Rooks County, Kansas
Encyclopedia
Rooks County is a county located in the U.S. state
of Kansas
. As of the 2010 census, the county population was 5,181. The county seat
is Stockton
and the largest city is Plainville
. The county was named for Private John C. Rooks of the 11th Kansas Infantry
who died at the Battle of Prairie Grove
near Fayetteville, Arkansas
, during the Civil War.
, county until 2000, when voters approved the sale of alcoholic liquor by the individual drink with a 30% food sales requirement.
of 2000, there were 5,685 people, 2,362 households, and 1,556 families residing in the county. The population density
was 6 people per square mile (2/km²). There were 2,758 housing units at an average density of 3 per square mile (1/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 97.13% White
, 1.13% Black
or African American
, 0.42% Native American
, 0.19% Asian
, 0.02% Pacific Islander
, 0.37% from other races
, and 0.74% from two or more races. 1.06% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race.
There were 2,362 households out of which 29.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.40% were married couples
living together, 7.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.10% were non-families. 31.80% of all households were made up of individuals and 18.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.32 and the average family size was 2.93.
In the county the population was spread out with 25.20% under the age of 18, 6.40% from 18 to 24, 25.50% from 25 to 44, 21.50% from 45 to 64, and 21.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 98.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.30 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $30,457, and the median income for a family was $36,931. Males had a median income of $26,794 versus $18,389 for females. The per capita income
for the county was $15,588. About 7.30% of families and 9.80% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.70% of those under age 18 and 7.40% of those age 65 or over.
. 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.
General county information
Local History and Genealogy
County Level Data
Maps
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Kansas
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...
. As of the 2010 census, the county population was 5,181. The 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....
is Stockton
Stockton, Kansas
Stockton is a city in and the county seat of Rooks County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 1,329.-19th century:...
and the largest city is Plainville
Plainville, Kansas
Plainville is a city in Rooks County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 1,903.-19th century:The area was first settled in 1877 by Hiram Keas. Plainville, previously known as Paradise Flats, was established in 1888, in Rooks County, Kansas...
. The county was named for Private John C. Rooks of the 11th Kansas Infantry
11th Regiment Kansas Volunteer Infantry
The 11th Kansas Volunteer Infantry Regiment was an infantry regiment that served in the Union Army during the American Civil War.-Service:The 11th Kansas Infantry was organized at Camp Lyon near Fort Leavenworth, Kansas from August 29 through September 14, 1862...
who died at the Battle of Prairie Grove
Battle of Prairie Grove
The Battle of Prairie Grove was a battle of the American Civil War fought on 7 December 1862, that resulted in a tactical stalemate but essentially secured northwest Arkansas for the Union.-Strategic situation: Union:...
near Fayetteville, Arkansas
Fayetteville, Arkansas
Fayetteville is the county seat of Washington County, and the third largest city in Arkansas. The city is centrally located within the county and is home to the University of Arkansas. Fayetteville is also deep in the Boston Mountains, a subset of The Ozarks...
, during the Civil War.
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 2000, when voters approved the sale of alcoholic liquor by the individual drink with a 30% food sales requirement.
Geography
According to the 2000 census, the county has a total area of 895.36 square miles (2,319 km²), of which 888.34 square miles (2,300.8 km²) (or 99.22%) is land and 7.02 square miles (18.2 km²) (or 0.78%) is water.Adjacent counties
- Phillips CountyPhillips County, KansasPhillips County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kansas. As of the 2010 census, the county population was 5,642...
(north) - Smith CountySmith County, KansasSmith County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kansas. The county's population was 3,853 for the 2010 census. Its county seat is Smith Center. It is named in memory of Maj. J. Nelson Smith, who was part of the 2nd Colorado Cavalry, killed in action at the Battle of Westport on October 21,...
(northeast) - Osborne CountyOsborne County, KansasOsborne County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kansas. As of the 2010 census, the county population was 3,858. The largest city and county seat is Osborne.-19th century:...
(east) - Ellis CountyEllis County, KansasEllis County is a county located in Northwest Kansas, in the Central United States. As of the 2010 census, the county population was 28,452. Its county seat and most populous city is Hays...
(south) - Trego CountyTrego County, KansasTrego County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kansas. As of the 2010 census, the county population was 3,001...
(southwest) - Graham CountyGraham County, KansasGraham County is a county located in northwest Kansas, in the Central United States. As of the 2010 census, the county population was 2,597. Its county seat and most populous city is Hill City...
(west)
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 5,685 people, 2,362 households, and 1,556 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 6 people per square mile (2/km²). There were 2,758 housing units at an average density of 3 per square mile (1/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 97.13% White
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...
, 1.13% Black
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...
or African American
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...
, 0.42% Native American
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...
, 0.19% Asian
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...
, 0.02% Pacific Islander
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...
, 0.37% from other races
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...
, and 0.74% from two or more races. 1.06% of the population were Hispanic
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...
or Latino
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 any race.
There were 2,362 households out of which 29.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.40% 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, 7.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.10% were non-families. 31.80% of all households were made up of individuals and 18.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.32 and the average family size was 2.93.
In the county the population was spread out with 25.20% under the age of 18, 6.40% from 18 to 24, 25.50% from 25 to 44, 21.50% from 45 to 64, and 21.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 98.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.30 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $30,457, and the median income for a family was $36,931. Males had a median income of $26,794 versus $18,389 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 $15,588. About 7.30% of families and 9.80% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.70% of those under age 18 and 7.40% of those age 65 or over.
Incorporated cities
Name and population (2004 estimate):- PlainvillePlainville, KansasPlainville is a city in Rooks County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 1,903.-19th century:The area was first settled in 1877 by Hiram Keas. Plainville, previously known as Paradise Flats, was established in 1888, in Rooks County, Kansas...
, 1,897 - StocktonStockton, KansasStockton is a city in and the county seat of Rooks County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 1,329.-19th century:...
, 1,465 (county seat) - PalcoPalco, KansasPalco is a city in Rooks County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 277.-Geography:Palco is located at . According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all of it land....
, 231 - DamarDamar, KansasDamar is a city in Rooks County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 132.-Geography:Damar is located at . According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all of it land....
, 150 - ZurichZurich, KansasZurich is a city in Rooks County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 99.-Geography:Zurich is located at . According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all of it land....
, 122 - WoodstonWoodston, KansasWoodston is a city in Rooks County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 136.-Geography:Woodston 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 116...
, 112
Townships
Rooks County is divided into twelve 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,...
. 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.
| Township | FIPS | Population center |
Population | Population density /km² (/sq mi) |
Land area km² (sq mi) | Water area km² (sq mi) | Water % | Geographic coordinates |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Township 1 | 71203 | 280 | 1 (3) | 276 (107) | 1 (0) | 0.23% | 39°27′6"N 99°6′8"W | |
| Township 2 | 71207 | 382 | 1 (4) | 278 (107) | 1 (0) | 0.25% | 39°26′33"N 99°13′22"W | |
| Township 3 | 71211 | Stockton Stockton, Kansas Stockton is a city in and the county seat of Rooks County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 1,329.-19th century:... |
1,489 | 8 (21) | 184 (71) | 0 (0) | 0.14% | 39°27′13"N 99°17′35"W |
| Township 4 | 71215 | 27 | 0 (1) | 93 (36) | 0 (0) | 0.12% | 39°21′11"N 99°18′36"W | |
| Township 5 | 71219 | 74 | 0 (1) | 276 (107) | 0 (0) | 0.05% | 39°30′10"N 99°30′0"W | |
| Township 6 | 71224 | 60 | 0 (1) | 173 (67) | 13 (5) | 7.13% | 39°24′44"N 99°26′24"W | |
| Township 7 | 71229 | 218 | 2 (6) | 91 (35) | 1 (0) | 0.93% | 39°20′37"N 99°33′24"W | |
| Township 8 | 71234 | 344 | 4 (10) | 94 (36) | 0 (0) | 0.09% | 39°15′20"N 99°33′33"W | |
| Township 9 | 71239 | 51 | 1 (1) | 94 (36) | 0 (0) | 0.05% | 39°10′31"N 99°32′20"W | |
| Township 10 | 71243 | 197 | 1 (3) | 187 (72) | 0 (0) | 0.08% | 39°14′5"N 99°26′0"W | |
| Township 11 | 71246 | Plainville Plainville, Kansas Plainville is a city in Rooks County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 1,903.-19th century:The area was first settled in 1877 by Hiram Keas. Plainville, previously known as Paradise Flats, was established in 1888, in Rooks County, Kansas... |
2,380 | 9 (22) | 279 (108) | 1 (0) | 0.44% | 39°14′13"N 99°17′39"W |
| Township 12 | 71249 | 183 | 1 (2) | 277 (107) | 1 (0) | 0.24% | 39°12′56"N 99°9′10"W |
Education
Unified school districts
Further reading
- 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
Official websitesGeneral county information
Local History and Genealogy
County Level Data
Maps
- Rooks County Map, KDOT
- Kansas Highway Map, KDOT
- Kansas Railroad Map, KDOT
- Kansas School District Boundary Map, KSDE