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Jefferson County, Kansas

Coordinates: 39°13′N 95°24′W / 39.217°N 95.400°W / 39.217; -95.400
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Jefferson County
County
Jefferson County Courthouse in Oskaloosa (1971)
Jefferson County Courthouse in Oskaloosa (1971)
Map of Kansas highlighting Jefferson County
Location within the U.S. state of Kansas
Map of the United States highlighting Kansas
Kansas's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 39°13′N 95°24′W / 39.217°N 95.400°W / 39.217; -95.400
Country United States
State Kansas
FoundedAugust 25, 1855
Named forThomas Jefferson
SeatOskaloosa
Largest cityValley Falls
Area
 • Total
557 sq mi (1,440 km2)
 • Land533 sq mi (1,380 km2)
 • Water24 sq mi (60 km2)  4.3%
Population
 (2020)[1]
 • Total
18,368
 • Estimate 
(2023)[2]
18,327 Decrease
 • Density33/sq mi (13/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district1st
Websitejfcountyks.com

Jefferson County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kansas. Its county seat and most populous city is Oskaloosa.[3] As of the 2020 census, the county population was 18,368.[1] The county was named after Thomas Jefferson, the 3rd president of the United States.

History

[edit]

Early history

[edit]
See also: History of Kansas

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

[edit]

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, Jefferson County was established, and was named for President Thomas Jefferson.[4] Settlement of the county was slowed by events prior to and during the Civil War, but the present day unincorporated community of Thompsonville (3 miles northwest of Perry on the Delaware River) was the first established in 1851 by Mormon settlers who initially refused to accompany the main group led by Brigham Young to the Salt Lake Valley. The settlement was first abandoned due to the violence resulting from the border wars, but was re-established when the Civil War ended.[citation needed]

Geography

[edit]

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 557 square miles (1,440 km2), of which 533 square miles (1,380 km2) is land and 2.4 square miles (6.2 km2) (4.3%) is water.[5]

Adjacent counties

[edit]

Demographics

[edit]
Population pyramid based on 2000 census age data
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18604,459—
187012,526180.9%
188015,56324.2%
189016,6206.8%
190017,5335.5%
191015,826−9.7%
192014,750−6.8%
193014,129−4.2%
194012,718−10.0%
195011,084−12.8%
196011,2521.5%
197011,9456.2%
198015,20727.3%
199015,9054.6%
200018,42615.9%
201019,1263.8%
202018,368−4.0%
2023 (est.)18,327[6]−0.2%
U.S. Decennial Census[7]
1790-1960[8] 1900-1990[9]
1990-2000[10] 2010-2020[1]

Jefferson County is included in the Topeka, KS Metropolitan Statistical Area.

At the 2000 Census, there were 18,426 people, 6,830 households and 5,190 families residing in the county. The population density was 34 inhabitants per square mile (13/km2). There were 7,491 housing units at an average density of 14 per square mile (5.4/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 96.70% White, 0.92% Native American, 0.37% Black or African American, 0.17% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.42% from other races, and 1.41% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.28% of the population.

There were 6,830 households, of which 35.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 65.20% were married couples living together, 7.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.00% were non-families. 20.10% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.66 and the average family size was 3.07.

27.40% of the population were under the age of 18, 7.00% from 18 to 24, 28.00% from 25 to 44, 24.90% from 45 to 64, and 12.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 102.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.90 males.

The median household income was $45,535 and the median family income was $50,557. Males had a median income of $36,174 compared with $25,468 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,373. About 5.30% of families and 6.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.90% of those under age 18 and 7.70% of those age 65 or over.

Government

[edit]

Presidential elections

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Presidential election results
United States presidential election results for Jefferson County, Kansas[11]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2024 6,543 67.36% 2,973 30.61% 197 2.03%
2020 6,334 64.75% 3,194 32.65% 254 2.60%
2016 5,213 61.77% 2,518 29.83% 709 8.40%
2012 4,827 60.24% 2,977 37.15% 209 2.61%
2008 5,220 58.32% 3,542 39.58% 188 2.10%
2004 5,408 61.50% 3,253 37.00% 132 1.50%
2000 4,423 56.15% 3,000 38.09% 454 5.76%
1996 3,781 49.31% 2,757 35.95% 1,130 14.74%
1992 2,569 33.02% 2,538 32.62% 2,673 34.36%
1988 3,605 55.53% 2,810 43.28% 77 1.19%
1984 4,524 68.93% 1,990 30.32% 49 0.75%
1980 4,046 64.60% 1,776 28.36% 441 7.04%
1976 3,225 55.12% 2,470 42.22% 156 2.67%
1972 3,679 72.69% 1,237 24.44% 145 2.87%
1968 2,781 56.58% 1,355 27.57% 779 15.85%
1964 2,380 53.07% 2,066 46.06% 39 0.87%
1960 3,353 65.73% 1,739 34.09% 9 0.18%
1956 3,677 70.24% 1,536 29.34% 22 0.42%
1952 3,980 73.47% 1,411 26.05% 26 0.48%
1948 2,986 59.04% 2,010 39.74% 62 1.23%
1944 3,504 68.73% 1,575 30.89% 19 0.37%
1940 4,330 65.81% 2,212 33.62% 38 0.58%
1936 3,711 54.25% 3,105 45.39% 25 0.37%
1932 2,974 47.42% 3,185 50.79% 112 1.79%
1928 4,810 74.77% 1,601 24.89% 22 0.34%
1924 4,422 72.71% 1,320 21.70% 340 5.59%
1920 3,463 68.86% 1,535 30.52% 31 0.62%
1916 3,174 50.49% 2,919 46.44% 193 3.07%
1912 1,155 29.75% 1,537 39.59% 1,190 30.65%
1908 2,270 55.57% 1,720 42.11% 95 2.33%
1904 2,568 65.26% 1,199 30.47% 168 4.27%
1900 2,374 54.66% 1,912 44.02% 57 1.31%
1896 2,322 49.99% 2,276 49.00% 47 1.01%
1892 2,026 49.95% 0 0.00% 2,030 50.05%
1888 2,268 57.00% 1,601 40.24% 110 2.76%

Like all of Kansas outside the eastern cities, Jefferson County is a Republican stronghold, having not been won by a Democrat since Franklin D. Roosevelt’s 1932 landslide – although it was one of three Kansas counties to give a plurality to Ross Perot in 1992.

Laws

[edit]

Jefferson 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.[12]

The county voted "No" on the 2022 Kansas abortion referendum, an anti-abortion ballot measure, by 55% to 45% despite backing Donald Trump with 65% of the vote to Joe Biden's 33% in the 2020 presidential election.[13]

Media

[edit]

Jefferson County has two newspapers which are still in operation, The Oskaloosa Independent and The Valley Falls Vindicator. Both of which are owned by Davis Publications.[14] Together, the two papers cover the happenings of Jefferson County and its townships. The editor for both papers is Holly Allen.

Education

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Unified school districts

[edit]

School districts include:[15]

Communities

[edit]
2005 map of Jefferson County[16] (map legend)

List of townships / incorporated cities / unincorporated communities / extinct former communities within Jefferson County.[16]

Cities

[edit]

Unincorporated communities

[edit]

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

Townships

[edit]

Jefferson 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.

Township FIPS Population
center 		Population Population
density
/km2 (/sq mi) 		Land area
km2 (sq mi)		 Water area
km2 (sq mi)		 Water % Geographic coordinates
Delaware 17425 Valley Falls 2,034 9 (23) 229 (88) 0 (0) 0.11% 39°21′6″N 95°28′31″W / 39.35167°N 95.47528°W / 39.35167; -95.47528
Fairview 22525 Rural Ozawkie 1,510 22 (56) 70 (27) 20 (8) 22.20% 39°10′49″N 95°26′50″W / 39.18028°N 95.44722°W / 39.18028; -95.44722
Jefferson 35250 Winchester 1,240 8 (21) 151 (58) 0 (0) 0.24% 39°19′37″N 95°16′11″W / 39.32694°N 95.26972°W / 39.32694; -95.26972
Kaw 36125 Grantville 1,409 16 (43) 86 (33) 2 (1) 1.78% 39°5′41″N 95°32′55″W / 39.09472°N 95.54861°W / 39.09472; -95.54861
Kentucky 36575 Perry 1,576 17 (44) 93 (36) 14 (5) 13.18% 39°5′18″N 95°24′42″W / 39.08833°N 95.41167°W / 39.08833; -95.41167
Norton 51475 Nortonville 955 9 (25) 101 (39) 0 (0) 0.30% 39°24′13″N 95°18′47″W / 39.40361°N 95.31306°W / 39.40361; -95.31306
Oskaloosa 53400 Oskaloosa 2,142 14 (37) 149 (58) 0 (0) 0.17% 39°13′12″N 95°18′58″W / 39.22000°N 95.31611°W / 39.22000; -95.31611
Ozawkie 53950 Ozawkie 1,408 15 (38) 97 (37) 14 (5) 12.74% 39°14′32″N 95°26′3″W / 39.24222°N 95.43417°W / 39.24222; -95.43417
Rock Creek 60575 Meriden 2,718 19 (50) 140 (54) 1 (1) 0.92% 39°12′52″N 95°32′58″W / 39.21444°N 95.54944°W / 39.21444; -95.54944
Rural 61700 Williamstown 804 10 (25) 82 (32) 1 (0) 1.14% 39°4′31″N 95°18′52″W / 39.07528°N 95.31444°W / 39.07528; -95.31444
Sarcoxie 63100 Rural Lawrence 958 12 (31) 80 (31) 0 (0) 0.45% 39°5′13″N 95°14′50″W / 39.08694°N 95.24722°W / 39.08694; -95.24722
Union 72150 McLouth 1,672 15 (39) 111 (43) 0 (0) 0.30% 39°12′41″N 95°12′26″W / 39.21139°N 95.20722°W / 39.21139; -95.20722
Sources: "Census 2000 U.S. Gazetteer Files". U.S. Census Bureau, Geography Division. Archived from the original on August 2, 2002.

Notable people

[edit]
  • Roger Barker (1903-1990), American environmental psychologist
  • John Curry (1897–1946), painter
  • Mary Lowman (1842-1912), first woman in Kansas to be elected mayor with a city council composed entirely of women.
  • Charles Roberts (1936-), American politician

See also

[edit]
Community information for Kansas

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c "QuickFacts; Jefferson County, Kansas; Population, Census, 2020 & 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on August 17, 2021. Retrieved August 16, 2021.
  2. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 24, 2024.
  3. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  4. ^ Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Govt. Print. Off. pp. 168.
  5. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Archived from the original on May 27, 2002. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  6. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 3, 2024.
  7. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on April 26, 2015. Retrieved July 26, 2014.
  8. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved July 26, 2014.
  9. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 26, 2014.
  10. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 27, 2010. Retrieved July 26, 2014.
  11. ^ "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections".
  12. ^ "Map of Wet and Dry Counties". Alcoholic Beverage Control, Kansas Department of Revenue. November 2006. Archived from the original on October 8, 2007. Retrieved December 28, 2007.
  13. ^ Panetta, Grace (August 3, 2022). "14 of the 19 Kansas counties that rejected an anti-abortion amendment voted for Trump in 2020". Business Insider. Retrieved August 3, 2022.
  14. ^ "Contact Us – JeffCountyNews.com". Retrieved November 1, 2022.
  15. ^ "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Jefferson County, KS" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved September 5, 2024. - Text list
  16. ^ a b "General Highway Map of Jefferson County, Kansas" (PDF). Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT). August 2010. Archived (PDF) from the original on May 17, 2024.
Notes

Further reading

[edit]
See also: List of books about Kansas, including historical information about its counties and cities
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Jefferson County, Kansas.
County
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