Clark County, Kansas

Clark County, Kansas
County
Stockgrowers State Bank in Ashland (2016)
Location within the U.S. state of Kansas
Coordinates: 37°14′N 99°50′W / 37.233°N 99.833°W / 37.233; -99.833
Country United States
State Kansas
FoundedFebruary 26, 1867
Named afterCharles F. Clarke
SeatAshland
Largest cityAshland
Area
 • Total
977 sq mi (2,530 km2)
 • Land975 sq mi (2,530 km2)
 • Water2.6 sq mi (6.7 km2)  0.3%
Population
 (2020)[1]
 • Total
1,991
 • Estimate 
(2021)[2]
1,977
 • Density2/sq mi (0.77/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Area code620
Congressional district1st
WebsiteClarkCountyKS.com

Clark County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kansas. Its county seat and most populous city is Ashland.[3] As of the 2020 census, the county population was 1,991.[1] The county was named after Charles Clarke.

History

See also: History of Kansas

Clark County, Kansas, was established on February 26, 1867, from the territory of the former Peketon County, and named for Charles F. Clarke, a captain in the 6th Regiment Kansas Volunteer Cavalry during the American Civil War, though the final 'e' was later dropped. As an unorganized county, it was initially attached to Ford County for judicial purposes until 1883, when it was incorporated into Ford County on account of its sparse population and prosperous cattle ranches. This inclusion displeased the settlers of Clark County, and Clark County was again detached from Ford County in March 1885, this time attached to Comanche County for judicial purposes. Clark County was finally organized in May 1885, with the county seat at Ashland.[4]

The opening of the Mount Jesus Trail, passing near a hill in the center of the county named Mount Jesus by the Custer expedition in 1868 on its way from Fort Dodge to Fort Supply, along with the onset of Texas cattle drives through the county, marked the beginning of American settlement in Clark County. Settlement intensified with the establishment of a road ranch by John Glenn in 1874 near present-day Ashland, the beginning of weekly stagecoach service along the Mount Jesus Trail in 1875, and the opening of additional cattle ranches in 1876. Efforts to create a Benedictine colony in the late 1870s near Mount Casino were abandoned after resistance from cattlemen and an Indian raid.[4]

Clark City hosted the first school and newspaper in the county, but both activities shifted to Ashland as the latter town grew, including by direct payments to Clark City residents to relocate. Ultimately Ashland became the county's dominant town and was officially designated the county seat in 1885 while Clark City was abandoned.[4] Ashland remains the county seat and principal city of Clark County to this day.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 977 square miles (2,530 km2), of which 975 square miles (2,530 km2) is land and 2.6 square miles (6.7 km2) (%) is water.[5]

Adjacent counties

Major highways

Sources: National Atlas,[6] U.S. Census Bureau[7]

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1880163—
18902,3571,346.0%
19001,701−27.8%
19104,093140.6%
19204,98921.9%
19304,796−3.9%
19404,081−14.9%
19503,946−3.3%
19603,396−13.9%
19702,896−14.7%
19802,599−10.3%
19902,418−7.0%
20002,390−1.2%
20102,215−7.3%
20201,991−10.1%
2023 (est.)1,847[8]−7.2%
U.S. Decennial Census[9]
1790-1960[10] 1900-1990[11]
1990-2000[12] 2010-2020[1]

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 1,991. The median age was 41.8 years, 23.8% of residents were under the age of 18, and 23.0% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 92.6 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 86.8 males age 18 and over; 0.0% of residents lived in urban areas while 100.0% lived in rural areas.[13][14][15]

The racial makeup of the county was 86.6% White, 0.3% Black or African American, 1.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2% Asian, 0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 4.5% from some other race, and 6.3% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 10.2% of the population.[15]

There were 836 households in the county, of which 30.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 27.9% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 32.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[14]

There were 1,042 housing units, of which 19.8% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 72.4% were owner-occupied and 27.6% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.0% and the rental vacancy rate was 17.2%.[14]

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 2,390 people, 979 households, and 676 families residing in the county. The population density was 2 people per square mile (0.77 people/km2). There were 1,111 housing units at an average density of 1 per square mile (0.39/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 95.77% White, 0.25% Black or African American, 1.13% Native American, 0.08% Asian, 1.88% from other races, and 0.88% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.02% of the population.

There were 979 households, out of which 30.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.30% were married couples living together, 6.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.90% were non-families. 29.60% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 2.95.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 26.60% under the age of 18, 4.90% from 18 to 24, 23.10% from 25 to 44, 23.60% from 45 to 64, and 21.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 95.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.50 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $33,857, and the median income for a family was $40,521. Males had a median income of $27,321 versus $20,833 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,795. About 11.30% of families and 12.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.00% of those under age 18 and 10.20% of those age 65 or over.

Government

Presidential elections

Prior to 1944, Clark County was a swing county, backing the national winner in every presidential election from 1900 to 1940. From 1944 on, it has become a Republican stronghold in presidential elections aside from 1964 when Lyndon B. Johnson won the county as part of his nationwide landslide victory.

Presidential election results
United States presidential election results for Clark County, Kansas[16]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
№  % №  % №  %
1888 473 51.30% 349 37.85% 100 10.85%
1892 226 42.40% 0 0.00% 307 57.60%
1896 182 48.66% 191 51.07% 1 0.27%
1900 201 49.14% 199 48.66% 9 2.20%
1904 246 60.74% 131 32.35% 28 6.91%
1908 386 49.87% 350 45.22% 38 4.91%
1912 162 14.54% 485 43.54% 467 41.92%
1916 653 34.39% 1,102 58.03% 144 7.58%
1920 923 57.98% 610 38.32% 59 3.71%
1924 969 59.16% 410 25.03% 259 15.81%
1928 1,383 76.41% 419 23.15% 8 0.44%
1932 938 44.54% 1,152 54.70% 16 0.76%
1936 899 38.13% 1,457 61.79% 2 0.08%
1940 1,072 49.47% 1,079 49.79% 16 0.74%
1944 950 55.69% 741 43.43% 15 0.88%
1948 999 55.29% 777 43.00% 31 1.72%
1952 1,410 73.28% 479 24.90% 35 1.82%
1956 1,243 69.83% 529 29.72% 8 0.45%
1960 1,286 70.27% 538 29.40% 6 0.33%
1964 777 46.67% 881 52.91% 7 0.42%
1968 920 58.26% 446 28.25% 213 13.49%
1972 1,142 76.03% 311 20.71% 49 3.26%
1976 761 51.80% 680 46.29% 28 1.91%
1980 901 63.59% 430 30.35% 86 6.07%
1984 1,075 75.39% 324 22.72% 27 1.89%
1988 876 66.62% 409 31.10% 30 2.28%
1992 676 51.49% 293 22.32% 344 26.20%
1996 855 65.02% 334 25.40% 126 9.58%
2000 926 73.43% 292 23.16% 43 3.41%
2004 1,014 78.54% 257 19.91% 20 1.55%
2008 897 77.39% 245 21.14% 17 1.47%
2012 805 79.15% 174 17.11% 38 3.74%
2016 825 81.52% 120 11.86% 67 6.62%
2020 904 84.72% 143 13.40% 20 1.87%
2024 867 85.50% 129 12.72% 18 1.78%

Laws

The Kansas Constitution was amended in 1986 to allow the sale of alcoholic liquor by the individual drink with the approval of voters, either with or without a minimum of 30% of sales coming from food. Clark County is one of 35 counties in the state that allows for the sale of liquor by the drink without the minimum food sales stipulation.[17]

Education

Unified school districts

Communities

List of townships / incorporated cities / unincorporated communities / extinct former communities within Clark County.[18]

Cities

Unincorporated communities

Ghost towns

Townships

Clark County is divided into six townships. None of the cities within the county are considered governmentally independent, and all figures for the townships include those of the cities. 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
Appleton 02100 Minneola 921 1 (4) 630 (243) 2 (1) 0.29% 37°23′28″N 99°55′57″W / 37.39111°N 99.93250°W / 37.39111; -99.93250
Center 11600 Ashland 1,097 2 (5) 528 (204) 2 (1) 0.31% 37°10′15″N 99°47′52″W / 37.17083°N 99.79778°W / 37.17083; -99.79778
Englewood 21375 Englewood 171 0 (1) 536 (207) 0 (0) 0.07% 37°6′5″N 99°59′7″W / 37.10139°N 99.98528°W / 37.10139; -99.98528
Lexington 39775 83 0 (1) 232 (90) 0 (0) 0.21% 37°19′20″N 99°38′41″W / 37.32222°N 99.64472°W / 37.32222; -99.64472
Liberty 39900 32 0 (1) 155 (60) 0 (0) 0.05% 37°25′6″N 99°39′18″W / 37.41833°N 99.65500°W / 37.41833; -99.65500
Sitka 65725 86 0 (1) 444 (171) 2 (1) 0.48% 37°8′13″N 99°38′28″W / 37.13694°N 99.64111°W / 37.13694; -99.64111
Sources: "Census 2000 U.S. Gazetteer Files". U.S. Census Bureau, Geography Division. Archived from the original on August 2, 2002.

See also

Community information for Kansas

References

  1. ^ a b c "QuickFacts; Clark County, Kansas; Population, Census, 2020 & 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on August 15, 2021. Retrieved August 15, 2021.
  2. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2021". Retrieved October 23, 2022.
  3. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  4. ^ a b c Blackmar, Frank Wilson (October 30, 2018). Kansas: A Cyclopedia of State History, Embracing Events, Institutions, Industries, Counties, Cities, Towns, Prominent Persons, Etc; Volume 2. Creative Media Partners, LLC. ISBN 978-0-344-49002-6.
  5. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  6. ^ National Atlas Archived December 5, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  7. ^ U.S. Census Bureau TIGER shape files
  8. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 3, 2024.
  9. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 22, 2014.
  10. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Archived from the original on August 11, 2012. Retrieved July 22, 2014.
  11. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 22, 2014.
  12. ^ "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 22, 2014.
  13. ^ "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)". United States Census Bureau. 2023. Retrieved December 15, 2025.
  14. ^ a b c "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved December 15, 2025.
  15. ^ a b "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved December 15, 2025.
  16. ^ "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections".
  17. ^ "Map of Wet and Dry Counties" (PDF). Kansas Department of Revenue Alcoholic Beverage Control. December 30, 2019. Archived (PDF) from the original on November 4, 2020. Retrieved November 4, 2020.
  18. ^ a b "General Highway Map of Clark County, Kansas" (PDF). Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT). July 2009. Archived (PDF) from the original on December 23, 2023.
  19. ^ Blackmar, Frank Wilson (1912). Kansas: A Cyclopedia of State History, Embracing Events, Institutions, Industries, Counties, Cities, Towns, Prominent Persons, Etc. Standard Publishing Company. pp. 298.

Further reading

See also: List of books about Kansas, including historical information about its counties and cities
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