Clay County, Kansas

Clay County, Kansas
County
Map of Kansas highlighting Clay County
Location in the U.S. state of Kansas
Map of the United States highlighting Kansas
Kansas's location in the U.S.
Founded February 20, 1857
Named for Henry Clay
Seat Clay Center
Largest city Clay Center
Area
 • Total 656 sq mi (1,699 km2)
 • Land 645 sq mi (1,671 km2)
 • Water 10 sq mi (26 km2), 1.6%
Population
 • (2010) 8,535
 • Density 13/sq mi (5/km²)
Congressional district 1st
Time zone Central: UTC-6/-5
Website ClayCountyKansas.org

Coordinates: 39°21′N 97°10′W / 39.350°N 97.167°W / 39.350; -97.167

Clay County (county code CY) is a county located in the U.S. state of Kansas. As of the 2010 census, the county population was 8,535.[1] Its county seat and most populous city is Clay Center.[2]

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 1857, Clay County was established.

When the first counties were created by the Kansas legislature in 1855, the territory within the present limits of the county was attached to Riley County for all revenue and judicial purposes. Subsequently Clay was attached to Geary County. In 1857, Clay was created and named in honor of the famous American statesman Henry Clay,[3] a member of the United States Senate from Kentucky and United States Secretary of State in the 19th century.

In 1887, the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway built a branch line from Neva (3 miles west of Strong City) to Superior, Nebraska. This branch line connected Strong City, Neva, Rockland, Diamond Springs, Burdick, Lost Springs, Jacobs, Hope, Navarre, Enterprise, Abilene, Talmage, Manchester, Longford, Oak Hill, Miltonvale, Aurora, Huscher, Concordia, Kackley, Courtland, Webber, Superior. At some point, the line from Neva to Lost Springs was pulled but the right of way has not been abandoned. This branch line was originally called "Strong City and Superior line" but later the name was shortened to the "Strong City line". In 1996, the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway merged with Burlington Northern Railroad and renamed to the current BNSF Railway. Most locals still refer to this railroad as the "Santa Fe".

21st century

In 2010, the Keystone-Cushing Pipeline (Phase II) was constructed north to south through Clay County, with much controversy over tax exemption and environmental concerns (if a leak ever occurs).[4][5] A pumping station named Riley was built along the pipeline.

Geography

2005 KDOT Map of Clay County (map legend)

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 656 square miles (1,700 km2), of which 645 square miles (1,670 km2) is land and 10 square miles (26 km2) (1.6%) is water.[6]

Adjacent counties

Major highways

Sources: National Atlas,[7] U.S. Census Bureau[8]

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop. %±
1860163—
18702,9421,704.9%
188012,320318.8%
189016,14631.1%
190015,833−1.9%
191015,251−3.7%
192014,365−5.8%
193014,5561.3%
194013,281−8.8%
195011,697−11.9%
196010,675−8.7%
19709,890−7.4%
19809,802−0.9%
19909,158−6.6%
20008,822−3.7%
20108,535−3.3%
Est. 20158,347[9]−2.2%
U.S. Decennial Census[10]
1790-1960[11] 1900-1990[12]
1990-2000[13] 2010-2013[1]
Population pyramid

As of the U.S. Census in 2000,[14] there were 8,822 people, 3,617 households, and 2,517 families residing in the county. The population density was 14 people per square mile (5/km²). There were 4,084 housing units at an average density of 6 per square mile (2/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 97.72% White, 0.57% Black or African American, 0.41% Native American, 0.15% Asian, 0.26% from other races, and 0.90% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.83% of the population.

There were 3,617 households out of which 30.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.90% were married couples living together, 6.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.40% were non-families. 27.70% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 2.91.

In the county the population was spread out with 24.90% under the age of 18, 6.70% from 18 to 24, 23.90% from 25 to 44, 23.70% from 45 to 64, and 20.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 99.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.60 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $33,965, and the median income for a family was $41,103. Males had a median income of $28,817 versus $17,760 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,939. About 6.80% of families and 10.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.60% of those under age 18 and 8.60% of those age 65 or over.

Law and government

Although the Kansas Constitution was amended in 1986 to allow the sale of alcoholic liquor by the individual drink with the approval of voters, Clay County has remained a prohibition, or "dry", county.[15]

Education

Unified school districts

Communities

Cities

Unincorporated communities

  • Athelstane
  • Bateham
  • Broughton
  • Browndale
  • Exeter
  • Fact
  • Fancy Creek
  • Garfield Center
  • Gatesville
  • Idana
  • Industry
  • Ladysmith
  • Northern (no longer exists)
  • Republican City

Townships

Clay County is divided into eighteen townships. The city of Clay 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.

Township FIPS Population
center		 Population Population
density
/km² (/sq mi)		 Land area
km² (sq mi) 		Water area
km² (sq mi) 		Water % Geographic coordinates
Athelstane 02950 144 2 (4) 93 (36) 0 (0) 0.03% 39°10′17″N 97°12′35″W / 39.17139°N 97.20972°W / 39.17139; -97.20972
Blaine 07050 259 2 (6) 109 (42) 1 (0) 0.94% 39°20′38″N 97°11′11″W / 39.34389°N 97.18639°W / 39.34389; -97.18639
Bloom 07325 125 1 (3) 122 (47) 1 (0) 0.53% 39°26′29″N 97°16′51″W / 39.44139°N 97.28083°W / 39.44139; -97.28083
Chapman 12525 Longford 202 2 (6) 93 (36) 0 (0) 0.09% 39°10′21″N 97°19′35″W / 39.17250°N 97.32639°W / 39.17250; -97.32639
Clay Center 13650 368 4 (10) 98 (38) 1 (1) 1.46% 39°21′30″N 97°6′17″W / 39.35833°N 97.10472°W / 39.35833; -97.10472
Exeter 22100 81 1 (2) 94 (36) 0 (0) 0.08% 39°15′24″N 97°11′36″W / 39.25667°N 97.19333°W / 39.25667; -97.19333
Five Creeks 23475 159 2 (4) 93 (36) 0 (0) 0.04% 39°21′22″N 97°18′14″W / 39.35611°N 97.30389°W / 39.35611; -97.30389
Garfield 25500 107 1 (3) 91 (35) 0 (0) 0.05% 39°31′55″N 97°7′5″W / 39.53194°N 97.11806°W / 39.53194; -97.11806
Gill 26250 140 2 (5) 78 (30) 0 (0) 0.04% 39°10′10″N 97°6′3″W / 39.16944°N 97.10083°W / 39.16944; -97.10083
Goshen 27025 92 1 (3) 91 (35) 0 (0) 0% 39°31′4″N 97°0′14″W / 39.51778°N 97.00389°W / 39.51778; -97.00389
Grant 27500 132 2 (5) 74 (29) 13 (5) 14.83% 39°16′12″N 96°59′27″W / 39.27000°N 96.99083°W / 39.27000; -96.99083
Hayes 30875 206 2 (6) 92 (36) 0 (0) 0% 39°26′9″N 97°5′58″W / 39.43583°N 97.09944°W / 39.43583; -97.09944
Highland 31825 Green 310 3 (9) 92 (35) 0 (0) 0.07% 39°25′28″N 97°0′1″W / 39.42444°N 97.00028°W / 39.42444; -97.00028
Mulberry 49000 Clifton (part) 331 3 (9) 97 (38) 2 (1) 1.99% 39°32′19″N 97°16′23″W / 39.53861°N 97.27306°W / 39.53861; -97.27306
Oakland 51725 110 1 (3) 93 (36) 0 (0) 0% 39°15′30″N 97°20′21″W / 39.25833°N 97.33917°W / 39.25833; -97.33917
Republican 59025 Wakefield 1,024 14 (36) 73 (28) 10 (4) 12.46% 39°12′7″N 97°0′50″W / 39.20194°N 97.01389°W / 39.20194; -97.01389
Sherman 64850 Morganville 328 4 (10) 85 (33) 1 (0) 1.00% 39°30′15″N 97°12′42″W / 39.50417°N 97.21167°W / 39.50417; -97.21167
Union 72075 140 2 (4) 92 (35) 0 (0) 0.38% 39°16′16″N 97°4′53″W / 39.27111°N 97.08139°W / 39.27111; -97.08139
Sources: "Census 2000 U.S. Gazetteer Files". U.S. Census Bureau, Geography Division. 

Notable people

See List of people from Clay County, Kansas

Two former Kansas Governors resided in Clay County. George Docking was the 35th Governor, serving from January 14, 1957 until January 9, 1961.[16] William H. Avery was the 37th Governor, from January 11, 1965 until January 9, 1967.[17]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 22, 2014.
  2. ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on 2011-05-31. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
  3. ↑ Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Govt. Print. Off. p. 83.
  4. ↑ Keystone Pipeline - Marion County Commission calls out Legislative Leadership on Pipeline Deal; April 18, 2010. Archived October 22, 2011, at the Wayback Machine.
  5. ↑ Keystone Pipeline - TransCanada inspecting pipeline; December 10, 2010.
  6. ↑ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
  7. ↑ National Atlas Archived December 5, 2008, at the Wayback Machine.
  8. ↑ U.S. Census Bureau TIGER shape files
  9. ↑ "County Totals Dataset: Population, Population Change and Estimated Components of Population Change: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2015". Retrieved July 2, 2016.
  10. ↑ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on May 11, 2015. Retrieved July 22, 2014.
  11. ↑ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved July 22, 2014.
  12. ↑ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 22, 2014.
  13. ↑ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 22, 2014.
  14. ↑ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on 2013-09-11. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  15. ↑ "Map of Wet and Dry Counties". Alcoholic Beverage Control, Kansas Department of Revenue. November 2004. Archived from the original on 2007-10-08. Retrieved 2007-01-21.
  16. ↑ "To Seek Third Term". The Fort Scott Tribune. May 2, 1970. Retrieved March 30, 2012.
  17. ↑ "Former Kan. Gov. Avery dies at the age of 98". Associated Press. November 5, 2009.

Further reading

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