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Atchison County, Kansas

Coordinates: 39°32′N 95°18′W / 39.533°N 95.300°W / 39.533; -95.300
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Not to be confused with Atchison, Kansas.

Atchison County
County
Atchison County Courthouse in Atchison (2023)
Atchison County Courthouse in Atchison (2023)
Map of Kansas highlighting Atchison County
Location within the U.S. state of Kansas
Map of the United States highlighting Kansas
Kansas's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 39°32′N 95°18′W / 39.533°N 95.300°W / 39.533; -95.300
Country United States
State Kansas
FoundedAugust 25, 1855
Named forDavid Rice Atchison
SeatAtchison
Largest cityAtchison
Area
 • Total
434 sq mi (1,120 km2)
 • Land431 sq mi (1,120 km2)
 • Water2.6 sq mi (7 km2)  0.6%
Population
 (2020)[1]
 • Total
16,348
 • Estimate 
(2023)[2]
16,016 Decrease
 • Density37.9/sq mi (14.6/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Area code913
Congressional district2nd
WebsiteAtchisonCountyKS.org

Atchison County is a county located in the northeast portion of the U.S. state of Kansas. Its county seat and most populous city is Atchison.[3] As of the 2020 census, the county population was 16,348.[1] The county was named in honor of David Atchison, a U.S. Senator from Missouri and border ruffian during the "Bleeding Kansas" era.[4]

History

[edit]
See also: History of Kansas

Atchison County was established in 1855, named for David Rice Atchison, a U.S. Senator from Missouri known for his pro-slavery views, which reflected the county's early political leanings during the Kansas Territory's tumultuous "Bleeding Kansas" period. The area was first explored by European traders and later by the Lewis and Clark Expedition in 1804, who celebrated the first Independence Day in the area[5]. The first settlers, largely from Missouri, arrived in 1854, founding the town of Atchison that same year, which quickly became a hub due to its strategic location on the Missouri River, facilitating trade and transportation[6].

The Civil War era saw Atchison County as a center of pro-slavery sentiment, yet it also contributed soldiers to both sides of the conflict, reflecting the divided loyalties of the time. The county's economy was significantly shaped by its river port facilities, which were vital for the steamboat trade and later for railroad development. By 1860, the Atchison and Topeka Railroad was chartered, and by 1870, Atchison was a major railroad hub, with the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway (Santa Fe) starting from there in 1868. This infrastructure, combined with Kansas Statehood in 1861 and the end of the Civil War in 1865, boosted the local economy and made Atchison a key point for westward expansion[5].

Moving into the late 19th century, Atchison County faced challenges like economic downturns and natural disasters, including floods, but it continued to grow as an industrial and agricultural center. The county became known for its flour milling, due to its proximity to wheat fields, and its manufacturing industries, particularly after the Civil War, when life normalized, and new enterprises sprang up[6].

Geography

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According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 434 square miles (1,120 km2), of which 431 square miles (1,120 km2) is land and 2.6 square miles (6.7 km2) (0.6%) is water.[7] It is the fourth-smallest county by area in Kansas.

On July 4, 1804, to mark Independence Day, the Lewis and Clark Expedition named Independence Creek (River) located near the city of Atchison (see Timeline of the Lewis and Clark Expedition).

Adjacent counties

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Major highways

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Sources: National Atlas,[8] U.S. Census Bureau[9]

Demographics

[edit]
Population pyramid based on 2000 census age data
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18607,729—
187015,507100.6%
188026,66872.0%
189026,7580.3%
190028,6066.9%
191028,107−1.7%
192023,411−16.7%
193023,9452.3%
194022,222−7.2%
195021,496−3.3%
196020,898−2.8%
197019,165−8.3%
198018,397−4.0%
199016,932−8.0%
200016,774−0.9%
201016,9240.9%
202016,348−3.4%
2023 (est.)16,016[10]−2.0%
U.S. Decennial Census[11]
1790-1960[12] 1900-1990[13]
1990-2000[14] 2010-2020[1]

Atchison County comprises the Atchison, KS Micropolitan Statistical Area, which is also included in the Kansas City-Overland Park-Kansas City, MO-KS Combined Statistical Area.

As of the 2000 census,[15] there were 16,774 people, 6,275 households, and 4,279 families residing in the county. The population density was 39 people per square mile (15 people/km2). There were 6,818 housing units at an average density of 16 units per square mile (6.2 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 91.62% White, 5.32% Black or African American, 0.55% Native American, 0.34% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 0.51% from other races, and 1.59% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.95% of the population.

There were 6,275 households, out of which 32.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.30% were married couples living together, 10.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.80% were non-families. 27.60% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.80% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.51 and the average family size was 3.05.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 26.70% under the age of 18, 11.30% from 18 to 24, 24.50% from 25 to 44, 21.40% from 45 to 64, and 16.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 93.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.30 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $34,355, and the median income for a family was $40,614. Males had a median income of $29,481 versus $20,485 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,207. About 7.90% of families and 13.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.80% of those under age 18 and 17.90% of those age 65 or over.

Government

[edit]

Presidential elections

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Atchison County has been a swing county for most of its history. It has had multiple extended streaks of being a bellwether county, the first running from 1896 to 1936. After voting more Republican than the nation in the 1940s & voting for losing candidate Richard Nixon in 1960, another bellwether streak ran from 1964 to 2004. Since then, the county has become significantly more Republican, with Barack Obama failing to win the county in both of his victories & Hillary Clinton losing it by over 30 percent to Donald Trump in 2016.

Presidential election results
United States presidential election results for Atchison County, Kansas[16]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2024 4,866 67.72% 2,177 30.30% 142 1.98%
2020 4,906 65.94% 2,359 31.71% 175 2.35%
2016 4,049 61.58% 1,989 30.25% 537 8.17%
2012 3,917 58.69% 2,567 38.46% 190 2.85%
2008 3,791 52.72% 3,241 45.07% 159 2.21%
2004 3,880 54.51% 3,120 43.83% 118 1.66%
2000 3,378 48.96% 3,171 45.96% 351 5.09%
1996 2,828 43.25% 2,926 44.75% 784 11.99%
1992 2,521 33.48% 2,959 39.30% 2,050 27.22%
1988 3,243 49.03% 3,177 48.03% 194 2.93%
1984 4,537 62.54% 2,641 36.40% 77 1.06%
1980 4,084 53.87% 3,063 40.40% 434 5.72%
1976 4,030 48.30% 4,108 49.23% 206 2.47%
1972 5,471 67.83% 2,404 29.80% 191 2.37%
1968 3,644 46.00% 3,379 42.65% 899 11.35%
1964 3,147 38.24% 5,037 61.21% 45 0.55%
1960 4,793 52.33% 4,336 47.34% 31 0.34%
1956 5,608 64.08% 3,134 35.81% 9 0.10%
1952 6,004 64.59% 3,283 35.32% 9 0.10%
1948 4,141 51.04% 3,910 48.19% 62 0.76%
1944 4,731 58.58% 3,325 41.17% 20 0.25%
1940 5,921 56.07% 4,557 43.15% 82 0.78%
1936 5,312 47.60% 5,817 52.12% 31 0.28%
1932 4,778 45.18% 5,640 53.33% 157 1.48%
1928 6,647 63.67% 3,756 35.98% 37 0.35%
1924 6,246 63.83% 2,199 22.47% 1,341 13.70%
1920 5,872 65.02% 3,082 34.13% 77 0.85%
1916 4,624 48.61% 4,634 48.72% 254 2.67%
1912 1,535 27.40% 2,449 43.72% 1,618 28.88%
1908 3,244 54.94% 2,593 43.91% 68 1.15%
1904 3,542 64.25% 1,854 33.63% 117 2.12%
1900 3,390 55.54% 2,682 43.94% 32 0.52%
1896 3,326 52.65% 2,963 46.91% 28 0.44%
1892 2,666 49.17% 0 0.00% 2,756 50.83%
1888 3,219 52.10% 2,603 42.13% 357 5.78%

Laws

[edit]

Atchison 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.[17]

Education

[edit]

Unified school districts

[edit]

Communities

[edit]
2005 map of Atchison County[18] (map legend)

List of townships / incorporated cities / unincorporated communities / extinct former communities within Atchison County.[18]

Cities

[edit]

Unincorporated communities

[edit]

‡ means a community has portions in an adjacent county.

Ghost towns

[edit]

Indian reservations

[edit]

Townships

[edit]

Atchison County is divided into eight townships. The city of Atchison is considered governmentally independent and is 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
Benton 06150 Effingham 1,076 7 (18) 156 (60) 0 (0) 0.25% 39°30′20″N 95°23′37″W / 39.50556°N 95.39361°W / 39.50556; -95.39361
Center 11550 676 5 (13) 139 (54) 0 (0) 0.15% 39°28′52″N 95°16′54″W / 39.48111°N 95.28167°W / 39.48111; -95.28167
Grasshopper 28225 Muscotah 588 3 (9) 170 (66) 1 (0) 0.52% 39°35′12″N 95°30′4″W / 39.58667°N 95.50111°W / 39.58667; -95.50111
Kapioma 36100 271 2 (6) 123 (48) 0 (0) 0.05% 39°29′6″N 95°31′8″W / 39.48500°N 95.51889°W / 39.48500; -95.51889
Lancaster 38350 Lancaster 922 6 (15) 156 (60) 0 (0) 0.28% 39°35′56″N 95°18′38″W / 39.59889°N 95.31056°W / 39.59889; -95.31056
Mount Pleasant 48925 829 7 (17) 124 (48) 0 (0) 0.09% 39°29′17″N 95°11′3″W / 39.48806°N 95.18417°W / 39.48806; -95.18417
Shannon 64275 1,753 12 (32) 140 (54) 2 (1) 1.16% 39°35′15″N 95°9′26″W / 39.58750°N 95.15722°W / 39.58750; -95.15722
Walnut 74800 427 5 (12) 94 (36) 2 (1) 2.34% 39°27′55″N 95°5′3″W / 39.46528°N 95.08417°W / 39.46528; -95.08417
Sources: "Census 2000 U.S. Gazetteer Files". U.S. Census Bureau, Geography Division. Archived from the original on August 2, 2002.

See also

[edit]
Community information for Kansas

References

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  1. ^ a b c "QuickFacts; Atchison County, Kansas; Population, Census, 2020 & 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on August 15, 2021. Retrieved August 14, 2021.
  2. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 24, 2024.
  3. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  4. ^ "Profile for Atchison County, Kansas". ePodunk. Retrieved June 4, 2014.
  5. ^ a b Cutler, William G.; Andreas, Alfred Theodore (1883). History of the State of Kansas, Containing a Full Account of Its Growth from an Uninhabited Territory to a Wealthy and Important State ...: Also, a Supplementary History and Description of Its Counties, Cities, Towns, and Villages ... A.T. Andreas. ISBN 978-0-598-27697-1.
  6. ^ a b Blackmar, Frank Wilson (1912). Kansas: A Cyclopedia of State History, Embracing Events, Institutions, Industries, Counties, Cities, Towns, Prominent Persons, Etc. ... with a Supplementary Volume Devoted to Selected Personal History and Reminiscence. Standard Publishing Company.
  7. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  8. ^ National Atlas Archived December 5, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  9. ^ U.S. Census Bureau TIGER shape files
  10. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 3, 2024.
  11. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 21, 2014.
  12. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved July 21, 2014.
  13. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 21, 2014.
  14. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 27, 2010. Retrieved July 21, 2014.
  15. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  16. ^ "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections".
  17. ^ "Map of Wet and Dry Counties". Alcoholic Beverage Control, Kansas Department of Revenue. November 2004. Archived from the original on October 8, 2007. Retrieved January 21, 2007.
  18. ^ a b "General Highway Map of Atchison County, Kansas" (PDF). Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT). July 2011. Archived (PDF) from the original on December 24, 2023.

Further reading

[edit]
See also: List of books about Kansas, including historical information about its counties and cities
[edit]
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