Elk County, Kansas

County in Kansas, United States

County in Kansas

Elk County

County

Pratt Truss Bridge near Elk Falls (2015)

Location within the U.S. state of Kansas

Kansas's location within the U.S.

Coordinates: Coordinates: 37°27′N 96°14′W﻿ / ﻿37.450°N 96.233°W﻿ / 37.450; -96.233
Country|  United States
State|  Kansas
Founded| March 25, 1875
Named for| Elk River
Seat| Howard
Largest city| Howard
Area

• Total| 650 sq mi (1,700 km2)
• Land| 644 sq mi (1,670 km2)
• Water| 6.2 sq mi (16 km2)  1.0%%
Population

(2020)[1]

• Total| 2,483
• Density| 3.9/sq mi (1.5/km2)
Time zone| UTC−6 (Central)
• Summer (DST)| UTC−5 (CDT)
Area code| 620
Congressional district| 4th
Website| elkcountyks.org

Elk County (county code EK) is a county located in the U.S. state of Kansas. As of the 2020 census, the county population was 2,483.[1] Its county seat and most populous city is Howard.[2]

## Contents

* 1 History
* 1.1 Early history
* 1.2 19th century
* 2 Geography
* 2.1 Adjacent counties
* 3 Demographics
* 4 Government
* 4.1 Presidential elections
* 4.2 Laws
* 5 Education
* 5.1 Unified school districts
* 6 Communities
* 6.1 Cities
* 6.2 Unincorporated communities
* 6.3 Ghost towns
* 6.4 Townships
* 7 See also
* 8 References
* 9 Further reading
* 10 External links

## History

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### Early history

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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

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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, after first serving as an area to relocate Native American tribes from the east, the United States organized Kansas Territory. In 1861, Kansas was admitted as the 34th U.S. state. The area that today is Elk County was, for a brief period, reserved to the Osage Indians as hunting grounds for buffalo and other game. In 1867, when Howard County was formed, it encompassed both present day Elk and Chautauqua counties. Disputes over county seats caused a division.[3] In 1875, Elk County was established, named for the Elk River.[4]

The first railroad in Elk County was built in 1879.[5] It connected cattle ranches and farms to eastern markets.

## Geography

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According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 650 square miles (1,700 km2), of which 644 square miles (1,670 km2) is land and 6.2 square miles (16 km2) (1.0%) is water.[6]

### Adjacent counties

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* Greenwood County (north)
* Wilson County (east)
* Montgomery County (southeast)
* Chautauqua County (south)
* Cowley County (southwest)
* Butler County (northwest)

## Demographics

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Historical population

Census | Pop. |  | %±
1880| 10,623| | —
1890| 12,216| | 15.0%
1900| 11,443| | −6.3%
1910| 10,128| | −11.5%
1920| 9,034| | −10.8%
1930| 9,210| | 1.9%
1940| 8,180| | −11.2%
1950| 6,679| | −18.3%
1960| 5,048| | −24.4%
1970| 3,858| | −23.6%
1980| 3,918| | 1.6%
1990| 3,327| | −15.1%
2000| 3,261| | −2.0%
2010| 2,882| | −11.6%
2020| 2,483| | −13.8%
U.S. Decennial Census[7]
1790-1960[8] 1900-1990[9]
1990-2000[10] 2010-2020[1]
Population pyramid

As of the 2000 census,[11] there were 3,261 people, 1,412 households, and 923 families residing in the county. The population density was 5 people per square mile (2/km2). There were 1,860 housing units at an average density of 3 per square mile (1/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 95.06% White, 0.21% Black or African American, 0.95% Native American, 0.18% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 1.20% from other races, and 2.33% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.18% of the population.

There were 1,412 households, out of which 24.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.00% were married couples living together, 6.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.60% were non-families. 32.90% of all households were made up of individuals, and 18.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.25 and the average family size was 2.84.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 22.50% under the age of 18, 5.80% from 18 to 24, 20.00% from 25 to 44, 26.50% from 45 to 64, and 25.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 46 years. For every 100 females there were 91.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.70 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $27,267, and the median income for a family was $34,148. Males had a median income of $28,580 versus $16,219 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,066. About 9.20% of families and 13.80% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.80% of those under age 18 and 15.00% of those age 65 or over.

## Government

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### Presidential elections

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United States presidential election results for Elk County, Kansas[12] Year  | Republican | Democratic | Third party

|
|
|

No. | % | No. | % | No. | %
2020 | 1,140  | 83.76% | 195  | 14.33%  | 26  | 1.91%
2016 | 1,048  | 83.24% | 160  | 12.71%  | 51  | 4.05%
2012 | 1,049  | 76.63% | 281  | 20.53%  | 39  | 2.85%
2008 | 1,042  | 72.66% | 363  | 25.31%  | 29  | 2.02%
2004 | 1,119  | 73.86% | 369  | 24.36%  | 27  | 1.78%
2000 | 1,080  | 69.68% | 402  | 25.94%  | 68  | 4.39%
1996 | 933  | 56.79% | 488  | 29.70%  | 222  | 13.51%
1992 | 748  | 42.94% | 485  | 27.84%  | 509  | 29.22%
1988 | 1,075  | 63.01% | 608  | 35.64%  | 23  | 1.35%
1984 | 1,301  | 72.89% | 452  | 25.32%  | 32  | 1.79%
1980 | 1,280  | 69.68% | 482  | 26.24%  | 75  | 4.08%
1976 | 1,087  | 54.84% | 865  | 43.64%  | 30  | 1.51%
1972 | 1,522  | 76.02% | 428  | 21.38%  | 52  | 2.60%
1968 | 1,327  | 64.64% | 503  | 24.50%  | 223  | 10.86%
1964 | 1,267  | 55.74% | 994  | 43.73%  | 12  | 0.53%
1960 | 1,830  | 68.46% | 823  | 30.79%  | 20  | 0.75%
1956 | 1,909  | 69.90% | 812  | 29.73%  | 10  | 0.37%
1952 | 2,380  | 76.38% | 717  | 23.01%  | 19  | 0.61%
1948 | 1,962  | 63.80% | 1,087  | 35.35%  | 26  | 0.85%
1944 | 2,283  | 70.33% | 954  | 29.39%  | 9  | 0.28%
1940 | 2,774  | 64.77% | 1,478  | 34.51%  | 31  | 0.72%
1936 | 2,355  | 53.24% | 2,059  | 46.55%  | 9  | 0.20%
1932 | 1,746  | 43.04%  | 2,239  | 55.19% | 72  | 1.77%
1928 | 3,007  | 77.50% | 831  | 21.42%  | 42  | 1.08%
1924 | 2,443  | 64.26% | 1,104  | 29.04%  | 255  | 6.71%
1920 | 2,253  | 65.27% | 1,110  | 32.16%  | 89  | 2.58%
1916 | 1,769  | 43.94%  | 2,053  | 50.99% | 204  | 5.07%
1912 | 605  | 24.09%  | 971  | 38.67% | 935  | 37.24%
1908 | 1,454  | 54.11% | 1,187  | 44.18%  | 46  | 1.71%
1904 | 1,713  | 67.47% | 706  | 27.81%  | 120  | 4.73%
1900 | 1,632  | 55.21% | 1,311  | 44.35%  | 13  | 0.44%
1896 | 1,339  | 47.57%  | 1,464  | 52.01% | 12  | 0.43%
1892 | 1,235  | 47.19%  | 0  | 0.00%  | 1,382  | 52.81%
1888 | 1,566  | 53.70% | 696  | 23.87%  | 654  | 22.43%

### Laws

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The Kansas Constitution was amended in 1986 to allow the sale of alcoholic liquor by the individual drink, with approval by voters. Elk County voters have chosen to remain a prohibition, or "dry", county.[13]

## Education

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### Unified school districts

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* West Elk USD 282
* Elk Valley USD 283

## Communities

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2005 KDOT Map of Elk County (map legend)

### Cities

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* Elk Falls
* Grenola
* Howard
* Longton
* Moline

### Unincorporated communities

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* Busby
* Oak Valley

### Ghost towns

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* Cave Springs
* Fiat
* Upola

### Townships

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Elk County is divided into ten townships. None of the cities within the county is designated as governmentally independent. All population 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

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

Elk Falls | 20325 |  | 196 | 1 (3) | 152 (59) | 0 (0) | 0.19% | 37°22′17″N 96°12′26″W﻿ / ﻿37.37139°N 96.20722°W﻿ / 37.37139; -96.20722
Greenfield | 28550 |  | 321 | 2 (5) | 171 (66) | 1 (0) | 0.62% | 37°21′8″N 96°27′5″W﻿ / ﻿37.35222°N 96.45139°W﻿ / 37.35222; -96.45139
Howard | 33275 | Howard | 1,006 | 6 (16) | 166 (64) | 1 (1) | 0.86% | 37°28′3″N 96°15′14″W﻿ / ﻿37.46750°N 96.25389°W﻿ / 37.46750; -96.25389
Liberty | 40025 |  | 117 | 1 (2) | 154 (59) | 0 (0) | 0.19% | 37°34′22″N 96°1′55″W﻿ / ﻿37.57278°N 96.03194°W﻿ / 37.57278; -96.03194
Longton | 42675 |  | 530 | 5 (12) | 116 (45) | 0 (0) | 0.11% | 37°22′38″N 96°5′27″W﻿ / ﻿37.37722°N 96.09083°W﻿ / 37.37722; -96.09083
Oak Valley | 51950 |  | 154 | 1 (3) | 116 (45) | 0 (0) | 0.24% | 37°21′59″N 96°1′14″W﻿ / ﻿37.36639°N 96.02056°W﻿ / 37.36639; -96.02056
Painterhood | 54075 |  | 68 | 0 (1) | 154 (59) | 1 (0) | 0.37% | 37°27′35″N 96°2′37″W﻿ / ﻿37.45972°N 96.04361°W﻿ / 37.45972; -96.04361
Paw Paw | 54925 |  | 116 | 1 (2) | 141 (54) | 0 (0) | 0.24% | 37°33′19″N 96°13′46″W﻿ / ﻿37.55528°N 96.22944°W﻿ / 37.55528; -96.22944
Union Center | 72500 |  | 116 | 0 (1) | 371 (143) | 2 (1) | 0.46% | 37°31′44″N 96°23′31″W﻿ / ﻿37.52889°N 96.39194°W﻿ / 37.52889; -96.39194
Wildcat | 79150 |  | 637 | 5 (12) | 135 (52) | 2 (1) | 1.35% | 37°21′33″N 96°19′10″W﻿ / ﻿37.35917°N 96.31944°W﻿ / 37.35917; -96.31944
Sources: "Census 2000 U.S. Gazetteer Files". U.S. Census Bureau, Geography Division. Archived from the original on August 2, 2002.

## See also

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* National Register of Historic Places listings in Elk County, Kansas

Community information for Kansas

* Kansas locations by per capita income
* List of counties in Kansas
* List of townships in Kansas
* List of cities in Kansas
* List of unincorporated communities in Kansas
* List of ghost towns in Kansas

Education information for Kansas

* List of colleges and universities in Kansas
* List of high schools in Kansas
* List of unified school districts in Kansas

Historical information for Kansas

* List of museums in Kansas
* National Register of Historic Places listings in Kansas

|

## References

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1. ^ a b c "QuickFacts; Elk County, Kansas; Population, Census, 2020 & 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on August 16, 2021. Retrieved August 16, 2021.
2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
3. ^ "Elk County". June 16, 2022.
4. ^ "Elk County, Kansas". Kansas Historical Society. Retrieved March 20, 2014.
5. ^ Blackmar, Frank Wilson (1912). Kansas: A Cyclopedia of State History, Embracing Events, Institutions, Industries, Counties, Cities, Towns, Prominent Persons, Etc. Standard Publishing Company. pp. 573–574.
6. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
7. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 24, 2014.
8. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved July 24, 2014.
9. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 24, 2014.
10. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 24, 2014.
11. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
12. ^ "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections".
13. ^ "Map of Wet and Dry Counties". Alcoholic Beverage Control, Kansas Department of Revenue. November 2004. Archived from the original on October 8, 2007. Retrieved January 21, 2007.

## Further reading

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See also: List of books about Kansas, including historical information about its counties and cities

* Elk County, Kansas; H. F. Smith; 1927.
* Handbook of Elk and Chautauqua Counties, Kansas; C.S. Burch Publishing Co; 24 pages; 1886.
* Elk County Rural Landowners Plat Map; 1927.
* Standard Atlas of Elk County, Kansas; George A. Ogle & Co; 43 pages; 1903.
* Atlas of Elk County; Davy Map & Atlas Co; 45 pages; 1885.

## External links

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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Elk County, Kansas.

County

* Elk County - Official
* Elk County - Directory of Public Officials

Maps

* Elk County Maps: Current, Historic, KDOT
* Kansas Highway Maps: Current, Historic, KDOT
* Kansas Railroad Maps: Current, 1996, 1915, KDOT and Kansas Historical Society

Places adjacent to Elk County, Kansas

| Butler County | Greenwood County | Wilson County

|
|

|  |

Elk County, Kansas

|  |
Cowley County | Chautauqua County | Montgomery County

* v
* t
* e

Municipalities and communities of Elk County, Kansas, United States

County seat: Howard

Cities|

* Elk Falls
* Grenola
* Howard
* Longton
* Moline

Map of Kansas highlighting Elk County

Unincorporated
communities|

* Busby
* Oak Valley

Ghost towns|

* Cave Springs
* Fiat
* Upola

Townships|

* Elk Falls
* Greenfield
* Howard
* Liberty
* Longton
* Oak Valley
* Painterhood
* Paw Paw
* Union Center
* Wild Cat

* United States portal

* v
* t
* e

State of Kansas

Topeka (capital)

Topics|

* Index
* Geography
* History
* Bleeding Kansas
* Constitutions
* Capitals
* Capitols
* Timeline
* Governors
* Delegations
* Landmarks
* People
* Places
* Symbols
* Tourist attractions

Society|

* Culture
* Crime
* Demographics
* Economy
* Education
* Politics

Regions|

* Cherokee Strip
* Cross Timbers
* Dissected Till Plains
* East Central
* Four State Area
* Flint Hills
* High Plains
* KC metro area
* North Central
* Osage Plains
* Ozarks
* Red Hills
* Santa Fe Trail Region
* Smoky Hills
* Southeast

Largest
cities|

* (1) Wichita
* (2) Overland Park
* (3) Kansas City
* (4) Olathe
* (5) Topeka
* (6) Lawrence
* (7) Shawnee
* (8) Manhattan
* (9) Lenexa
* (10) Salina
* (11) Hutchinson
* (12) Leavenworth
* (13) Leawood
* (14) Dodge City
* (15) Garden City
* (16) Junction City
* (17) Emporia
* (18) Derby
* (19) Prairie Village
* (20) Liberal
* (21) Hays
* (22) Pittsburg
* (23) Gardner
* (24) Newton
* (25) Great Bend
* (26) McPherson
* (27) El Dorado
* (28) Ottawa
* (29) Winfield
* (30) Arkansas City
* (31) Andover
* (32) Lansing
* (33) Merriam
* (34) Atchison
* (35) Haysville
* (36) Parsons
* (37) Coffeyville
* (38) Mission
* (39) Independence
* (40) Augusta
* (41) Chanute
* (42) Wellington
* (43) Fort Scott
* (44) Park City
* (45) Bonner Springs
* (46) Valley Center
* (47) Pratt
* (48) Bel Aire
* (49) Roeland Park
* (50) Abilene

Counties|

* Allen
* Anderson
* Atchison
* Barber
* Barton
* Bourbon
* Brown
* Butler
* Chase
* Chautauqua
* Cherokee
* Cheyenne
* Clark
* Clay
* Cloud
* Coffey
* Comanche
* Cowley
* Crawford
* Decatur
* Dickinson
* Doniphan
* Douglas
* Edwards
* Elk
* Ellis
* Ellsworth
* Finney
* Ford
* Franklin
* Geary
* Gove
* Graham
* Grant
* Gray
* Greeley
* Greenwood
* Hamilton
* Harper
* Harvey
* Haskell
* Hodgeman
* Jackson
* Jefferson
* Jewell
* Johnson
* Kearny
* Kingman
* Kiowa
* Labette
* Lane
* Leavenworth
* Lincoln
* Linn
* Logan
* Lyon
* Marion
* Marshall
* McPherson
* Meade
* Miami
* Mitchell
* Montgomery
* Morris
* Morton
* Nemaha
* Neosho
* Ness
* Norton
* Osage
* Osborne
* Ottawa
* Pawnee
* Phillips
* Pottawatomie
* Pratt
* Rawlins
* Reno
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* Rice
* Riley
* Rooks
* Rush
* Russell
* Saline
* Scott
* Sedgwick
* Seward
* Shawnee
* Sheridan
* Sherman
* Smith
* Stafford
* Stanton
* Stevens
* Sumner
* Thomas
* Trego
* Wabaunsee
* Wallace
* Washington
* Wichita
* Wilson
* Woodson
* Wyandotte

Lists|

* List of counties in Kansas
* List of townships in Kansas
* List of cities in Kansas
* List of census-designated places in Kansas
* List of unincorporated communities in Kansas
* List of ghost towns in Kansas
* Lists of people from Kansas

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*[%±]: Percent change
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