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Sheridan County, Kansas

Coordinates: 39°21′N 100°26′W / 39.350°N 100.433°W / 39.350; -100.433
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Sheridan County
County
Buffalo Hunters' Home in Sheridan (1873)
Buffalo Hunters' Home in Sheridan (1873)
Map of Kansas highlighting Sheridan 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°21′N 100°26′W / 39.35°N 100.43°W / 39.35; -100.43
Country United States
State Kansas
Founded1873
Named forPhilip Sheridan
SeatHoxie
Largest cityHoxie
Area
 • Total
896 sq mi (2,320 km2)
 • Land896 sq mi (2,320 km2)
 • Water0.3 sq mi (0.8 km2)  0.03%
Population
 (2020)[1]
 • Total
2,447
 • Density2.7/sq mi (1.0/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district1st
WebsiteCounty Website

Sheridan County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kansas. Its county seat is Hoxie.[2] As of the 2020 census, the county population was 2,447.[1] The county was named in honor of Phillip Sheridan, a general during the American Civil War.

History

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Windmill, Sheridan County, Kansas, 1939. Farm Security Administration photo by Russell Lee.

Early history

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See also: History of Kansas

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

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In 1802, Spain returned most of the land to France while 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 miles 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 1873, the remaining unorganized western part of the state was divided into 22 new counties, including Sheridan County.[3] Sheridan County was then organized in 1880, with the county seat at Kenneth.[4] After it became apparent in 1886, that the railroad line coming to the area would run south of Kenneth to the new town of Hoxie, the residents of Kenneth accepted an offer to get new lots in Hoxie (and move their buildings at no expense), and the county seat transferred to Hoxie. The Lincoln-Colorado railroad line opened through the county in 1888, and formally became part of the Union Pacific Railroad in the late 1890s.

20th century

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The population of Sheridan County grew in the early 20th century and peaked in 1930 at 6,038 residents. Since then the population has steadily declined, as part of the general depopulation of the Great Plains.

The rail line stayed in operation in Sheridan County until 1998. After flooding east of Plainville in the 1993 floods damaged the line, the railroad concluded it would not be cost effective to rebuild, and the entire line from Plainville to Colby was abandoned by 1998.[5][6]

Geography

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According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 896 square miles (2,320 km2), of which 896 square miles (2,320 km2) is land and 0.3 square miles (0.78 km2) (0.03%) is water.[7]

Adjacent counties

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Demographics

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Population pyramid based on 2000 census age data
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18801,567—
18903,733138.2%
19003,8192.3%
19105,65148.0%
19205,484−3.0%
19306,03810.1%
19405,312−12.0%
19504,607−13.3%
19604,267−7.4%
19703,859−9.6%
19803,544−8.2%
19903,043−14.1%
20002,813−7.6%
20102,556−9.1%
20202,447−4.3%
2023 (est.)2,423[8]−1.0%
U.S. Decennial Census[9]
1790-1960[10] 1900-1990[11]
1990-2000[12] 2010-2020[1]

As of the census[13] of 2000, there were 2,813 people, 1,124 households, and 795 families residing in the county. The population density was 3 people per square mile (1.2 people/km2). There were 1,263 housing units at an average density of 1 per square mile (0.39/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 98.65% White, 0.14% Black or African American, 0.07% Native American, 0.07% Asian, 0.14% Pacific Islander, 0.36% from other races, and 0.57% from two or more races. 1.46% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 1,124 households, out of which 30.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.80% were married couples living together, 4.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.20% were non-families. 27.60% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.80% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 3.01.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 26.30% under the age of 18, 5.80% from 18 to 24, 23.70% from 25 to 44, 23.90% from 45 to 64, and 20.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 100.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.80 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $33,547, and the median income for a family was $38,292. Males had a median income of $26,351 versus $16,250 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,299. About 12.00% of families and 15.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 27.30% of those under age 18 and 5.50% of those age 65 or over.

Government

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Presidential elections

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Presidential election results
United States presidential election results for Sheridan County, Kansas[14]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2020 1,282 88.72% 147 10.17% 16 1.11%
2016 1,197 87.12% 127 9.24% 50 3.64%
2012 1,154 85.99% 168 12.52% 20 1.49%
2008 1,108 80.52% 254 18.46% 14 1.02%
2004 1,144 81.37% 239 17.00% 23 1.64%
2000 1,132 76.02% 281 18.87% 76 5.10%
1996 1,053 74.15% 264 18.59% 103 7.25%
1992 739 45.17% 347 21.21% 550 33.62%
1988 901 57.90% 600 38.56% 55 3.53%
1984 1,274 73.86% 419 24.29% 32 1.86%
1980 1,202 71.00% 391 23.10% 100 5.91%
1976 838 49.15% 793 46.51% 74 4.34%
1972 1,134 64.40% 552 31.35% 75 4.26%
1968 1,002 58.36% 563 32.79% 152 8.85%
1964 808 43.75% 1,028 55.66% 11 0.60%
1960 1,047 51.93% 954 47.32% 15 0.74%
1956 1,324 67.41% 633 32.23% 7 0.36%
1952 1,581 73.88% 555 25.93% 4 0.19%
1948 1,097 52.69% 966 46.40% 19 0.91%
1944 1,342 66.87% 658 32.79% 7 0.35%
1940 1,492 62.06% 903 37.56% 9 0.37%
1936 1,007 40.26% 1,442 57.66% 52 2.08%
1932 878 32.43% 1,773 65.50% 56 2.07%
1928 1,450 60.52% 930 38.81% 16 0.67%
1924 1,320 59.11% 542 24.27% 371 16.61%
1920 1,194 69.54% 477 27.78% 46 2.68%
1916 760 37.49% 1,189 58.66% 78 3.85%
1912 195 18.19% 509 47.48% 368 34.33%
1908 639 48.89% 631 48.28% 37 2.83%
1904 607 57.92% 293 27.96% 148 14.12%
1900 445 46.31% 499 51.93% 17 1.77%
1896 282 40.46% 384 55.09% 31 4.45%
1892 325 41.09% 0 0.00% 466 58.91%
1888 623 61.99% 337 33.53% 45 4.48%

Sheridan County is overwhelmingly Republican. Since Michael Dukakis in the heavily drought-influenced 1988 election won almost 39 percent of the county's vote, no Democratic presidential candidate has topped 22 percent, and in 2016 Hillary Clinton’s share plummeted into single figures.

Laws

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

Education

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Unified school districts

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Communities

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2005 map of Sheridan County[16] (map legend)

List of townships / incorporated cities / unincorporated communities / extinct former communities within Sheridan County.[16]

Cities

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Unincorporated communities

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Ghost towns

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Townships

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Sheridan County is divided into fourteen 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.

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
Adell 00300 13 0 (0) 140 (54) 0 (0) 0.01% 39°30′58″N 100°14′13″W / 39.51611°N 100.23694°W / 39.51611; -100.23694
Bloomfield 07450 45 0 (1) 93 (36) 0 (0) 0% 39°26′8″N 100°39′52″W / 39.43556°N 100.66444°W / 39.43556; -100.66444
Bowcreek 08125 54 0 (1) 186 (72) 0 (0) 0% 39°25′48″N 100°17′2″W / 39.43000°N 100.28389°W / 39.43000; -100.28389
East Saline 19675 66 0 (1) 186 (72) 0 (0) 0.03% 39°11′50″N 100°12′38″W / 39.19722°N 100.21056°W / 39.19722; -100.21056
Kenneth 36525 Hoxie 1,430 15 (40) 93 (36) 0 (0) 0% 39°21′16″N 100°26′24″W / 39.35444°N 100.44000°W / 39.35444; -100.44000
Logan 42225 115 1 (2) 187 (72) 0 (0) 0.04% 39°21′26″N 100°37′4″W / 39.35722°N 100.61778°W / 39.35722; -100.61778
Parnell 54650 104 1 (1) 185 (71) 0 (0) 0.03% 39°25′33″N 100°30′57″W / 39.42583°N 100.51583°W / 39.42583; -100.51583
Prairie Dog 57500 71 1 (2) 93 (36) 0 (0) 0.03% 39°31′27″N 100°40′15″W / 39.52417°N 100.67083°W / 39.52417; -100.67083
Sheridan 64750 269 2 (5) 138 (53) 0 (0) 0.05% 39°31′40″N 100°32′38″W / 39.52778°N 100.54389°W / 39.52778; -100.54389
Solomon 66400 248 1 (2) 279 (108) 0 (0) 0.04% 39°13′54″N 100°38′0″W / 39.23167°N 100.63333°W / 39.23167; -100.63333
Springbrook 67350 108 0 (1) 279 (108) 0 (0) 0.01% 39°13′38″N 100°28′15″W / 39.22722°N 100.47083°W / 39.22722; -100.47083
Union 72400 60 1 (2) 92 (36) 0 (0) 0% 39°31′52″N 100°22′35″W / 39.53111°N 100.37639°W / 39.53111; -100.37639
Valley 73150 139 1 (2) 186 (72) 0 (0) 0.09% 39°21′0″N 100°16′5″W / 39.35000°N 100.26806°W / 39.35000; -100.26806
West Saline 77375 91 0 (1) 186 (72) 0 (0) 0.02% 39°12′44″N 100°20′28″W / 39.21222°N 100.34111°W / 39.21222; -100.34111

See also

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Community information for Kansas

References

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  1. ^ a b c "QuickFacts; Sheridan County, Kansas; Population, Census, 2020 & 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on August 20, 2021. Retrieved August 20, 2021.
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ Transactions of the Kansas State Historical Society, 1903-1904 (1904)
  4. ^ Cutler, William G. History of the State of Kansas (1883)
  5. ^ Surfact Transportation Board Decision, Docket No. AB-33, March 21, 1997, STB.gov, Retrieved October 23, 2017
  6. ^ The Plainville Branch, Abandonedrails.com, Retrieved October 23, 2017
  7. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  8. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 3, 2024.
  9. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 29, 2014.
  10. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved July 29, 2014.
  11. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 29, 2014.
  12. ^ "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.
  13. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  14. ^ "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections".
  15. ^ "Map of Wet and Dry Counties". Alcoholic Beverage Control, Kansas Department of Revenue. November 2004. Archived from the original on October 8, 2007. Retrieved January 21, 2007.
  16. ^ a b "General Highway Map of Sheridan County, Kansas" (PDF). Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT). November 2009. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 5, 2023.

Further reading

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See also: List of books about Kansas, including historical information about its counties and cities
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Sheridan County, Kansas.
County
Other
Maps

39°21′N 100°26′W / 39.350°N 100.433°W / 39.350; -100.433

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