Stafford County, Kansas

History

19th century

The boundaries of Stafford County were defined by the Kansas Legislature of 1870 but for several years, the county remained unorganized. The Legislature of 1875, with the intention of obliterating the county from the map, gave the territory in Stafford County to other counties. They gave the portion in Range 15 West to Pawnee County; the portion included in Ranges 11, 12, 13 and 14 to Barton County; and the south half of the county, excepting the portion in Range 15, was added to Pratt County. But after each of the counties had taken its part, a strip six miles wide and twelve miles long (two townships) remained as Stafford County. This was the condition of the county until April 25, 1879, when, by a decision of the Supreme Court, the act of the Legislature dividing the county was declared unconstitutional and the county was restored to its original boundaries. Stafford County was organized in 1879.

Amidst this legal turmoil, settlers began to establish themselves in the county. Among the earliest pioneers was W. R. Hoole, who in May 1874, laid claim to land in what would become Stafford County, followed by John Birbeck, who erected the county's first frame house shortly after and broke the first prairie in the county in 1875. The first child was born in the county in 1875, also to W. R. Hoole and his wife. A short-lived attempt at manufacturing salt at Salt Marsh, in the northeastern part of the county, was undertaken in 1876. The marsh was ultimately found to be better used as a pasture for livestock.

In addition to individual settlers, a sizable Mormon settlement, known as Zion Valley, was established near St. John in the spring of 1875. Led by William Bickerton, this community established the county's first post office and erected a frame temple before internal disputes led to its dissolution and the temple's conversion into a commercial establishment.

Educational infrastructure also began to take shape with the construction of the county's first schoolhouse, the Hoole Schoolhouse, in 1876, with Miss Ella Miller serving as its inaugural teacher.

The early economy of Stafford County was heavily reliant on the gathering of buffalo bones, which were abundant across the region. This industry proved, however, to be short-lived, as the easily accessible bone deposits were quickly depleted.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 795 sqmi, of which 792 sqmi is land and 2.9 sqmi (0.4%) is water.

Adjacent counties

• Barton County (north)
• Rice County (northeast)
• Reno County (east)
• Pratt County (south)
• Edwards County (west)
• Pawnee County (west)

National protected area

• Quivira National Wildlife Refuge (part)

Demographics

|align-fn=center 1790-1960 1900-1990 1990-2000 2010-2020

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 4,072. The median age was 44.2 years. 23.5% of residents were under the age of 18 and 22.5% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 101.4 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 100.4 males age 18 and over.

The racial makeup of the county was 86.0% White, 0.3% Black or African American, 0.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% Asian, 0.0% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 4.3% from some other race, and 8.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 12.4% of the population.

0.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 100.0% lived in rural areas.

There were 1,739 households in the county, of which 28.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 21.2% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 31.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

There were 2,088 housing units, of which 16.7% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 80.3% were owner-occupied and 19.7% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.3% and the rental vacancy rate was 10.2%.

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 4,789 people, 2,010 households, and 1,294 families residing in the county. The population density was 6 /mi2. There were 2,458 housing units at an average density of 3 /mi2. The racial makeup of the county was 94.97% White, 0.15% Black or African American, 0.38% Native American, 0.13% Asian, 2.97% from other races, and 1.42% from two or more races. 5.41% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 2,010 households, out of which 29.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.90% were married couples living together, 5.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.60% were non-families. 33.00% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.20% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.34 and the average family size was 2.99.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 26.30% under the age of 18, 5.40% from 18 to 24, 24.60% from 25 to 44, 22.50% from 45 to 64, and 21.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 95.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.40 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $31,107, and the median income for a family was $38,235. Males had a median income of $27,328 versus $21,063 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,409. About 8.70% of families and 11.80% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.20% of those under age 18 and 8.90% of those age 65 or over.

Government

Stafford County is often carried by Republican candidates. The last time they have been carried by a Democratic candidate was in 1976 by Jimmy Carter.

Presidential elections

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, Stafford County remained a prohibition, or "dry", county until an election in 2016 when this prohibition was removed by 1,304 to 535, 71% of the vote.

Education

Unified school districts

• Stafford USD 349
• St. John-Hudson USD 350
• Macksville USD 351

Communities

List of townships / incorporated cities / unincorporated communities / extinct former communities within Stafford County.

Cities

• Hudson
• Macksville
• Radium
• Seward
• Stafford
• St. John (county seat)

Unincorporated communities

• Dillwyn
• Neola
• Zenith

Townships

Stafford County is divided into twenty-one townships. None of the cities within the county are considered governmentally independent, and all figures for the townships include those of the cities. 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.

References

;Notes

References

1. "Find a County". National Association of Counties.
2. "QuickFacts; Stafford County, Kansas; Population, Census, 2020 & 2010". United States Census Bureau.
3. ''A History of Stafford County'', Frank A. Steele, 1982
4. ''Stafford County, Kansas 1870-1990'', Stafford County Historical & Genealogical Society, 1990, p.5
5. Cutler, William G.. "History of the State of Kansas: With Biographical Sketches and Portraits". Library Reprints, Incorporated.
6. (February 12, 2011). "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". [[United States Census Bureau]].
7. "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau.
8. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau.
9. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library.
10. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau.
11. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000". United States Census Bureau.
12. (2021). "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)".
13. (2021). "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)".
14. (2023). "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)".
15. "U.S. Census website". [[United States Census Bureau]].
16. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections".
17. (November 2004). "Map of Wet and Dry Counties". Alcoholic Beverage Control, Kansas Department of Revenue.
18. "Two Kansas counties approve liquor by the drink".
19. (November 2010). "General Highway Map of Stafford County, Kansas". [[Kansas Department of Transportation]] (KDOT).