Geary County, Kansas

Geary County
Geary County
County
	Geary County Courthouse in Junction City (1979)
	Location within the U.S. state of Kansas
	Kansas's location within the U.S.
	Coordinates: 38°54′31″N 96°45′08″W / 38.9086°N 96.7522°W
Country	United States
State	Kansas
Founded	1855
Named for	John W. Geary
Seat	Junction City
Largest city	Junction City
Area
• Total	404 sq mi (1,050 km2)
• Land	385 sq mi (1,000 km2)
• Water	20 sq mi (50 km2) 4.9%%
Population (2020)
• Total	36,739
• Density	95.4/sq mi (36.8/km2)
Time zone	UTC−6 (Central)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district	1st
Website	gearycounty.org

Geary County (county code GE) is a county located in the U.S. state of Kansas. As of the 2020 census, the county population was 36,739.^[2] Its county seat and most populous city is Junction City.^[3] The county is named in honor of Governor John W. Geary.

History[]

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.

19th century[]

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 1854, the Kansas Territory was organized, then in 1861 Kansas became the 34th U.S. state. Geary County was formed on August 30, 1855 as an original county from open, free territory. It was among the first 33 counties established by the territory government.^[4]

Geary County was originally named Davis County in 1855 after Jefferson Davis (then the United States Secretary of War). During the American Civil War, when Davis became president of the Confederacy, attempts were made to change the county's name, but both failed. Federal and state census records show it as Davis County from 1860 through 1885. In 1888 the county was renamed in honor of John W. Geary, an early Governor of the Kansas Territory.^[5]^[6]

Geography[]

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 404 square miles (1,050 km²), of which 385 square miles (1,000 km²) is land and 20 square miles (52 km²) (4.9%) is water.^[7] It is the second-smallest county in Kansas by land area and third-smallest by total area.

Adjacent counties[]

Riley County (north)
Wabaunsee County (east)
Morris County (south)
Dickinson County (west)
Clay County (northwest)

Demographics[]

Historical population
Census	Pop.	%±
1860	1,163	—
1870	5,526	375.2%
1880	6,994	26.6%
1890	10,428	49.1%
1900	10,744	3.0%
1910	12,681	18.0%
1920	13,452	6.1%
1930	14,366	6.8%
1940	15,222	6.0%
1950	21,671	42.4%
1960	28,779	32.8%
1970	28,111	−2.3%
1980	29,852	6.2%
1990	30,453	2.0%
2000	27,947	−8.2%
2010	34,362	23.0%
2020	36,739	6.9%
U.S. Decennial Census^[8] 1790-1960^[9] 1900-1990^[10] 1990-2000^[11] 2010-2020^[2]

Population pyramid

Geary County comprises the Junction City, KS Micropolitan Statistical Area, which is included in the Manhattan-Junction City, KS Combined Statistical Area.

As of the 2000 census,^[12] there were 27,947 people, 10,458 households, and 7,582 families residing in the county. The population density was 73 people per square mile (28/km²). There were 11,959 housing units at an average density of 31 per square mile (12/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 64.13% White, 22.03% Black or African American, 0.75% Native American, 3.16% Asian, 0.41% Pacific Islander, 4.10% from other races, and 5.41% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 8.45% of the population.

There were 10,458 households, out of which 39.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.90% were married couples living together, 12.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.50% were non-families. 22.50% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.80% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.61 and the average family size was 3.07.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 29.60% under the age of 18, 13.60% from 18 to 24, 30.00% from 25 to 44, 17.40% from 45 to 64, and 9.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 29 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.30 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $31,917, and the median income for a family was $36,372. Males had a median income of $25,942 versus $21,389 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,199. About 9.70% of families and 12.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.80% of those under age 18 and 9.90% of those age 65 or over.

Government[]

Presidential elections[]

For most of its history, Geary County has been dominated by the Republican Party. The party's presidential candidates have failed to win the county only seven times from 1880 to the present day, the last of these occurring in 1964.

show

Presidential election results

Laws[]

Geary 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. The food sales requirement was removed with voter approval in 1990.^[14]

Education[]

Unified school districts[]

Geary County USD 475

Communities[]

2005 KDOT Map of Geary County (map legend)

Cities[]

Unincorporated community[]

Wreford

Ghost towns[]

Alida, razed when Milford Lake was built

Fort Riley[]

Located north of the junction of the Smoky Hill and Republican rivers, the Fort Riley Military Reservation covers 100,656 acres (407 km²) in Geary and Riley counties. The fort has a daytime population of nearly 25,000 and includes one census-designated place:

Fort Riley (formerly Fort Riley North), primarily in Riley County

Townships[]

Geary County is divided into eight townships. The city of Junction City 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
Blakely	07275		113	1 (3)	93 (36)	0 (0)	0.01%	38°54′32″N 96°45′9″W / 38.90889°N 96.75250°W / 38.90889; -96.75250
Jackson	34775		78	1 (2)	104 (40)	0 (0)	0%	39°1′25″N 96°33′42″W / 39.02361°N 96.56167°W / 39.02361; -96.56167
Jefferson	35200	Grandview Plaza	1,651	13 (35)	124 (48)	2 (1)	1.55%	39°1′53″N 96°46′53″W / 39.03139°N 96.78139°W / 39.03139; -96.78139
Liberty	40050		225	1 (3)	171 (66)	0 (0)	0.03%	38°54′53″N 96°36′8″W / 38.91472°N 96.60222°W / 38.91472; -96.60222
Lyon	43500		298	3 (7)	113 (43)	1 (1)	1.20%	38°55′17″N 96°52′3″W / 38.92139°N 96.86750°W / 38.92139; -96.86750
Milford	46550		1,583	16 (41)	101 (39)	28 (11)	21.49%	39°8′59″N 96°54′22″W / 39.14972°N 96.90611°W / 39.14972; -96.90611
Smoky Hill	66000		4,974	33 (86)	149 (58)	20 (8)	11.84%	39°2′14″N 96°53′58″W / 39.03722°N 96.89944°W / 39.03722; -96.89944
Wingfield	80025		139	1 (3)	123 (48)	0 (0)	0%	38°59′38″N 96°38′37″W / 38.99389°N 96.64361°W / 38.99389; -96.64361
Sources: "Census 2000 U.S. Gazetteer Files". U.S. Census Bureau, Geography Division. Archived from the original on 2002-08-02.

References[]

^ "Geary County, Kansas Genealogy". Retrieved March 25, 2015.
^ Jump up to: ^a ^b ^c "QuickFacts; Geary County, Kansas; Population, Census, 2020 & 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on August 16, 2021. Retrieved August 16, 2021.
^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
^ "Kansas Historical Markers - Kansas Historical Society". www.kshs.org. Retrieved 2019-05-09.
^ Cutler, William G. (1883). History of the State of Kansas. A.T. Andreas.
^ Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Govt. Print. Off. pp. 135.
^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 24, 2014.
^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved July 24, 2014.
^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 24, 2014.
^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 24, 2014.
^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org.
^ "Map of Wet and Dry Counties". Alcoholic Beverage Control, Kansas Department of Revenue. November 2006. Archived from the original on October 8, 2007. Retrieved 2007-12-28.

External links[]

County

Other

Historical

Geary County Kansas AHGP

Maps

Geary County Maps: Current, Historic, KDOT
Kansas Highway Maps: Current, Historic, KDOT
Kansas Railroad Maps: Current, 1996, 1915, KDOT and Kansas Historical Society

Coordinates: 39°00′N 96°40′W / 39.000°N 96.667°W / 39.000; -96.667

[GE-1] "Geary County, Kansas Genealogy". Retrieved March 25, 2015.

[QF-2] Jump up to: ^a ^b ^c "QuickFacts; Geary County, Kansas; Population, Census, 2020 & 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on August 16, 2021. Retrieved August 16, 2021.

[GR6-3] "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved 2011-06-07.

[4] "Kansas Historical Markers - Kansas Historical Society". www.kshs.org. Retrieved 2019-05-09.

[5] Cutler, William G. (1883). History of the State of Kansas. A.T. Andreas.

[6] Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Govt. Print. Off. pp. 135.

[GR1-7] "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.

[8] "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 24, 2014.

[9] "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved July 24, 2014.

[10] "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 24, 2014.

[11] "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 24, 2014.

[GR2-12] "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.

[13] Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org.

[14] "Map of Wet and Dry Counties". Alcoholic Beverage Control, Kansas Department of Revenue. November 2006. Archived from the original on October 8, 2007. Retrieved 2007-12-28.

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Year	Republican	Democratic	Third Parties
2020	55.4% 5,323	41.5% 3,983	3.1% 297
2016	57.0% 4,274	36.3% 2,722	6.8% 508
2012	55.7% 4,372	42.5% 3,332	1.8% 141
2008	55.5% 4,492	43.1% 3,491	1.4% 111
2004	64.2% 4,703	34.5% 2,531	1.3% 94
2000	57.9% 3,977	38.7% 2,660	3.3% 229
1996	54.3% 3,686	36.0% 2,444	9.7% 660
1992	38.8% 2,928	33.9% 2,559	27.4% 2,069
1988	57.5% 3,782	41.4% 2,721	1.1% 70
1984	65.4% 4,464	33.7% 2,296	0.9% 61
1980	56.1% 3,534	37.4% 2,357	6.6% 413
1976	52.1% 3,230	45.9% 2,843	2.0% 123
1972	70.0% 4,299	27.8% 1,708	2.2% 133
1968	50.7% 2,954	38.2% 2,228	11.1% 645
1964	39.3% 2,259	59.5% 3,419	1.2% 67
1960	61.3% 3,789	38.3% 2,365	0.5% 29
1956	65.5% 4,013	33.9% 2,078	0.5% 32
1952	70.5% 4,314	28.6% 1,750	0.9% 52
1948	49.7% 2,864	48.8% 2,810	1.5% 86
1944	57.0% 2,833	42.4% 2,107	0.7% 33
1940	52.7% 2,840	46.4% 2,504	0.9% 50
1936	44.4% 2,382	55.4% 2,973	0.2% 12
1932	40.9% 1,957	56.6% 2,705	2.5% 121
1928	69.2% 2,746	30.3% 1,203	0.6% 22
1924	66.3% 2,678	17.9% 723	15.8% 636
1920	69.6% 2,404	27.8% 962	2.6% 90
1916	48.2% 1,731	48.5% 1,740	3.3% 120
1912	17.4% 387	35.9% 800	46.7% 1,039
1908	53.4% 1,257	43.9% 1,033	2.8% 65
1904	67.9% 1,431	28.0% 591	4.1% 86
1900	54.6% 1,240	44.4% 1,009	1.1% 24
1896	46.8% 1,051	52.1% 1,171	1.2% 26
1892	42.7% 863		57.3% 1,157
1888	54.3% 1,027	40.0% 756	5.7% 107

hide v t Municipalities and communities of Geary County, Kansas, United States
County seat: Junction City
Cities	Grandview Plaza Junction City Milford
Unincorporated communities	Fort Riley†‡ Wreford
Ghost towns	Alida Pawnee
Townships	Blakely Jackson Jefferson Liberty Lyon Milford Smoky Hill Wingfield
Footnotes	†This populated place is designated a Census-Designated Place (CDP) by the United States Census Bureau. ‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties.
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