Mitchell County, Kansas

County in Kansas, United States

County in Kansas

Mitchell County

County

Mitchell County courthouse in Beloit (2014)

Location within the U.S. state of Kansas

Kansas's location within the U.S.

Coordinates: 39°24′N 98°12′W﻿ / ﻿39.400°N 98.200°W﻿ / 39.400; -98.200
Country|  United States
State|  Kansas
Founded| February 26, 1867
Named after| William D. Mitchell
Seat| Beloit
Largest city| Beloit
Area

• Total

| 719 sq mi (1,860 km2)
• Land| 702 sq mi (1,820 km2)
• Water| 17 sq mi (40 km2)  2.4%
Population

(2020)[1]

• Total

| 5,796

• Estimate

(2023)[2]

| 5,719
• Density| 8.3/sq mi (3.2/km2)
Time zone| UTC−6 (Central)
• Summer (DST)| UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district| 1st
Website| County Website

Mitchell County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kansas. Its county seat and largest city is Beloit.[3] As of the 2020 census, the county population was 5,796.[1] The county was named for William Mitchell.

## 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 1867, Mitchell County was established.

## Geography

[edit]

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 719 square miles (1,860 km2), of which 702 square miles (1,820 km2) is land and 17 square miles (44 km2) (2.4%) is water.[4]

### Adjacent counties

[edit]

* Jewell County (north)
* Cloud County (east)
* Ottawa County (southeast)
* Lincoln County (south)
* Osborne County (west)

## Demographics

[edit]

Population pyramid based on 2000 census age data Historical population Census| Pop.| Note| %±

|
|
|

1870| 485| | —
1880| 14,911| | 2,974.4%
1890| 15,037| | 0.8%
1900| 14,647| | −2.6%
1910| 14,089| | −3.8%
1920| 13,886| | −1.4%
1930| 12,774| | −8.0%
1940| 11,339| | −11.2%
1950| 10,320| | −9.0%
1960| 8,866| | −14.1%
1970| 8,010| | −9.7%
1980| 8,117| | 1.3%
1990| 7,203| | −11.3%
2000| 6,932| | −3.8%
2010| 6,373| | −8.1%
2020| 5,796| | −9.1%
2023 (est.)| 5,719| [5]| −1.3%
U.S. Decennial Census[6]
1790-1960[7] 1900-1990[8]
1990-2000[9] 2010-2020[1]

As of the census[10] of 2010, there were 6,373 people, 2,790 households, and 1,725 families residing in the county. The population density was 8.8 people per square mile (3.4 people/km2). There were 3,296 housing units at an average density of 4.6 per square mile (1.8/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 97.97% White, 0.20% Black or African American, 0.37% Native American, 0.29% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 0.26% from other races, and 0.80% from two or more races. 1.14% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 2,790 households, out of which 24.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.29% were married couples living together, 6.23% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.17% were non-families. 33.08% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.12% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.20 and the average family size was 2.77.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 21.44% under the age of 18, 8.00% from 18 to 24, 19.83% from 25 to 44, 29.67% from 45 to 64, and 21.04% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 45.6 years. For every 100 females there were 102.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 102.2 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $44,247, and the median income for a family was $54,502. Males had a median income of $30,044 versus $20,094 for females. The per capita income for the county was $23,350. About 4.90% of families and 8.26% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.04% of those under age 18 and 12.33% of those age 65 or over.

## Government

[edit]

### Presidential elections

[edit]

Prior to 1940, Mitchell County was a swing county, backing the national winner in every presidential election from 1900 to 1936. Since 1940, it has become a Republican stronghold, with only George H. W. Bush in 1992 failing to win a majority in the county due to Ross Perot's strong showing in Kansas.

Presidential election results

United States presidential election results for Mitchell County, Kansas[11] Year  | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies)

|
|
|

No. | % | No. | % | No. | %
2024 | 2,608  | 82.22% | 528  | 16.65%  | 36  | 1.13%
2020 | 2,504  | 80.75% | 558  | 17.99%  | 39  | 1.26%
2016 | 2,308  | 78.45% | 477  | 16.21%  | 157  | 5.34%
2012 | 2,327  | 78.48% | 584  | 19.70%  | 54  | 1.82%
2008 | 2,440  | 76.18% | 701  | 21.89%  | 62  | 1.94%
2004 | 2,609  | 77.90% | 693  | 20.69%  | 47  | 1.40%
2000 | 2,350  | 71.95% | 751  | 22.99%  | 165  | 5.05%
1996 | 2,435  | 68.71% | 833  | 23.50%  | 276  | 7.79%
1992 | 1,601  | 43.86% | 938  | 25.70%  | 1,111  | 30.44%
1988 | 2,257  | 65.19% | 1,145  | 33.07%  | 60  | 1.73%
1984 | 3,036  | 75.98% | 919  | 23.00%  | 41  | 1.03%
1980 | 2,821  | 71.36% | 876  | 22.16%  | 256  | 6.48%
1976 | 2,095  | 53.99% | 1,700  | 43.81%  | 85  | 2.19%
1972 | 2,830  | 71.59% | 1,030  | 26.06%  | 93  | 2.35%
1968 | 2,428  | 62.89% | 1,144  | 29.63%  | 289  | 7.49%
1964 | 1,951  | 50.28% | 1,898  | 48.92%  | 31  | 0.80%
1960 | 2,779  | 61.80% | 1,692  | 37.63%  | 26  | 0.58%
1956 | 3,198  | 72.16% | 1,214  | 27.39%  | 20  | 0.45%
1952 | 4,167  | 80.98% | 961  | 18.67%  | 18  | 0.35%
1948 | 2,998  | 62.16% | 1,750  | 36.28%  | 75  | 1.56%
1944 | 3,238  | 66.67% | 1,579  | 32.51%  | 40  | 0.82%
1940 | 3,681  | 63.55% | 2,060  | 35.57%  | 51  | 0.88%
1936 | 2,781  | 45.51%  | 3,289  | 53.82% | 41  | 0.67%
1932 | 2,502  | 42.70%  | 3,176  | 54.21% | 181  | 3.09%
1928 | 3,245  | 62.84% | 1,855  | 35.92%  | 64  | 1.24%
1924 | 3,161  | 59.79% | 1,470  | 27.80%  | 656  | 12.41%
1920 | 3,310  | 68.32% | 1,409  | 29.08%  | 126  | 2.60%
1916 | 2,413  | 41.42%  | 3,197  | 54.88% | 215  | 3.69%
1912 | 737  | 22.06%  | 1,441  | 43.13% | 1,163  | 34.81%
1908 | 1,765  | 50.50% | 1,570  | 44.92%  | 160  | 4.58%
1904 | 2,037  | 63.88% | 867  | 27.19%  | 285  | 8.94%
1900 | 1,764  | 49.65% | 1,702  | 47.90%  | 87  | 2.45%
1896 | 1,428  | 42.67%  | 1,889  | 56.44% | 30  | 0.90%
1892 | 1,467  | 43.51%  | 0  | 0.00%  | 1,905  | 56.49%
1888 | 1,676  | 55.90% | 880  | 29.35%  | 442  | 14.74%

### Laws

[edit]

Following amendment to the Kansas Constitution in 1986, the county remained a prohibition, or "dry", county until 1996, when voters approved the sale of alcoholic liquor by the individual drink with a 30% food sales requirement.[12]

## Education

[edit]

### Colleges

[edit]

* North Central Kansas Technical College in Beloit

### Unified school districts

[edit]

* Waconda USD 272
* Beloit USD 273

### Private schools

[edit]

* St. John's Catholic High School
* Tipton Catholic High School

## Communities

[edit]

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

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

### Cities

[edit]

‡ means a community has portions in an adjacent county.

* Beloit (county seat)
* Cawker City
* Glen Elder
* Hunter
* Scottsville
* Simpson‡
* Tipton

### Unincorporated communities

[edit]

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

* Asherville†
* Solomon Rapids

### Ghost towns

[edit]

* Blue Hill
* Buel
* Coursens Grove
* Elmira
* Saltville
* Sunflower
* Victor
* Walnut Grove
* West Asher

### Townships

[edit]

Mitchell County is divided into twenty townships. The city of Beloit 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

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

Asherville | 02625 |  | 122 | 1 (3) | 93 (36) | 0 (0) | 0.08% | 39°25′48″N 97°59′28″W﻿ / ﻿39.43000°N 97.99111°W﻿ / 39.43000; -97.99111
Beloit | 05800 | Beloit | 4,003 | 48 (125) | 83 (32) | 0 (0) | 0.02% | 39°26′40″N 98°5′33″W﻿ / ﻿39.44444°N 98.09250°W﻿ / 39.44444; -98.09250
Bloomfield | 07425 |  | 83 | 1 (2) | 94 (36) | 0 (0) | 0.24% | 39°20′33″N 98°6′24″W﻿ / ﻿39.34250°N 98.10667°W﻿ / 39.34250; -98.10667
Blue Hill | 07575 |  | 36 | 0 (1) | 93 (36) | 0 (0) | 0.36% | 39°15′17″N 98°18′43″W﻿ / ﻿39.25472°N 98.31194°W﻿ / 39.25472; -98.31194
Carr Creek | 10850 |  | 31 | 0 (1) | 84 (33) | 9 (3) | 9.51% | 39°26′23″N 98°26′40″W﻿ / ﻿39.43972°N 98.44444°W﻿ / 39.43972; -98.44444
Cawker | 11150 | Cawker City | 578 | 8 (20) | 75 (29) | 17 (7) | 18.68% | 39°30′55″N 98°26′2″W﻿ / ﻿39.51528°N 98.43389°W﻿ / 39.51528; -98.43389
Center | 11875 |  | 49 | 1 (1) | 93 (36) | 0 (0) | 0.03% | 39°21′26″N 98°12′2″W﻿ / ﻿39.35722°N 98.20056°W﻿ / 39.35722; -98.20056
Custer | 16875 | Hunter | 132 | 1 (4) | 94 (36) | 0 (0) | 0.13% | 39°14′56″N 98°24′53″W﻿ / ﻿39.24889°N 98.41472°W﻿ / 39.24889; -98.41472
Eureka | 21875 |  | 41 | 0 (1) | 93 (36) | 0 (0) | 0.38% | 39°15′20″N 97°59′46″W﻿ / ﻿39.25556°N 97.99611°W﻿ / 39.25556; -97.99611
Glen Elder | 26525 | Glen Elder | 553 | 7 (18) | 78 (30) | 15 (6) | 16.01% | 39°30′32″N 98°18′49″W﻿ / ﻿39.50889°N 98.31361°W﻿ / 39.50889; -98.31361
Hayes | 30975 |  | 21 | 0 (1) | 93 (36) | 0 (0) | 0.03% | 39°20′4″N 98°19′8″W﻿ / ﻿39.33444°N 98.31889°W﻿ / 39.33444; -98.31889
Logan | 42025 | Simpson | 168 | 2 (5) | 93 (36) | 0 (0) | 0.12% | 39°21′59″N 97°56′21″W﻿ / ﻿39.36639°N 97.93917°W﻿ / 39.36639; -97.93917
Lulu | 43225 | Scottsville | 90 | 1 (3) | 92 (35) | 0 (0) | 0% | 39°31′53″N 97°58′34″W﻿ / ﻿39.53139°N 97.97611°W﻿ / 39.53139; -97.97611
Pittsburg | 56050 | Tipton | 346 | 4 (10) | 93 (36) | 0 (0) | 0.03% | 39°20′31″N 98°28′3″W﻿ / ﻿39.34194°N 98.46750°W﻿ / 39.34194; -98.46750
Plum Creek | 56825 |  | 119 | 1 (3) | 92 (36) | 0 (0) | 0.02% | 39°30′53″N 98°5′21″W﻿ / ﻿39.51472°N 98.08917°W﻿ / 39.51472; -98.08917
Round Springs | 61500 |  | 27 | 0 (1) | 93 (36) | 0 (0) | 0.14% | 39°15′51″N 98°11′28″W﻿ / ﻿39.26417°N 98.19111°W﻿ / 39.26417; -98.19111
Salt Creek | 62825 |  | 39 | 0 (1) | 93 (36) | 0 (0) | 0.37% | 39°15′12″N 98°6′11″W﻿ / ﻿39.25333°N 98.10306°W﻿ / 39.25333; -98.10306
Solomon Rapids | 66450 |  | 80 | 1 (2) | 91 (35) | 0 (0) | 0.14% | 39°31′19″N 98°12′58″W﻿ / ﻿39.52194°N 98.21611°W﻿ / 39.52194; -98.21611
Turkey Creek | 71725 |  | 134 | 1 (4) | 92 (36) | 0 (0) | 0.23% | 39°26′40″N 98°12′1″W﻿ / ﻿39.44444°N 98.20028°W﻿ / 39.44444; -98.20028
Walnut Creek | 75150 |  | 42 | 0 (1) | 88 (34) | 5 (2) | 5.78% | 39°26′49″N 98°19′1″W﻿ / ﻿39.44694°N 98.31694°W﻿ / 39.44694; -98.31694

## See also

[edit]

* Kansas portal

* National Register of Historic Places listings in Mitchell 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

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b c "QuickFacts; Mitchell County, Kansas; Population, Census, 2020 & 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on August 18, 2021. Retrieved August 17, 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 27, 2014.
7. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved July 27, 2014.
8. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 27, 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 27, 2014.
10. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
11. ^ David Leip. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". Uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved September 13, 2019.
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 26, 2007.
13. ^ a b "General Highway Map of Mitchell County, Kansas" (PDF). Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT). July 2010. Archived (PDF) from the original on May 17, 2023.

## Further reading

[edit]

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

* Standard Atlas of Mitchell County, Kansas; Geo. A. Ogle & Co; 73 pages; 1917.
* Standard Atlas of Mitchell County, Kansas; Geo. A. Ogle & Co; 56 pages; 1902.
* Atlas of Mitchell County, Kansas; Gillen & Davy; 45 pages; 1884.

## External links

[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Mitchell County, Kansas.

County

* Mitchell County - Official Website
* Mitchell County - Directory of Public Officials

Maps

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

* v
* t
* e

Places adjacent to Mitchell County, Kansas

| Smith County | Jewell County | Cloud County

|
|

|  |
Osborne County |

Mitchell County, Kansas

|  |
Osborne County | Lincoln County | Ottawa County

* v
* t
* e

Municipalities and communities of Mitchell County, Kansas, United States

County seat: Beloit

Cities|

* Beloit
* Cawker City
* Glen Elder
* Hunter
* Scottsville
* Simpson‡
* Tipton

Map of Kansas highlighting Mitchell County

CDP|

* Asherville

Unincorporated
community|

* Solomon Rapids

Ghost towns|

* Blue Hill
* Buel
* Coursens Grove
* Elmira
* Saltville
* Victor
* Walnut Grove
* West Asher

Townships|

* Asherville
* Beloit
* Bloomfield
* Blue Hill
* Carr Creek
* Cawker
* Center
* Custer
* Eureka
* Glen Elder
* Hayes
* Logan
* Lulu
* Pittsburg
* Plum Creek
* Round Springs
* Salt Creek
* Solomon Rapids
* Turkey Creek
* Walnut Creek

Footnotes|

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

* Kansas portal
* United States portal

* v
* t
* e

State of Kansas

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