Lyon County, Kansas
Encyclopedia
Lyon County is a county located in the U.S. state
of Kansas
. The county was named for General Nathaniel Lyon
, who was killed at the Battle of Wilson's Creek
in the Civil War. As of the 2010 census, the county population was 33,690. Emporia
is the largest city and county seat
. Lyon County is part of the Emporia Micropolitan Statistical Area
.
The county should not be confused with the city of Lyons
, which is located in Rice County
.
, 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. The food sales requirement was removed with voter approval in 1992.
of 2000, there were 35,935 people, 13,691 households, and 8,639 families residing in the county. The population density
was 42 people per square mile (16/km²). There were 14,757 housing units at an average density of 17 per square mile (7/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 83.27% White
, 2.27% Black
or African American
, 0.47% Native American
, 2.04% Asian
, 0.01% Pacific Islander
, 9.79% from other races
, and 2.16% from two or more races. 16.72% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race.
There were 13,691 households out of which 32.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.80% were married couples
living together, 8.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.90% were non-families. 28.50% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.80% 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 3.12.
In the county the population was spread out with 25.70% under the age of 18, 16.20% from 18 to 24, 27.20% from 25 to 44, 19.10% from 45 to 64, and 11.60% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females there were 97.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.20 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $32,819, and the median income for a family was $43,112. Males had a median income of $28,865 versus $21,338 for females. The per capita income
for the county was $15,724. About 9.60% of families and 14.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.60% of those under age 18 and 9.20% of those age 65 or over.
. The city of Emporia
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.
General county information
County Level Data
Maps
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Kansas
Kansas
Kansas is a US state located in the Midwestern United States. It is named after the Kansas River which flows through it, which in turn was named after the Kansa Native American tribe, which inhabited the area. The tribe's name is often said to mean "people of the wind" or "people of the south...
. The county was named for General Nathaniel Lyon
Nathaniel Lyon
Nathaniel Lyon was the first Union general to be killed in the American Civil War and is noted for his actions in the state of Missouri at the beginning of the conflict....
, who was killed at the Battle of Wilson's Creek
Battle of Wilson's Creek
The Battle of Wilson's Creek, also known as the Battle of Oak Hills, was fought on August 10, 1861, near Springfield, Missouri, between Union forces and the Missouri State Guard, early in the American Civil War. It was the first major battle of the war west of the Mississippi River and is sometimes...
in the Civil War. As of the 2010 census, the county population was 33,690. Emporia
Emporia, Kansas
Emporia is a city in and the county seat of Lyon County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 24,916. Emporia lies between Topeka and Wichita at the intersection of U.S. Route 50 with Interstates 335 and 35 on the Kansas Turnpike...
is the largest city and county seat
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
. Lyon County is part of the Emporia Micropolitan Statistical Area
Emporia micropolitan area
The Emporia Micropolitan Statistical Area, as defined by the United States Census Bureau, is an area consisting of two counties in Kansas, anchored by the city of Emporia....
.
The county should not be confused with the city of Lyons
Lyons, Kansas
Lyons is a city in and the county seat of Rice County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 3,739.-History:Although Coronado's exact route across the plains is uncertain and has been widely disputed, he and his men are thought to have camped near the present...
, which is located in Rice County
Rice County, Kansas
Rice County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kansas; it was named in memory of Samuel Allen Rice, Brigadier-General, United States volunteers, killed April 30, 1864, at Jenkins Ferry, Arkansas. As of the 2010 census, the county population was 10,083...
.
Law and government
Lyon County was a prohibition, or "dry"Dry county
A dry county is a county in the United States whose government forbids the sale of alcoholic beverages. Some prohibit off-premises sale, some prohibit on-premises sale, and some prohibit both. Hundreds of dry counties exist across the United States, almost all of them in the South...
, 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. The food sales requirement was removed with voter approval in 1992.
Geography
According to the 2000 census, the county has a total area of 855.14 square miles (2,214.8 km²), of which 850.87 square miles (2,203.7 km²) (or 99.50%) is land and 4.27 square miles (11.1 km²) (or 0.50%) is water.Adjacent counties
- Wabaunsee CountyWabaunsee County, KansasWabaunsee County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kansas. As of the 2010 census, the county population was 7,053. Its county seat is Alma. It is part of the Topeka, Kansas Metropolitan Statistical Area...
, KansasKansasKansas is a US state located in the Midwestern United States. It is named after the Kansas River which flows through it, which in turn was named after the Kansa Native American tribe, which inhabited the area. The tribe's name is often said to mean "people of the wind" or "people of the south...
(north) - Osage CountyOsage County, KansasOsage County is a county located in east-central Kansas, in the Central United States. As of the 2010 census, the county population was 16295. Its county seat is Lyndon, and its most populous city is Osage City. The county along with Shawnee, Jackson, Jefferson, and Wabaunsee counties is...
, KansasKansasKansas is a US state located in the Midwestern United States. It is named after the Kansas River which flows through it, which in turn was named after the Kansa Native American tribe, which inhabited the area. The tribe's name is often said to mean "people of the wind" or "people of the south...
(northeast) - Coffey CountyCoffey County, KansasCoffey County is a county located in East Central Kansas, in the Central United States. As of the 2010 census, the county population was 8,601...
, KansasKansasKansas is a US state located in the Midwestern United States. It is named after the Kansas River which flows through it, which in turn was named after the Kansa Native American tribe, which inhabited the area. The tribe's name is often said to mean "people of the wind" or "people of the south...
(southeast) - Greenwood CountyGreenwood County, KansasGreenwood County is a county located in Southeast Kansas, in the Central United States. As of the 2010 census, the county population was 6,689...
, KansasKansasKansas is a US state located in the Midwestern United States. It is named after the Kansas River which flows through it, which in turn was named after the Kansa Native American tribe, which inhabited the area. The tribe's name is often said to mean "people of the wind" or "people of the south...
(south) - Chase CountyChase County, KansasChase County is a county located in Central Kansas, in the Central United States. As of the 2010 census, the county population was 2,790. Its county seat and most populous city is Cottonwood Falls. Chase County is part of the Emporia Micropolitan Statistical Area.The county has been the subject...
, KansasKansasKansas is a US state located in the Midwestern United States. It is named after the Kansas River which flows through it, which in turn was named after the Kansa Native American tribe, which inhabited the area. The tribe's name is often said to mean "people of the wind" or "people of the south...
(west) - Morris CountyMorris County, KansasMorris County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kansas. As of the 2010 census, the county population was 5,923. The largest city and county seat is Council Grove.-19th century:...
, KansasKansasKansas is a US state located in the Midwestern United States. It is named after the Kansas River which flows through it, which in turn was named after the Kansa Native American tribe, which inhabited the area. The tribe's name is often said to mean "people of the wind" or "people of the south...
(northwest)
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 35,935 people, 13,691 households, and 8,639 families residing in the county. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 42 people per square mile (16/km²). There were 14,757 housing units at an average density of 17 per square mile (7/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 83.27% White
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 2.27% Black
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or African American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.47% Native American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 2.04% Asian
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.01% Pacific Islander
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 9.79% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 2.16% from two or more races. 16.72% of the population were Hispanic
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or Latino
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
of any race.
There were 13,691 households out of which 32.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.80% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 8.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.90% were non-families. 28.50% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.80% 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 3.12.
In the county the population was spread out with 25.70% under the age of 18, 16.20% from 18 to 24, 27.20% from 25 to 44, 19.10% from 45 to 64, and 11.60% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females there were 97.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.20 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $32,819, and the median income for a family was $43,112. Males had a median income of $28,865 versus $21,338 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the county was $15,724. About 9.60% of families and 14.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.60% of those under age 18 and 9.20% of those age 65 or over.
Incorporated cities
Name and population (2008 estimate):- EmporiaEmporia, KansasEmporia is a city in and the county seat of Lyon County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 24,916. Emporia lies between Topeka and Wichita at the intersection of U.S. Route 50 with Interstates 335 and 35 on the Kansas Turnpike...
, 26,380 (county seat) - AmericusAmericus, KansasAmericus is a city in Lyon County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 894. It is part of the Emporia Micropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Americus is located at...
, 917 - OlpeOlpe, KansasOlpe is a city in Lyon County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 546. It is part of the Emporia Micropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Olpe is located at...
, 508 - HartfordHartford, KansasHartford is a city in Lyon County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 371. It is part of the Emporia Micropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Hartford is located at...
, 494 - Neosho RapidsNeosho Rapids, KansasNeosho Rapids is a city in Lyon County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 265. It is part of the Emporia Micropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Neosho Rapids is located at...
, 271 - ReadingReading, KansasReading is a city in Lyon County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 231. It is part of the Emporia Micropolitan Statistical Area.-History:...
, 244 - AllenAllen, KansasAllen is a city in Lyon County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 177. It is part of the Emporia Micropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Allen is located at...
, 212 - AdmireAdmire, KansasAdmire is a city in Lyon County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 156. It is part of the Emporia Micropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Admire is located at...
, 174 - BushongBushong, KansasBushong is a city in Lyon County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 34. It is part of the Emporia Micropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Bushong is located at...
, 50
Townships
Lyon County is divided into eleven townshipsCivil township
A civil township is a widely used unit of local government in the United States, subordinate to, and geographic divisions of, a county. Specific responsibilities and the degree of autonomy vary based on each state. Civil townships are distinct from survey townships, but in states that have both,...
. The city of Emporia
Emporia, Kansas
Emporia is a city in and the county seat of Lyon County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 24,916. Emporia lies between Topeka and Wichita at the intersection of U.S. Route 50 with Interstates 335 and 35 on the Kansas Turnpike...
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Agnes City | 00525 | 468 | 2 (4) | 279 (108) | 0 (0) | 0.15% | 38°39′54"N 96°13′50"W | |
| Americus | 01700 | 1,522 | 7 (17) | 225 (87) | 1 (0) | 0.35% | 38°31′12"N 96°16′0"W | |
| Center | 11800 | 1,201 | 4 (10) | 308 (119) | 3 (1) | 0.82% | 38°14′17"N 96°13′13"W | |
| Elmendaro | 20687 | 949 | 4 (10) | 257 (99) | 1 (0) | 0.31% | 38°15′31"N 96°1′8"W | |
| Emporia | 21300 | 1,167 | 8 (21) | 143 (55) | 2 (1) | 1.20% | 38°23′7"N 96°10′13"W | |
| Fremont | 24750 | 842 | 5 (12) | 184 (71) | 1 (0) | 0.33% | 38°29′35"N 96°9′17"W | |
| Ivy | 34700 | 304 | 3 (9) | 88 (34) | 0 (0) | 0.07% | 38°38′23"N 96°5′25"W | |
| Jackson | 34825 | 995 | 4 (11) | 227 (88) | 1 (1) | 0.62% | 38°23′39"N 96°0′37"W | |
| Pike | 55825 | 899 | 6 (17) | 139 (54) | 0 (0) | 0.35% | 38°24′13"N 96°17′39"W | |
| Reading | 58625 | 547 | 3 (8) | 175 (67) | 1 (1) | 0.79% | 38°31′35"N 95°59′56"W | |
| Waterloo | 75925 | 281 | 2 (5) | 154 (59) | 1 (0) | 0.40% | 38°41′32"N 96°0′26"W |
Education
Unified school districts
See also
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Lyon County, KansasNational Register of Historic Places listings in Lyon County, KansasThis is a list of the National Register of Historic Places listings in Lyon County, Kansas.This is intended to be a complete list of the properties on the National Register of Historic Places in Lyon County, Kansas, United States...
- Jacobs Creek FloodJacobs Creek FloodThe Jacobs Creek Flood, also referred to as the Kansas Turnpike Flash Flood, was a flash flood that occurred on the night of August 30, 2003, southwest of Emporia, KS, on the Kansas Turnpike...
Further reading
- 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)
External links
Official SiteGeneral county information
County Level Data
Maps
- Lyon County Map, KDOT
- Kansas Highway Map, KDOT
- Kansas Railroad Map, KDOT
- Kansas School District Boundary Map, KSDE