Mitchell County, Kansas

Coordinates: 39°24′N 98°12′W / 39.400°N 98.200°W / 39.400; -98.200
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Mitchell County
Mitchell County courthouse in Beloit (2014)
Mitchell County courthouse in Beloit (2014)
Map of Kansas highlighting Mitchell County
Location within the U.S. state of Kansas
Map of the United States highlighting Kansas
Kansas's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 39°24′N 98°12′W / 39.400°N 98.200°W / 39.400; -98.200
Country United States
State Kansas
FoundedFebruary 26, 1867
Named forWilliam D. Mitchell
SeatBeloit
Largest cityBeloit
Area
 • Total719 sq mi (1,860 km2)
 • Land702 sq mi (1,820 km2)
 • Water17 sq mi (40 km2)  2.4%
Population
 • Total5,796
 • Density8.3/sq mi (3.2/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district1st
WebsiteCounty Website

Mitchell County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kansas. Its county seat and largest city is Beloit.[2] As of the 2020 census, the county population was 5,796.[1] The county was named for William Mitchell.

History[edit]

Early history[edit]

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[edit]

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 1867, Mitchell County was established.

Geography[edit]

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 719 square miles (1,860 km2), of which 702 square miles (1,820 km2) is land and 17 square miles (44 km2) (2.4%) is water.[3]

Adjacent counties[edit]

Demographics[edit]

Population pyramid based on 2000 census age data
Historical population
CensusPop.Note
1870485
188014,9112,974.4%
189015,0370.8%
190014,647−2.6%
191014,089−3.8%
192013,886−1.4%
193012,774−8.0%
194011,339−11.2%
195010,320−9.0%
19608,866−14.1%
19708,010−9.7%
19808,1171.3%
19907,203−11.3%
20006,932−3.8%
20106,373−8.1%
20205,796−9.1%
U.S. Decennial Census[4]
1790-1960[5] 1900-1990[6]
1990-2000[7] 2010-2020[1]

As of the census[8] of 2010, there were 6,373 people, 2,790 households, and 1,725 families residing in the county. The population density was 8.8 people per square mile (3.4 people/km2). There were 3,296 housing units at an average density of 4.6 per square mile (1.8/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 97.97% White, 0.20% Black or African American, 0.37% Native American, 0.29% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 0.26% from other races, and 0.80% from two or more races. 1.14% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 2,790 households, out of which 24.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.29% were married couples living together, 6.23% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.17% were non-families. 33.08% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.12% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.20 and the average family size was 2.77.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 21.44% under the age of 18, 8.00% from 18 to 24, 19.83% from 25 to 44, 29.67% from 45 to 64, and 21.04% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 45.6 years. For every 100 females there were 102.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 102.2 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $44,247, and the median income for a family was $54,502. Males had a median income of $30,044 versus $20,094 for females. The per capita income for the county was $23,350. About 4.90% of families and 8.26% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.04% of those under age 18 and 12.33% of those age 65 or over.

Government[edit]

Presidential elections[edit]

Prior to 1940, Mitchell County was a swing county, backing the national winner in every presidential election from 1900 to 1936. Since 1940, it has become a Republican stronghold, with only George H. W. Bush in 1992 failing to win a majority in the county due to Ross Perot's strong showing in Kansas.

Presidential election results
United States presidential election results for Mitchell County, Kansas[9]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2020 2,504 80.75% 558 17.99% 39 1.26%
2016 2,308 78.45% 477 16.21% 157 5.34%
2012 2,327 78.48% 584 19.70% 54 1.82%
2008 2,440 76.18% 701 21.89% 62 1.94%
2004 2,609 77.90% 693 20.69% 47 1.40%
2000 2,350 71.95% 751 22.99% 165 5.05%
1996 2,435 68.71% 833 23.50% 276 7.79%
1992 1,601 43.86% 938 25.70% 1,111 30.44%
1988 2,257 65.19% 1,145 33.07% 60 1.73%
1984 3,036 75.98% 919 23.00% 41 1.03%
1980 2,821 71.36% 876 22.16% 256 6.48%
1976 2,095 53.99% 1,700 43.81% 85 2.19%
1972 2,830 71.59% 1,030 26.06% 93 2.35%
1968 2,428 62.89% 1,144 29.63% 289 7.49%
1964 1,951 50.28% 1,898 48.92% 31 0.80%
1960 2,779 61.80% 1,692 37.63% 26 0.58%
1956 3,198 72.16% 1,214 27.39% 20 0.45%
1952 4,167 80.98% 961 18.67% 18 0.35%
1948 2,998 62.16% 1,750 36.28% 75 1.56%
1944 3,238 66.67% 1,579 32.51% 40 0.82%
1940 3,681 63.55% 2,060 35.57% 51 0.88%
1936 2,781 45.51% 3,289 53.82% 41 0.67%
1932 2,502 42.70% 3,176 54.21% 181 3.09%
1928 3,245 62.84% 1,855 35.92% 64 1.24%
1924 3,161 59.79% 1,470 27.80% 656 12.41%
1920 3,310 68.32% 1,409 29.08% 126 2.60%
1916 2,413 41.42% 3,197 54.88% 215 3.69%
1912 737 22.06% 1,441 43.13% 1,163 34.81%
1908 1,765 50.50% 1,570 44.92% 160 4.58%
1904 2,037 63.88% 867 27.19% 285 8.94%
1900 1,764 49.65% 1,702 47.90% 87 2.45%
1896 1,428 42.67% 1,889 56.44% 30 0.90%
1892 1,467 43.51% 0 0.00% 1,905 56.49%
1888 1,676 55.90% 880 29.35% 442 14.74%

Laws[edit]

Following amendment to the Kansas Constitution in 1986, the county remained a prohibition, or "dry", county until 1996, when voters approved the sale of alcoholic liquor by the individual drink with a 30% food sales requirement.[10]

Education[edit]

Colleges[edit]

Unified school districts[edit]

Private schools[edit]

Communities[edit]

2005 KDOT Map of Mitchell 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[edit]

Unincorporated communities[edit]

Ghost towns[edit]

Townships[edit]

Mitchell County is divided into twenty townships. The city of Beloit 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.
Township FIPS Population
center
Population Population
density
/km2 (/sq mi)
Land area
km2 (sq mi)
Water area
km2 (sq mi)
Water % Geographic coordinates
Asherville 02625 122 1 (3) 93 (36) 0 (0) 0.08% 39°25′48″N 97°59′28″W / 39.43000°N 97.99111°W / 39.43000; -97.99111
Beloit 05800 Beloit 4,003 48 (125) 83 (32) 0 (0) 0.02% 39°26′40″N 98°5′33″W / 39.44444°N 98.09250°W / 39.44444; -98.09250
Bloomfield 07425 83 1 (2) 94 (36) 0 (0) 0.24% 39°20′33″N 98°6′24″W / 39.34250°N 98.10667°W / 39.34250; -98.10667
Blue Hill 07575 36 0 (1) 93 (36) 0 (0) 0.36% 39°15′17″N 98°18′43″W / 39.25472°N 98.31194°W / 39.25472; -98.31194
Carr Creek 10850 31 0 (1) 84 (33) 9 (3) 9.51% 39°26′23″N 98°26′40″W / 39.43972°N 98.44444°W / 39.43972; -98.44444
Cawker 11150 Cawker City 578 8 (20) 75 (29) 17 (7) 18.68% 39°30′55″N 98°26′2″W / 39.51528°N 98.43389°W / 39.51528; -98.43389
Center 11875 49 1 (1) 93 (36) 0 (0) 0.03% 39°21′26″N 98°12′2″W / 39.35722°N 98.20056°W / 39.35722; -98.20056
Custer 16875 Hunter 132 1 (4) 94 (36) 0 (0) 0.13% 39°14′56″N 98°24′53″W / 39.24889°N 98.41472°W / 39.24889; -98.41472
Eureka 21875 41 0 (1) 93 (36) 0 (0) 0.38% 39°15′20″N 97°59′46″W / 39.25556°N 97.99611°W / 39.25556; -97.99611
Glen Elder 26525 Glen Elder 553 7 (18) 78 (30) 15 (6) 16.01% 39°30′32″N 98°18′49″W / 39.50889°N 98.31361°W / 39.50889; -98.31361
Hayes 30975 21 0 (1) 93 (36) 0 (0) 0.03% 39°20′4″N 98°19′8″W / 39.33444°N 98.31889°W / 39.33444; -98.31889
Logan 42025 Simpson 168 2 (5) 93 (36) 0 (0) 0.12% 39°21′59″N 97°56′21″W / 39.36639°N 97.93917°W / 39.36639; -97.93917
Lulu 43225 Scottsville 90 1 (3) 92 (35) 0 (0) 0% 39°31′53″N 97°58′34″W / 39.53139°N 97.97611°W / 39.53139; -97.97611
Pittsburg 56050 Tipton 346 4 (10) 93 (36) 0 (0) 0.03% 39°20′31″N 98°28′3″W / 39.34194°N 98.46750°W / 39.34194; -98.46750
Plum Creek 56825 119 1 (3) 92 (36) 0 (0) 0.02% 39°30′53″N 98°5′21″W / 39.51472°N 98.08917°W / 39.51472; -98.08917
Round Springs 61500 27 0 (1) 93 (36) 0 (0) 0.14% 39°15′51″N 98°11′28″W / 39.26417°N 98.19111°W / 39.26417; -98.19111
Salt Creek 62825 39 0 (1) 93 (36) 0 (0) 0.37% 39°15′12″N 98°6′11″W / 39.25333°N 98.10306°W / 39.25333; -98.10306
Solomon Rapids 66450 80 1 (2) 91 (35) 0 (0) 0.14% 39°31′19″N 98°12′58″W / 39.52194°N 98.21611°W / 39.52194; -98.21611
Turkey Creek 71725 134 1 (4) 92 (36) 0 (0) 0.23% 39°26′40″N 98°12′1″W / 39.44444°N 98.20028°W / 39.44444; -98.20028
Walnut Creek 75150 42 0 (1) 88 (34) 5 (2) 5.78% 39°26′49″N 98°19′1″W / 39.44694°N 98.31694°W / 39.44694; -98.31694

See also[edit]

Community information for Kansas

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c "QuickFacts; Mitchell County, Kansas; Population, Census, 2020 & 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on August 18, 2021. Retrieved August 17, 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 27, 2014.
  5. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved July 27, 2014.
  6. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 27, 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 27, 2014.
  8. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  9. ^ David Leip. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". Uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved September 13, 2019.
  10. ^ "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 26, 2007.

Further reading[edit]

External links[edit]

County
Maps