Republic County, Kansas

Republic County, Kansas
Republic County Courthouse, 2010
Map of Kansas highlighting Republic County
Location in the state of Kansas
Map of the United States highlighting Kansas
Kansas's location in the U.S.
Founded February 27, 1860
Seat Belleville
Largest city Belleville
Area
 • Total 720 sq mi (1,865 km2)
 • Land 717 sq mi (1,857 km2)
 • Water 3.1 sq mi (8 km2), 0.4%
Population
 • (2010) 4,980
 • Density 6.9/sq mi (3/km²)
Congressional district 1st
Time zone Central: UTC-6/-5
Website www.republiccounty.org

Coordinates: 39°48′N 97°38′W / 39.800°N 97.633°W

June 24, 1947 flood of the Republican River on the border of Jewell County, Kansas and Republic County, Kansas near Hardy, Nebraska and Webber, Kansas, just south of Nebraska NE-8 on Kansas 1 Rd/CR-1 bridge over the Republican River. The normal flood stage for the river is at the tree line in the foreground.

Republic County (standard abbreviation: RP) is a county located in the state of Kansas. As of the 2010 census, the county population was 4,980.[1] The largest city and county seat is Belleville.[2] It is south from the Nebraska state line.

History

19th century

1915 Railroad Map of Republic County

Republic County was first settled around 1860 by Daniel and Conrad Myers.[3] The territory was principally inhabited by Pawnees, Iowas, and Otoes who greeted the incoming settlers - mostly farmers - peaceably. By 1868, Republic County was holding elections.

During the late 19th century, Belleville became the urban center for the immigrants that were attracted to the surrounding areas, most notably from Sweden and Bohemia (now Czech Republic).

In 1887, Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway built a branch line from Neva (3 miles west of Strong City) to Superior, Nebraska. This branch line connected Strong City, Neva, Rockland, Diamond Springs, Burdick, Lost Springs, Jacobs, Hope, Navarre, Enterprise, Abilene, Talmage, Manchester, Longford, Oak Hill, Miltonvale, Aurora, Huscher, Concordia, Kackley, Courtland, Webber, Superior. At some point, the line from Neva to Lost Springs was pulled but the right of way has not been abandoned. This branch line was originally called "Strong City and Superior line" but later the name was shortened to the "Strong City line". In 1996, the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway merged with Burlington Northern Railroad and renamed to the current BNSF Railway. Most locals still refer to this railroad as the "Santa Fe".

Law and government

Republic 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% food sales requirement.[4]

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 720 square miles (1,900 km2), of which 717 square miles (1,860 km2) is land and 3.1 square miles (8.0 km2) (0.4%) is water.[5]

Adjacent counties

Demographics

Age pyramid
Historical population
Census Pop. %±
18701,281—
188014,9131,064.2%
189019,00227.4%
190018,248−4.0%
191017,447−4.4%
192015,855−9.1%
193014,745−7.0%
194013,124−11.0%
195011,478−12.5%
19609,768−14.9%
19708,498−13.0%
19807,569−10.9%
19906,482−14.4%
20005,835−10.0%
20104,980−14.7%
Est. 20134,820−3.2%
U.S. Decennial Census[6]
1790-1960[7] 1900-1990[8]
1990-2000[9] 2010-2013[1]

As of the census[10] of 2000, there were 5,835 people, 2,557 households, and 1,685 families residing in the county. The population density was 8 people per square mile (3/km²). There were 3,113 housing units at an average density of 4 per square mile (2/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 98.56% White, 0.26% Black or African American, 0.21% Native American, 0.19% Asian, 0.33% from other races, and 0.46% from two or more races. 0.94% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 24.1% were of German, 13.6% Swedish, 12.4% Czech, 9.2% English, 9.0% Irish and 8.6% American ancestry according to Census 2000.

There were 2,557 households out of which 25.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.80% were married couples living together, 4.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.10% were non-families. 31.80% 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 2.23 and the average family size was 2.80.

In the county the population was spread out with 22.30% under the age of 18, 4.50% from 18 to 24, 22.10% from 25 to 44, 25.00% from 45 to 64, and 26.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 46 years. For every 100 females there were 93.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.80 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $30,494, and the median income for a family was $39,215. Males had a median income of $25,260 versus $17,274 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,433. About 6.00% of families and 9.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.40% of those under age 18 and 8.90% of those age 65 or over.

Education

Unified school districts

Communities

2005 KDOT Map of Republic County (map legend)

Cities

Cities

Ghost town

Townships

Republic County is divided into twenty townships. The city of Belleville is considered governmentally independent and is 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.

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
Albion 00900 174 2 (5) 92 (36) 0 (0) 0.12% 39°57′35″N 97°25′29″W / 39.95972°N 97.42472°W
Beaver 05150 137 2 (4) 91 (35) 3 (1) 3.04% 39°42′17″N 97°51′59″W / 39.70472°N 97.86639°W
Belleville 05625 231 3 (7) 89 (34) 0 (0) 0.11% 39°47′14″N 97°38′35″W / 39.78722°N 97.64306°W
Big Bend 06550 242 3 (7) 92 (35) 1 (0) 1.39% 39°57′0″N 97°50′53″W / 39.95000°N 97.84806°W
Courtland 16050 450 5 (12) 94 (36) 0 (0) 0.06% 39°46′56″N 97°52′51″W / 39.78222°N 97.88083°W
Elk Creek 20275 175 2 (5) 94 (36) 0 (0) 0.15% 39°42′16″N 97°25′41″W / 39.70444°N 97.42806°W
Fairview 22575 155 2 (4) 94 (36) 0 (0) 0.49% 39°52′50″N 97°31′54″W / 39.88056°N 97.53167°W
Farmington 23200 81 1 (2) 93 (36) 0 (0) 0.20% 39°52′20″N 97°25′24″W / 39.87222°N 97.42333°W
Freedom 24675 186 2 (5) 90 (35) 0 (0) 0.28% 39°51′31″N 97°38′26″W / 39.85861°N 97.64056°W
Grant 28050 77 1 (2) 95 (37) 0 (0) 0.15% 39°42′5″N 97°32′31″W / 39.70139°N 97.54194°W
Jefferson 35325 107 1 (3) 95 (37) 0 (0) 0.05% 39°47′29″N 97°32′33″W / 39.79139°N 97.54250°W
Liberty 40325 52 1 (1) 93 (36) 0 (0) 0.19% 39°57′2″N 97°38′30″W / 39.95056°N 97.64167°W
Lincoln 41075 103 1 (3) 92 (36) 0 (0) 0.09% 39°41′58″N 97°38′57″W / 39.69944°N 97.64917°W
Norway 51575 163 2 (5) 92 (36) 1 (0) 1.19% 39°42′17″N 97°46′9″W / 39.70472°N 97.76917°W
Richland 59575 318 3 (9) 92 (36) 0 (0) 0.11% 39°47′30″N 97°26′4″W / 39.79167°N 97.43444°W
Rose Creek 61200 170 2 (5) 94 (36) 0 (0) 0.44% 39°57′27″N 97°32′13″W / 39.95750°N 97.53694°W
Scandia 63375 541 6 (15) 92 (36) 1 (0) 1.23% 39°47′28″N 97°46′27″W / 39.79111°N 97.77417°W
Union 72300 51 1 (1) 93 (36) 0 (0) 0.18% 39°52′0″N 97°46′5″W / 39.86667°N 97.76806°W
Washington 75700 95 1 (3) 93 (36) 0 (0) 0.24% 39°57′57″N 97°45′14″W / 39.96583°N 97.75389°W
White Rock 77975 88 1 (2) 92 (36) 1 (0) 1.09% 39°52′34″N 97°51′54″W / 39.87611°N 97.86500°W

Notable people

Major League Baseball pitcher Larry Cheney

Arts and Entertainment

Athletes

Clergy

Journalists

Medicine

Philanthropy

Politicians

Settlers

See also

Information on this and other counties in Kansas

Other information for Kansas

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 28, 2014.
  2. ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
  3. ↑ Savage., I. O. (1901). Carolyn Ward, transcribed July 2006, ed. A history of Republic County, Kansas : embracing a full and complete account of all the leading events in its history, from its first settlement down to June 1, '01. Jones & Chubbic, Beloit, KS. p. 35.
  4. ↑ "Map of Wet and Dry Counties". Alcoholic Beverage Control, Kansas Department of Revenue. November 2006. Retrieved 2007-12-28.
  5. ↑ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
  6. ↑ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 28, 2014.
  7. ↑ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved July 28, 2014.
  8. ↑ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 28, 2014.
  9. ↑ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 28, 2014.
  10. ↑ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  11. ↑ Greta Granstedt Biography at the Internet Movie Database
  12. ↑ Harry A. Pollard at the Internet Movie Database
  13. ↑ "Herb Bradley". Retrosheet.com. Retrieved March 25, 2012.
  14. ↑ "Tom Bushby". Pro Football Reference.com. Retrieved March 28, 2012.
  15. ↑ "Larry Cheney Stats". Baseball Almanac.com. Retrieved March 25, 2012.
  16. ↑ "Tony Zuzzio". DatabaseFootball.com. Retrieved March 28, 2012.
  17. ↑ "KATS Hall of Fame". Kansas Athletic Trainers Society. Retrieved September 14, 2012.
  18. ↑ "In memoriam: Allen Wikgren". The University of Chicago Chronicle. June 11, 1998. Retrieved March 27, 2012.
  19. ↑ Cutler, William (1883). "4". History of the State of Kansas. Chicago, Illinois: A. T. Andreas. Retrieved April 2, 2012.
  20. ↑ Cutler, William (1883). "3". History of the State of Kansas. Chicago, Illinois: A. T. Andreas.
  21. ↑ Savage, I. O. (1901). Carolyn Ward (Transcribed July 2006), ed. A history of Republic County, Kansas : embracing a full and complete account of all the leading events in its history, from its first settlement down to June 1, '01. Beloit, Kansas: Published by Jones & Chubbic. p. 11. Retrieved March 25, 2012.
  22. ↑ Project Vote Smart - Rep. Aurand Biography
  23. ↑ "JOHNSON, Edwin Carl, (1884 - 1970)". United States Congress. Retrieved March 25, 2012.
  24. ↑ Former justice dies at age 85. Statesman Journal, November 1, 1985.
  25. ↑ "Kansas Legislators Past and Present > Saar to Scott". Kansas State Library. Retrieved March 25, 2012.
  26. ↑ Cutler, William (1883). "REPUBLIC COUNTY, Part 6: Scandia". History of the State of Kansas. Chicago, Illinois: A. T. Andreas. Retrieved April 3, 2012.
  27. ↑ Blackmar, Frank (1912). Kansas: a cyclopedia of state history, embracing events, institutions, industries, counties, cities, towns, prominent persons, etc. Chicago, Illinois: Standard Publishing Company. p. 907.
  28. ↑ "Lovewell Family Meets at Lovewell Lake". The Superior Express. June 7, 2007. Retrieved March 27, 2012.

Further reading

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Republic County, Kansas.
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