Dickinson County, Kansas

Dickinson County, Kansas
Dickinson County Courthouse in Abilene
Location in the state of Kansas
Kansas's location in the U.S.
Founded	February 20, 1857
Seat	Abilene
Area  - Total  - Land  - Water	852.12 sq mi (2,207 km²) 847.92 sq mi (2,196 km²) 4.20 sq mi (11 km²), 0.49%
Population  - (2010)  - Density	19,754 22.8/sq mi (8.8/km²)
Time zone	Central: UTC-6/-5
Website	www.DkCoKS.org

Dickinson County (county code DK) is a county located in Central Kansas, in the Central United States. As of the 2010 census, the county population was 19,754.^[1] Its county seat and most populous city is Abilene.^[2] It was named in honor of Daniel S. Dickinson.

History

19th century

In 1887, Mr. Herington successfully got the Chicago, Kansas and Nebraska Railway to build through Herington. He gave the land and right-of-way for Herington to become a division point with shops, two round houses, freight house, bridge yards, telegraph office and many other buildings. He furnished the limestone for the freight house, and for a two story depot that was 28 x 66 feet and later enlarged to 28 x 105 feet.^[3]

1914 railroad map.

In 1887, the Chicago, Kansas and Nebraska Railway built a main line from Topeka to Herington.^[4] This main line connected Topeka, Valencia, Willard, Maple Hill, Vera, Paxico, McFarland, Alma, Volland, Alta Vista, Dwight, White City, Latimer, Herington.

In 1887, the Chicago, Kansas and Nebraska Railway extended its main line from Herington to Pratt.^[4] This main line connected Herington, Ramona, Tampa, Durham, Waldeck, Canton, Galva, McPherson, Groveland, Inman, Medora, Hutchinson, Whiteside, Partridge, Arlington, Langdon, Turon, Preston, Natrona, Pratt. In 1888, this main line was extended to Liberal. Later, this line was extended to Tucumcari, New Mexico and El Paso, Texas. This line is called the "Golden State Limited".

In 1887, the Chicago, Kansas and Nebraska Railway built a branch line north-south from Herington to Caldwell.^[4] This branch line connected Herington, Lost Springs, Lincolnville, Antelope, Marion, Aulne, Peabody, Elbing, Whitewater, Furley, Kechi, Wichita, Peck, Corbin, Wellington, Caldwell. By 1893, this branch line was incrementally built to Fort Worth, Texas. This line is called the "OKT".

The Chicago, Kansas and Nebraska Railway was foreclosed in 1891 and was taken over by Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railway, which shut down in 1980 and reorganized as Oklahoma, Kansas and Texas Railroad, merged in 1988 with Missouri Pacific Railroad, merged in 1997 with Union Pacific Railroad. Most locals still refer to this railroad as the "Rock Island".

In 1887, Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway built a branch line from Neva (3 miles west of Strong City) to Superior, Nebraska. This branch line connected Strong City, Neva, Rockland, Diamond Springs, Burdick, Lost Springs, Jacobs, Hope, Navarre, Enterprise, Abilene, Talmage, Manchester, Longford, Oak Hill, Miltonvale, Aurora, Huscher, Concordia, Kackley, Courtland, Webber, Superior. At some point, the line from Neva to Lost Springs was pulled but the right of way has not been abandoned. This branch line was originally called "Strong City and Superior line" but later the name was shortened to the "Strong City line".

In 1996, the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway merged with Burlington Northern Railroad and renamed to the current BNSF Railway. Most locals still refer to this railroad as the "Santa Fe".

21st century

In 2010, the Keystone-Cushing Pipeline (Phase II) was constructed north to south through Dickinson County, with much controversy over tax exemption and environmental concerns (if a leak ever occurs).^[5][6] A pumping station named Hope was built along the pipeline.

Law and government

Dickinson 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% food sales requirement.^[7]

Geography

According to the 2000 census, the county has a total area of 852.12 square miles (2,207.0 km²), of which 847.92 square miles (2,196.1 km²) (or 99.51%) is land and 4.20 square miles (10.9 km²) (or 0.49%) is water.^[8]

Adjacent counties

• Clay County (north)
• Geary County (east)
• Morris County (southeast)
• Marion County (south)
• McPherson County (southwest)
• Saline County (west)
• Ottawa County (northwest)

Demographics

Historical populations
Census	Pop.		%±
1860	378		—
1870	3,043		705.0%
1880	15,251		401.2%
1890	22,273		46.0%
1900	21,816		−2.1%
1910	24,361		11.7%
1920	25,777		5.8%
1930	25,870		0.4%
1940	22,929		−11.4%
1950	21,190		−7.6%
1960	21,572		1.8%
1970	19,993		−7.3%
1980	20,175		0.9%
1990	18,958		−6.0%
2000	19,344		2.0%
2010	19,754		2.1%
U.S. Decennial Census

Population pyramid

2005 KDOT Map of Dickinson County (map legend)

As of the U.S. Census in 2000,^[9] there were 19,344 people, 7,903 households, and 5,421 families residing in the county. The population density was 23 people per square mile (9/km²). There were 8,686 housing units at an average density of 10 per square mile (4/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 96.44% White, 0.58% Black or African American, 0.49% Native American, 0.30% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.82% from other races, and 1.36% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.30% of the population.

There were 7,903 households out of which 31.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.90% were married couples living together, 7.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.40% were non-families. 28.10% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.40 and the average family size was 2.94.

In the county the population was spread out with 25.70% under the age of 18, 6.30% from 18 to 24, 26.30% from 25 to 44, 23.10% from 45 to 64, and 18.60% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 95.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.60 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $35,975, and the median income for a family was $43,952. Males had a median income of $30,889 versus $18,526 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,780. About 5.30% of families and 7.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.70% of those under age 18 and 11.30% of those age 65 or over.

Cities and towns

Incorporated cities

Name and population (2004 estimate):

• Abilene, 6,397 (county seat)
• Herington, 2,469
• Chapman, 1,239
• Solomon, 1,051, of which a portion lies in Saline County
• Enterprise, 813
• Hope, 364
• Woodbine, 206
• Manchester, 102
• Carlton, 38

Unincorporated places

• Buckeye
• Detroit
• Dillon
• Elmo
• Holland
• Industry
• Lyona
• Navarre
• Pearl
• Shady Brook
• Stoney
• Sutphen
• Talmage
• Upland

Townships

Dickinson County is divided into twenty-four townships. The cities of Abilene and Herington 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
Banner	03975		148	2 (4)	92 (35)	1 (0)	0.62%	38°39′37″N 97°11′50″W / 38.66028°N 97.19722°W / 38.66028; -97.19722
Buckeye	08925		437	5 (12)	94 (36)	0 (0)	0.15%	38°59′1″N 97°12′58″W / 38.98361°N 97.21611°W / 38.98361; -97.21611
Center	11675		1,210	13 (34)	92 (35)	2 (1)	2.16%	38°54′32″N 97°6′21″W / 38.90889°N 97.10583°W / 38.90889; -97.10583
Cheever	12700		149	2 (4)	93 (36)	0 (0)	0.04%	39°5′58″N 97°11′42″W / 39.09944°N 97.195°W / 39.09944; -97.195
Flora	23550		217	2 (6)	93 (36)	0 (0)	0.08%	39°5′12″N 97°19′4″W / 39.08667°N 97.31778°W / 39.08667; -97.31778
Fragrant Hill	24250		251	3 (8)	77 (30)	0 (0)	0.21%	39°4′54″N 97°0′34″W / 39.08167°N 97.00944°W / 39.08167; -97.00944
Garfield	25550		189	2 (5)	94 (36)	0 (0)	0.06%	38°49′22″N 97°18′43″W / 38.82278°N 97.31194°W / 38.82278; -97.31194
Grant	27625		918	11 (29)	82 (32)	1 (1)	1.58%	38°54′42″N 97°12′22″W / 38.91167°N 97.20611°W / 38.91167; -97.20611
Hayes	30900		233	3 (8)	78 (30)	0 (0)	0.04%	38°59′43″N 97°6′8″W / 38.99528°N 97.10222°W / 38.99528; -97.10222
Holland	32625		107	1 (3)	93 (36)	0 (0)	0.17%	38°40′19″N 97°18′39″W / 38.67194°N 97.31083°W / 38.67194; -97.31083
Hope	33100		519	6 (15)	92 (35)	0 (0)	0.45%	38°39′36″N 97°5′13″W / 38.66°N 97.08694°W / 38.66; -97.08694
Jefferson	35175		166	2 (5)	94 (36)	0 (0)	0.46%	38°44′1″N 97°11′45″W / 38.73361°N 97.19583°W / 38.73361; -97.19583
Liberty	40000		405	4 (9)	114 (44)	0 (0)	0.11%	38°49′11″N 96°57′35″W / 38.81972°N 96.95972°W / 38.81972; -96.95972
Lincoln	40625		1,669	18 (46)	93 (36)	2 (1)	1.99%	38°54′51″N 97°20′46″W / 38.91417°N 97.34611°W / 38.91417; -97.34611
Logan	41850		202	2 (6)	94 (36)	0 (0)	0.23%	38°49′12″N 97°5′3″W / 38.82°N 97.08417°W / 38.82; -97.08417
Lyon	43475		252	3 (8)	86 (33)	1 (0)	0.98%	38°39′32″N 96°59′20″W / 38.65889°N 96.98889°W / 38.65889; -96.98889
Newbern	50225		349	4 (10)	94 (36)	0 (0)	0.14%	38°50′6″N 97°11′43″W / 38.835°N 97.19528°W / 38.835; -97.19528
Noble	50800		1,730	21 (55)	81 (31)	1 (0)	1.29%	38°58′59″N 97°0′23″W / 38.98306°N 97.00639°W / 38.98306; -97.00639
Ridge	59800		160	2 (4)	94 (36)	0 (0)	0.43%	38°44′14″N 97°5′0″W / 38.73722°N 97.083333°W / 38.73722; -97.083333
Rinehart	59900		194	2 (5)	93 (36)	0 (0)	0.40%	38°55′18″N 96°59′30″W / 38.92167°N 96.99167°W / 38.92167; -96.99167
Sherman	64925		147	2 (5)	78 (30)	0 (0)	0 %	39°5′6″N 97°6′10″W / 39.085°N 97.10278°W / 39.085; -97.10278
Union	72100		176	2 (5)	94 (36)	0 (0)	0.20%	38°43′38″N 96°58′14″W / 38.72722°N 96.97056°W / 38.72722; -96.97056
Wheatland	77625		152	2 (4)	93 (36)	0 (0)	0.18%	38°43′59″N 97°18′27″W / 38.73306°N 97.3075°W / 38.73306; -97.3075
Willowdale	79450		258	3 (7)	93 (36)	0 (0)	0.05%	38°59′41″N 97°18′7″W / 38.99472°N 97.30194°W / 38.99472; -97.30194
Sources: "Census 2000 U.S. Gazetteer Files". U.S. Census Bureau, Geography Division. http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/places2k.html.

Education

Unified school districts

• USD 393, Solomon
  • Solomon, Rural Areas
• USD 435, Abilene
  • Abilene, Rural Areas
• USD 473, Chapman
  • Chapman, Carlton, Manchester, Enterprise, Rural Areas
• USD 487, Herington
  • Herington, Rural Areas

District Office In Neighboring County

• USD 481, Rural Vista
  • Hope, Woodbine, Rural Areas

See also

• National Register of Historic Places listings in Dickinson County, Kansas

Information on this and other counties in Kansas

• List of counties in Kansas
• National Register of Historic Places listings in Kansas
• Kansas locations by per capita income

Other information for Kansas

• List of cities in Kansas
• List of unified school districts in Kansas
• List of colleges and universities in Kansas

References

1. ^ "2010 County Population and Housing Occupancy Status". U.S. Census Bureau. http://factfinder2.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?pid=DEC_10_PL_GCTPL2.ST05&prodType=table. Retrieved March 31, 2011. 
2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx. Retrieved 2011-06-07. 
3. ^ Herington History
4. ^ ^{a b c} Rock Island Rail History
5. ^ Keystone Pipeline - Marion County Commission calls out Legislative Leadership on Pipeline Deal; April 18, 2010.
6. ^ Keystone Pipeline - TransCanada inspecting pipeline; December 10, 2010.
7. ^ "Map of Wet and Dry Counties". Alcoholic Beverage Control, Kansas Department of Revenue. November 2006. http://www.ksrevenue.org/abcwetdrymap.htm. Retrieved 2007-12-28. 
8. ^ "Census 2000 U.S. Gazetteer Files: Counties". United States Census. http://www.census.gov/tiger/tms/gazetteer/county2k.txt. Retrieved 2011-02-13. 
9. ^ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov. Retrieved 2008-01-31. 

Further reading

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)

USA

• The National Old Trails Road To Southern California, Part 1 (LA to KC); Automobile Club Of Southern California; 64 pages; 1916. (Download 6.8MB PDF eBook)

External links

Kansas portal

County

• Dickinson County - Official Website
• Dickinson County - Directory of Public Officials
• Dickinson County - Information, Skyways

Historical

• Dickinson County Kansas AHGP

Maps

• Dickinson County Map, KDOT
• Kansas Highway Map, KDOT
• Kansas Railroad Map, KDOT
• Kansas School District Boundary Map, KSDE