Woodson County
County
Woodson County Courthouse in Yates Center
Woodson County Courthouse in Yates Center
Map of Kansas highlighting Woodson County
Location within the U.S. state of Kansas
Map of the United States highlighting Kansas
Kansas's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 37°50′34″N 95°43′28″W / 37.8428°N 95.7244°W / 37.8428; -95.7244
Country United States
State Kansas
Founded1855
Named forDaniel Woodson
SeatYates Center
Largest cityYates Center
Area
 • Total505 sq mi (1,310 km2)
 • Land498 sq mi (1,290 km2)
 • Water7.4 sq mi (19 km2)  1.5%
Population
 (2020)[1]
 • Total3,115
 • Density6.3/sq mi (2.4/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district2nd
WebsiteWoodsonCounty.net

Woodson County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kansas. Its county seat is Yates Center.[2] As of the 2020 census, the county population was 3,115.[1] The county was named after Daniel Woodson, a five-time acting governor of the Kansas Territory.

History

Early history

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

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, Woodson County was established. Fort Belmont was used during the Civil War and had received refugees from the Trail of Blood on Ice. Opothleyahola is buried in an unmarked grave next to his daughter who died at the fort.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 505 square miles (1,310 km2), of which 498 square miles (1,290 km2) is land and 7.4 square miles (19 km2) (1.5%) is water.[3]

Adjacent counties

Demographics

Population pyramid based on 2000 census age data
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18601,488—
18703,827157.2%
18806,53570.8%
18909,02138.0%
190010,02211.1%
19109,450−5.7%
19208,984−4.9%
19308,526−5.1%
19408,014−6.0%
19506,711−16.3%
19605,423−19.2%
19704,789−11.7%
19804,600−3.9%
19904,116−10.5%
20003,788−8.0%
20103,309−12.6%
20203,115−5.9%
U.S. Decennial Census[4]
1790-1960[5] 1900-1990[6]
1990-2000[7] 2010-2020[1]

As of the census[8] of 2000, there were 3,788 people, 1,642 households, and 1,052 families residing in the county. The population density was 8 people per square mile (3.1 people/km2). There were 2,076 housing units at an average density of 4 per square mile (1.5/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 96.96% White, 0.82% Black or African American, 0.87% Native American, 0.05% Asian, 0.24% from other races, and 1.06% from two or more races. 1.37% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 1,642 households, out of which 25.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.80% were married couples living together, 7.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.90% were non-families. 33.30% of all households were made up of individuals, and 19.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.24 and the average family size was 2.83.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 21.70% under the age of 18, 7.40% from 18 to 24, 22.10% from 25 to 44, 23.90% from 45 to 64, and 24.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females there were 96.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.80 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $25,335, and the median income for a family was $31,369. Males had a median income of $23,950 versus $16,135 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,283. About 10.20% of families and 13.20% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.20% of those under age 18 and 13.20% of those age 65 or over.

Government

Presidential elections

Presidential election results
United States presidential election results for Woodson County, Kansas[9]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No. %No. %No. %
2020 1,228 79.43% 294 19.02% 24 1.55%
2016 1,082 74.98% 273 18.92% 88 6.10%
2012 1,035 71.53% 380 26.26% 32 2.21%
2008 1,055 65.98% 512 32.02% 32 2.00%
2004 1,204 68.29% 530 30.06% 29 1.64%
2000 974 61.07% 521 32.66% 100 6.27%
1996 953 52.02% 598 32.64% 281 15.34%
1992 662 35.48% 590 31.62% 614 32.90%
1988 1,062 57.50% 761 41.20% 24 1.30%
1984 1,408 69.36% 596 29.36% 26 1.28%
1980 1,435 65.56% 646 29.51% 108 4.93%
1976 1,104 54.09% 904 44.29% 33 1.62%
1972 1,592 72.59% 550 25.08% 51 2.33%
1968 1,450 62.63% 639 27.60% 226 9.76%
1964 1,279 52.61% 1,128 46.40% 24 0.99%
1960 1,853 67.36% 888 32.28% 10 0.36%
1956 2,171 70.88% 870 28.40% 22 0.72%
1952 2,594 76.29% 786 23.12% 20 0.59%
1948 1,997 62.58% 1,145 35.88% 49 1.54%
1944 2,308 69.56% 999 30.11% 11 0.33%
1940 2,637 64.87% 1,398 34.39% 30 0.74%
1936 2,374 55.49% 1,884 44.04% 20 0.47%
1932 1,842 45.17% 2,119 51.96% 117 2.87%
1928 2,885 76.59% 855 22.70% 27 0.72%
1924 2,412 63.17% 1,026 26.87% 380 9.95%
1920 2,253 68.71% 944 28.79% 82 2.50%
1916 1,861 48.21% 1,794 46.48% 205 5.31%
1912 694 29.14% 900 37.78% 788 33.08%
1908 1,252 53.23% 1,047 44.52% 53 2.25%
1904 1,490 63.57% 657 28.03% 197 8.40%
1900 1,418 55.54% 1,115 43.67% 20 0.78%
1896 1,288 51.56% 1,189 47.60% 21 0.84%
1892 1,071 50.16% 0 0.00% 1,064 49.84%
1888 1,149 51.97% 595 26.91% 467 21.12%

Woodson County is powerfully Republican. The only Democrat to win a majority in the county was Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1932, although Woodrow Wilson won a plurality in 1912. In contrast, Charles Evans Hughes in 1916 & George H. W. Bush in 1992 are the only Republican winners of the county who only managed to win a plurality of its votes.

Education

Unified school districts

Communities

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

Cities

2005 KDOT Map of Woodson County from KDOT (map legend)

Unincorporated communities

Ghost towns

  • Defiance - located six miles east of Yates Center, its population moved to Yates Center after it was selected as the permanent county seat in 1876[10]
  • Kalida - located two miles south of Yates Center, its population moved to Yates Center after it was selected as the permanent county seat in 1876[10]

Townships

Woodson County is divided into six townships. The city of Yates Center 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.
TownshipFIPSPopulation
center		 PopulationPopulation
density
/km2 (/sq mi)		 Land area
km2 (sq mi)		Water area
km2 (sq mi)		Water % Geographic coordinates
Center122505941 (4)410 (158)1 (0)0.23%37°50′35″N 95°43′29″W / 37.84306°N 95.72472°W / 37.84306; -95.72472
Liberty403752001 (2)223 (86)1 (0)0.26%37°59′18″N 95°43′47″W / 37.98833°N 95.72972°W / 37.98833; -95.72972
Neosho Falls498505373 (7)196 (76)1 (0)0.38%37°57′30″N 95°33′54″W / 37.95833°N 95.56500°W / 37.95833; -95.56500
North51025710 (1)167 (64)0 (0)0.11%37°59′50″N 95°53′19″W / 37.99722°N 95.88861°W / 37.99722; -95.88861
Perry554751031 (2)127 (49)0 (0)0.08%37°46′18″N 95°35′24″W / 37.77167°N 95.59000°W / 37.77167; -95.59000
Toronto710756844 (11)167 (64)10 (4)5.40%37°47′52″N 95°55′37″W / 37.79778°N 95.92694°W / 37.79778; -95.92694

See also

Community information for Kansas

References

  1. 1 2 3 "QuickFacts; Woodson County, Kansas; Population, Census, 2020 & 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on August 22, 2021. Retrieved August 21, 2021.
  2. ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ↑ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  4. ↑ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 29, 2014.
  5. ↑ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved July 29, 2014.
  6. ↑ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 29, 2014.
  7. ↑ "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 29, 2014.
  8. ↑ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  9. ↑ "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections".
  10. 1 2 "WOODSON COUNTY, KANSAS COUNTY HISTORY". genealogytrails.com. Retrieved September 18, 2017.

Further reading

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Woodson County, Kansas.
County
Maps

37°53′N 95°44′W / 37.883°N 95.733°W / 37.883; -95.733

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