Cherokee County
County
Tri-State Marker (2006)
Tri-State Marker (2006)
Map of Kansas highlighting Cherokee 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°10′N 94°51′W / 37.167°N 94.850°W / 37.167; -94.850
Country United States
State Kansas
FoundedFebruary 18, 1860
Named forCherokee Native Americans
SeatColumbus
Largest cityBaxter Springs
Area
 • Total591 sq mi (1,530 km2)
 • Land588 sq mi (1,520 km2)
 • Water3.5 sq mi (9 km2)  0.6%
Population
 (2020)[1]
 • Total19,362
 • Density32.9/sq mi (12.7/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Area code620
Congressional district2nd
Websitecherokeecountyks.gov

Cherokee County is a U.S. county located in Southeast Kansas. Its county seat is Columbus,[2] and its most populous city is Baxter Springs. As of the 2020 census, the county population was 19,362.[1] The county was named for the Cherokee tribe.

History

19th century

In 1803, United States acquired from France the 828,000-square mile Louisiana Purchase, the former French lands west of the Mississippi River, for 2.83 cents per acre. This territory included most of the land for modern-day Kansas.

In the 1830s, the United States conducted Indian Removal of the Five Civilized Tribes from the Southeast region, to extinguish their land claims and allow European-American settlement in the area. They were given lands in what was called Indian Territory west of the Mississippi River, mostly in present-day Oklahoma. This part of Kansas was included at the time in the Cherokee Neutral Lands, and the county was named after this tribe.

In 1854, the U.S. organized the Kansas Territory. Settlers began to move into the territory, with violence breaking out between supporters of slavery and those who wanted to abolish it. In 1861, Kansas was admitted as the 34th U.S. state; its constitution prohibited slavery. In 1860, Cherokee County was established.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 591 square miles (1,530 km2), of which 588 square miles (1,520 km2) is land and 3.5 square miles (9.1 km2) (0.6%) is water.[3]

Adjacent counties

Major highways

Sources: National Atlas,[4] U.S. Census Bureau[5]

Demographics

Population pyramid based on 2000 census age data
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18601,501—
187011,038635.4%
188021,90598.5%
189027,77026.8%
190042,69453.7%
191038,162−10.6%
192033,609−11.9%
193031,457−6.4%
194029,817−5.2%
195025,144−15.7%
196022,279−11.4%
197021,549−3.3%
198022,3043.5%
199021,374−4.2%
200022,6055.8%
201021,603−4.4%
202019,362−10.4%
U.S. Decennial Census[6]
1790-1960[7] 1900-1990[8]
1990-2000[9] 2010-2020[1]

As of the 2000 census,[10] there were 22,605 people, 8,875 households, and 6,239 families residing in the county. The population density was 38 people per square mile (15 people/km2). There were 10,031 housing units at an average density of 17 per square mile (6.6/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 92.27% White, 0.61% Black or African American, 3.45% Native American, 0.23% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.50% from other races, and 2.90% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.29% of the population.

There were 8,875 households, out of which 32.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.60% were married couples living together, 9.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.70% were non-families. 26.30% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.51 and the average family size was 3.02.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 26.50% under the age of 18, 8.40% from 18 to 24, 26.90% from 25 to 44, 23.10% from 45 to 64, and 15.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 94.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.70 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $30,505, and the median income for a family was $37,284. Males had a median income of $29,045 versus $19,675 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,710. About 11.40% of families and 14.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.40% of those under age 18 and 10.60% of those age 65 or over.

Government

Presidential elections

For most of its history, Cherokee County had more of a Democratic lean in presidential elections than the rest of the state, particularly before 1968. Since then, it has only voted for Democratic candidates twice. In 1976 & 1992, it was their second and fourth best county in the state, respectively. From 1996 on, the county has swung powerfully Republican similar to the rest of Southeast Kansas, with Hillary Clinton posting the worst percentage for a Democratic candidate ever at only 23.3%.

Presidential election results
United States presidential election results for Cherokee County, Kansas[11]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No. %No. %No. %
2020 6,766 73.94% 2,194 23.98% 191 2.09%
2016 6,182 70.91% 2,005 23.00% 531 6.09%
2012 5,456 63.66% 2,930 34.19% 185 2.16%
2008 5,886 60.90% 3,594 37.19% 185 1.91%
2004 6,083 61.36% 3,726 37.59% 104 1.05%
2000 5,014 54.92% 3,783 41.43% 333 3.65%
1996 4,138 45.76% 3,771 41.70% 1,134 12.54%
1992 3,589 36.78% 4,083 41.85% 2,085 21.37%
1988 4,281 50.95% 4,069 48.43% 52 0.62%
1984 5,801 60.72% 3,663 38.34% 89 0.93%
1980 5,296 54.81% 3,969 41.08% 397 4.11%
1976 3,957 42.93% 5,154 55.91% 107 1.16%
1972 6,019 67.03% 2,806 31.25% 155 1.73%
1968 4,211 47.46% 3,597 40.54% 1,064 11.99%
1964 3,730 39.28% 5,720 60.23% 47 0.49%
1960 5,753 56.45% 4,366 42.84% 73 0.72%
1956 5,824 58.39% 4,112 41.22% 39 0.39%
1952 6,261 57.37% 4,597 42.12% 56 0.51%
1948 4,616 47.77% 4,854 50.23% 193 2.00%
1944 5,458 54.65% 4,468 44.73% 62 0.62%
1940 6,600 49.27% 6,670 49.79% 126 0.94%
1936 5,445 40.61% 7,894 58.88% 69 0.51%
1932 4,045 34.05% 7,442 62.64% 393 3.31%
1928 7,478 66.20% 3,442 30.47% 376 3.33%
1924 5,437 52.90% 3,071 29.88% 1,770 17.22%
1920 5,466 55.83% 3,832 39.14% 492 5.03%
1916 4,350 37.55% 6,188 53.41% 1,047 9.04%
1912 1,994 26.54% 2,641 35.15% 2,878 38.31%
1908 3,893 44.26% 3,819 43.42% 1,083 12.31%
1904 4,586 55.81% 2,253 27.42% 1,378 16.77%
1900 4,478 45.18% 5,302 53.50% 131 1.32%
1896 3,505 40.20% 5,108 58.58% 106 1.22%
1892 2,696 41.43% 0 0.00% 3,812 58.57%
1888 2,935 45.62% 2,038 31.68% 1,461 22.71%

Laws

Although the Kansas Constitution was amended in 1986 to allow the sale of alcoholic liquor by the individual drink with the approval of voters, Cherokee County voters chose to remain a prohibition, or "dry", county on Sunday until 2012.[12]

Education

Unified school districts

Communities

2005 KDOT Map of Cherokee County (map legend)

‡ means a community has portions in an adjacent county. † means a community is designated a Census-Designated Place (CDP) by the United States Census Bureau.

Cities

Unincorporated communities

Ghost towns

Townships

Cherokee County is divided into fourteen townships. The cities of Baxter Springs, Columbus, Galena, Scammon, and Weir are considered governmentally independent and are 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.

TownshipFIPSPopulation
center		 PopulationPopulation
density
/km2 (/sq mi)		 Land area
km2 (sq mi)		Water area
km2 (sq mi)		Water % Geographic coordinates
Cherokee128003366 (15)57 (22)0 (0)0.08%37°18′33″N 94°45′36″W / 37.30917°N 94.76000°W / 37.30917; -94.76000
Crawford162256467 (18)94 (36)0 (0)0.24%37°9′21″N 94°47′11″W / 37.15583°N 94.78639°W / 37.15583; -94.78639
Garden252503,03941 (105)75 (29)2 (1)2.80%37°2′55″N 94°41′18″W / 37.04861°N 94.68833°W / 37.04861; -94.68833
Lola423503823 (9)115 (44)1 (0)0.50%37°10′25″N 95°0′15″W / 37.17361°N 95.00417°W / 37.17361; -95.00417
Lowell4307567220 (52)33 (13)1 (0)3.04%37°6′11″N 94°40′23″W / 37.10306°N 94.67306°W / 37.10306; -94.67306
Lyon434005284 (11)130 (50)0 (0)0.08%37°2′19″N 94°52′37″W / 37.03861°N 94.87694°W / 37.03861; -94.87694
Mineral470002543 (8)79 (31)0 (0)0.15%37°15′32″N 94°47′29″W / 37.25889°N 94.79139°W / 37.25889; -94.79139
Neosho497253062 (5)157 (61)2 (1)1.08%37°3′15″N 95°1′37″W / 37.05417°N 95.02694°W / 37.05417; -95.02694
Pleasant View566756585 (13)136 (52)0 (0)0.14%37°17′4″N 94°40′1″W / 37.28444°N 94.66694°W / 37.28444; -94.66694
Ross613508936 (17)140 (54)1 (0)0.71%37°16′29″N 94°53′55″W / 37.27472°N 94.89861°W / 37.27472; -94.89861
Salamanca625755696 (17)89 (34)0 (0)0.07%37°10′3″N 94°52′37″W / 37.16750°N 94.87694°W / 37.16750; -94.87694
Shawnee644755056 (15)90 (35)1 (0)0.61%37°9′30″N 94°40′18″W / 37.15833°N 94.67167°W / 37.15833; -94.67167
Sheridan646252491 (4)172 (67)1 (1)0.79%37°15′41″N 95°0′15″W / 37.26139°N 95.00417°W / 37.26139; -95.00417
Spring Valley677251,0078 (21)122 (47)0 (0)0.36%37°3′11″N 94°46′5″W / 37.05306°N 94.76806°W / 37.05306; -94.76806
Sources: "Census 2000 U.S. Gazetteer Files". U.S. Census Bureau, Geography Division. Archived from the original on August 2, 2002.

See also

Community information for Kansas

References

  1. 1 2 3 "QuickFacts; Cherokee County, Kansas; Population, Census, 2020 & 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on August 15, 2021. Retrieved August 15, 2021.
  2. ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 9, 2015. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ↑ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  4. ↑ National Atlas Archived December 5, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  5. ↑ U.S. Census Bureau TIGER shape files
  6. ↑ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 22, 2014.
  7. ↑ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Archived from the original on August 11, 2012. Retrieved July 22, 2014.
  8. ↑ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 22, 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 22, 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" (PDF). Alcoholic Beverage Control, Kansas Department of Revenue. December 2012. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 25, 2012. Retrieved December 26, 2013.
  13. ↑ Rydjord, John (1972). Kansas Place-Names. University of Oklahoma Press, Norman, Oklahoma. p. 494. ISBN 0-8061-0994-7.
  14. ↑ Former residents say goodbye to contaminated town of Treece; The Wichita Eagle; September 27, 2012. Archived September 30, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
Notes

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