Cowley County, Kansas
Encyclopedia
Cowley County is a county located in south-central Kansas
, in the Central
United States
. As of the 2010 census, the county population was 36,311. Its county seat
and most populous city is Winfield
. The Winfield Micropolitan Statistical Area includes all of Cowley County.
, who died at Little Rock, Arkansas
, on October 7, 1864. Officially opened for settlement July 15, 1870, there was a lengthy and bitter disagreement between the towns of Winfield
and Cresswell (the town now named Arkansas City
) over the possession of the county seat of government. Finally settled after two special elections and numerous petitions to the Governor and Legislature, Winfield was determined to be the county seat and a courthouse was constructed in 1873 at a cost of $11,500
(Phase II) was constructed north to south through Cowley County, with much controversy over tax exemption and environmental concerns (if a leak ever occurs). A pumping station named Rock was built.
, county until 1996, when voters approved the sale of alcoholic liquor by the individual drink without a food sales requirement.
As of the U.S. Census in 2000
, there were 36,291 people, 14,039 households, and 9,616 families residing in the county. The population density
was 32 people per square mile (12/km2). There were 15,673 housing units at an average density of 14 per square mile (5/km2). The racial makeup
of the county was 90.13% White
, 2.70% Black or African American
, 1.96% Native American
, 1.53% Asian
, 0.01% Pacific Islander
, 1.36% from other races, and 2.30% from two or more races
. Hispanic
or Latino
of any race were 3.59% of the population.
There were 14,039 household
s out of which 32.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.20% were married couples
living together, 9.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.50% were non-families. 27.90% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.20% 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 3.00.
In the county the population was spread out with 26.00% under the age of 18, 9.90% from 18 to 24, 26.00% from 25 to 44, 22.20% from 45 to 64, and 15.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 95.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.20 males.
The median income for a household
in the county was $34,406, and the median income for a family was $43,636. Males had a median income of $31,703 versus $21,341 for females. The per capita income
for the county was $17,509. About 9.20% of families and 12.90% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.00% of those under age 18 and 11.20% of those age 65 or over.
. The cities of Arkansas City
and Winfield
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.
Kansas
Historical
Maps
Kansas
Kansas is a US state located in the Midwestern United States. It is named after the Kansas River which flows through it, which in turn was named after the Kansa Native American tribe, which inhabited the area. The tribe's name is often said to mean "people of the wind" or "people of the south...
, in the Central
Central United States
The Central United States is sometimes conceived as between the Eastern United States and Western United States as part of a three-region model, roughly coincident with the Midwestern United States plus the western and central portions of the Southern United States; the term is also sometimes used...
United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. As of the 2010 census, the county population was 36,311. Its county seat
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
and most populous city is Winfield
Winfield, Kansas
Winfield is a city situated along the Walnut River in the west-central part of Cowley County, located in South Central Kansas, in the Central United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 12,301...
. The Winfield Micropolitan Statistical Area includes all of Cowley County.
19th century
First visited by the explorer DeSoto in 1537, Cowley County was officially organized as a county, but reserved for the Osage Indians, by the Kansas Legislature in March 1867, originally named Hunter County for Robert Mercer Taliaferro Hunter (1809–1887), a Virginia Representative and Senator to Congress and Speaker of the House in the twenty-sixth Congress. In 1870, the county was renamed for Matthew Cowley, First Lieutenant in Company I, 9th Kansas Cavalry9th Regiment Kansas Volunteer Cavalry
The 9th Kansas Volunteer Cavalry Regiment was a cavalry regiment that served in the Union Army during the American Civil War.-Service:The 9th Kansas Cavalry was organized at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas on March 27, 1862 by consolidation of several "independent battalions", squadrons, and detachments...
, who died at Little Rock, Arkansas
Little Rock, Arkansas
Little Rock is the capital and the largest city of the U.S. state of Arkansas. The Metropolitan Statistical Area had a population of 699,757 people in the 2010 census...
, on October 7, 1864. Officially opened for settlement July 15, 1870, there was a lengthy and bitter disagreement between the towns of Winfield
Winfield, Kansas
Winfield is a city situated along the Walnut River in the west-central part of Cowley County, located in South Central Kansas, in the Central United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 12,301...
and Cresswell (the town now named Arkansas City
Arkansas City, Kansas
Arkansas City is a city situated at the confluence of the Arkansas and Walnut rivers in the southwestern part of Cowley County, located in south-central Kansas, in the central United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 12,415....
) over the possession of the county seat of government. Finally settled after two special elections and numerous petitions to the Governor and Legislature, Winfield was determined to be the county seat and a courthouse was constructed in 1873 at a cost of $11,500
21st century
In 2010, the Keystone-Cushing PipelineKeystone Pipeline
The Keystone Pipeline System is a pipeline system to transport synthetic crude oil and diluted bitumen from the Athabasca Oil Sands in northeastern Alberta, Canada to multiple destinations in the United States, which include refineries in Illinois, Cushing oil distribution hub in Oklahoma, and...
(Phase II) was constructed north to south through Cowley County, with much controversy over tax exemption and environmental concerns (if a leak ever occurs). A pumping station named Rock was built.
Law and government
Following amendment to the Kansas Constitution in 1986, the county remained a prohibition, or "dry"Dry county
A dry county is a county in the United States whose government forbids the sale of alcoholic beverages. Some prohibit off-premises sale, some prohibit on-premises sale, and some prohibit both. Hundreds of dry counties exist across the United States, almost all of them in the South...
, county until 1996, when voters approved the sale of alcoholic liquor by the individual drink without a food sales requirement.
Geography
According to the 2000 census, the county has a total area of 1132.6 square miles (2,933.4 km²), of which 1126.24 square miles (2,916.9 km²) (or 99.44%) is land and 6.37 square miles (16.5 km²) (or 0.56%) is water.Adjacent counties
- Butler CountyButler County, KansasButler County is a county located in South Central Kansas, in the Central United States. As of the 2010 census, the county population was 65,880. Its county seat and most populous city is El Dorado. The county is a part of the Wichita Metropolitan Statistical Area.-19th century:It was named in...
(north) - Elk CountyElk County, KansasElk County is a county located in Southeast Kansas, in the Central United States. As of the 2010 census, the county population was 2,882...
(northeast) - Chautauqua CountyChautauqua County, KansasChautauqua County is a county located in Southeast Kansas, in the Central United States. As of the 2010 census, the county population was 3,669. Its county seat and most populous city is Sedan...
(east) - Osage CountyOsage County, OklahomaOsage County is a county in the northern part of the U.S. state of Oklahoma. Coterminous with the Osage Indian Reservation, it is the home of the federally recognized Osage Nation. As of the 2010 census, the population was 47,472 a 6.8 percent increase from 2000, when the population was 44,437...
, OklahomaOklahomaOklahoma is a state located in the South Central region of the United States of America. With an estimated 3,751,351 residents as of the 2010 census and a land area of 68,667 square miles , Oklahoma is the 28th most populous and 20th-largest state...
(south) - Kay CountyKay County, OklahomaKay County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. As of 2000, the population was 48,080. Its county seat is Newkirk. The largest city in Kay County is Ponca City.-19th century:...
, OklahomaOklahomaOklahoma is a state located in the South Central region of the United States of America. With an estimated 3,751,351 residents as of the 2010 census and a land area of 68,667 square miles , Oklahoma is the 28th most populous and 20th-largest state...
(southwest) - Sumner CountySumner County, KansasSumner County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kansas. The county's population was 24,132 for the 2010 census. Its county seat is Wellington. Sumner County is part of the Wichita, Kansas Metropolitan Statistical Area. It was named in honor of Charles Sumner, a U.S...
(west) - Sedgwick CountySedgwick County, KansasSedgwick County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kansas. The county's population was 498,365 for the 2010 census. The largest city and county seat is Wichita. The county was named after General John Sedgwick...
(northwest)
Demographics
United States Census, 2000
The Twenty-second United States Census, known as Census 2000 and conducted by the Census Bureau, determined the resident population of the United States on April 1, 2000, to be 281,421,906, an increase of 13.2% over the 248,709,873 persons enumerated during the 1990 Census...
, there were 36,291 people, 14,039 households, and 9,616 families residing in the county. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 32 people per square mile (12/km2). There were 15,673 housing units at an average density of 14 per square mile (5/km2). The racial makeup
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
of the county was 90.13% White
White American
White Americans are people of the United States who are considered or consider themselves White. The United States Census Bureau defines White people as those "having origins in any of the original peoples of Europe, the Middle East, or North Africa...
, 2.70% Black or African American
African American
African Americans are citizens or residents of the United States who have at least partial ancestry from any of the native populations of Sub-Saharan Africa and are the direct descendants of enslaved Africans within the boundaries of the present United States...
, 1.96% Native American
Native Americans in the United States
Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples in North America within the boundaries of the present-day continental United States, parts of Alaska, and the island state of Hawaii. They are composed of numerous, distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of which survive as...
, 1.53% Asian
Asian American
Asian Americans are Americans of Asian descent. The U.S. Census Bureau definition of Asians as "Asian” refers to a person having origins in any of the original peoples of the Far East, Southeast Asia, or the Indian subcontinent, including, for example, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Japan,...
, 0.01% Pacific Islander
Pacific Islander American
Pacific Islander Americans, also known as Oceanian Americans, are residents of the United States with original ancestry from Oceania. They represent the smallest racial group counted in the United States census of 2000. They numbered 874,000 people or 0.3 percent of the United States population...
, 1.36% from other races, and 2.30% from two or more races
Multiracial
The terms multiracial and mixed-race describe people whose ancestries come from multiple races. Unlike the term biracial, which often is only used to refer to having parents or grandparents of two different races, the term multiracial may encompass biracial people but can also include people with...
. Hispanic
Hispanic
Hispanic is a term that originally denoted a relationship to Hispania, which is to say the Iberian Peninsula: Andorra, Gibraltar, Portugal and Spain. During the Modern Era, Hispanic sometimes takes on a more limited meaning, particularly in the United States, where the term means a person of ...
or Latino
Latino
The demonyms Latino and Latina , are defined in English language dictionaries as:* "a person of Latin-American descent."* "A Latin American."* "A person of Hispanic, especially Latin-American, descent, often one living in the United States."...
of any race were 3.59% of the population.
There were 14,039 household
Household
The household is "the basic residential unit in which economic production, consumption, inheritance, child rearing, and shelter are organized and carried out"; [the household] "may or may not be synonymous with family"....
s out of which 32.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.20% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 9.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.50% were non-families. 27.90% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.20% 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 3.00.
In the county the population was spread out with 26.00% under the age of 18, 9.90% from 18 to 24, 26.00% from 25 to 44, 22.20% from 45 to 64, and 15.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 95.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.20 males.
The median income for a household
Median household income
The median household income is commonly used to generate data about geographic areas and divides households into two equal segments with the first half of households earning less than the median household income and the other half earning more...
in the county was $34,406, and the median income for a family was $43,636. Males had a median income of $31,703 versus $21,341 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the county was $17,509. About 9.20% of families and 12.90% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.00% of those under age 18 and 11.20% of those age 65 or over.
Incorporated cities
Name and population ( estimate):- WinfieldWinfield, KansasWinfield is a city situated along the Walnut River in the west-central part of Cowley County, located in South Central Kansas, in the Central United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 12,301...
, (county seatCounty seatA county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
) - Arkansas CityArkansas City, KansasArkansas City is a city situated at the confluence of the Arkansas and Walnut rivers in the southwestern part of Cowley County, located in south-central Kansas, in the central United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 12,415....
, - UdallUdall, KansasUdall is a city in Cowley County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 746.-History:Founded in 1881 by J.M. Napier and P.W. Smith. Udall was named after English author Cornelius Udall....
, - BurdenBurden, KansasBurden is a city in Cowley County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 535.-Geography:Burden is located at...
, - ParkerfieldParkerfield, KansasParkerfield is a city situated in the southwest part of Cowley County, located in south-central Kansas, in the Central United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 426.-History:...
, - DexterDexter, KansasDexter is a city in Cowley County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 278.-History:Early in the 20th century Dexter became the focus of research that would confirm the existence of an abundance of naturally occurring and readily available helium. In May 1903, a...
, - AtlantaAtlanta, KansasAtlanta is a city in Cowley County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 195.-Geography:Atlanta is located at . According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all of it land.-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 255...
, - Geuda SpringsGeuda Springs, KansasGeuda Springs is a city in Cowley and Sumner counties in the U.S. state of Kansas. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 185.-Geography:Geuda Springs is located at...
, , of which only a small portion lies in the county, the majority of the area and population being in Sumner CountySumner County, KansasSumner County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kansas. The county's population was 24,132 for the 2010 census. Its county seat is Wellington. Sumner County is part of the Wichita, Kansas Metropolitan Statistical Area. It was named in honor of Charles Sumner, a U.S... - CambridgeCambridge, KansasCambridge is a city in Cowley County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 82.-History:Cambridge is named after Cambridge University in England....
,
Unincorporated places
- Akron
- Albright
- Box
- Cameron City
- Dale (Seely)
- Eaton
- Eschs
- Floral
- Glengrouse
- Grand Summit
- HackneyHackney, KansasHackney is a small unincorporated community in Cowley County, Kansas, United States.-History:The post office was established March 31, 1894, and discontinued February 15, 1924. It is the home of Strother Field Industrial Park. The town was named after William P. Hackney, a colorful frontier lawyer...
- Hooser
- Kellogg
- Maple CityMaple City, KansasMaple City is a small unincorporated community in Cowley County, Kansas, United States. The post office was established December 16, 1872....
- Moxham
- New Salem
- Otto
- Pleasant Valley
- Rainbow Bend
- Redbud
- RockRock, KansasRock is an unincorporated community in Cowley County, Kansas, United States.-19th century:The post office was established August 12, 1870. The nearby Bucher Bridge is on the National Register of Historic Places....
- SilverdaleSilverdale, KansasSilverdale is a small unincorporated community in Cowley County, Kansas, United States.-History:The post office was established June 5, 1871, and temporarily closed October 19, 1883 before being reopened December 12, 1883. It was permanently closed on July 31, 1964.At one time the town had a hotel,...
- Taussig
- TisdaleTisdale, KansasTisdale is a small unincorporated community in Cowley County, Kansas, United States.- Geography :Tisdale is located north of combined US Route 160 and State Highway 15....
- Vinton
- Wilmot
Townships
Cowley County is divided into twenty-five townshipsCivil township
A civil township is a widely used unit of local government in the United States, subordinate to, and geographic divisions of, a county. Specific responsibilities and the degree of autonomy vary based on each state. Civil townships are distinct from survey townships, but in states that have both,...
. The cities of Arkansas City
Arkansas City, Kansas
Arkansas City is a city situated at the confluence of the Arkansas and Walnut rivers in the southwestern part of Cowley County, located in south-central Kansas, in the central United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 12,415....
and Winfield
Winfield, Kansas
Winfield is a city situated along the Walnut River in the west-central part of Cowley County, located in South Central Kansas, in the Central United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 12,301...
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.
| Township | FIPS | Population center |
Population | Population density /km² (/sq mi) |
Land area km² (sq mi) | Water area km² (sq mi) | Water % | Geographic coordinates |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beaver | 05025 | 244 | 3 (7) | 92 (36) | 2 (1) | 1.91% | 37°10′42"N 97°5′26"W | |
| Bolton | 07875 | 1,754 | 13 (33) | 136 (53) | 2 (1) | 1.59% | 37°3′1"N 97°4′0"W | |
| Cedar | 11250 | 44 | 0 (1) | 119 (46) | 1 (0) | 0.45% | 37°5′9"N 96°36′27"W | |
| Creswell | 16375 | 2,098 | 22 (56) | 97 (38) | 2 (1) | 2.07% | 37°4′42"N 97°1′3"W | |
| Dexter | 17950 | 506 | 3 (7) | 185 (71) | 0 (0) | 0.19% | 37°11′56"N 96°42′27"W | |
| Fairview | 22475 | 203 | 2 (6) | 93 (36) | 0 (0) | 0.29% | 37°21′22"N 96°58′50"W | |
| Grant | 27550 | 76 | 1 (2) | 116 (45) | 0 (0) | 0.09% | 37°3′49"N 96°41′3"W | |
| Harvey | 30525 | 117 | 1 (2) | 162 (63) | 0 (0) | 0.24% | 37°26′47"N 96°37′58"W | |
| Liberty | 39950 | 218 | 2 (5) | 124 (48) | 0 (0) | 0.02% | 37°9′3"N 96°50′31"W | |
| Maple | 44450 | 702 | 8 (20) | 91 (35) | 0 (0) | 0 % | 37°25′59"N 97°6′7"W | |
| Ninnescah | 50625 | 1,114 | 12 (31) | 93 (36) | 0 (0) | 0.09% | 37°21′59"N 97°6′21"W | |
| Omnia | 52850 | 357 | 4 (10) | 93 (36) | 0 (0) | 0.22% | 37°26′13"N 96°46′25"W | |
| Otter | 53625 | 54 | 0 (1) | 135 (52) | 1 (0) | 0.68% | 37°11′25"N 96°33′0"W | |
| Pleasant Valley | 56500 | 838 | 7 (18) | 117 (45) | 0 (0) | 0.05% | 37°9′45"N 97°0′0"W | |
| Richland | 59275 | 178 | 2 (4) | 108 (42) | 0 (0) | 0 % | 37°25′33"N 96°52′50"W | |
| Rock Creek | 60525 | 243 | 3 (7) | 92 (35) | 1 (0) | 0.55% | 37°26′5"N 96°59′25"W | |
| Salem | 62625 | 364 | 5 (14) | 66 (26) | 0 (0) | 0.27% | 37°20′9"N 96°53′20"W | |
| Sheridan | 64650 | 159 | 2 (4) | 93 (36) | 0 (0) | 0.01% | 37°15′44"N 96°45′51"W | |
| Silver Creek | 65500 | 770 | 8 (21) | 93 (36) | 0 (0) | 0.27% | 37°20′8"N 96°45′41"W | |
| Silverdale | 65575 | 327 | 2 (6) | 136 (53) | 0 (0) | 0.31% | 37°3′55"N 96°52′56"W | |
| Spring Creek | 67400 | 77 | 1 (2) | 115 (45) | 0 (0) | 0.26% | 37°4′31"N 96°47′10"W | |
| Tisdale | 70725 | 340 | 4 (11) | 78 (30) | 0 (0) | 0.13% | 37°16′6"N 96°52′25"W | |
| Vernon | 73575 | 502 | 5 (13) | 102 (39) | 1 (0) | 0.67% | 37°15′25"N 97°5′18"W | |
| Walnut | 74925 | 626 | 7 (18) | 89 (34) | 0 (0) | 0.18% | 37°15′17"N 96°57′27"W | |
| Windsor | 79875 | 211 | 1 (2) | 243 (94) | 0 (0) | 0.18% | 37°19′13"N 96°38′22"W | |
| Sources: | ||||||||
Unified school districts
Colleges
- Cowley CollegeCowley County Community CollegeCowley College is a two-year college located in Arkansas City, Kansas. It also operates satellite facilities in nearby Winfield, Wellington, Mulvane, and Wichita, and offers distance-learning classes at nine area high schools. Cowley College is accredited by the NCA's Higher Learning Commission.-...
- Southwestern CollegeSouthwestern College (Kansas)Southwestern College is a four-year private college affiliated with the United Methodist Church located in Winfield, Kansas, United States. It was founded in 1885 and graduated its first class in 1889. In addition to its campus programs, it offers online programs.-Academics:The main campus is a...
- St. John's CollegeSt. John's College (Kansas)St. John's College was a two-year college located in Winfield, Kansas and was operated by the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. The school began operation in 1893 and ceased operation in 1986, after over 9,000 students had been through its programs....
closed in 1986
See also
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Cowley County, KansasNational Register of Historic Places listings in Cowley County, KansasThis is a list of the National Register of Historic Places listings in Cowley County, Kansas.This is intended to be a complete list of the properties and districts on the National Register of Historic Places in Cowley County, Kansas, United States...
Further reading
County- History of Cowley County Kansas; D.A. Millington / E.P. Greer; Winfield Courier; 162 pages; 1901. (Download 16MB PDF eBook)
Kansas
- History of the State of Kansas; William G. Cutler; A.T. Andreas Publisher; 1883. (Online HTML eBook)
- Kansas : A Cyclopedia of State History, Embracing Events, Institutions, Industries, Counties, Cities, Towns, Prominent Persons, Etc; 3 Volumes; Frank W. Blackmar; Standard Publishing Co; 944 / 955 / 824 pages; 1912. (Volume1 - Download 54MB PDF eBook), (Volume2 - Download 53MB PDF eBook), (Volume3 - Download 33MB PDF eBook)
External links
County- Cowley County - Official Website
- Cowley County - Directory of Public Officials
- Cowley County - Information, Skyways
Historical
Maps
- Cowley County Map, KDOT
- Kansas Highway Map, KDOT
- Kansas Railroad Map, KDOT
- Kansas School District Boundary Map, KSDE