Greenwood County, Kansas

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. In 1855, Greenwood County was established, and named for Alfred B. Greenwood,^[3] a U.S. Congressman from Arkansas.

Greenwood City was established in 1871, on the Verdigris River, near the heart of the county. It was a rowdy frontier town, largely populated by outlaws, including some notorious. However, when the railroad was routed through nearby Toronto, to the south, Greenwood City died out.^[4]

The first railroad in Greenwood County was built through that territory in 1879.^[5]

Adjacent counties

• Lyon County (north)
• Coffey County (northeast)
• Woodson County (east)
• Wilson County (southeast)
• Elk County (south)
• Butler County (west)
• Chase County (northwest)

Racial and ethnic composition

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 6,016 and a median age of 48.7 years; 21.4% of residents were under the age of 18 and 26.2% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 100.3 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 98.0 males age 18 and over. 0.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 100.0% lived in rural areas.^[21][22]

The racial makeup of the county was 91.3% White, 0.5% Black or African American, 0.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% Asian, 0.0% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 0.9% from some other race, and 6.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 3.4% of the population.^[23]

There were 2,687 households in the county, of which 24.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 24.0% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 34.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 17.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.^[21]

There were 3,666 housing units, of which 26.7% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 75.3% were owner-occupied and 24.7% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.3% and the rental vacancy rate was 10.7%.^[21]

2000 census

As of the 2000 census,^[24] there were 7,673 people, 3,234 households, and 2,153 families residing in the county. The population density was 7 people per square mile (2.7 people/km²). There were 4,273 housing units at an average density of 4 per square mile (1.5/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 96.53% White, 0.83% Native American, 0.14% Black or African American, 0.10% Asian, 0.81% from other races, and 1.58% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.72% of the population.

There were 3,234 households, out of which 27.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.50% were married couples living together, 6.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.40% were non-families. 30.30% 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 2.31 and the average family size was 2.86.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 23.70% under the age of 18, 6.50% from 18 to 24, 23.20% from 25 to 44, 23.70% from 45 to 64, and 22.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females there were 95.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.50 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $30,169, and the median income for a family was $38,140. Males had a median income of $27,021 versus $19,356 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,976. About 8.20% of families and 12.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.20% of those under age 18 and 10.10% of those age 65 or over.

Presidential elections

Laws

Greenwood 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.^[27]

Unified school districts

School districts which have territory in the county include:^[28]

• Madison–Virgil USD 386
• Eureka USD 389
• Hamilton USD 390

School districts with offices in neighboring counties

^[28]

• West Elk USD 282 (serving Severy and southern Greenwood county)
• Fredonia USD 484 (serving Fall River and southeastern corner of Greenwood county)
• Bluestem USD 205
• Flinthills USD 492
• Leroy-Gridley USD 245

Cities

Unincorporated communities

† means a community is designated a Census-Designated Place (CDP) by the United States Census Bureau.

Ghost towns

Townships

Greenwood County is divided into fifteen townships. The city of Eureka 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.