Wilson County, Kansas facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Wilson County
County
Brown Hotel in Neodesha (2017)
Location within the U.S. state of Kansas
Kansas's location within the U.S.
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)
• 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 is a county located in Southeast Kansas. Its county seat is Fredonia. As of the 2020 census, the county population was 8,624. The county was named after Hiero Wilson, a colonel in the American Civil War.

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. In 1855, Wilson County was established and included what is now Wilson County and Montgomery County. It was named for Colonel Hiero T. Wilson. He was a successful Indian trader who had been the first white settler of Fort Scott, Kansas and had served as postmaster and sutler at the fort. He could speak Cherokee, Creek, and Osage and the Osage called him "Big White Chief". He was a delegate to the Lecompton Constitutional Convention.

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

Population pyramid based on 2000 census age data

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 (6.9 people/km²). There were 4,937 housing units at an average density of 9 per square mile (3.5/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.

Education

Unified school districts

• Altoona-Midway USD 387
• Neodesha USD 461
• Fredonia USD 484

Communities

2005 map of Wilson County (map legend)

List of townships / incorporated cities / unincorporated communities / extinct former communities within Wilson County.

Cities

Unincorporated communities

† means a community is designated a Census-Designated Place (CDP) by the United States Census Bureau.

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.

See also

In Spanish: Condado de Wilson (Kansas) para niños