Rush County, Kansas

Rush County (standard abbreviation: RH) is a county located in the U.S. state of Kansas. As of the 2010 census, the county population was 3,307.[1] The largest city and county seat is La Crosse.[2]

Rush County
County
Rush County courthouse in La Crosse (2016)
Location within the U.S. state of Kansas
Kansas's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 38°31′00″N 99°18′00″W
Country United States
State Kansas
FoundedFebruary 26, 1867
Named forAlexander Rush
SeatLa Crosse
Largest cityLa Crosse
Area
 • Total718 sq mi (1,860 km2)
 • Land718 sq mi (1,860 km2)
 • Water0.2 sq mi (0.5 km2)  0.03%
Population
 (2010)
 • Total3,307
 • Estimate 
(2018)
3,093
 • Density4.6/sq mi (1.8/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district1st
Websiterushcountykansas.org

History

Early history
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

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, Rush County was established. Rush County was organized on December 5, 1874.[3] There was a county seat struggle between La Crosse and Rush Center lasting 10 years until La Crosse finally became the county seat.

20th century

The first county fair was held in 1910 south of Rush Center.

21st century

In 2015, the "Alexander Wind Farm" was constructed south of Alexander. It cost about $85 million and generates 48 megawatts of power.[4][5]

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 718 square miles (1,860 km2), of which 718 square miles (1,860 km2) is land and 0.2 square miles (0.52 km2) (0.03%) is water.[6]

It is intersected by Walnut Creek, a tributary of the Arkansas River, and watered by other streams.[7]

Adjacent counties

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
18805,490—
18905,204−5.2%
19006,13417.9%
19107,82627.6%
19208,3606.8%
19309,0938.8%
19408,285−8.9%
19507,231−12.7%
19606,160−14.8%
19705,117−16.9%
19804,516−11.7%
19903,842−14.9%
20003,551−7.6%
20103,307−6.9%
Est. 20183,093[8]−6.5%
U.S. Decennial Census[9]
1790-1960[10] 1900-1990[11]
1990-2000[12] 2010-2016[1]
Age pyramid

As of the census[13] of 2000, there were 3,551 people, 1,548 households, and 1,013 families residing in the county. The population density was 5 people per square mile (2/km²). There were 1,928 housing units at an average density of 3 per square mile (1/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 98.45% White, 0.31% Black or African American, 0.42% Native American, 0.11% Asian, 0.17% from other races, and 0.54% from two or more races. 1.04% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 1,548 households out of which 26.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.10% were married couples living together, 5.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.50% were non-families. 31.70% of all households were made up of individuals and 18.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.24 and the average family size was 2.80.

In the county, the population was spread out with 22.10% under the age of 18, 5.50% from 18 to 24, 22.90% from 25 to 44, 24.20% from 45 to 64, and 25.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 45 years. For every 100 females there were 94.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.60 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $31,268, and the median income for a family was $38,821. Males had a median income of $25,408 versus $20,307 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,033. About 6.70% of families and 9.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.50% of those under age 18 and 9.90% of those age 65 or over.

Government

Presidential elections
Presidential Elections Results
Presidential Elections Results[14]
Year Republican Democratic Third Parties
2016 79.6% 1,197 15.5% 233 4.9% 73
2012 74.3% 1,166 23.4% 367 2.4% 37
2008 68.8% 1,225 28.3% 504 2.9% 52
2004 68.5% 1,226 28.9% 517 2.6% 46
2000 66.6% 1,235 27.2% 505 6.2% 114
1996 62.3% 1,239 27.5% 547 10.2% 203
1992 35.7% 756 32.6% 689 31.7% 670
1988 48.5% 1,045 47.4% 1,020 4.1% 88
1984 69.5% 1,758 28.4% 718 2.1% 54
1980 71.5% 1,840 21.7% 557 6.8% 175
1976 45.3% 1,170 52.7% 1,359 2.0% 52
1972 65.3% 1,639 32.1% 806 2.7% 67
1968 57.5% 1,471 33.8% 864 8.8% 225
1964 37.9% 1,098 61.3% 1,778 0.9% 25
1960 53.9% 1,668 45.8% 1,418 0.4% 11
1956 64.9% 2,007 34.9% 1,080 0.2% 7
1952 75.5% 2,650 24.0% 843 0.5% 17
1948 56.4% 1,840 41.7% 1,360 1.9% 62
1944 66.8% 2,193 32.8% 1,076 0.4% 14
1940 59.8% 2,394 39.7% 1,588 0.5% 19
1936 41.1% 1,733 58.8% 2,482 0.1% 4
1932 38.0% 1,433 60.3% 2,275 1.8% 66
1928 60.0% 1,985 39.2% 1,296 0.8% 26
1924 57.3% 1,780 25.3% 787 17.4% 542
1920 73.4% 2,017 22.0% 605 4.6% 125
1916 41.7% 1,223 50.3% 1,478 8.0% 235
1912 11.5% 210 47.5% 870 41.0% 751
1908 45.0% 764 52.7% 894 2.3% 39
1904 58.2% 883 37.6% 570 4.2% 64
1900 48.5% 681 51.0% 717 0.5% 7
1896 44.1% 515 55.1% 643 0.9% 10
1892 47.5% 570 52.5% 630
1888 58.7% 681 36.6% 424 4.7% 55

Rush County is presently overwhelmingly Republican, although as recently as 1988 Michael Dukakis, aided by a major Great Plains drought, came within twenty-five votes of carrying the county for the Democrats.

Laws

Rush 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 percent food sales requirement.[15]

Education

Unified school districts

Communities
2005 KDOT Map of Rush County (map legend)

Cities

Unincorporated community

Townships

Rush County is divided into twelve 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.
TownshipFIPSPopulation
center		 PopulationPopulation
density
/km² (/sq mi)		 Land area
km² (sq mi)		Water area
km² (sq mi)		Water % Geographic coordinates
Alexander-Belle Prairie010871391 (2)220 (85)0 (0)0.02%38°27′23″N 99°31′49″W
Banner040751911 (4)139 (54)0 (0)0.01%38°25′53″N 99°11′28″W
Big Timber067751641 (3)122 (47)0 (0)0.03%38°39′1″N 99°18′54″W
Center121252562 (5)139 (54)0 (0)0%38°26′6″N 99°18′13″W
Garfield258001321 (2)139 (54)0 (0)0.01%38°25′15″N 99°4′45″W
Hampton-Fairview298123041 (3)276 (107)0 (0)0.11%38°37′32″N 99°30′12″W
Illinois33750470 (1)125 (48)0 (0)0.01%38°38′48″N 99°11′28″W
La Crosse-Brookdale375251,4757 (17)218 (84)0 (0)0.01%38°32′2″N 99°20′15″W
Lone Star425003193 (8)110 (42)0 (0)0%38°31′21″N 99°11′46″W
Pioneer559504264 (10)108 (42)0 (0)0.01%38°32′13″N 99°4′4″W
Pleasantdale56325330 (1)124 (48)0 (0)0.07%38°38′20″N 99°5′17″W
Union72350650 (1)141 (54)0 (0)0.01%38°26′4″N 99°25′47″W

Former townships
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See also

References
  1. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 28, 2014.
  2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
  3. Rush County, Kansas, Kansapedia
  4. NJR Clean Energy acquires Kansas wind farm; October 24, 2014.
  5. Siemens touts order for 21 wind turbines for Kansas project; KAKE tv; January 23, 2015. Archived January 24, 2015, at Archive.today
  6. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
  7.  Ripley, George; Dana, Charles A., eds. (1879). "Rush. II. A W. central county of Kansas" . The American Cyclopædia.
  8. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved December 18, 2019.
  9. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 28, 2014.
  10. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved July 28, 2014.
  11. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 28, 2014.
  12. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 28, 2014.
  13. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  14. http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS
  15. "Map of Wet and Dry Counties". Alcoholic Beverage Control, Kansas Department of Revenue. November 2006. Archived from the original on 2007-10-08. Retrieved 2007-12-28.

Further reading
See also: List of books about State of Kansas (which includes historical information about its counties and cities too)
County
Historical
Maps

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