Jackson 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 sq mi (19,000 km²). In 1803, most of the land for modern day Kansas was acquired by the United States from France as part of the 828,000 sq mi (2,140,000 km²) 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 1859, Jackson County was established.

Adjacent counties

• Brown County (northeast)
• Atchison County (east)
• Jefferson County (southeast)
• Shawnee County (south)
• Pottawatomie County (west)
• Nemaha County (northwest)

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 13,232, a median age of 41.3 years, 25.6% of residents under the age of 18, and 19.4% of residents 65 years of age or older.^[15]

For every 100 females there were 99.4 males and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 96.7 males age 18 and over; 0.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 100.0% lived in rural areas.^[16][15]

The racial makeup of the county was 81.1% White, 0.8% Black or African American, 9.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% Asian, 0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 1.2% from some other race, and 7.3% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 4.8% of the population.^[17]

There were 5,036 households in the county, of which 32.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 22.8% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 26.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.^[15]

There were 5,583 housing units, of which 9.8% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 77.7% were owner-occupied and 22.3% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.9% and the rental vacancy rate was 6.6%.^[15]

The most reported ancestries in 2020 were:^[18]

• German (28%)
• English (19.4%)
• Irish (16.1%)
• Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation (6.3%)
• Scottish (3%)
• Mexican (3%)
• Potawatomi (2.1%)
• Swedish (2.1%)
• French (2%)
• Dutch (1.6%)

2000 census

As of the 2000 census,^[19] there were 12,657 people, 4,727 households, and 3,507 families residing in the county. The population density was 19 people per square mile (7.3 people/km²). There were 5,094 housing units at an average density of 8 per square mile (3.1/km²). The county's racial makeup was 90.21% White, 6.84% Native American, 0.53% Black or African American, 0.17% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.39% from other races, and 1.84% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.49% of the population.

There were 4,727 households, of which 35.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.30% were married couples living together, 8.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.80% were non-families. 22.70% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.63 and the average family size was 3.09.

28.30% of the county's residents were under the age of 18, 6.80% were from 18 to 24, 26.70% were from 25 to 44, 23.40% were from 45 to 64, and 14.90% were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.80 males.

The county's median household income was $40,451, and the median family income was $46,520. Males had a median income of $32,195 versus $22,305 for females. The county's per capita income was $18,606. About 6.40% of families and 8.80% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.50% of those under age 18 and 9.20% of those age 65 or over.

Presidential elections

Jackson County has supported the Republican Party candidate in every presidential election from 1936 onward. Democratic Party candidates for president have only won the county twice since 1880, in 1912 & 1932.

Laws

Following an amendment to the Kansas Constitution in 1986, the county remained a prohibition, or "dry", county until 2004, when voters approved the sale of alcoholic liquor by the individual drink with a 30% food sales requirement.^[22] The food sales requirement was removed in 2020.^[23]

The county voted "No" on the 2022 Kansas abortion referendum, an anti-abortion ballot measure, by 52% to 48% despite backing Donald Trump with 69% of the vote to Joe Biden's 29% in the 2020 presidential election.^[24]

Unified school districts

• Jackson Heights USD 335
• Holton USD 336
• Royal Valley USD 337^[25]

Cities

Unincorporated communities

‡ means a community has portions in an adjacent county.

• Birmingham
• Larkinburg‡

Indian reservations

• Kickapoo Reservation‡
• Prairie Band Potawatomi Indian Reservation

Townships

Jackson County is divided into fifteen townships. The city of Holton 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.