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Pratt County, Kansas

Coordinates: 37°39′N 98°44′W / 37.650°N 98.733°W / 37.650; -98.733
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Not to be confused with Pratt, Kansas.

Pratt County
County
Pratt County Courthouse in Pratt (2009)
Pratt County Courthouse in Pratt (2009)
Map of Kansas highlighting Pratt County
Location within the U.S. state of Kansas
Map of the United States highlighting Kansas
Kansas's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 37°39′24″N 98°44′24″W / 37.6567°N 98.74°W / 37.6567; -98.74
Country United States
State Kansas
FoundedFebruary 26, 1867
Named forCaleb S. Pratt[1]
SeatPratt
Largest cityPratt
Area
 • Total
736 sq mi (1,910 km2)
 • Land735 sq mi (1,900 km2)
 • Water0.7 sq mi (2 km2)  0.09%
Population
 (2020)[2]
 • Total
9,157
 • Density12.5/sq mi (4.8/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district4th
WebsitePrattCounty.org

Pratt County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kansas. Its county seat and largest city is Pratt.[3] As of the 2020 census, the county population was 9,157.[2] The county was named for Caleb Pratt, a U.S. soldier who died in the Battle of Wilson's Creek during the American Civil War and had previously been involved in Bleeding Kansas.

The county consists overwhelmingly of prairie and contains few watercourses; the most important of these is the Ninnescah River.[4]

Farming continues to be important to the county, which is among the state’s leading winter wheat producers.[5]

History

[edit]
See also: History of Kansas

Pratt County was established in 1867. The county's first attempt at organization, termed the "fraudulent organization," occurred in 1873. A group from Hutchinson traveled through various counties, organizing them as they went. However, since there were no genuine settlers in Pratt County at the time, this organization required the submission of false statements to the governor. This fraudulent attempt was not recognized, and the Pratt County was legitimately organized in 1879.[4]

The county's first bona fide settler, A. J. Johnson, arrived in the fall of 1873 near Springvale in the southwest corner, where he cultivated the county's first crops. The county saw significant settlement in 1877, primarily from Iowa, and further in 1878 from all sections of the United States, keeping land office officials busy with pre-emption claims. Despite a prosperous period for crops in 1879 and 1880, many settlers departed in subsequent years, while others arrived in large numbers, especially in 1882. During the county's early years, owing to the scarcity of lumber, many constructed sod houses or dugouts.[4]

The special election of September 2, 1879, focused on the choice of a county seat, was disputed due to irregularities. After a lawsuit second election was scheduled for August 19, 1880. In the lead-up to that election, a proponent of Saratoga named W. F. Gibbons made a deal with W. H. Weidner from Medicine Lodge, agreeing to pay him $40 to bring about fifteen cowboys into Pratt County thirty days before the election to vote for Saratoga. Each cowboy was promised $5, free whisky, and a free dance at Saratoga on the night of the election. Weidner located the cowboys and provided Gibbons with a list of names as agreed, receiving $25 as part payment. However, due to a contract dispute, all the cowboys left Pratt County before the election, causing Saratoga to lose their intended votes. Iuka was ultimately declared the county seat with a significant majority.[4]

Efforts to relocate the county seat to Pratt commenced in 1885 and succeeded in 1888 over the objections of Saratoga. An 1888 blizzard killed over 80% of the county's cattle, causing widespread hardship.[5][4]

In 1887, the Chicago, Kansas and Nebraska Railway extended its main line from Herington to Pratt.[6] This main line connected Herington, Ramona, Tampa, Durham, Waldeck, Canton, Galva, McPherson, Groveland, Inman, Medora, Hutchinson, Whiteside, Partridge, Arlington, Langdon, Turon, Preston, Natrona, Pratt. In 1888, this main line was extended to Liberal. Later, this line was extended to Tucumcari, New Mexico and El Paso, Texas. This line is called the "Golden State Limited".

During World War II, Pratt Army Airfield trained, processed, and housed B-29s and their crews before they were sent to war.[5]

Geography

[edit]

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 736 square miles (1,910 km2), of which 735 square miles (1,900 km2) is land and 0.7 square miles (1.8 km2) (0.09%) is water.[7]

Adjacent counties

[edit]

Demographics

[edit]
Population pyramid based on 2000 census age data
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18801,890—
18908,118329.5%
19007,085−12.7%
191011,15657.5%
192012,90915.7%
193013,3123.1%
194012,348−7.2%
195012,156−1.6%
196012,122−0.3%
197010,056−17.0%
198010,2752.2%
19909,702−5.6%
20009,647−0.6%
20109,6560.1%
20209,157−5.2%
2023 (est.)9,082[8]−0.8%
U.S. Decennial Census[9]
1790-1960[10] 1900-1990[11]
1990-2000[12] 2010-2020[2]

As of the census[13] of 2000, there were 9,647 people, 3,963 households, and 2,639 families residing in the county. The population density was 13 people per square mile (5.0 people/km2). There were 4,633 housing units at an average density of 6 per square mile (2.3/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 95.28% White, 0.98% Black or African American, 0.35% Native American, 0.55% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 1.73% from other races, and 1.07% from two or more races. 3.09% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 3,963 households, out of which 30.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.70% were married couples living together, 7.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.40% were non-families. 30.40% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.35 and the average family size was 2.93.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 24.50% under the age of 18, 9.40% from 18 to 24, 24.00% from 25 to 44, 22.80% from 45 to 64, and 19.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 94.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.30 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $35,529, and the median income for a family was $43,156. Males had a median income of $31,138 versus $20,679 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,906. About 6.70% of families and 9.40% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.50% of those under age 18 and 8.90% of those age 65 or over.

Government

[edit]

Presidential elections

[edit]
Presidential election results
United States presidential election results for Pratt County, Kansas[14]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2024 3,047 74.79% 953 23.39% 74 1.82%
2020 3,108 75.13% 933 22.55% 96 2.32%
2016 2,838 73.87% 771 20.07% 233 6.06%
2012 2,771 72.90% 980 25.78% 50 1.32%
2008 2,822 67.35% 1,294 30.88% 74 1.77%
2004 3,121 71.19% 1,200 27.37% 63 1.44%
2000 2,885 65.33% 1,314 29.76% 217 4.91%
1996 2,591 58.87% 1,367 31.06% 443 10.07%
1992 1,779 37.17% 1,466 30.63% 1,541 32.20%
1988 2,505 59.01% 1,651 38.89% 89 2.10%
1984 3,244 71.31% 1,255 27.59% 50 1.10%
1980 2,866 61.20% 1,369 29.23% 448 9.57%
1976 2,427 50.04% 2,307 47.57% 116 2.39%
1972 3,253 71.20% 1,214 26.57% 102 2.23%
1968 2,670 57.91% 1,490 32.31% 451 9.78%
1964 2,493 48.61% 2,594 50.58% 42 0.82%
1960 3,501 63.59% 1,968 35.74% 37 0.67%
1956 3,620 64.53% 1,956 34.87% 34 0.61%
1952 3,998 68.87% 1,743 30.03% 64 1.10%
1948 2,878 50.22% 2,751 48.00% 102 1.78%
1944 2,658 52.85% 2,334 46.41% 37 0.74%
1940 2,930 49.94% 2,870 48.92% 67 1.14%
1936 1,946 33.40% 3,871 66.43% 10 0.17%
1932 2,167 40.15% 3,109 57.61% 121 2.24%
1928 4,055 80.58% 934 18.56% 43 0.85%
1924 2,762 57.36% 1,205 25.03% 848 17.61%
1920 2,722 64.15% 1,433 33.77% 88 2.07%
1916 1,820 37.93% 2,607 54.34% 371 7.73%
1912 372 15.05% 947 38.32% 1,152 46.62%
1908 1,193 50.53% 1,027 43.50% 141 5.97%
1904 1,076 63.44% 421 24.82% 199 11.73%
1900 821 49.04% 816 48.75% 37 2.21%
1896 621 42.71% 820 56.40% 13 0.89%
1892 947 44.19% 0 0.00% 1,196 55.81%
1888 1,115 50.18% 652 29.34% 455 20.48%

Laws

[edit]

Following amendment to the Kansas Constitution in 1986, Pratt County remained a prohibition, or "dry", county until 2000, when voters approved the sale of alcoholic liquor by the individual drink with a 30 percent food sales requirement.[15]

Education

[edit]

Colleges

[edit]

Unified school districts

[edit]

Communities

[edit]
2005 map of Pratt County[16] (legend)

List of townships / incorporated cities / unincorporated communities / extinct former communities within Pratt County.[16]

Cities

[edit]

Unincorporated communities

[edit]

Townships

[edit]

Pratt County is divided into seven townships. The city of Pratt 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.

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
Township No. 6 71223 565 1 (4) 381 (147) 1 (0) 0.17% 37°44′25″N 98°33′55″W / 37.74028°N 98.56528°W / 37.74028; -98.56528
Township No. 7 71228 366 3 (7) 136 (52) 0 (0) 0.02% 37°45′20″N 98°43′49″W / 37.75556°N 98.73028°W / 37.75556; -98.73028
Township No. 8 71233 181 1 (2) 197 (76) 0 (0) 0% 37°47′3″N 98°53′42″W / 37.78417°N 98.89500°W / 37.78417; -98.89500
Township No. 9 71238 317 1 (2) 379 (146) 0 (0) 0.05% 37°37′59″N 98°54′7″W / 37.63306°N 98.90194°W / 37.63306; -98.90194
Township No. 10 71242 191 1 (3) 188 (73) 0 (0) 0.01% 37°30′45″N 98°52′17″W / 37.51250°N 98.87139°W / 37.51250; -98.87139
Township No. 11 71245 496 2 (5) 281 (109) 0 (0) 0.06% 37°30′44″N 98°38′21″W / 37.51222°N 98.63917°W / 37.51222; -98.63917
Township No. 12 71248 961 3 (8) 321 (124) 1 (0) 0.19% 37°37′44″N 98°40′52″W / 37.62889°N 98.68111°W / 37.62889; -98.68111

See also

[edit]
Community information for Kansas

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Pratt, Kansas History". Kansas Community Networks. Retrieved November 4, 2012.
  2. ^ a b c "QuickFacts; Pratt County, Kansas; Population, Census, 2020 & 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on August 19, 2021. Retrieved August 19, 2021.
  3. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  4. ^ a b c d e Cutler, William G. (1883). History of the State of Kansas.
  5. ^ a b c "Pratt County, Kansas - Kansapedia - Kansas Historical Society". www.kshs.org. Retrieved February 3, 2024.
  6. ^ "Rock Island's Family Tree - Page 4". home.covad.net. Archived from the original on June 19, 2011. Retrieved April 18, 2011.
  7. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  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 28, 2014.
  10. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved July 28, 2014.
  11. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 28, 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 28, 2014.
  13. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  14. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org.
  15. ^ "Map of Wet and Dry Counties". Alcoholic Beverage Control, Kansas Department of Revenue. November 2006. Archived from the original on October 8, 2007. Retrieved December 26, 2007.
  16. ^ a b "General Highway Map of Pratt County, Kansas" (PDF). Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT). February 2010. Archived (PDF) from the original on February 7, 2023.
Notes

Further reading

[edit]
See also: List of books about Kansas, including historical information about its counties and cities
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Pratt County, Kansas.
County
Maps

37°39′N 98°44′W / 37.650°N 98.733°W / 37.650; -98.733

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