Rice County, Kansas

Rice County (standard abbreviation: RC) is a county located in the U.S. state of Kansas. As of the 2010 census, the county population was 10,083.[1] The largest city and county seat is Lyons.[2] The county was named in memory of Samuel Allen Rice, Brigadier-General, United States volunteers, killed April 30, 1864, at Jenkins Ferry, Arkansas.[3]

Rice County
County
Grain elevator in Bushton (2004)
Location within the U.S. state of Kansas
Kansas's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 38°21′N 98°12′W
Country United States
State Kansas
FoundedFebruary 26, 1867
Named forSamuel Allen Rice
SeatLyons
Largest cityLyons
Area
 • Total728 sq mi (1,890 km2)
 • Land726 sq mi (1,880 km2)
 • Water1.7 sq mi (4 km2)  0.2%%
Population
 • Estimate 
(2018)
9,531
 • Density14/sq mi (5/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district1st
Websitericecounty.us

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, Rice County was established.

The Santa Fe Trail followed the route of present-day U.S. Route 56. Ruts in the earth from the trail are still visible in several locations. (Ralph's Ruts are visible in aerial photos at 38.35959264°N 98.42225502°W / 38.35959264; -98.42225502.)[4]

In 1878, Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway and parties from Marion County and McPherson County chartered the Marion and McPherson Railway Company.[5] In 1879, a branch line was built from Florence to McPherson, in 1880 it was extended to Lyons, in 1881 it was extended to Ellinwood.[6] The line was leased and operated by the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway. The line from Florence to Marion, was abandoned in 1968.[7] In 1992, the line from Marion to McPherson was sold to Central Kansas Railway. In 1993, after heavy flood damage, the line from Marion to McPherson was abandoned. The original branch line connected Florence, Marion, Canada, Hillsboro, Lehigh, Canton, Galva, McPherson, Conway, Windom, Little River, Mitchell, Lyons, Chase, Ellinwood.

  • Samuel Allen Rice in 1864
  • 1845 Santa Fe Trail crossing Rice County
  • 1915-1918 Railroad Map of Rice County

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 728 square miles (1,890 km2), of which 726 square miles (1,880 km2) is land and 1.7 square miles (4.4 km2) (0.2%) is water.[8]

Adjacent counties

National protected area

Demographics
Age pyramid
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
18705—
18809,292185,740.0%
189014,45155.5%
190014,7452.0%
191015,1062.4%
192014,832−1.8%
193013,800−7.0%
194017,21324.7%
195015,635−9.2%
196013,909−11.0%
197012,320−11.4%
198011,900−3.4%
199010,610−10.8%
200010,7611.4%
201010,083−6.3%
Est. 20189,531[9]−5.5%
U.S. Decennial Census[10]
1790-1960[11] 1900-1990[12]
1990-2000[13] 2010-2016[1]

As of the census[14] of 2000, there were 10,761 people, 4,050 households, and 2,830 families residing in the county. The population density was 15 people per square mile (6/km²). There were 4,609 housing units at an average density of 6 per square mile (2/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 94.68% White, 1.15% Black or African American, 0.57% Native American, 0.33% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 1.84% from other races, and 1.39% from two or more races. 5.61% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 4,050 households out of which 31.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.10% were married couples living together, 7.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.10% were non-families. 27.80% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 2.97.

In the county, the population was spread out with 24.70% under the age of 18, 13.30% from 18 to 24, 22.80% from 25 to 44, 21.30% from 45 to 64, and 18.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 92.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.20 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $35,671, and the median income for a family was $40,960. Males had a median income of $31,175 versus $18,968 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,064. About 8.50% of families and 10.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.60% of those under age 18 and 8.20% of those age 65 or over.

Government

Presidential elections
Presidential Elections Results
Presidential Elections Results[15]
Year Republican Democratic Third Parties
2016 74.6% 2,837 18.3% 695 7.2% 272
2012 72.7% 2,676 24.8% 911 2.6% 94
2008 69.1% 2,780 28.9% 1,163 1.9% 78
2004 72.7% 3,182 25.8% 1,130 1.5% 64
2000 64.2% 2,903 31.5% 1,422 4.3% 195
1996 59.3% 2,842 29.9% 1,434 10.7% 513
1992 40.9% 2,158 29.5% 1,555 29.6% 1,558
1988 53.9% 2,503 43.8% 2,033 2.4% 109
1984 68.7% 3,598 29.8% 1,559 1.6% 82
1980 57.7% 3,211 33.2% 1,847 9.2% 510
1976 44.8% 2,584 53.0% 3,056 2.2% 125
1972 66.2% 3,843 31.5% 1,825 2.3% 135
1968 56.2% 3,141 36.7% 2,049 7.1% 396
1964 39.2% 2,390 60.1% 3,665 0.7% 43
1960 64.8% 4,329 34.9% 2,328 0.3% 23
1956 70.5% 4,638 29.3% 1,926 0.3% 17
1952 74.5% 5,572 24.5% 1,832 1.0% 74
1948 58.2% 4,002 40.0% 2,752 1.9% 128
1944 61.1% 4,024 38.1% 2,505 0.8% 55
1940 56.5% 4,792 42.9% 3,635 0.7% 56
1936 40.2% 3,318 59.5% 4,905 0.3% 22
1932 49.3% 3,107 48.2% 3,037 2.5% 154
1928 74.1% 4,321 25.1% 1,462 0.9% 52
1924 68.5% 3,920 22.8% 1,303 8.7% 497
1920 69.0% 3,651 28.9% 1,532 2.1% 112
1916 42.6% 2,494 47.9% 2,801 9.5% 557
1912 20.6% 697 38.8% 1,314 40.7% 1,378[lower-alpha 1]
1908 51.4% 1,832 39.4% 1,407 9.2% 329
1904 64.2% 1,994 23.4% 727 12.5% 387
1900 54.4% 2,013 41.3% 1,527 4.3% 159
1896 48.8% 1,729 48.8% 1,731 2.5% 87
1892 46.8% 1,724 53.2% 1,961[lower-alpha 2]
1888 57.8% 1,851 29.2% 934 13.1% 418

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, Rice County has remained a prohibition, or "dry", county.[16]

Education

Unified school districts
District Office In Neighboring County

Colleges and Universities

Communities
2005 KDOT Map of Rice County (map legend)

Cities

Unincorporated communities

Townships

Rice County is divided into twenty townships. The cities of Lyons and Sterling are considered governmentally independent and are 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.
TownshipFIPSPopulation
center		 PopulationPopulation
density
/km² (/sq mi)		 Land area
km² (sq mi)		Water area
km² (sq mi)		Water % Geographic coordinates
Atlanta030752333 (7)90 (35)0 (0)0.25%38°18′22″N 98°11′58″W
Bell05375180 (0)94 (36)1 (0)0.65%38°13′10″N 98°24′2″W
Center120751361 (4)95 (37)0 (0)0.04%38°17′50″N 98°18′12″W
East Washington197251792 (5)93 (36)0 (0)0.03%38°13′18″N 97°58′34″W
Eureka21900651 (2)95 (37)0 (0)0%38°29′52″N 98°19′21″W
Farmer231004415 (12)94 (36)0 (0)0%38°30′0″N 98°24′55″W
Galt25175511 (1)94 (36)0 (0)0.22%38°28′8″N 98°5′59″W
Harrison304251922 (5)92 (35)0 (0)0.06%38°23′3″N 98°11′49″W
Lincoln411005776 (16)95 (37)0 (0)0%38°22′10″N 98°19′19″W
Mitchell475251311 (4)94 (36)0 (0)0.18%38°23′24″N 98°5′42″W
Odessa52150551 (2)93 (36)0 (0)0.10%38°28′17″N 97°59′21″W
Pioneer559251011 (3)94 (36)0 (0)0.03%38°23′34″N 98°25′39″W
Raymond585751852 (5)92 (36)1 (0)0.71%38°17′38″N 98°24′56″W
Rockville607251341 (4)93 (36)0 (0)0.04%38°18′17″N 97°57′36″W
Sterling682252232 (5)114 (44)1 (0)1.01%38°12′19″N 98°11′44″W
Union723257418 (21)93 (36)0 (0)0%38°23′34″N 97°59′32″W
Valley731002764 (9)77 (30)1 (0)1.11%38°13′27″N 98°18′44″W
Victoria738253644 (10)94 (36)0 (0)0.06%38°29′57″N 98°10′24″W
West Washington774251381 (4)93 (36)0 (0)0.12%38°13′9″N 98°4′58″W
Wilson797751472 (4)94 (36)0 (0)0.02%38°18′2″N 98°6′2″W

See also

References
  1. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 28, 2014.
  2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
  3. "Rice County". Kansas State Library. Archived from the original on 2007-08-10. Retrieved 2007-08-13.
  4. "Aerial Photos Topo Maps of Santa Fe Trail Ruts and Sites". Retrieved 2007-12-28.
  5. Marion County Kansas : Past and Present; Sondra Van Meter; MB Publishing House; LCCN 72-92041; 344 pages; 1972.
  6. Fourth Annual Report of the Board of Railroad Commissioners for the Year Ending December 1, 1886 in State of Kansas; Kansas Publishing House; 1886.
  7. Railway Abandonment 1968
  8. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
  9. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved December 23, 2019.
  10. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 28, 2014.
  11. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved July 28, 2014.
  12. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 28, 2014.
  13. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 28, 2014.
  14. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  15. http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS
  16. "Map of Wet and Dry Counties". Alcoholic Beverage Control, Kansas Department of Revenue. November 2004. Archived from the original on October 8, 2007. Retrieved 2007-01-21.
Notes
  1. This total comprises 1,186 votes (35.0%) for Progressive Theodore Roosevelt and 192 votes (5.7%) for Socialist Eugene V. Debs.
  2. This total comprises 1,821 votes (49.4%) were for Populist James B. Weaver (who was supported by the state’s Democrats) and 140 (3.8%) for Prohibition Party candidate John Bidwell.

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

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