Pottawatomie County, Kansas

County in Kansas, United States

County in Kansas

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

Kansas's location within the U.S.

Country|  United States
State|  Kansas
Founded| February 20, 1857
Named for| Potawatomi people
Seat| Westmoreland
Largest city| Manhattan
Area

• Total| 862 sq mi (2,230 km2)
• Land| 841 sq mi (2,180 km2)
• Water| 21 sq mi (50 km2)  2.4%%
Population

(2020)[1]

• Total| 25,348
• Estimate

(2021)[2]

| 25,790
• Density| 30.1/sq mi (11.6/km2)
Time zone| UTC−6 (Central)
• Summer (DST)| UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district| 1st
Website| pottcounty.org

Pottawatomie County (standard abbreviation: PT) is a county located in the U.S. state of Kansas. As of the 2020 census, the county population was 25,348.[1] The county seat is Westmoreland.[3] The county takes its name from the Potawatomi tribe of Native Americans.

## 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
* 5.2 Private schools
* 6 Communities
* 6.1 Cities
* 6.2 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 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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* Marshall County (north)
* Nemaha County (northeast)
* Jackson County (east)
* Shawnee County (southeast)
* Wabaunsee County (south)
* Riley County (west)

## Demographics

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Historical population

Census | Pop. |  | %±
1860| 1,529| | —
1870| 7,848| | 413.3%
1880| 16,350| | 108.3%
1890| 17,722| | 8.4%
1900| 18,470| | 4.2%
1910| 17,522| | −5.1%
1920| 16,154| | −7.8%
1930| 15,862| | −1.8%
1940| 14,015| | −11.6%
1950| 12,344| | −11.9%
1960| 11,957| | −3.1%
1970| 11,755| | −1.7%
1980| 14,782| | 25.8%
1990| 16,128| | 9.1%
2000| 18,209| | 12.9%
2010| 21,604| | 18.6%
2020| 25,348| | 17.3%
2021 (est.)| 25,790| [2]| 1.7%
U.S. Decennial Census[5]
1790-1960[6] 1900-1990[7]
1990-2000[8] 2010-2020[1]
File:USA Pottawatomie County, Kansas age pyramid.svgAge pyramid

Pottawatomie County is part of the Manhattan Metropolitan Statistical Area.

As of the census[9] 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/km2). There were 7,311 housing units at an average density of 9 per square mile (3/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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United States presidential election results for Pottawatomie County, Kansas[10] Year  | Republican | Democratic | Third party

|
|
|

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.[11]

## Education

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File:St. Columbkillane Church.JPGSt. Columbkillane Church in Blaine

### Unified school districts

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The Unified School Districts that serve Pottawatomie County include:

* Wamego USD 320
* Kaw Valley USD 321
* Onaga USD 322
* Rock Creek USD 323

School district office in neighboring county

* Riley County USD 378
* Manhattan–Ogden USD 383
* Blue Valley USD 384

### Private schools

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* St. Marys Academy & College (St. Marys)
* Flint Hills Christian School (Manhattan)

## Communities

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File:Map of Pottawatomie Co, Ks, USA.png2005 KDOT Map of Pottawatomie County (map legend)

### Cities

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* Belvue
*   * Emmett
* Havensville
* Louisville
* Manhattan, mainly in Riley County
* Olsburg
* Onaga
* St. George
* St. Marys
* Wamego
* Westmoreland (county seat)
* Wheaton

Prior to the creation of Tuttle Creek Lake, the town 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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* National Register of Historic Places listings in Pottawatomie 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; Pottawatomie County, Kansas; Population, Census, 2020 & 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on August 19, 2021. Retrieved August 19, 2021.
2. ^ a b "County Population Totals: 2020-2021". United States Census Bureau. March 24, 2022. Retrieved June 3, 2022.
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. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 28, 2014.
6. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved July 28, 2014.
7. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 28, 2014.
8. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 28, 2014.
9. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
10. ^ "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections".
11. ^ "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.

Notes

## Further reading

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

* Handbook of Pottawatomie and Riley Counties, Kansas; Modern Ago; 20 pages; 1880s.
* Standard Atlas of Pottawatomie County, Kansas; Geo. A. Ogle & Co; 57 pages; 1905.
* Onaga Courier's Township Map of Pottawatomie County, Kansas; Onaga Courier; 59 pages; 1899.

## External links

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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Pottawatomie County, Kansas.

County

* Pottawatomie County - Official Website
* Pottawatomie County - Directory of Public Officials
* Pottawatomie County Economic Development Corporation - PCEDC

Maps

* Pottawatomie 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 Pottawatomie County, Kansas

| Marshall County |  | Nemaha County

|
|

|  |
Riley County |

Pottawatomie County, Kansas

| Jackson County
|  |
Riley County | Wabaunsee County | Shawnee County

* v
* t
* e

Municipalities and communities of Pottawatomie County, Kansas, United States

County seat: Westmoreland

Cities|

* Belvue
* Emmett
* Havensville
* Louisville
* Manhattan‡
* Olsburg
* Onaga
* St. George
* St. Marys‡
* Wamego
* Westmoreland
* Wheaton

Map of Kansas highlighting Pottawatomie CountyMap of Kansas highlighting Pottawatomie County

Unincorporated
communities|

* Blaine
* Duluth
* Flush
* Fostoria
* Saint Clere
* Swamp Angel

Footnotes|

‡This community also has portions in an adjacent county or counties.

* United States portal

* v
* t
* e

State of Kansas

Topeka (capital)

Topics|

* Index
* Geography
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Society|

* Culture
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Regions|

* Cherokee Strip
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* Dissected Till Plains
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* Four State Area
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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
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* Atchison
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* 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

Coordinates: 39°20′N 96°18′W﻿ / ﻿39.333°N 96.300°W﻿ / 39.333; -96.300
*[Pop.]: Population
*[%±]: Percent change
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*[e]: Edit this template