1970 | 11,317 | −13.5% | |
| 1980 | 12,128 | 7.2% | |
| 1990 | 10,289 | −15.2% | |
| 2000 | 10,332 | 0.4% | |
| 2010 | 9,409 | −8.9% | |
| 2020 | 8,624 | −8.3% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census 1790-1960 1900-1990 1990-2000 2010-2020 |
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As of the census of 2000, there were 10,332 people, 4,203 households, and 2,849 families residing in the county. The population density was 18 people per square mile (7/km2). There were 4,937 housing units at an average density of 9 per square mile (3/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 96.78% White, 0.37% Black or African American, 0.88% Native American, 0.26% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.48% from other races, and 1.19% from two or more races. 1.67% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 4,203 households, out of which 29.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.10% were married couples living together, 7.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.20% were non-families. 29.10% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.80% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.40 and the average family size was 2.96.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 25.40% under the age of 18, 7.40% from 18 to 24, 23.80% from 25 to 44, 23.40% from 45 to 64, and 19.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 94.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.60 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $29,747, and the median income for a family was $36,990. Males had a median income of $27,255 versus $18,670 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,910. About 7.50% of families and 11.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.40% of those under age 18 and 11.80% of those age 65 or over.
Communities
Cities
Unincorporated communities
Ghost towns
- Buffville
- Rest
Townships
Wilson County is divided into fifteen townships. The cities of Fredonia and Neodesha are considered governmentally independent and are 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cedar | 11375 | 701 | 8 (19) | 93 (36) | 0 (0) | 0.11% | 37°31′21″N 95°40′14″W / 37.52250°N 95.67056°W | |
| Center | 12225 | 618 | 6 (16) | 103 (40) | 0 (0) | 0.14% | 37°31′5″N 95°49′11″W / 37.51806°N 95.81972°W | |
| Chetopa | 13000 | 188 | 2 (5) | 93 (36) | 0 (0) | 0.11% | 37°30′28″N 95°34′14″W / 37.50778°N 95.57056°W | |
| Clifton | 14250 | 414 | 4 (12) | 93 (36) | 0 (0) | 0.53% | 37°41′56″N 95°42′23″W / 37.69889°N 95.70639°W | |
| Colfax | 14825 | 452 | 4 (10) | 123 (47) | 0 (0) | 0.17% | 37°40′55″N 95°36′20″W / 37.68194°N 95.60556°W | |
| Duck Creek | 18800 | 103 | 1 (3) | 93 (36) | 0 (0) | 0.23% | 37°26′14″N 95°54′58″W / 37.43722°N 95.91611°W | |
| Fall River | 22825 | 398 | 3 (8) | 131 (51) | 0 (0) | 0.16% | 37°32′21″N 95°55′33″W / 37.53917°N 95.92583°W | |
| Guilford | 29200 | 205 | 2 (6) | 93 (36) | 0 (0) | 0.06% | 37°36′32″N 95°43′22″W / 37.60889°N 95.72278°W | |
| Neodesha | 49675 | 583 | 6 (17) | 90 (35) | 0 (0) | 0.52% | 37°25′29″N 95°40′52″W / 37.42472°N 95.68111°W | |
| Newark | 50200 | 226 | 2 (6) | 92 (36) | 0 (0) | 0.18% | 37°25′30″N 95°34′56″W / 37.42500°N 95.58222°W | |
| Pleasant Valley | 56650 | 201 | 2 (4) | 123 (47) | 0 (0) | 0.09% | 37°36′25″N 95°36′21″W / 37.60694°N 95.60583°W | |
| Prairie | 57425 | 118 | 2 (4) | 78 (30) | 0 (0) | 0.28% | 37°36′17″N 95°49′26″W / 37.60472°N 95.82389°W | |
| Talleyrand | 69900 | 232 | 3 (7) | 92 (36) | 0 (0) | 0.06% | 37°25′19″N 95°48′25″W / 37.42194°N 95.80694°W | |
| Verdigris | 73500 | 394 | 4 (10) | 103 (40) | 0 (0) | 0.27% | 37°39′29″N 95°53′51″W / 37.65806°N 95.89750°W | |
| Webster | 76300 | 51 | 1 (2) | 77 (30) | 0 (0) | 0.15% | 37°42′0″N 95°50′1″W / 37.70000°N 95.83361°W |
Education
Unified school districts
See also
In Spanish: Condado de Wilson (Kansas) para niños
