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 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 1859, Jackson County was established.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 658 square miles (1,700 km²), of which 656 square miles (1,700 km²) is land and 1.8 square miles (4.7 km²) (0.3%) is water.

Adjacent counties

Demographics

Jackson County is included in the Topeka, KS Metropolitan Statistical Area.

As of the U.S. Census in 2000, 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/km²). There were 5,094 housing units at an average density of 8 per square mile (3/km²). The racial makeup of the county 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 out 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.

In the county, the population was spread out with 28.30% under the age of 18, 6.80% from 18 to 24, 26.70% from 25 to 44, 23.40% from 45 to 64, and 14.90% who 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 median income for a household in the county was $40,451, and the median income for a family was $46,520. Males had a median income of $32,195 versus $22,305 for females. The per capita income for the county 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.

Law and government

Following 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.

Unified school districts

Unincorporated communities

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.