Trego 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 1879, Trego County was established.

Adjacent counties

• Graham County (north)
• Rooks County (northeast)
• Ellis County (east)
• Ness County (south)
• Gove County (west)

Major highways

• I-70 / US-40
• US-283
• K-147

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 2,808. The median age was 48.8 years. 20.8% of residents were under the age of 18 and 25.9% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 100.1 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 98.8 males age 18 and over.^[10][11]

The racial makeup of the county was 94.2% White, 0.2% Black or African American, 0.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% Asian, 0.0% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 0.3% from some other race, and 4.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 2.3% of the population.^[11]

0.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 100.0% lived in rural areas.^[12]

There were 1,283 households in the county, of which 22.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 23.5% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 33.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.^[10]

There were 1,611 housing units, of which 20.4% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 78.3% were owner-occupied and 21.7% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.1% and the rental vacancy rate was 23.1%.^[10]

2000 census

As of the census^[13] of 2000, there were 3,319 people, 1,412 households, and 936 families residing in the county. The population density was 4 people per square mile (1.5 people/km²). There were 1,723 housing units at an average density of 2 per square mile (0.77/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 97.77% White, 0.18% Black or African American, 0.39% Native American, 0.48% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 0.15% from other races, and 0.96% from two or more races. 0.78% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 1,412 households, out of which 27.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.10% were married couples living together, 6.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.70% were non-families. 31.40% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.27 and the average family size was 2.86.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 23.90% under the age of 18, 5.50% from 18 to 24, 23.50% from 25 to 44, 23.20% from 45 to 64, and 24.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females there were 91.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.60 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $29,677, and the median income for a family was $40,524. Males had a median income of $26,545 versus $16,927 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,239. About 11.20% of families and 12.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.10% of those under age 18 and 12.00% of those age 65 or over.

Presidential elections

Trego County is often carried by Republican candidates. The last time a Democratic candidate has carried this county was in 1964. The county has generally voted for Republican candidates by a larger margin with each succeeding election.

Laws

Trego 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 percent food sales requirement.^[16]

Unified school districts

• WaKeeney USD 208

Cities

Unincorporated communities

Ghost towns

Townships

Trego County is divided into seven townships. None of the cities within the county are considered governmentally independent, and all figures for the townships include those of the cities. 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.

Former towns and settlements in the county include Wilcox.