Saline County
County
Smoky Hills Museum in Salina (2013)
Smoky Hills Museum in Salina (2013)
Map of Kansas highlighting Saline County
Location within the U.S. state of Kansas
Map of the United States highlighting Kansas
Kansas's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 38°47′00″N 97°40′00″W / 38.7833°N 97.6667°W / 38.7833; -97.6667
Country United States
State Kansas
FoundedFebruary 15, 1860
Named forSaline River
SeatSalina
Largest citySalina
Area
 • Total721 sq mi (1,870 km2)
 • Land720 sq mi (1,900 km2)
 • Water1.1 sq mi (3 km2)  0.2%
Population
 (2020)[1]
 • Total54,303
 • Estimate 
(2021)[2]
53,888 Decrease
 • Density75.4/sq mi (29.1/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district1st
Websitesaline.org

Saline County is located in the U.S. state of Kansas. Its county seat and largest city is Salina.[3] As of the 2020 census, the county population was 54,303.[1] The county was named after the Saline River.

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. 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 1848, after the Mexican–American War, the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo with Spain brought into the United States all or part of land for ten future states, including southwest Kansas. In 1854, the Kansas Territory was organized, then in 1861 Kansas became the 34th U.S. state.

19th century

In 1860, Saline County was founded.

20th century

Saline 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. The food sales requirement was removed with voter approval in 1994.[4]

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 721 square miles (1,870 km2), of which 720 square miles (1,900 km2) is land and 1.1 square miles (2.8 km2) (0.2%) is water.[5]

Adjacent counties

Demographics

Population pyramid based on 2000 census age data
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18704,246—
188013,808225.2%
189017,44226.3%
190017,076−2.1%
191020,33819.1%
192025,10323.4%
193029,33716.9%
194029,5350.7%
195033,40913.1%
196054,71563.8%
197046,592−14.8%
198048,9055.0%
199049,3010.8%
200053,5978.7%
201055,6063.7%
202054,303−2.3%
2021 (est.)53,888[2]−0.8%
U.S. Decennial Census[6]
1790-1960[7] 1900-1990[8]
1990-2000[9] 2010-2020[1]

Saline County is part of the Salina Micropolitan Statistical Area.[10]

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 53,597 people, 21,436 households, and 14,212 families residing in the county. The population density was 74 inhabitants per square mile (29/km2). There were 22,695 housing units at an average density of 32 per square mile (12/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 89.17% White, 3.10% Black or African American, 0.52% Native American, 1.70% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 3.33% from other races, and 2.14% from two or more races. 6.02% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 21,436 households in the county, out of which 32.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.90% were married couples living together, 9.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.70% were non-families. 28.30% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 2.98.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 26.20% under the age of 18, 9.40% from 18 to 24, 28.40% from 25 to 44, 22.10% from 45 to 64, and 14.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.40 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $37,308, and the median income for a family was $46,362. Males had a median income of $31,509 versus $22,047 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,073. About 6.00% of families and 8.80% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.60% of those under age 18 and 8.80% of those age 65 or over.

Government

Board of Commissioners

Saline County is governed by a Board of Commissioners. The commission enacts the annual budget for the county, currently set at about $38,000,000, creates policy to be implemented by the county administrator, approves contracts, and oversees legislation relating to the health, safety, and well-being of the county's citizens.[11]

The Board of Commissioners has three members, one elected from each of the three commission districts. Commissioners are elected on a partisan basis.[11] The districts are reapportioned every three years, with the three districts being equally populated. Term lengths are four years.[11]

Current representatives on the Board of Commissioners are John Price (District 3; vice chairman), Monte Shadwick (District 1; secretary), and Jim Gile (District 2; chairman).[11] In 2014, citizens voted to change the number of commissioners from three to five. The group, “Drive for Five”, successfully campaigned for better representation of the people. Monte Shadwick defeated incumbent commissioner Randy Duncan, who finished last in a three-way race.[12]

Governor Sam Brownback was tasked with appointing the two new commission members that will serve for two years and then be up for election by the people. On January 12, 2015, Luci Larson and Dave Smith were appointed to the newly created 4th and 5th Districts.[13]

County administrator

The county administrator is hired by the Board of Commissioners and is the administrative officer for the county. The administrator is responsible for researching administrative and operational issues and then presenting suggestions for improvement in government efficiency to the Board of Commissioners and for reviewing all requests for action brought to the Board of Commissioners. The county administrator also implements policies enacted by the Board of Commissioners, prepares the annual budget, and "supervises accounts payable, payroll, human resource division and central purchasing for the county."[14] As needed, the county administrator will represent the county on boards and commissions.[14]

The current county administrator is Andrew Manley.[14]

Presidential elections

Presidential election results
United States presidential election results for Saline County, Kansas[15]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No. %No. %No. %
2020 15,722 63.85% 8,214 33.36% 688 2.79%
2016 13,828 62.67% 6,317 28.63% 1,919 8.70%
2012 13,840 64.38% 7,040 32.75% 616 2.87%
2008 14,165 62.16% 8,186 35.92% 437 1.92%
2004 15,111 65.58% 7,524 32.65% 406 1.76%
2000 12,412 57.66% 7,487 34.78% 1,628 7.56%
1996 12,475 55.34% 7,728 34.28% 2,338 10.37%
1992 8,565 36.26% 7,890 33.40% 7,168 30.34%
1988 11,371 57.96% 7,998 40.77% 249 1.27%
1984 15,244 69.41% 6,526 29.72% 191 0.87%
1980 12,758 60.27% 6,382 30.15% 2,029 9.58%
1976 11,218 55.79% 8,476 42.15% 413 2.05%
1972 12,592 68.74% 5,406 29.51% 321 1.75%
1968 9,324 55.43% 6,286 37.37% 1,212 7.20%
1964 6,533 39.94% 9,725 59.45% 99 0.61%
1960 11,023 62.74% 6,495 36.97% 50 0.28%
1956 11,172 69.32% 4,908 30.45% 37 0.23%
1952 12,326 75.12% 4,003 24.40% 80 0.49%
1948 7,928 53.14% 6,798 45.56% 194 1.30%
1944 7,571 59.51% 5,097 40.06% 55 0.43%
1940 7,975 54.69% 6,514 44.67% 92 0.63%
1936 6,061 43.35% 7,872 56.30% 50 0.36%
1932 5,265 41.22% 7,118 55.73% 389 3.05%
1928 7,872 71.20% 3,108 28.11% 76 0.69%
1924 6,534 62.20% 1,966 18.71% 2,005 19.09%
1920 5,554 64.42% 2,808 32.57% 260 3.02%
1916 3,984 43.25% 4,860 52.76% 368 3.99%
1912 534 11.15% 2,263 47.23% 1,994 41.62%
1908 2,297 50.15% 2,134 46.59% 149 3.25%
1904 2,797 70.35% 798 20.07% 381 9.58%
1900 2,245 49.67% 2,199 48.65% 76 1.68%
1896 1,706 42.01% 2,334 57.47% 21 0.52%
1892 1,817 45.17% 0 0.00% 2,206 54.83%
1888 2,263 57.97% 1,186 30.38% 455 11.65%

Saline County is a Republican stronghold: the last Democrat to win a majority in the county was Lyndon Johnson in 1964, who was also the last Democrat to carry the state's electoral votes. Saline has voted for the statewide winner in every presidential election since 1872, including for James Weaver in 1892.[16]

Laws

The county voted "No" on the 2022 Kansas Value Them Both Amendment, an anti-abortion ballot measure, by 55% to 45% despite backing Donald Trump with 64% of the vote to Joe Biden's 33% in the 2020 presidential election.[17]

Education

Colleges and universities

Unified school districts

School district office in neighboring county

Private schools

Communities

2005 KDOT Map of Saline 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

Townships

1915 Railroad Map of Saline County

Saline County is divided into eighteen townships. The city of Salina 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
Cambria10100New Cambria4505 (13)93 (36)0 (0)0.16%38°54′3″N 97°31′44″W / 38.90083°N 97.52889°W / 38.90083; -97.52889
Dayton171251341 (4)92 (36)0 (0)0.08%38°55′0″N 97°25′18″W / 38.91667°N 97.42167°W / 38.91667; -97.42167
Elm Creek206508289 (23)92 (36)0 (0)0.39%38°54′8″N 97°38′55″W / 38.90222°N 97.64861°W / 38.90222; -97.64861
Eureka21925Gypsum6647 (18)94 (36)0 (0)0.05%38°43′20″N 97°25′36″W / 38.72222°N 97.42667°W / 38.72222; -97.42667
Falun229252601 (4)186 (72)0 (0)0.26%38°39′26″N 97°47′14″W / 38.65722°N 97.78722°W / 38.65722; -97.78722
Glendale264751041 (3)93 (36)0 (0)0.30%38°53′57″N 97°52′33″W / 38.89917°N 97.87583°W / 38.89917; -97.87583
Greeley2837580910 (26)79 (31)0 (0)0.09%38°50′21″N 97°32′35″W / 38.83917°N 97.54306°W / 38.83917; -97.54306
Gypsum292751932 (5)93 (36)0 (0)0.01%38°39′35″N 97°25′22″W / 38.65972°N 97.42278°W / 38.65972; -97.42278
Liberty403501832 (5)93 (36)0 (0)0.44%38°39′19″N 97°32′48″W / 38.65528°N 97.54667°W / 38.65528; -97.54667
Ohio524254635 (13)94 (36)0 (0)0.13%38°49′12″N 97°45′9″W / 38.82000°N 97.75250°W / 38.82000; -97.75250
Pleasant Valley566254225 (12)93 (36)0 (0)0.43%38°55′18″N 97°46′15″W / 38.92167°N 97.77083°W / 38.92167; -97.77083
Smoky Hill660503245 (14)59 (23)0 (0)0.10%38°50′21″N 97°39′35″W / 38.83917°N 97.65972°W / 38.83917; -97.65972
Smoky View66075Assaria95410 (27)93 (36)0 (0)0.06%38°39′25″N 97°37′34″W / 38.65694°N 97.62611°W / 38.65694; -97.62611
Smolan661257499 (23)85 (33)0 (0)0.15%38°44′24″N 97°38′26″W / 38.74000°N 97.64056°W / 38.74000; -97.64056
Solomon663753113 (9)94 (36)0 (0)0.06%38°49′56″N 97°26′14″W / 38.83222°N 97.43722°W / 38.83222; -97.43722
Spring Creek67500Brookville3952 (6)185 (72)1 (0)0.38%38°46′42″N 97°51′47″W / 38.77833°N 97.86306°W / 38.77833; -97.86306
Walnut751255536 (15)93 (36)1 (0)0.79%38°44′52″N 97°32′55″W / 38.74778°N 97.54861°W / 38.74778; -97.54861
Washington757251221 (3)93 (36)0 (0)0.04%38°45′4″N 97°45′10″W / 38.75111°N 97.75278°W / 38.75111; -97.75278

See also

Community information for Kansas

References

  1. 1 2 3 "QuickFacts; Saline County, Kansas; Population, Census, 2020 & 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on August 16, 2021. Retrieved August 16, 2021.
  2. 1 2 "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2021". Retrieved October 18, 2022.
  3. ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  4. ↑ "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.
  5. ↑ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  6. ↑ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 29, 2014.
  7. ↑ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved July 29, 2014.
  8. ↑ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 29, 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 29, 2014.
  10. ↑ Nussle, Jim (November 20, 2008). "Micropolitan Statistical Areas" (PDF). List 1-9. Office of Management and Budget, Executive Office of the President. p. 97. Archived (PDF) from the original on April 16, 2022. Retrieved April 2, 2010.
  11. 1 2 3 4 "Saline County - Board of Commissioners". Saline County, Kansas. Archived from the original on March 30, 2012. Retrieved January 21, 2011.
  12. ↑ "Saline County Commission To Change". KSAL-FM. August 5, 2014. Retrieved February 1, 2023.
  13. ↑ Horan, Tim (January 4, 2015). "New commissioners respond to county issues". Salina Journal.
  14. 1 2 3 "Administrator". Saline County, Kansas. Archived from the original on April 30, 2012. Retrieved January 21, 2011.
  15. ↑ "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections".
  16. ↑ The Political Graveyard: Saline County, Kansas
  17. ↑ Panetta, Grace (August 3, 2022). "14 of the 19 Kansas counties that rejected an anti-abortion amendment voted for Trump in 2020". Business Insider. Retrieved August 3, 2022.

Further reading

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County
Maps

38°47′N 97°40′W / 38.783°N 97.667°W / 38.783; -97.667

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