Republic County is a county located in the
stateA 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
KansasKansas 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 4,980. The largest city and
county seatA 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
BellevilleBelleville is a city in and the county seat of Republic County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 1,991.-Geography:Belleville is located at...
.
19th century
Republic County was first settled around 1860 by Daniel and Conrad Myers. The territory was principally inhabited by Pawnees, Iowas, and Otoes who greeted the incoming settlers - mostly farmers - peaceably. By 1868, Republic County was holding elections.
During the late 19th century, Belleville became the urban center for the immigrants that were attracted to the surrounding areas, most notably from
SwedenSweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
and
BohemiaBohemia is a historical region in central Europe, occupying the western two-thirds of the traditional Czech Lands. It is located in the contemporary Czech Republic with its capital in Prague...
(now
Czech RepublicThe Czech Republic is a landlocked country in Central Europe. The country is bordered by Poland to the northeast, Slovakia to the east, Austria to the south, and Germany to the west and northwest....
).
In 1887,
Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe RailwayThe Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway , often abbreviated as Santa Fe, was one of the larger railroads in the United States. The company was first chartered in February 1859...
built a branch line from Neva (3 miles west of
Strong CityStrong City is a city in Chase County, Kansas, United States. It is named after William Barstow Strong, former president of the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 485.-19th century:...
) to
Superior, NebraskaSuperior is a city in Nuckolls County, Nebraska, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 1,957.Superior bills itself as the "Victorian Capital of Nebraska", and holds an annual Victorian Festival...
. This branch line connected
Strong CityStrong City is a city in Chase County, Kansas, United States. It is named after William Barstow Strong, former president of the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 485.-19th century:...
, Neva, Rockland, Diamond Springs,
BurdickBurdick is an unincorporated community in southwestern Morris County, Kansas, United States. It lies along local roads south-southwest of the city of Council Grove, the county seat of Morris County. Its elevation is 1,453 feet , and it is located at...
,
Lost SpringsLost Springs is a city in Marion County, Kansas, United States. It was named for the old lost spring near the city. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 70.-19th century:...
, Jacobs,
HopeHope is a city in southern Dickinson County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 368. The motto of Hope is "There Will Always Be Hope In Kansas", which is also the name of a song.-History:...
,
NavarreNavarre is a small unincorporated community in Dickinson County, Kansas, United States. The post office was established February 7, 1884, and discontinued September 3, 1971.-History:...
,
EnterpriseEnterprise is a city in Dickinson County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 855.-History:On January 10, 1883, the Enterprise Town Company, capital $50,000, was organized. The following officers were elected: V. P. Wilson, president; John Johntz, vice-president;...
,
AbileneAbilene is a city in and the county seat of Dickinson County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 6,844.-History:...
,
TalmageTalmage is a small unincorporated community in Dickinson County, Kansas, United States. The post office was established December 22, 1887.-History:...
,
ManchesterManchester is a city in Dickinson County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 95.-History:In 1887, Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway built a branch line from Neva through Manchester to Superior, Nebraska...
,
LongfordLongford is a city in Clay County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 79.-History:In 1887, Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway built a branch line from Neva through Longford to Superior, Nebraska...
,
Oak HillOak Hill is a city in Clay County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 24.-History:In 1887, Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway built a branch line from Neva through Oak Hill to Superior, Nebraska...
,
MiltonvaleMiltonvale is a city in Cloud County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 539.-History:Miltonvale was founded on December 1, 1881.From 1909 to 1972, it was the home of Miltonvale Wesleyan College....
,
AuroraAurora is a city in Cloud County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 60.-History:In 1887, Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway built a branch line from Neva through Aurora to Superior, Nebraska...
,
HuscherHuscher is an unincorporated rural area in Cloud County, Kansas, United States.-History:In 1887, Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway built a branch line from Neva through Huscher to Superior, Nebraska. In 1996, the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway merged with Burlington Northern Railroad...
,
ConcordiaConcordia is a city in and the county seat of Cloud County, Kansas, United States. Located on the Republican River in the Smoky Hills region of the Great Plains, Concordia was founded in 1871 and is an economic and cultural center in north-central Kansas...
,
KackleyKackley is an unincorporated rural area in Republic County, Kansas, United States.-History:In 1887, Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway built a branch line from Neva through Kackley to Superior, Nebraska. In 1996, the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway merged with Burlington Northern...
,
CourtlandCourtland is a city in Republic County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 285.-History:In 1887, Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway built a branch line from Neva through Courtland to Superior, Nebraska...
,
WebberWebber is a city in Jewell County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 25.-History:In 1887, Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway built a branch line from Neva through Webber to Superior, Nebraska...
,
SuperiorSuperior is a city in Nuckolls County, Nebraska, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 1,957.Superior bills itself as the "Victorian Capital of Nebraska", and holds an annual Victorian Festival...
. At some point, the line from Neva to
Lost SpringsLost Springs is a city in Marion County, Kansas, United States. It was named for the old lost spring near the city. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 70.-19th century:...
was pulled but the right of way has not been abandoned. This branch line was originally called "Strong City and Superior line" but later the name was shortened to the "Strong City line". In 1996, the
Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe RailwayThe Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway , often abbreviated as Santa Fe, was one of the larger railroads in the United States. The company was first chartered in February 1859...
merged with
Burlington Northern RailroadThe Burlington Northern Railroad was a United States-based railroad company formed from a merger of four major U.S. railroads. Burlington Northern operated between 1970 and 1996....
and renamed to the current
BNSF RailwayThe BNSF Railway is a wholly owned subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway Inc., and is headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas. It is one of seven North American Class I railroads and the second largest freight railroad network in North America, second only to the Union Pacific Railroad, its primary...
. Most locals still refer to this railroad as the "Santa Fe".
Law and government
Republic County was a prohibition, or
"dry"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 720.31 square miles (1,865.6 km²), of which 716.38 square miles (1,855.4 km²) (or 99.45%) is land and 3.93 square miles (10.2 km²) (or 0.55%) is water.
Adjacent counties
- Thayer County
-History:Thayer County was formed in 1872. It was named after the General and Governor John Milton Thayer.-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 6,055 people, 2,541 households, and 1,689 families residing in the county. The population density was 10 people per square mile . There were...
, NebraskaNebraska is a state on the Great Plains of the Midwestern United States. The state's capital is Lincoln and its largest city is Omaha, on the Missouri River....
(north)
- Jefferson County
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 8,333 people, 3,527 households, and 2,352 families residing in the county. The population density was 14 people per square mile . There were 3,942 housing units at an average density of 7 per square mile...
, NebraskaNebraska is a state on the Great Plains of the Midwestern United States. The state's capital is Lincoln and its largest city is Omaha, on the Missouri River....
(northeast)
- Washington County
Washington County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kansas. As of the 2010 census, the county population was 5,799...
(east)
- Cloud County
Cloud County is a county located in North Central Kansas, in the Central United States. As of the 2010 census, the county population was 9,533. Its county seat and most populous city is Concordia.-19th century:...
(south)
- Jewell County
Jewell County is a county located in North Central Kansas, in the Central United States. As of the 2010 census, the county population was 3,077. Its county seat and most populous city is Mankato.-19th century:...
(west)
- Nuckolls County
Nuckolls County is a county located in the U.S. state of Nebraska. As of the 2010 census, the county population was 4,500. Its county seat is Nelson....
, NebraskaNebraska is a state on the Great Plains of the Midwestern United States. The state's capital is Lincoln and its largest city is Omaha, on the Missouri River....
(northwest)
Demographics
As of the
censusA 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 5,835 people, 2,557 households, and 1,685 families residing in the county. The
population densityPopulation density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 8 people per square mile (3/km²). There were 3,113 housing units at an average density of 4 per square mile (2/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 98.56%
WhiteRace 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...
, 0.26%
BlackRace 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 AmericanRace 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...
, 0.21%
Native AmericanRace 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...
, 0.19%
AsianRace 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...
, 0.33% from
other racesRace 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 0.46% from two or more races. 0.94% of the population were
HispanicRace 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
LatinoRace 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. 24.1% were of
GermanThe Germans are a Germanic ethnic group native to Central Europe. The English term Germans has referred to the German-speaking population of the Holy Roman Empire since the Late Middle Ages....
, 13.6% Swedish, 12.4% Czech, 9.2%
EnglishThe English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
, 9.0%
IrishThe Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
and 8.6%
AmericanThe United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
ancestry according to Census 2000.
There were 2,557 households out of which 25.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.80% were
married couplesMarriage 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, 4.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.10% were non-families. 31.80% of all households were made up of individuals and 18.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.23 and the average family size was 2.80.
In the county the population was spread out with 22.30% under the age of 18, 4.50% from 18 to 24, 22.10% from 25 to 44, 25.00% from 45 to 64, and 26.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 46 years. For every 100 females there were 93.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.80 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $30,494, and the median income for a family was $39,215. Males had a median income of $25,260 versus $17,274 for females. The
per capita incomePer 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 $17,433. About 6.00% of families and 9.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.40% of those under age 18 and 8.90% of those age 65 or over.
Incorporated cities
Name and population (2004 estimate):
- Belleville
Belleville is a city in and the county seat of Republic County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 1,991.-Geography:Belleville is located at...
, 1,984 (county seat)
- Scandia
Scandia is a city in Republic County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 372.-History:The first American flag to be flown in what is now Kansas was raised near Scandia in 1806. It wasn't settled until 1868 by Swedes fleeing a famine in their native country, and...
, 380
- Courtland
Courtland is a city in Republic County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 285.-History:In 1887, Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway built a branch line from Neva through Courtland to Superior, Nebraska...
, 295
- Cuba
Cuba is a city in Republic County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 156.-History:The city of Cuba, Kansas was founded in 1868 by American southerners traveling westward after the American Civil War. The city received its name from one settler who had once lived...
, 210
- Republic
Republic is a city in Republic County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 116.-Geography:Republic is located at . According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all of it land.-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 161...
, 146
- Munden
Munden is a city in Republic County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 100.-Geography:Munden is located at . According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all of it land.-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 122...
, 111
- Narka
Narka is a city in Republic County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 94.-Geography:Narka is located at . According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all of it land.-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 93 people,...
, 84
- Agenda
Agenda is a city in Republic County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 68.-Geography:Agenda is located at . According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all of it land.-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 81...
, 73
Unincorporated cities
- Kackley
Kackley is an unincorporated rural area in Republic County, Kansas, United States.-History:In 1887, Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway built a branch line from Neva through Kackley to Superior, Nebraska. In 1996, the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway merged with Burlington Northern...
- Norway
Norway is an unincorporated rural area in Republic County, Kansas, United States.-Resources:* Video story of Belva Morgan, the postmaster of Norway. Includes video of downtown buildings and surrounding area.* of a tour including Norway...
- Talmo
- Wayne
Wayne is an unincorporated rural area in Republic County, Kansas, United States....
Townships
Republic County is divided into twenty
townshipsA 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
BellevilleBelleville is a city in and the county seat of Republic County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 1,991.-Geography:Belleville is located at...
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.
align="bottom"|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 |
| Albion |
00900 |
|
174 |
2 (5) |
92 (36) |
0 (0) |
0.12% |
39°57′35"N 97°25′29"W |
| Beaver |
05150 |
|
137 |
2 (4) |
91 (35) |
3 (1) |
3.04% |
39°42′17"N 97°51′59"W |
| Belleville |
05625 |
|
231 |
3 (7) |
89 (34) |
0 (0) |
0.11% |
39°47′14"N 97°38′35"W |
| Big Bend |
06550 |
|
242 |
3 (7) |
92 (35) |
1 (0) |
1.39% |
39°57′0"N 97°50′53"W |
| Courtland |
16050 |
|
450 |
5 (12) |
94 (36) |
0 (0) |
0.06% |
39°46′56"N 97°52′51"W |
| Elk Creek |
20275 |
|
175 |
2 (5) |
94 (36) |
0 (0) |
0.15% |
39°42′16"N 97°25′41"W |
| Fairview |
22575 |
|
155 |
2 (4) |
94 (36) |
0 (0) |
0.49% |
39°52′50"N 97°31′54"W |
| Farmington |
23200 |
|
81 |
1 (2) |
93 (36) |
0 (0) |
0.20% |
39°52′20"N 97°25′24"W |
| Freedom |
24675 |
|
186 |
2 (5) |
90 (35) |
0 (0) |
0.28% |
39°51′31"N 97°38′26"W |
| Grant |
28050 |
|
77 |
1 (2) |
95 (37) |
0 (0) |
0.15% |
39°42′5"N 97°32′31"W |
| Jefferson |
35325 |
|
107 |
1 (3) |
95 (37) |
0 (0) |
0.05% |
39°47′29"N 97°32′33"W |
| Liberty |
40325 |
|
52 |
1 (1) |
93 (36) |
0 (0) |
0.19% |
39°57′2"N 97°38′30"W |
| Lincoln |
41075 |
|
103 |
1 (3) |
92 (36) |
0 (0) |
0.09% |
39°41′58"N 97°38′57"W |
| Norway |
51575 |
|
163 |
2 (5) |
92 (36) |
1 (0) |
1.19% |
39°42′17"N 97°46′9"W |
| Richland |
59575 |
|
318 |
3 (9) |
92 (36) |
0 (0) |
0.11% |
39°47′30"N 97°26′4"W |
| Rose Creek |
61200 |
|
170 |
2 (5) |
94 (36) |
0 (0) |
0.44% |
39°57′27"N 97°32′13"W |
| Scandia |
63375 |
|
541 |
6 (15) |
92 (36) |
1 (0) |
1.23% |
39°47′28"N 97°46′27"W |
| Union |
72300 |
|
51 |
1 (1) |
93 (36) |
0 (0) |
0.18% |
39°52′0"N 97°46′5"W |
| Washington |
75700 |
|
95 |
1 (3) |
93 (36) |
0 (0) |
0.24% |
39°57′57"N 97°45′14"W |
| White Rock |
77975 |
|
88 |
1 (2) |
92 (36) |
1 (0) |
1.09% |
39°52′34"N 97°51′54"W |
Unified school districts
See also
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
County
Historical
Maps