Russell County, Kansas
Encyclopedia
Russell County is a county located in the U.S. state
of Kansas
. The county's population was 6,970 for the 2010 census. The largest city and county seat
is Russell
.
, 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.
, a major east-west highway through the Midwestern United States, and U.S. Route 281
, which begins at the United States-Canadian border in North Dakota
and ends at the U.S.-Mexican border in Texas
. I-70 also runs through Gorham on the western end of the county and Dorrance on the eastern end. Hays
is 30 miles (48.3 km) west of Russell and Salina
is 67 miles (107.8 km) east of Russell.
Further along I-70, Russell is approximately 250 miles (402.3 km) west of Kansas City
, Missouri
and 360 miles (579.4 km) east of Denver
, Colorado
.
K-18
, a major east-west state highway in northern Kansas, enters from Osborne County to the west and runs through Paradise before joining up with US 281 through Waldo. US 281 and K-18 split again at the city limits of Luray, and K-18 continues east through Lucas and into Lincoln County. US 281 heads north into Osborne County.
South of I-70, US 281 heads into Barton County and towards the city of Great Bend
.
of 2000, there were 7,370 people, 3,207 households, and 2,020 families residing in the county. The population density
was 8 people per square mile (3/km²). There were 3,871 housing units at an average density of 4 per square mile (2/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 97.58% White
, 0.50% Black
or African American
, 0.56% Native American
, 0.33% Asian
, 0.01% Pacific Islander
, 0.27% from other races
, and 0.75% from two or more races. 0.91% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race.
There were 3,207 households out of which 25.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.40% were married couples
living together, 7.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.00% were non-families. 32.80% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.80% 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 2.83.
In the county the population was spread out with 22.40% under the age of 18, 5.80% from 18 to 24, 23.30% from 25 to 44, 24.30% from 45 to 64, and 24.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females there were 92.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.70 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $29,284, and the median income for a family was $40,355. Males had a median income of $25,916 versus $17,957 for females. The per capita income
for the county was $17,073. About 9.10% of families and 12.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.80% of those under age 18 and 8.50% of those age 65 or over.
. The city of Russell
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.
Lucas-Luray High School, previously operated by USD 407, was acquired by the school district in Sylvan Grove
in western Lincoln County and will be converted into a K-6 school. Meanwhile, the elementary school in Luray has closed. Students in Lucas and Luray in grades 7-12 will attend school in Sylvan Grove.
.
Other County Information
Maps
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...
. The county's population was 6,970 for the 2010 census. The largest city and 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 Russell
Russell, Kansas
Russell is the most populous city in and county seat of Russell County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 4,506.-History:...
.
Law and government
Russell 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 898.98 square miles (2,328.3 km²), of which 884.68 square miles (2,291.3 km²) (or 98.41%) is land and 14.3 square miles (37 km²) (or 1.59%) is water.Adjacent counties
- Osborne CountyOsborne County, KansasOsborne County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kansas. As of the 2010 census, the county population was 3,858. The largest city and county seat is Osborne.-19th century:...
(north) - Lincoln CountyLincoln County, KansasLincoln County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kansas. As of the 2010 census, the county population was 3,241...
(east) - Ellsworth CountyEllsworth County, KansasEllsworth County is a county located in Central Kansas, in the Central United States. As of the 2010 census, the county population was 6,497. Its county seat and most populous city is Ellsworth.-19th century:...
(southeast) - Barton CountyBarton County, KansasBarton County is a county located in Western Kansas, in the Central United States. As of the 2010 census, the county population was 27,674. Its county seat and most populous city is Great Bend. The county is named in honor of Clara Barton, responsible for the founding of the American Red Cross...
(south) - Rush CountyRush County, KansasRush County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kansas. As of the 2010 census, the county population was 3,307...
(southwest) - Ellis CountyEllis County, KansasEllis County is a county located in Northwest Kansas, in the Central United States. As of the 2010 census, the county population was 28,452. Its county seat and most populous city is Hays...
(west)
Highways
The city of Russell is the junction of Interstate 70Interstate 70
Interstate 70 is an Interstate Highway in the United States that runs from Interstate 15 near Cove Fort, Utah, to a Park and Ride near Baltimore, Maryland. It was the first Interstate Highway project in the United States. I-70 approximately traces the path of U.S. Route 40 east of the Rocky...
, a major east-west highway through the Midwestern United States, and U.S. Route 281
U.S. Route 281
U.S. Route 281 is a north–south United States highway. At 1,872 miles long it is the longest continuous three-digit U.S. Route....
, which begins at the United States-Canadian border in North Dakota
North Dakota
North Dakota is a state located in the Midwestern region of the United States of America, along the Canadian border. The state is bordered by Canada to the north, Minnesota to the east, South Dakota to the south and Montana to the west. North Dakota is the 19th-largest state by area in the U.S....
and ends at the U.S.-Mexican border in Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
. I-70 also runs through Gorham on the western end of the county and Dorrance on the eastern end. Hays
Hays, Kansas
Hays is a city in and the county seat of Ellis County, Kansas, United States. The largest city in northwestern Kansas, it is the economic and cultural center of the region. It is also a college town, home to Fort Hays State University...
is 30 miles (48.3 km) west of Russell and Salina
Salina, Kansas
Salina is a city in and the county seat of Saline County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 47,707. Located in one of the world's largest wheat-producing areas, Salina is a regional trade center for north-central Kansas...
is 67 miles (107.8 km) east of Russell.
Further along I-70, Russell is approximately 250 miles (402.3 km) west of Kansas City
Kansas City, Missouri
Kansas City, Missouri is the largest city in the U.S. state of Missouri and is the anchor city of the Kansas City Metropolitan Area, the second largest metropolitan area in Missouri. It encompasses in parts of Jackson, Clay, Cass, and Platte counties...
, Missouri
Missouri
Missouri is a US state located in the Midwestern United States, bordered by Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. With a 2010 population of 5,988,927, Missouri is the 18th most populous state in the nation and the fifth most populous in the Midwest. It...
and 360 miles (579.4 km) east of Denver
Denver, Colorado
The City and County of Denver is the capital and the most populous city of the U.S. state of Colorado. Denver is a consolidated city-county, located in the South Platte River Valley on the western edge of the High Plains just east of the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains...
, Colorado
Colorado
Colorado is a U.S. state that encompasses much of the Rocky Mountains as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of the Great Plains...
.
K-18
K-18 (Kansas highway)
K-18 is a primarily east–west state highway running between US-24 and I-70 in north central Kansas.-Route description:K-18 begins near the town of Bogue in Graham County as it branches off to the south from US-24...
, a major east-west state highway in northern Kansas, enters from Osborne County to the west and runs through Paradise before joining up with US 281 through Waldo. US 281 and K-18 split again at the city limits of Luray, and K-18 continues east through Lucas and into Lincoln County. US 281 heads north into Osborne County.
South of I-70, US 281 heads into Barton County and towards the city of Great Bend
Great Bend, Kansas
Great Bend, named for its location at the historic big bend of the Arkansas River, is the most populous city in and the county seat of Barton County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 15,995.-History:...
.
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 7,370 people, 3,207 households, and 2,020 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 8 people per square mile (3/km²). There were 3,871 housing units at an average density of 4 per square mile (2/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 97.58% 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...
, 0.50% 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...
, 0.56% 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...
, 0.33% 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...
, 0.27% 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 0.75% from two or more races. 0.91% 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 3,207 households out of which 25.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.40% 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, 7.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.00% were non-families. 32.80% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.80% 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 2.83.
In the county the population was spread out with 22.40% under the age of 18, 5.80% from 18 to 24, 23.30% from 25 to 44, 24.30% from 45 to 64, and 24.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females there were 92.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.70 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $29,284, and the median income for a family was $40,355. Males had a median income of $25,916 versus $17,957 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 $17,073. About 9.10% of families and 12.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.80% of those under age 18 and 8.50% of those age 65 or over.
Incorporated cities
Name and population (2004 estimate):- RussellRussell, KansasRussell is the most populous city in and county seat of Russell County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 4,506.-History:...
, 4,431 (county seat) - LucasLucas, KansasLucas is a city in Russell County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 393.-Geography:Lucas is located at at an elevation of 1,489 feet . According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all of it land. It lies in the Smoky Hills...
, 427 - GorhamGorham, KansasGorham is a city in Russell County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 334.-History:Beaten to the settlement of Wilson, Kansas by Bohemian colonists, German settlers from Philadelphia and Lancaster, Pennsylvania established a community on the Kansas Pacific...
, 339 - DorranceDorrance, KansasDorrance is a city in Russell County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 185.-History:The Kansas Pacific Railway reached the site of Dorrance in June 1867. German, English, and Irish settlers followed shortly thereafter, forming a small community by 1870. In early...
, 194 - LurayLuray, KansasLuray is a city in Russell County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 194.-Geography:Luray is located at at an elevation of 1,562 feet . It lies in the Smoky Hills region of the Great Plains approximately north of the Saline River. Wolf Creek, a tributary of...
, 191 - Bunker HillBunker Hill, KansasBunker Hill is a city in Russell County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 95.-History:J. B. Corbett and V. Harbaugh, leaders of a colony from Ohio, founded Bunker Hill at a site on the Kansas Pacific Railway in the summer of 1871...
, 97 - ParadiseParadise, KansasParadise is a city in Russell County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 49.-History:In 1859, a hunting party explored the area, including a small tributary of the Saline River which led them to a site abundant in water, timber, and bison. One of the hunters,...
, 63 - WaldoWaldo, KansasWaldo is a city in Russell County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 30.-History:The Union Town Company established the town of Waldo on October 1, 1888, having acquired 280 acres of land on a line of the Union Pacific Railroad. The community grew over the...
, 47
Townships
Russell County is divided into twelve 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 Russell
Russell, Kansas
Russell is the most populous city in and county seat of Russell County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 4,506.-History:...
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Big Creek | 06700 | 515 | 3 (7) | 186 (72) | 0 (0) | 0.03% | 38°51′40"N 98°59′8"W | |
| Center | 12150 | 255 | 1 (2) | 359 (139) | 9 (3) | 2.41% | 38°51′7"N 98°40′29"W | |
| Fairfield | 22200 | 42 | 0 (1) | 104 (40) | 0 (0) | 0.03% | 38°44′37"N 98°46′0"W | |
| Fairview | 22650 | 526 | 3 (7) | 185 (71) | 1 (1) | 0.77% | 39°2′16"N 98°31′54"W | |
| Grant | 28100 | 159 | 1 (3) | 135 (52) | 0 (0) | 0.18% | 38°49′41"N 98°50′31"W | |
| Lincoln | 41125 | 147 | 2 (4) | 94 (36) | 0 (0) | 0 % | 38°44′40"N 98°51′54"W | |
| Luray | 43275 | 270 | 1 (4) | 183 (71) | 2 (1) | 0.94% | 39°5′6"N 98°40′3"W | |
| Paradise | 54350 | 169 | 0 (1) | 372 (144) | 1 (0) | 0.16% | 39°3′9"N 98°55′31"W | |
| Plymouth | 56925 | 319 | 1 (3) | 255 (98) | 24 (9) | 8.50% | 38°50′46"N 98°33′4"W | |
| Russell | 61850 | 89 | 1 (2) | 127 (49) | 0 (0) | 0.03% | 38°54′40"N 98°51′27"W | |
| Waldo | 74600 | 108 | 1 (2) | 186 (72) | 0 (0) | 0.19% | 39°3′10"N 98°46′14"W | |
| Winterset | 80125 | 75 | 1 (2) | 93 (36) | 0 (0) | 0.05% | 38°44′15"N 98°59′30"W |
Education
Schools in Russell County have experienced major change in the 2010-11 school year. USD 407, which previously served all of Russell County except the northwest and southeast corners, retracted its footprint and will only serve the cities of Russell, Gorham and Bunker Hill and areas to the south of Interstate 70.Lucas-Luray High School, previously operated by USD 407, was acquired by the school district in Sylvan Grove
Sylvan Grove, Kansas
Sylvan Grove is a city in Lincoln County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 279.-Geography:Sylvan Grove is located at...
in western Lincoln County and will be converted into a K-6 school. Meanwhile, the elementary school in Luray has closed. Students in Lucas and Luray in grades 7-12 will attend school in Sylvan Grove.
Unified school districts
- Central Plains USD 112 (serves Dorrance and southeastern part of county south of I-70; extends into Barton, Ellsworth and Rice Counties)
- Sylvan-Lucas Unified USD 299 (serves Lucas, Luray and northeast part of county along K-18; extends into Lincoln County)
- Natoma/Paradise/Waldo USD 399 (serves Paradise, Waldo and northwest part of county along K-18; extends into Osborne and Rooks Counties)
- Russell USD 407 (serves cities of Russell, Gorham, Bunker Hill and rural south central and southwest parts of county; does not extend into any other counties)
Claims to Fame
Russell, the county seat, was the home of former U.S. Senate Majority leader and 1996 GOP presidential nominee Robert Dole for many years. It was also the boyhood home of U.S. Senator Arlen Spector of Pennsylvania, who was born in WichitaWichita, Kansas
Wichita is the largest city in the U.S. state of Kansas.As of the 2010 census, the city population was 382,368. Located in south-central Kansas on the Arkansas River, Wichita is the county seat of Sedgwick County and the principal city of the Wichita metropolitan area...
.
See also
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Russell County, KansasNational Register of Historic Places listings in Russell County, KansasThis is a list of the National Register of Historic Places listings in Russell County, Kansas.This is intended to be a complete list of the properties on the National Register of Historic Places in Russell 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
OfficialOther County Information
- Russell County Historical Society
- Russell County Fair. It is held the first week of August.
- Russell Kansas Online, online community directory and business search engine.
Maps
- Russell County Map, KDOT
- Kansas Highway Map, KDOT
- Kansas Railroad Map, KDOT
- Kansas School District Boundary Map, KSDE
- Russell County School District Boundary Map, U.S. Census Bureau