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Pottawatomie County, Kansas

Coordinates: 39°20′N 96°18′W / 39.333°N 96.300°W / 39.333; -96.300
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Pottawatomie County
County
Pottawatomie County Courthouse in Westmoreland (2009)
Pottawatomie County Courthouse in Westmoreland (2009)
Map of Kansas highlighting Pottawatomie 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°20′00″N 96°18′00″W / 39.3333°N 96.3°W / 39.3333; -96.3
Country United States
State Kansas
FoundedFebruary 20, 1857
Named forPotawatomi tribe
SeatWestmoreland
Largest cityManhattan
Area
 • Total862 sq mi (2,230 km2)
 • Land841 sq mi (2,180 km2)
 • Water21 sq mi (50 km2)  2.4%
Population
 (2020)[1]
 • Total25,348
 • Estimate 
(2023)[2]
26,382 Increase
 • Density30.1/sq mi (11.6/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district1st
Websitepottcounty.org

Pottawatomie County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kansas. Its county seat is Westmoreland.[3] As of the 2020 census, the county population was 25,348.[1] The county was named for the Potawatomi tribe.

History

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Early history

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See also: History of Kansas

For millennia, the Great Plains of North America were inhabited by nomadic Native Americans. From the 16th to 18th centuries, 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, by the Treaty of Fontainebleau.

19th century

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In 1802, Spain returned most of the land to France, 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.

In 1854, the Kansas Territory was organized under the provisions of the Kansas–Nebraska Act, then in 1861 Kansas became the 34th U.S. state.

In 1857, Pottawatomie County was established by the Kansas Territorial legislature, out of land formerly included in Riley County. The present county seat of Westmoreland was selected by a vote held in 1882.

Geography

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According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 862 square miles (2,230 km2), of which 841 square miles (2,180 km2) is land and 21 square miles (54 km2) (2.4%) is water.[4]

Adjacent counties

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Demographics

[edit]
Population pyramid based on 2000 census age data
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18601,529—
18707,848413.3%
188016,350108.3%
189017,7228.4%
190018,4704.2%
191017,522−5.1%
192016,154−7.8%
193015,862−1.8%
194014,015−11.6%
195012,344−11.9%
196011,957−3.1%
197011,755−1.7%
198014,78225.8%
199016,1289.1%
200018,20912.9%
201021,60418.6%
202025,34817.3%
2023 (est.)26,382[5]4.1%
U.S. Decennial Census[6]
1790-1960[7] 1900-1990[8]
1990-2000[9] 2010-2020[1]

Pottawatomie County is part of the Manhattan Metropolitan Statistical Area.

As of the census[10] of 2000, there were 18,209 people, 6,771 households, and 4,929 families residing in the county. The population density was 22 people per square mile (8.5 people/km2). There were 7,311 housing units at an average density of 9 per square mile (3.5/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 96.32% White, 0.66% Black or African American, 0.59% Native American, 0.32% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.60% from other races, and 1.50% from two or more races. 2.26% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 6,771 households, out of which 36.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.40% were married couples living together, 7.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.20% were non-families. 23.20% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.65 and the average family size was 3.15.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 29.50% under the age of 18, 7.70% from 18 to 24, 27.70% from 25 to 44, 21.60% from 45 to 64, and 13.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.70 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $40,176, and the median income for a family was $47,261. Males had a median income of $31,368 versus $23,238 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,785. About 6.40% of families and 9.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.10% of those under age 18 and 10.30% of those age 65 or over.

Government

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Presidential elections

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Presidential election results
United States presidential election results for Pottawatomie County, Kansas[11]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2020 9,452 72.25% 3,313 25.32% 318 2.43%
2016 7,612 71.19% 2,225 20.81% 856 8.01%
2012 6,804 71.78% 2,335 24.63% 340 3.59%
2008 6,929 70.15% 2,599 26.31% 349 3.53%
2004 6,326 71.70% 2,176 24.66% 321 3.64%
2000 4,985 64.48% 2,037 26.35% 709 9.17%
1996 4,504 58.16% 1,997 25.79% 1,243 16.05%
1992 3,106 38.87% 2,099 26.27% 2,785 34.86%
1988 3,897 59.51% 2,544 38.85% 108 1.65%
1984 4,598 71.09% 1,798 27.80% 72 1.11%
1980 3,895 63.40% 1,724 28.06% 525 8.54%
1976 3,483 59.06% 2,316 39.27% 98 1.66%
1972 3,947 73.51% 1,298 24.18% 124 2.31%
1968 3,267 63.68% 1,368 26.67% 495 9.65%
1964 2,606 51.40% 2,432 47.97% 32 0.63%
1960 3,666 63.16% 2,125 36.61% 13 0.22%
1956 4,335 74.97% 1,422 24.59% 25 0.43%
1952 4,944 77.94% 1,387 21.87% 12 0.19%
1948 3,709 62.64% 2,167 36.60% 45 0.76%
1944 4,074 70.01% 1,727 29.68% 18 0.31%
1940 5,045 69.12% 2,226 30.50% 28 0.38%
1936 3,977 53.76% 3,284 44.39% 137 1.85%
1932 3,339 45.45% 3,910 53.23% 97 1.32%
1928 4,451 65.30% 2,341 34.35% 24 0.35%
1924 4,340 68.28% 1,471 23.14% 545 8.57%
1920 4,481 76.95% 1,293 22.21% 49 0.84%
1916 3,688 55.66% 2,834 42.77% 104 1.57%
1912 1,058 25.09% 1,599 37.93% 1,559 36.98%
1908 2,650 60.78% 1,680 38.53% 30 0.69%
1904 2,632 69.85% 1,045 27.73% 91 2.42%
1900 2,556 56.41% 1,929 42.57% 46 1.02%
1896 2,308 49.95% 2,276 49.25% 37 0.80%
1892 2,107 49.80% 0 0.00% 2,124 50.20%
1888 2,419 58.94% 1,471 35.84% 214 5.21%

Typical of rural Kansas, Pottawatomie County is mostly Republican. The only Democratic presidential candidate to gain a majority in Pottawatomie County has been Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1932, while since 1940 only Lyndon Johnson in 1964 has received so much as forty percent of the county's vote.

Laws

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Pottawatomie 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]

Education

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St. Columbkillane Church in Blaine

Unified school districts

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The Unified School Districts that serve Pottawatomie County include:

School district office in neighboring county

Private schools

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Communities

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2005 map of Pottawatomie County[13] (map legend)

List of townships / incorporated cities / unincorporated communities / extinct former communities within Pottawatomie County.[13]

Cities

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‡ means a community has portions in an adjacent county.

Unincorporated communities

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Former communities

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Prior to the creation of Tuttle Creek Lake, the community of Garrison existed in west central Pottawatomie County.

Townships

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Pottawatomie County is divided into twenty-three townships. The city of Manhattan 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
Belvue 05950 404 4 (11) 96 (37) 1 (0) 1.05% 39°14′7″N 96°11′21″W / 39.23528°N 96.18917°W / 39.23528; -96.18917
Blue 07550 1,802 16 (41) 114 (44) 14 (5) 10.66% 39°13′44″N 96°31′49″W / 39.22889°N 96.53028°W / 39.22889; -96.53028
Blue Valley 07725 339 3 (8) 115 (44) 13 (5) 9.95% 39°26′22″N 96°38′6″W / 39.43944°N 96.63500°W / 39.43944; -96.63500
Center 12000 104 1 (3) 78 (30) 0 (0) 0.04% 39°21′4″N 96°14′10″W / 39.35111°N 96.23611°W / 39.35111; -96.23611
Clear Creek 13800 113 1 (3) 93 (36) 0 (0) 0.03% 39°31′6″N 96°23′36″W / 39.51833°N 96.39333°W / 39.51833; -96.39333
Emmett 21125 478 6 (16) 77 (30) 0 (0) 0.61% 39°18′11″N 96°3′46″W / 39.30306°N 96.06278°W / 39.30306; -96.06278
Grant 27950 293 4 (10) 77 (30) 0 (0) 0% 39°31′27″N 96°5′4″W / 39.52417°N 96.08444°W / 39.52417; -96.08444
Green 28450 188 2 (4) 125 (48) 14 (5) 9.91% 39°21′14″N 96°36′6″W / 39.35389°N 96.60167°W / 39.35389; -96.60167
Lincoln 41000 124 2 (4) 77 (30) 0 (0) 0.18% 39°25′37″N 96°3′26″W / 39.42694°N 96.05722°W / 39.42694; -96.05722
Lone Tree 42550 239 3 (7) 93 (36) 0 (0) 0% 39°30′54″N 96°18′18″W / 39.51500°N 96.30500°W / 39.51500; -96.30500
Louisville 42950 735 8 (20) 95 (37) 0 (0) 0.04% 39°15′40″N 96°19′10″W / 39.26111°N 96.31944°W / 39.26111; -96.31944
Mill Creek 46700 1,000 9 (24) 108 (42) 0 (0) 0% 39°30′11″N 96°10′50″W / 39.50306°N 96.18056°W / 39.50306; -96.18056
Pottawatomie 57250 499 3 (8) 155 (60) 0 (0) 0.02% 39°20′5″N 96°26′26″W / 39.33472°N 96.44056°W / 39.33472; -96.44056
Rock Creek 60625 653 7 (18) 93 (36) 0 (0) 0.19% 39°25′41″N 96°24′10″W / 39.42806°N 96.40278°W / 39.42806; -96.40278
St. Clere 62150 83 1 (3) 77 (30) 0 (0) 0.21% 39°21′36″N 96°5′30″W / 39.36000°N 96.09167°W / 39.36000; -96.09167
St. George 62225 2,629 30 (79) 87 (33) 1 (1) 1.69% 39°11′46″N 96°24′56″W / 39.19611°N 96.41556°W / 39.19611; -96.41556
St. Marys 62425 2,789 28 (73) 99 (38) 1 (0) 0.60% 39°11′58″N 96°4′19″W / 39.19944°N 96.07194°W / 39.19944; -96.07194
Shannon 64300 235 2 (6) 104 (40) 0 (0) 0.08% 39°26′19″N 96°30′50″W / 39.43861°N 96.51389°W / 39.43861; -96.51389
Sherman 65050 126 1 (3) 94 (36) 0 (0) 0.02% 39°25′54″N 96°17′29″W / 39.43167°N 96.29139°W / 39.43167; -96.29139
Spring Creek 67475 61 1 (2) 103 (40) 0 (0) 0.08% 39°31′50″N 96°31′19″W / 39.53056°N 96.52194°W / 39.53056; -96.52194
Union 72250 164 2 (5) 94 (36) 0 (0) 0.03% 39°20′20″N 96°19′34″W / 39.33889°N 96.32611°W / 39.33889; -96.32611
Vienna 73875 92 1 (3) 78 (30) 0 (0) 0.03% 39°25′40″N 96°10′28″W / 39.42778°N 96.17444°W / 39.42778; -96.17444
Wamego 75350 5,056 100 (260) 50 (19) 2 (1) 3.20% 39°12′19″N 96°18′20″W / 39.20528°N 96.30556°W / 39.20528; -96.30556

See also

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Community information for Kansas

References

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  1. ^ a b c "QuickFacts; Pottawatomie County, Kansas; Population, Census, 2020 & 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on August 19, 2021. Retrieved August 19, 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. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  4. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  5. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 3, 2024.
  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. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 27, 2010. Retrieved July 28, 2014.
  10. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  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. ^ a b "General Highway Map of Pottawatomie County, Kansas" (PDF). Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT). October 2011. Archived (PDF) from the original on July 27, 2023.
Notes

Further reading

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

39°20′N 96°18′W / 39.333°N 96.300°W / 39.333; -96.300

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