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Sumner County, Kansas
Oxford Mill - front
Old Oxford Mill in Oxford (2012)
Map of Kansas highlighting Sumner County
Location in the state of Kansas
Map of the U.S
Kansas's location in the U.S.
Founded December 20, 1870
Named for Charles Sumner
Seat Wellington
Largest city Wellington
Area
 - Total
 - Land
 - Water

1,185 sq mi (3,069 km²)
1,182 sq mi (3,061 km²)
3.0 sq mi (8 km²), 0.3
Population
 - (2020)
 - Density

22,382
Congressional district 4th
Time zone Central: UTC-6/-5

Sumner County (standard abbreviation: SU) is a county located in the U.S. state of Kansas. As of the 2020 census, the population was 22,382.[1] Its county seat is Wellington.[2]

History[]

Stouffer's Railroad Map of Kansas 1915-1918 Sumner County

1915 Railroad Map of Sumner County

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. 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 1848, after the Mexican–American War, the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo with Spain brought into the United States all or part of land for ten future states, including southwest Kansas. In 1854, the Kansas Territory was organized, then in 1861 Kansas became the 34th U.S. state.

19th century[]

On February 26, 1867, Sumner County was created from parts of Marion County and Butler County. It was named in honor of Charles Sumner, a U.S. Senator from Massachusetts (1811–74), who was a strong advocate of Kansas becoming a free state.

In 1887, the Chicago, Kansas and Nebraska Railway built a branch line north–south from Herington to Caldwell.[3] 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, and finally merged in 1997 with Union Pacific Railroad. Most locals still refer to this railroad as the "Rock Island".

21st century[]

In December 2011, the Kansas Star Casino opened approximately 4.5 miles (7.2 km) west of the center of Mulvane, adjacent to an exit on the Kansas Turnpike that was added in the mid 1980s. The casino is located a couple blocks west of the turnpike exit.[4]

Geography[]

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,185 square miles (3,070 km2), of which 1,182 square miles (3,060 km2) is land and 3.0 square miles (7.8 km2) (0.3%) is water.[5]

Adjacent counties[]

Demographics[]

Historical populations
Census Pop.
1870 22
1880 20,812 94,500.0%
1890 30,271 45.4%
1900 25,631 −15.3%
1910 30,654 19.6%
1920 29,213 −4.7%
1930 28,960 −0.9%
1940 26,163 −9.7%
1950 23,646 −9.6%
1960 25,316 7.1%
1970 23,553 −7.0%
1980 24,928 5.8%
1990 25,841 3.7%
2000 25,946 0.4%
2010 24,132 −7.0%
U.S. Decennial Census[6]
1790-1960[7] 1900-1990[8]
1990-2000[9] 2010-2020[1]
USA Sumner County, Kansas age pyramid

Age pyramid

Sumner County is part of the Wichita, KS Metropolitan Statistical Area.

As of the census[10] of 2000, there were 25,946 people, 9,888 households, and 7,089 families residing in the county. The population density was 22 people per square mile (8/km2). There were 10,877 housing units at an average density of 9 per square mile (4/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 94.62% White, 0.71% Black or African American, 1.05% Native American, 0.22% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 1.29% from other races, and 2.06% from two or more races. 3.58% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 9,888 households, out of which 34.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.90% were married couples living together, 8.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.30% were non-families. 25.60% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.58 and the average family size was 3.10.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 28.50% under the age of 18, 7.50% from 18 to 24, 26.20% from 25 to 44, 22.40% from 45 to 64, and 15.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.90 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $39,415, and the median income for a family was $46,739. Males had a median income of $36,616 versus $23,020 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,305. About 7.20% of families and 9.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.20% of those under age 18 and 6.80% of those age 65 or over.

Government[]

Presidential elections[]

Sumner County, like many neighboring counties, often votes for the Republican Party in presidential elections. However, in 1992 independent candidate Ross Perot came within two percent of winning the county against George H. W. Bush. The last time the county voted for a Democratic candidate was Jimmy Carter in 1976.

United States presidential election results for Sumner County, Kansas[11]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2020 8,105 74.17% 2,591 23.71% 232 2.12%
2016 6,984 71.84% 2,076 21.35% 662 6.81%
2012 6,260 68.48% 2,658 29.08% 223 2.44%
2008 6,737 65.17% 3,353 32.44% 247 2.39%
2004 7,092 67.62% 3,217 30.67% 179 1.71%
2000 6,176 60.36% 3,549 34.69% 507 4.96%
1996 5,952 54.22% 3,638 33.14% 1,387 12.64%
1992 4,087 35.27% 3,564 30.76% 3,937 33.97%
1988 5,394 53.71% 4,417 43.99% 231 2.30%
1984 6,942 64.32% 3,708 34.36% 143 1.32%
1980 6,038 57.53% 3,761 35.83% 697 6.64%
1976 4,645 44.92% 5,385 52.08% 310 3.00%
1972 6,941 68.08% 2,685 26.34% 569 5.58%
1968 5,622 54.48% 3,562 34.52% 1,136 11.01%
1964 4,760 45.55% 5,574 53.34% 116 1.11%
1960 7,219 61.51% 4,462 38.02% 55 0.47%
1956 7,024 62.95% 4,088 36.64% 46 0.41%
1952 8,134 68.95% 3,567 30.24% 96 0.81%
1948 5,922 55.42% 4,571 42.78% 192 1.80%
1944 6,343 59.87% 4,187 39.52% 64 0.60%
1940 6,585 51.86% 5,988 47.16% 125 0.98%
1936 4,946 38.23% 7,966 61.57% 27 0.21%
1932 4,926 42.40% 6,353 54.68% 340 2.93%
1928 8,951 79.64% 2,108 18.75% 181 1.61%
1924 5,552 54.93% 2,556 25.29% 2,000 19.79%
1920 5,830 60.49% 3,454 35.84% 354 3.67%
1916 4,079 39.37% 5,519 53.27% 763 7.36%
1912 781 12.21% 2,557 39.97% 3,060 47.83%
1908 3,235 51.30% 2,772 43.96% 299 4.74%
1904 3,264 61.61% 1,489 28.10% 545 10.29%
1900 3,184 50.61% 2,982 47.40% 125 1.99%
1896 2,515 44.76% 3,048 54.24% 56 1.00%
1892 3,503 45.52% 0 0.00% 4,192 54.48%
1888 3,499 49.72% 2,139 30.39% 1,400 19.89%
1884 3,489 53.04% 2,548 38.74% 541 8.22%
1880 2,073 51.55% 1,419 35.29% 529 13.16%



Laws[]

Following amendment to the Kansas Constitution in 1986, Sumner County remained a prohibition, or "dry", county until 1992, when voters approved the sale of alcoholic liquor by the individual drink with a 30 percent food sales requirement.[12]

Education[]

Unified school districts[]

  • Mulvane USD 263
  • Wellington USD 353
  • Conway Springs USD 356
  • Belle Plaine USD 357
  • Oxford USD 358
  • Argonia USD 359
  • Caldwell USD 360
  • South Haven USD 509

Communities[]

Map of Sumner Co, Ks, USA

2005 KDOT Map of Sumner County (map legend)

Cities[]

Unincorporated communities[]

  • Anson
  • Adamsville
  • Ashton
  • Cicero
  • Corbin
  • Dalton
  • Drury
  • Milton (census-designated place)
  • Peck (partly in Sedgwick County)
  • Perth
  • Portland
  • Riverdale
  • Rome
  • Suppesville
  • Zyba

Ghost towns[]

  • Bushnell
  • Cleardale
  • Doster
  • Ewell
  • Metcalf
  • Roland
  • Sumner City

Townships[]

Sumner County is divided into thirty townships. The cities of Caldwell and Wellington 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.

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
Avon 03575 319 3 (9) 93 (36) 0 (0) 0.03% 37°15′58″N 97°18′56″W / 37.26611, -97.31556
Belle Plaine 05525 3,504 33 (87) 105 (40) 1 (0) 0.69% 37°24′33″N 97°17′19″W / 37.40917, -97.28861
Bluff 07750 74 1 (1) 136 (53) 0 (0) 0% 37°3′19″N 97°44′18″W / 37.05528, -97.73833
Caldwell 09925 200 1 (4) 136 (52) 0 (0) 0.02% 37°3′42″N 97°37′52″W / 37.06167, -97.63111
Chikaskia 13150 69 1 (2) 94 (36) 0 (0) 0.02% 37°10′4″N 97°38′4″W / 37.16778, -97.63444
Conway 15300 1,286 14 (35) 94 (36) 0 (0) 0% 37°24′33″N 97°39′4″W / 37.40917, -97.65111
Creek 16300 241 3 (7) 95 (37) 0 (0) 0.05% 37°20′10″N 97°44′18″W / 37.33611, -97.73833
Dixon 18200 738 8 (20) 94 (36) 0 (0) 0% 37°15′55″N 97°45′44″W / 37.26528, -97.76222
Downs 18525 159 2 (5) 91 (35) 0 (0) 0% 37°10′43″N 97°31′12″W / 37.17861, -97.52
Eden 19800 452 5 (12) 95 (37) 0 (0) 0% 37°25′45″N 97°45′36″W / 37.42917, -97.76
Falls 22875 187 1 (3) 139 (54) 0 (0) 0% 37°4′48″N 97°31′52″W / 37.08, -97.53111
Gore 26975 2,220 27 (70) 83 (32) 1 (1) 1.69% 37°26′56″N 97°12′28″W / 37.44889, -97.20778
Greene 28525 80 1 (2) 93 (36) 0 (0) 0.10% 37°10′28″N 97°18′26″W / 37.17444, -97.30722
Guelph 29175 164 1 (3) 141 (55) 0 (0) 0% 37°4′10″N 97°19′21″W / 37.06944, -97.3225
Harmon 30125 277 3 (9) 79 (31) 0 (0) 0% 37°21′31″N 97°19′6″W / 37.35861, -97.31833
Illinois 33800 178 2 (5) 94 (36) 0 (0) 0.05% 37°25′20″N 97°31′6″W / 37.42222, -97.51833
Jackson 34925 153 2 (4) 94 (36) 0 (0) 0.02% 37°10′36″N 97°24′38″W / 37.17667, -97.41056
London 42400 774 7 (19) 107 (41) 1 (0) 0.93% 37°26′4″N 97°24′32″W / 37.43444, -97.40889
Morris 48375 35 0 (1) 94 (36) 0 (0) 0% 37°10′35″N 97°44′17″W / 37.17639, -97.73806
Osborne 53335 273 3 (8) 92 (35) 1 (0) 1.30% 37°15′11″N 97°32′9″W / 37.25306, -97.53583
Oxford 53875 1,403 14 (37) 99 (38) 1 (0) 1.08% 37°16′29″N 97°10′31″W / 37.27472, -97.17528
Palestine 54175 249 3 (9) 72 (28) 1 (0) 1.26% 37°21′7″N 97°13′5″W / 37.35194, -97.21806
Ryan 61950 239 3 (7) 92 (36) 0 (0) 0% 37°15′37″N 97°38′51″W / 37.26028, -97.6475
Seventy-Six 64000 238 3 (7) 93 (36) 0 (0) 0% 37°21′15″N 97°24′40″W / 37.35417, -97.41111
South Haven 66675 670 5 (12) 140 (54) 0 (0) 0% 37°2′44″N 97°24′51″W / 37.04556, -97.41417
Springdale 67575 761 8 (21) 93 (36) 0 (0) 0% 37°21′57″N 97°38′54″W / 37.36583, -97.64833
Sumner 69225 150 2 (4) 94 (36) 0 (0) 0% 37°21′8″N 97°31′12″W / 37.35222, -97.52
Valverde 73350 147 2 (4) 93 (36) 1 (0) 0.76% 37°11′5″N 97°12′13″W / 37.18472, -97.20361
Walton 75300 431 3 (8) 139 (54) 0 (0) 0% 37°4′43″N 97°11′36″W / 37.07861, -97.19333
Wellington 76500 344 4 (11) 81 (31) 0 (0) 0.06% 37°16′17″N 97°25′16″W / 37.27139, -97.42111

See also[]

  • National Register of Historic Places listings in Sumner County, Kansas
  • Chisholm Trail

Information on this and other counties in Kansas

Other information for Kansas


References[]

Notes

Further reading[]

Template:Kansas books

External links[]

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