Thomas County, Kansas

Thomas County, Kansas
County
Thomas County Courthouse in Colby
Map of Kansas highlighting Thomas County
Location in the U.S. state of Kansas
Map of the United States highlighting Kansas
Kansas's location in the U.S.
Founded October 8, 1885
Named for George Henry Thomas[1]
Seat Colby
Largest city Colby
Area
 • Total 1,075 sq mi (2,784 km2)
 • Land 1,075 sq mi (2,784 km2)
 • Water 0.1 sq mi (0 km2), 0.01%
Population (est.)
 • (2016) 7,892
 • Density 7.4/sq mi (2.9/km2)
Congressional district 1st
Time zone Central: UTC−6/−5
Website ThomasCountyKS.com

Thomas County (standard abbreviation: TH) is a county located in the U.S. state of Kansas. As of the 2010 census, the county population was 7,900.[2] Its county seat is Colby.[3]

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. Thomas County was founded in October 8, 1885. It was named for George Henry Thomas, a Union General during the American Civil War, hero of the Battle of Chickamauga. The townships of the county were named after the soldiers that died at the Battle of Chickamauga.[4]

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,075 square miles (2,780 km2), of which 1,075 square miles (2,780 km2) is land and 0.1 square miles (0.26 km2) (0.01%) is water.[5]

Major highways

Adjacent counties

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.%±
1880161—
18905,5383,339.8%
19004,112−25.7%
19105,45532.7%
19205,5171.1%
19307,33432.9%
19406,425−12.4%
19507,57217.9%
19607,358−2.8%
19707,5011.9%
19808,45112.7%
19908,258−2.3%
20008,180−0.9%
20107,900−3.4%
Est. 20167,892[6]−0.1%
U.S. Decennial Census[7]
1790-1960[8] 1900-1990[9]
1990-2000[10] 2010-2016[2]
Age pyramid

As of the census[11] of 2000, there were 8,180 people, 3,226 households, and 2,125 families residing in the county. The population density was 8 people per square mile (3/km²). There were 3,562 housing units at an average density of 3 per square mile (1/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 97.14% White, 0.43% Black or African American, 0.33% Native American, 0.27% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.95% from other races, and 0.86% from two or more races. 1.85% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 3,226 households out of which 32.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.10% were married couples living together, 6.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.10% were non-families. 28.40% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 3.04.

In the county, the population was spread out with 26.30% under the age of 18, 13.50% from 18 to 24, 24.40% from 25 to 44, 21.20% from 45 to 64, and 14.60% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 94.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.50 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $37,034, and the median income for a family was $45,931. Males had a median income of $33,833 versus $21,310 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,028. About 6.60% of families and 9.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.90% of those under age 18 and 7.50% of those age 65 or over.

Government

Presidential elections

Presidential Elections Results
Presidential Elections Results[12]
Year Republican Democratic Third Parties
2016 81.3% 2,908 13.2% 473 5.5% 195
2012 80.3% 2,788 17.2% 598 2.5% 88
2008 77.2% 2,837 21.4% 787 1.3% 49
2004 77.7% 3,007 21.1% 816 1.2% 47
2000 74.7% 2,822 21.4% 807 4.0% 151
1996 69.8% 2,725 22.2% 866 8.1% 316
1992 47.1% 1,849 23.8% 932 29.1% 1,141
1988 60.5% 2,342 36.4% 1,408 3.1% 120
1984 76.7% 3,107 21.9% 887 1.4% 57
1980 66.4% 2,789 24.9% 1,045 8.8% 368
1976 53.9% 2,246 43.3% 1,802 2.8% 116
1972 67.7% 2,300 27.8% 943 4.5% 153
1968 59.8% 1,971 32.6% 1,074 7.6% 250
1964 45.6% 1,528 53.6% 1,793 0.8% 27
1960 61.5% 2,081 38.0% 1,285 0.5% 18
1956 62.1% 1,888 37.4% 1,138 0.5% 16
1952 69.5% 2,490 29.8% 1,069 0.7% 26
1948 49.4% 1,497 48.7% 1,476 1.9% 57
1944 59.1% 1,631 39.8% 1,097 1.1% 30
1940 54.2% 1,721 44.8% 1,423 1.0% 31
1936 35.4% 1,200 64.0% 2,168 0.6% 20
1932 33.7% 1,158 61.2% 2,103 5.2% 177
1928 66.0% 1,828 32.4% 899 1.6% 44
1924 52.5% 1,436 30.1% 822 17.4% 477
1920 54.6% 1,046 39.0% 747 6.5% 124
1916 31.2% 642 63.0% 1,299 5.8% 120
1912 14.2% 127 48.2% 432 37.7% 338
1908 45.0% 569 49.8% 630 5.2% 66
1904 57.0% 548 21.3% 205 21.7% 209
1900 42.0% 404 57.2% 551 0.8% 8
1896 38.0% 304 61.3% 490 0.8% 6
1892 41.3% 490 58.7% 697
1888 55.0% 751 35.6% 486 9.4% 128

Laws

Thomas County was a prohibition, or "dry", county until the Kansas Constitution was amended in 1986 and voters approved the sale of alcoholic liquor by the individual drink with a 30 percent food sales requirement.[13]

Education

Unified school districts

Communities

2005 KDOT Map of Thomas County from KDOT (map legend)

Cities

Census-designated place

Townships

Thomas County is divided into thirteen townships. The townships were named in honor of men who were killed at the Battle of Chickamauga.[14] The city of Colby is considered governmentally independent and is excluded from the census figures for the townships. Geographically, Colby is surrounded by Morgan Township. 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.
TownshipFIPSPopulation
center		 PopulationPopulation
density
/km² (/sq mi)		 Land area
km² (sq mi)		Water area
km² (sq mi)		Water % Geographic coordinates
Barrett043251240 (1)276 (107)0 (0)0.01%39°30′21″N 101°16′7″W / 39.50583°N 101.26861°W / 39.50583; -101.26861
East Hale194751371 (3)140 (54)0 (0)0%39°22′27″N 101°12′49″W / 39.37417°N 101.21361°W / 39.37417; -101.21361
Kingery36925930 (1)373 (144)0 (0)0%39°13′55″N 101°16′52″W / 39.23194°N 101.28111°W / 39.23194; -101.28111
Lacey37425Gem1321 (4)92 (36)0 (0)0%39°25′48″N 100°53′27″W / 39.43000°N 100.89083°W / 39.43000; -100.89083
Menlo45775Menlo1121 (2)140 (54)0 (0)0%39°20′36″N 100°46′4″W / 39.34333°N 100.76778°W / 39.34333; -100.76778
Morgan48200Colby outskirts7553 (7)271 (105)0 (0)0%39°22′31″N 101°3′0″W / 39.37528°N 101.05000°W / 39.37528; -101.05000
North Randall513001071 (2)138 (53)0 (0)0.03%39°19′44″N 100°53′55″W / 39.32889°N 100.89861°W / 39.32889; -100.89861
Rovohl615251431 (1)277 (107)0 (0)0%39°30′11″N 101°4′3″W / 39.50306°N 101.06750°W / 39.50306; -101.06750
Smith65900Rexford2132 (6)93 (36)0 (0)0.03%39°27′11″N 100°45′31″W / 39.45306°N 100.75861°W / 39.45306; -100.75861
South Randall66875Oakley outskirts2671 (2)279 (108)0 (0)0.04%39°10′59″N 100°50′29″W / 39.18306°N 100.84139°W / 39.18306; -100.84139
Summers689751971 (1)373 (144)0 (0)0%39°14′30″N 101°2′47″W / 39.24167°N 101.04639°W / 39.24167; -101.04639
Wendell76650840 (1)183 (71)0 (0)0.02%39°31′4″N 100°49′21″W / 39.51778°N 100.82250°W / 39.51778; -100.82250
West Hale76975Brewster3663 (7)140 (54)0 (0)0%39°21′50″N 101°21′48″W / 39.36389°N 101.36333°W / 39.36389; -101.36333

See also

References

  1. ↑ "A Brief History of Thomas County, Kansas and the Thomas County Courthouse". Thomas County, Kansas. Retrieved 2012-11-04.
  2. 1 2 "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 29, 2014.
  3. ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
  4. ↑ A Brief History of Thomas County, Kansas
  5. ↑ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
  6. ↑ "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved June 9, 2017.
  7. ↑ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 29, 2014.
  8. ↑ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved July 29, 2014.
  9. ↑ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 29, 2014.
  10. ↑ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 29, 2014.
  11. ↑ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  12. ↑ http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS
  13. ↑ "Map of Wet and Dry Counties". Alcoholic Beverage Control, Kansas Department of Revenue. November 2006. Archived from the original on 2007-10-08. Retrieved 2007-12-28.
  14. ↑ "A Brief History of Thomas County, Kansas and the Thomas County Courthouse". County of Thomas, Kansas. Archived from the original on April 7, 2014. Retrieved 27 June 2014.

Further reading

County
Maps

Coordinates: 39°21′N 101°03′W / 39.350°N 101.050°W / 39.350; -101.050

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