Pratt County, Kansas

Not to be confused with Pratt, Kansas.
Pratt County, Kansas
County

Pratt County Courthouse in Pratt
Map of Kansas highlighting Pratt County
Location in the U.S. state of Kansas
Map of the United States highlighting Kansas
Kansas's location in the U.S.
Founded February 26, 1867
Named for Caleb S. Pratt [1]
Seat Pratt
Largest city Pratt
Area
  Total 736 sq mi (1,906 km2)
  Land 735 sq mi (1,904 km2)
  Water 0.7 sq mi (2 km2), 0.09%
Population
  (2010) 9,656
  Density 13/sq mi (5/km²)
Congressional district 4th
Time zone Central: UTC-6/-5
Website PrattCounty.org

Coordinates: 37°39′N 98°44′W / 37.650°N 98.733°W / 37.650; -98.733

Pratt County (standard abbreviation: PR) is a county located in the U.S. state of Kansas. As of the 2010 census, the county population was 9,656.[2] The largest city and county seat is Pratt.[3]

History

Early history

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, Pratt County was established.

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".

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 736 square miles (1,910 km2), of which 735 square miles (1,900 km2) is land and 0.7 square miles (1.8 km2) (0.09%) is water.[5]

Adjacent counties

Demographics

Age pyramid
Historical population
Census Pop.
18801,890
18908,118329.5%
19007,085−12.7%
191011,15657.5%
192012,90915.7%
193013,3123.1%
194012,348−7.2%
195012,156−1.6%
196012,122−0.3%
197010,056−17.0%
198010,2752.2%
19909,702−5.6%
20009,647−0.6%
20109,6560.1%
Est. 20159,691[6]0.4%
U.S. Decennial Census[7]
1790-1960[8] 1900-1990[9]
1990-2000[10] 2010-2013[2]

As of the census[11] of 2000, there were 9,647 people, 3,963 households, and 2,639 families residing in the county. The population density was 13 people per square mile (5/km²). There were 4,633 housing units at an average density of 6 per square mile (2/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 95.28% White, 0.98% Black or African American, 0.35% Native American, 0.55% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 1.73% from other races, and 1.07% from two or more races. 3.09% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 3,963 households out of which 30.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.70% were married couples living together, 7.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.40% were non-families. 30.40% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.35 and the average family size was 2.93.

In the county the population was spread out with 24.50% under the age of 18, 9.40% from 18 to 24, 24.00% from 25 to 44, 22.80% from 45 to 64, and 19.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 94.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.30 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $35,529, and the median income for a family was $43,156. Males had a median income of $31,138 versus $20,679 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,906. About 6.70% of families and 9.40% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.50% of those under age 18 and 8.90% of those age 65 or over.

Law and government

Following amendment to the Kansas Constitution in 1986, the county remained a prohibition, or "dry", county until 2000, when voters approved the sale of alcoholic liquor by the individual drink with a 30% food sales requirement.[12]

Education

Unified school districts

Communities

2005 KDOT Map of Pratt County (map legend)

Cities

Townships

Pratt County is divided into seven townships. The city of Pratt 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.

Sources: 2000 U.S. Gazetteer from the U.S. Census Bureau.
Township FIPS Population
center
Population Population
density
/km² (/sq mi)
Land area
km² (sq mi)
Water area
km² (sq mi)
Water % Geographic coordinates
Township No. 6 71223 565 1 (4) 381 (147) 1 (0) 0.17% 37°44′25″N 98°33′55″W / 37.74028°N 98.56528°W / 37.74028; -98.56528
Township No. 7 71228 366 3 (7) 136 (52) 0 (0) 0.02% 37°45′20″N 98°43′49″W / 37.75556°N 98.73028°W / 37.75556; -98.73028
Township No. 8 71233 181 1 (2) 197 (76) 0 (0) 0% 37°47′3″N 98°53′42″W / 37.78417°N 98.89500°W / 37.78417; -98.89500
Township No. 9 71238 317 1 (2) 379 (146) 0 (0) 0.05% 37°37′59″N 98°54′7″W / 37.63306°N 98.90194°W / 37.63306; -98.90194
Township No. 10 71242 191 1 (3) 188 (73) 0 (0) 0.01% 37°30′45″N 98°52′17″W / 37.51250°N 98.87139°W / 37.51250; -98.87139
Township No. 11 71245 496 2 (5) 281 (109) 0 (0) 0.06% 37°30′44″N 98°38′21″W / 37.51222°N 98.63917°W / 37.51222; -98.63917
Township No. 12 71248 961 3 (8) 321 (124) 1 (0) 0.19% 37°37′44″N 98°40′52″W / 37.62889°N 98.68111°W / 37.62889; -98.68111

See also

References

  1. "Pratt, Kansas History". Kansas Community Networks. Retrieved 2012-11-04.
  2. 1 2 "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 28, 2014.
  3. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
  4. Rock Island Rail History
  5. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
  6. "County Totals Dataset: Population, Population Change and Estimated Components of Population Change: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2015". Retrieved July 2, 2016.
  7. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 28, 2014.
  8. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved July 28, 2014.
  9. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 28, 2014.
  10. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 28, 2014.
  11. "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  12. "Map of Wet and Dry Counties". Alcoholic Beverage Control, Kansas Department of Revenue. November 2006. Retrieved 2007-12-26.

Further reading

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