Pottawatomie County, Kansas
Encyclopedia
Pottawatomie County is a county
located in the U.S. state
of Kansas
. As of the 2010 census, the county population was 21,604. The county seat
is Westmoreland
. The county takes its name from the Potawatomi
tribe of Native Americans. The county is part of the Manhattan, Kansas
, Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Among the famous natives of Pottawatomie County are world heavyweight boxing champion Jess Willard
and automobile executive Walter Chrysler
.
Pottawatomie 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.
of 2000, there were 18,209 people, 6,771 households, and 4,929 families residing in the county. The population density
was 22 people per square mile (8/km²). There were 7,311 housing units at an average density of 9 per square mile (3/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 96.32% White
, 0.66% Black
or African American
, 0.59% Native American
, 0.32% Asian
, 0.01% Pacific Islander
, 0.60% from other races
, and 1.50% from two or more races. 2.26% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race.
There were 6,771 households out of which 36.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.40% were married couples
living together, 7.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.20% were non-families. 23.20% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.65 and the average family size was 3.15.
In the county the population was spread out with 29.50% under the age of 18, 7.70% from 18 to 24, 27.70% from 25 to 44, 21.60% from 45 to 64, and 13.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 98.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.70 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $40,176, and the median income for a family was $47,261. Males had a median income of $31,368 versus $23,238 for females. The per capita income
for the county was $17,785. About 6.40% of families and 9.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.10% of those under age 18 and 10.30% of those age 65 or over.
Pottawatomie County also contains a small part of the city of Manhattan
.
Prior to the creation of Tuttle Creek Lake
, the town of Garrison existed in west central Pottawatomie County.
. The city of Manhattan
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.
s serve Pottawatomie County. These include
General county information
County Level Data
Maps
County (United States)
In the United States, a county is a geographic subdivision of a state , usually assigned some governmental authority. The term "county" is used in 48 of the 50 states; Louisiana is divided into parishes and Alaska into boroughs. Parishes and boroughs are called "county-equivalents" by the U.S...
located in the U.S. state
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...
. As of the 2010 census, the county population was 21,604. The 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....
is Westmoreland
Westmoreland, Kansas
Westmoreland is a city in and the county seat of Pottawatomie County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 778. Westmoreland is part of the Manhattan, Kansas Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
. The county takes its name from the Potawatomi
Potawatomi
The Potawatomi are a Native American people of the upper Mississippi River region. They traditionally speak the Potawatomi language, a member of the Algonquian family. In the Potawatomi language, they generally call themselves Bodéwadmi, a name that means "keepers of the fire" and that was applied...
tribe of Native Americans. The county is part of the Manhattan, Kansas
Manhattan, Kansas
Manhattan is a city located in the northeastern part of the state of Kansas in the United States, at the junction of the Kansas River and Big Blue River. It is the county seat of Riley County and the city extends into Pottawatomie County. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 52,281...
, Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Among the famous natives of Pottawatomie County are world heavyweight boxing champion Jess Willard
Jess Willard
Jess Willard was a world heavyweight boxing champion. He won the heavyweight title from Jack Johnson in April 1915 and lost it to Jack Dempsey in July 1919....
and automobile executive Walter Chrysler
Walter Chrysler
Walter Percy Chrysler was an American machinist, railroad mechanic and manager, automotive industry executive, Freemason, and founder of the Chrysler Corporation.- Railroad career :...
.
Law and government
Pottawatomie County was created by the Kansas Territorial legislature in 1857, out of land formerly included in Riley County. The present county seat of Westmoreland was selected by a vote held in 1882.Pottawatomie 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.
Geography
According to the 2000 census, the county has a total area of 862.07 square miles (2,232.8 km²), of which 844.24 square miles (2,186.6 km²) (or 97.93%) is land and 17.83 square miles (46.2 km²) (or 2.07%) is water.Adjacent counties
- Marshall CountyMarshall County, KansasMarshall County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kansas. As of the 2010 census, the county population was 10,117. The largest city and county seat is Marysville.- History :...
(north) - Nemaha CountyNemaha County, KansasNemaha County is a county located in the northeastern part of the U.S. state of Kansas. As of the 2010 census, the county population was 10,178. The county seat is Seneca.- History :...
(northeast) - Jackson CountyJackson County, KansasJackson County is a county located in Northeast Kansas, in the Central United States. As of the 2010 census, the county population was 13,462. Its county seat and most populous city is Holton...
(east) - Shawnee CountyShawnee County, KansasShawnee County is a county located in northeast Kansas, in the central United States of America. Its most populous city, Topeka, is the state capital and county seat. The county's population was 177,934 for the 2010 census...
(southeast) - 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...
(south) - Riley CountyRiley County, KansasRiley County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kansas. The county's population was 71,115 for the 2010 census. The largest city and county seat is Manhattan. The county is part of the Manhattan, Kansas, Metropolitan Statistical Area.Riley County is home to two of Kansas' largest...
(west)
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 18,209 people, 6,771 households, and 4,929 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 22 people per square mile (8/km²). There were 7,311 housing units at an average density of 9 per square mile (3/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 96.32% 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...
, 0.66% 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...
, 0.59% 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...
, 0.32% 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...
, 0.60% 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 1.50% from two or more races. 2.26% 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 6,771 households out of which 36.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.40% 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, 7.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.20% were non-families. 23.20% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.65 and the average family size was 3.15.
In the county the population was spread out with 29.50% under the age of 18, 7.70% from 18 to 24, 27.70% from 25 to 44, 21.60% from 45 to 64, and 13.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 98.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.70 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $40,176, and the median income for a family was $47,261. Males had a median income of $31,368 versus $23,238 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 $17,785. About 6.40% of families and 9.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.10% of those under age 18 and 10.30% of those age 65 or over.
Incorporated cities
Name and population (2004 estimate):- WamegoWamego, KansasWamego is a city in Pottawatomie County, Kansas, United States. The population was 4,246 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Manhattan, Kansas Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Wamego is located at...
, 4,224 - St. MarysSt. Marys, KansasSt. Marys is a city in Pottawatomie and Wabaunsee counties in the U.S. state of Kansas, approximately 20 miles west of Topeka on U.S. Route 24. The population was 2,198 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Manhattan, Kansas Metropolitan Statistical Area....
, 2,246 - OnagaOnaga, KansasOnaga is a city in Pottawatomie County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 702. It is part of the Manhattan, Kansas Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Onaga is located at...
, 686 - WestmorelandWestmoreland, KansasWestmoreland is a city in and the county seat of Pottawatomie County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 778. Westmoreland is part of the Manhattan, Kansas Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
, 643 (county seat) - St. GeorgeSt. George, KansasSt. George is a city in Pottawatomie County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 639. It is part of the Manhattan, Kansas Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:St. George is located at...
, 475 - EmmettEmmett, KansasEmmett is a city in Pottawatomie County, Kansas, United States. The population was 277 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Manhattan, Kansas Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Emmett is located at ....
, 274 - BelvueBelvue, KansasBelvue is a city in Pottawatomie County, Kansas, United States. The population was 228 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Manhattan, Kansas Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Belvue is located at ....
, 224 - LouisvilleLouisville, KansasLouisville is a city in Pottawatomie County, Kansas, United States. The population was 209 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Manhattan, Kansas Metropolitan Statistical Area.-History:...
, 211 - OlsburgOlsburg, KansasOlsburg is a city in Pottawatomie County, Kansas, United States. The population was 192 at the 2000 census, unchanged from 1990. It is part of the Manhattan, Kansas Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Olsburg is located at ....
, 185 - HavensvilleHavensville, KansasHavensville is a city in Pottawatomie County, Kansas, United States. The population was 146 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Manhattan, Kansas Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Havensville is located at...
, 147 - WheatonWheaton, KansasWheaton is a city in Pottawatomie County, Kansas, United States. The population was 92 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Manhattan, Kansas Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Wheaton is located at ....
, 92
Pottawatomie County also contains a small part of the city of Manhattan
Manhattan, Kansas
Manhattan is a city located in the northeastern part of the state of Kansas in the United States, at the junction of the Kansas River and Big Blue River. It is the county seat of Riley County and the city extends into Pottawatomie County. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 52,281...
.
Prior to the creation of Tuttle Creek Lake
Tuttle Creek Lake
Tuttle Creek Lake is a reservoir on the Big Blue River 5 miles north of Manhattan, in the Flint Hills region of northeast Kansas. It was built and is operated by the Army Corps of Engineers for the purpose of flood control....
, the town of Garrison existed in west central Pottawatomie County.
Townships
Pottawatomie County is divided into twenty-three 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 Manhattan
Manhattan, Kansas
Manhattan is a city located in the northeastern part of the state of Kansas in the United States, at the junction of the Kansas River and Big Blue River. It is the county seat of Riley County and the city extends into Pottawatomie County. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 52,281...
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Belvue | 05950 | 404 | 4 (11) | 96 (37) | 1 (0) | 1.05% | 39°14′7"N 96°11′21"W | |
| Blue | 07550 | 1,802 | 16 (41) | 114 (44) | 14 (5) | 10.66% | 39°13′44"N 96°31′49"W | |
| Blue Valley | 07725 | 339 | 3 (8) | 115 (44) | 13 (5) | 9.95% | 39°26′22"N 96°38′6"W | |
| Center | 12000 | 104 | 1 (3) | 78 (30) | 0 (0) | 0.04% | 39°21′4"N 96°14′10"W | |
| Clear Creek | 13800 | 113 | 1 (3) | 93 (36) | 0 (0) | 0.03% | 39°31′6"N 96°23′36"W | |
| Emmett | 21125 | 478 | 6 (16) | 77 (30) | 0 (0) | 0.61% | 39°18′11"N 96°3′46"W | |
| Grant | 27950 | 293 | 4 (10) | 77 (30) | 0 (0) | 0 % | 39°31′27"N 96°5′4"W | |
| Green | 28450 | 188 | 2 (4) | 125 (48) | 14 (5) | 9.91% | 39°21′14"N 96°36′6"W | |
| Lincoln | 41000 | 124 | 2 (4) | 77 (30) | 0 (0) | 0.18% | 39°25′37"N 96°3′26"W | |
| Lone Tree | 42550 | 239 | 3 (7) | 93 (36) | 0 (0) | 0 % | 39°30′54"N 96°18′18"W | |
| Louisville | 42950 | 735 | 8 (20) | 95 (37) | 0 (0) | 0.04% | 39°15′40"N 96°19′10"W | |
| Mill Creek | 46700 | 1,000 | 9 (24) | 108 (42) | 0 (0) | 0 % | 39°30′11"N 96°10′50"W | |
| Pottawatomie | 57250 | 499 | 3 (8) | 155 (60) | 0 (0) | 0.02% | 39°20′5"N 96°26′26"W | |
| Rock Creek | 60625 | 653 | 7 (18) | 93 (36) | 0 (0) | 0.19% | 39°25′41"N 96°24′10"W | |
| St. Clere | 62150 | 83 | 1 (3) | 77 (30) | 0 (0) | 0.21% | 39°21′36"N 96°5′30"W | |
| St. George | 62225 | 2,629 | 30 (79) | 87 (33) | 1 (1) | 1.69% | 39°11′46"N 96°24′56"W | |
| St. Marys | 62425 | 2,789 | 28 (73) | 99 (38) | 1 (0) | 0.60% | 39°11′58"N 96°4′19"W | |
| Shannon | 64300 | 235 | 2 (6) | 104 (40) | 0 (0) | 0.08% | 39°26′19"N 96°30′50"W | |
| Sherman | 65050 | 126 | 1 (3) | 94 (36) | 0 (0) | 0.02% | 39°25′54"N 96°17′29"W | |
| Spring Creek | 67475 | 61 | 1 (2) | 103 (40) | 0 (0) | 0.08% | 39°31′50"N 96°31′19"W | |
| Union | 72250 | 164 | 2 (5) | 94 (36) | 0 (0) | 0.03% | 39°20′20"N 96°19′34"W | |
| Vienna | 73875 | 92 | 1 (3) | 78 (30) | 0 (0) | 0.03% | 39°25′40"N 96°10′28"W | |
| Wamego | 75350 | 5,056 | 100 (260) | 50 (19) | 2 (1) | 3.20% | 39°12′19"N 96°18′20"W |
Unified school districts
Numerous Unified School DistrictsUnified school district
A unified school district or unit school district is a school district which includes both primary school and high school under the same district control....
s serve Pottawatomie County. These include
- Wamego USD 320 (Wamego, Louisville, Belvue)
- Kaw Valley USD 321 (St. Marys, Emmett)
- Onaga-Havensville-Wheaton USD 322 (Onaga, Havensville, Wheaton)
- Rock CreekRock Creek SchoolsRock Creek Schools is a school district in Pottawatomie County, Kansas, United States which administers three schools:*Rock Creek Junior/Senior High School, St George*St. George Elementary School, St...
USD 323 (Westmoreland and St. George) - Riley County USD 378 (Extreme West-Central Pott. County)
- Manhattan-Ogden USD 383 (Extreme Southwest Pott. County)
- Blue Valley USD 384 (Olsburg, Fostoria)
See also
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Pottawatomie County, KansasNational Register of Historic Places listings in Pottawatomie County, KansasThis is a list of the National Register of Historic Places listings in Pottawatomie County, Kansas.This is intended to be a complete list of the properties and districts on the National Register of Historic Places in Pottawatomie County, Kansas, United States...
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
OfficialGeneral county information
County Level Data
Maps
- 2000 Potawatomie County Map, KDOT
- 2011 Kansas Highway Map, KDOT
- 2011 Kansas Railroad Map, KDOT
- 2005 Kansas School District Boundary Map, KSDE