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Neosho County, Kansas

Coordinates: 37°34′N 95°17′W / 37.567°N 95.283°W / 37.567; -95.283
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Neosho County
County
James and Ella Truitt House in Chanute (2017)
James and Ella Truitt House in Chanute (2017)
Map of Kansas highlighting Neosho County
Location within the U.S. state of Kansas
Map of the United States highlighting Kansas
Kansas's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 37°40′57″N 95°17′51″W / 37.6825°N 95.2975°W / 37.6825; -95.2975
Country United States
State Kansas
FoundedJune 3, 1861
Named forNeosho River
SeatErie
Largest cityChanute
Area
 • Total
578 sq mi (1,500 km2)
 • Land571 sq mi (1,480 km2)
 • Water6.3 sq mi (16 km2)  1.1%
Population
 (2020)[1]
 • Total
15,904
 • Density27.9/sq mi (10.8/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district2nd
WebsiteNeoshoCountyKS.org

Neosho County is a county located in Southeast Kansas. Its county seat is Erie.[2] As of the 2020 census, the county population was 15,904.[1] The county was named for the Neosho River, which passes through the county.

History

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Early history

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See also: History of Kansas

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

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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 1861, Neosho County was established.

The first railroad was built through Neosho County in 1870.[3]

Geography

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According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 578 square miles (1,500 km2), of which 571 square miles (1,480 km2) is land and 6.3 square miles (16 km2) (1.1%) is water.[4]

Adjacent counties

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Demographics

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Population pyramid based on 2000 census age data
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
186088—
187010,20611,497.7%
188015,12148.2%
189018,56122.7%
190019,2543.7%
191023,75423.4%
192024,0001.0%
193022,665−5.6%
194022,210−2.0%
195020,348−8.4%
196019,455−4.4%
197018,812−3.3%
198018,9670.8%
199017,035−10.2%
200016,997−0.2%
201016,512−2.9%
202015,904−3.7%
2023 (est.)15,420[5]−3.0%
U.S. Decennial Census[6]
1790-1960[7] 1900-1990[8]
1990-2000[9] 2010-2020[1]

As of the census[10] of 2000, there were 16,997 people, 6,739 households, and 4,683 families residing in the county. The population density was 30 people per square mile (12 people/km2). There were 7,461 housing units at an average density of 13 per square mile (5.0/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 94.90% White, 0.87% Black or African American, 0.98% Native American, 0.32% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 1.05% from other races, and 1.86% from two or more races. 2.91% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 6,739 households, out of which 31.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.40% were married couples living together, 8.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.50% were non-families. 27.10% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.80% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 2.96.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 25.70% under the age of 18, 8.90% from 18 to 24, 25.40% from 25 to 44, 22.50% from 45 to 64, and 17.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 93.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.10 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $32,167, and the median income for a family was $38,532. Males had a median income of $26,906 versus $19,387 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,539. About 10.00% of families and 13.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.60% of those under age 18 and 10.60% of those age 65 or over.

Government

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Presidential elections

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Neosho County is a mostly Republican county. Only six presidential elections from 1888 to the present have resulted in Republicans failing to win the county, with the last of these being in 1964. However, like the rest of the four most southeasterly Kansas counties, Democrats have maintained a sizable presence, but not enough to win the county.

Presidential election results
United States presidential election results for Neosho County, Kansas[11]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2024 4,842 72.83% 1,658 24.94% 148 2.23%
2020 4,970 72.27% 1,796 26.12% 111 1.61%
2016 4,431 70.18% 1,501 23.77% 382 6.05%
2012 4,272 65.93% 2,050 31.64% 158 2.44%
2008 4,473 62.19% 2,563 35.64% 156 2.17%
2004 4,705 65.07% 2,424 33.52% 102 1.41%
2000 4,014 58.29% 2,588 37.58% 284 4.12%
1996 3,409 49.43% 2,527 36.64% 961 13.93%
1992 2,926 37.07% 2,799 35.46% 2,168 27.47%
1988 3,739 51.77% 3,402 47.11% 81 1.12%
1984 4,968 64.11% 2,679 34.57% 102 1.32%
1980 4,613 57.11% 2,923 36.19% 541 6.70%
1976 4,038 50.32% 3,842 47.88% 144 1.79%
1972 5,034 65.06% 2,559 33.07% 145 1.87%
1968 3,950 52.92% 2,725 36.51% 789 10.57%
1964 3,458 41.68% 4,795 57.80% 43 0.52%
1960 5,877 62.71% 3,451 36.83% 43 0.46%
1956 5,886 65.99% 3,005 33.69% 29 0.33%
1952 6,595 68.60% 2,987 31.07% 32 0.33%
1948 5,072 56.69% 3,770 42.14% 105 1.17%
1944 5,420 62.45% 3,233 37.25% 26 0.30%
1940 6,556 59.43% 4,419 40.06% 56 0.51%
1936 5,777 50.55% 5,611 49.09% 41 0.36%
1932 4,212 42.27% 5,616 56.36% 137 1.37%
1928 6,603 72.27% 2,459 26.92% 74 0.81%
1924 5,106 58.70% 2,274 26.14% 1,319 15.16%
1920 5,150 60.82% 3,195 37.73% 122 1.44%
1916 4,053 43.87% 4,891 52.94% 295 3.19%
1912 1,580 30.18% 1,993 38.07% 1,662 31.75%
1908 2,929 53.15% 2,386 43.30% 196 3.56%
1904 3,134 62.11% 1,530 30.32% 382 7.57%
1900 2,424 50.94% 2,279 47.89% 56 1.18%
1896 2,177 45.20% 2,601 54.01% 38 0.79%
1892 2,000 47.81% 0 0.00% 2,183 52.19%
1888 2,134 49.66% 1,144 26.62% 1,019 23.71%

Laws

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Following amendment to the Kansas Constitution in 1986, the county remained a prohibition, or "dry", county until 1998, when voters approved the sale of alcoholic liquor by the individual drink with a 30 percent food sales requirement.[12]

Local Government

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Former Neosho County Attorney Linus Thuston, who was jailed for misdemeanor convictions early in 2024, in December 2024 faced six felony charges of perjury and witness intimidation. The complaint accused Thurston of lying during testimony in an arrangement that involved a female (one of more than 50) who were coerced to send Thurston nude photos.Sheriff’s officers filed reports that accused Thuston of using confidential information for personal gain, intimidating a witness or victim, disseminating a criminal history record, theft by deception, preventing reporting of victimization, and other felonies. Those crimes were reported between 2018 and 2023.[13]

Education

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Unified school districts

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Communities

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2005 map of Neosho County[15] (map legend)

List of townships / incorporated cities / unincorporated communities / extinct former communities within Neosho County.[15]

Cities

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Unincorporated communities

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‡ means a community has portions in an adjacent county. † means a community is designated a Census-Designated Place (CDP) by the United States Census Bureau.

Ghost towns

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Townships

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Neosho County is divided into twelve townships. The city of Chanute 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
Big Creek 06675 456 4 (10) 124 (48) 1 (0) 0.47% 37°41′N 95°18′W / 37.683°N 95.300°W / 37.683; -95.300
Canville 10525 571 5 (12) 124 (48) 0 (0) 0.34% 37°36′N 95°27′W / 37.600°N 95.450°W / 37.600; -95.450
Centerville 12375 564 5 (12) 123 (48) 1 (0) 0.93% 37°31′N 95°18′W / 37.517°N 95.300°W / 37.517; -95.300
Chetopa 12975 894 7 (19) 124 (48) 0 (0) 0.40% 37°31′N 95°28′W / 37.517°N 95.467°W / 37.517; -95.467
Erie 21525 1,524 12 (32) 123 (47) 1 (1) 1.17% 37°35′N 95°16′W / 37.583°N 95.267°W / 37.583; -95.267
Grant 27800 384 3 (8) 125 (48) 0 (0) 0.19% 37°41′N 95°10′W / 37.683°N 95.167°W / 37.683; -95.167
Ladore 37600 401 3 (9) 121 (47) 3 (1) 2.69% 37°26′N 95°18′W / 37.433°N 95.300°W / 37.433; -95.300
Lincoln 40875 345 3 (7) 123 (47) 2 (1) 1.29% 37°26′N 95°9′W / 37.433°N 95.150°W / 37.433; -95.150
Mission 47250 927 8 (20) 119 (46) 5 (2) 3.97% 37°31′N 95°10′W / 37.517°N 95.167°W / 37.517; -95.167
Shiloh 65300 297 2 (6) 125 (48) 0 (0) 0.25% 37°26′N 95°28′W / 37.433°N 95.467°W / 37.433; -95.467
Tioga 70650 885 8 (21) 109 (42) 1 (1) 1.21% 37°42′N 95°27′W / 37.700°N 95.450°W / 37.700; -95.450
Walnut Grove 75175 338 3 (7) 125 (48) 0 (0) 0.11% 37°36′N 95°10′W / 37.600°N 95.167°W / 37.600; -95.167

See also

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National Register of Historic Places listings in Neosho County, Kansas

Community information for Kansas

References

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  1. ^ a b c "QuickFacts; Neosho County, Kansas; Population, Census, 2020 & 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on August 18, 2021. Retrieved August 18, 2021.
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ Blackmar, Frank Wilson (1912). Kansas: A Cyclopedia of State History, Volume 2. Standard Publishing Company. pp. 349.
  4. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  5. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 3, 2024.
  6. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". Census.gov. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 27, 2014.
  7. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved July 27, 2014.
  8. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 27, 2014.
  9. ^ "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 27, 2014.
  10. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  11. ^ "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections".
  12. ^ "Map of Wet and Dry Counties". Alcoholic Beverage Control, Kansas Department of Revenue. November 2006. Archived from the original on October 8, 2007. Retrieved December 26, 2007.
  13. ^ Smith, Sherman (December 18, 2024). "Former rural Kansas prosecutor charged with felony perjury and witness intimidation • Kansas Reflector". Kansas Reflector. Retrieved December 18, 2024.
  14. ^ Burns, Tim (September 19, 2005). "Welcome To USD #247". Cherokee, USD 247. Archived from the original on August 10, 2007. Retrieved January 23, 2007.
  15. ^ a b "General Highway Map of Neosho County, Kansas" (PDF). Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT). August 2011. Archived (PDF) from the original on July 14, 2023.

Further reading

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See also: List of books about Kansas, including historical information about its counties and cities
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Neosho County, Kansas.
County
Maps

37°34′N 95°17′W / 37.567°N 95.283°W / 37.567; -95.283

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