Coffey County, Kansas

Coffey County is a county located in Eastern Kansas. Its county seat and most populous city is Burlington.[2] As of the 2020 census, the county population was 8,360.[1] It was named after A.M. Coffey, a territorial legislator and Free-Stater during Bleeding Kansas era.

Coffey County
Burlington Carnegie Free Library (2016)
Map of Kansas highlighting Coffey County
Location within the U.S. state of Kansas
Map of the United States highlighting Kansas
Kansas's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 38°14′N 95°44′W / 38.233°N 95.733°W / 38.233; -95.733
Country United States
State Kansas
FoundedAugust 25, 1855
Named forAsbury M. Coffey
SeatBurlington
Largest cityBurlington
Area
 • Total654 sq mi (1,690 km2)
 • Land627 sq mi (1,620 km2)
 • Water27 sq mi (70 km2)  4.2%
Population
 • Total8,360
 • Density13.3/sq mi (5.1/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Area code620
Congressional district2nd
WebsiteCoffeyCountyKS.org

History

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Early history

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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

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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, Coffey County was established.

Geography

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According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 654 square miles (1,690 km2), of which 627 square miles (1,620 km2) is land and 27 square miles (70 km2) (4.2%) is water.[3]

Adjacent counties

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Major highways

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Sources: National Atlas,[4] U.S. Census Bureau[5]

National protected area

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Demographics

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Population pyramid based on 2000 census age data
Historical population
CensusPop.Note
18602,842
18706,201118.2%
188011,43884.5%
189015,85638.6%
190016,6435.0%
191015,205−8.6%
192014,254−6.3%
193013,653−4.2%
194012,278−10.1%
195010,408−15.2%
19608,403−19.3%
19707,397−12.0%
19809,37026.7%
19908,404−10.3%
20008,8655.5%
20108,601−3.0%
20208,360−2.8%
2023 (est.)8,251[6]−1.3%
U.S. Decennial Census[7]
1790-1960[8] 1900-1990[9]
1990-2000[10] 2010-2020[1]

As of the 2000 census,[11] there were 8,865 people, 3,489 households, and 2,477 families residing in the county. The population density was 14 people per square mile (5.4 people/km2). There were 3,876 housing units at an average density of 6 per square mile (2.3/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 96.95% White, 0.25% Black or African American, 0.52% Native American, 0.34% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.50% from other races, and 1.43% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.55% of the population.

There were 3,489 households, out of which 33.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.70% were married couples living together, 6.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.00% were non-families. 26.00% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 2.99.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 26.80% under the age of 18, 6.50% from 18 to 24, 26.40% from 25 to 44, 24.00% from 45 to 64, and 16.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 96.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.50 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $37,839, and the median income for a family was $44,912. Males had a median income of $31,356 versus $20,666 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,337. About 5.00% of families and 6.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.00% of those under age 18 and 9.80% of those age 65 or over.

Government

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Presidential elections

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Presidential election results
United States presidential election results for Coffey County, Kansas[12]
YearRepublicanDemocraticThird party
No. %No. %No. %
20203,48976.43%96421.12%1122.45%
20163,05074.98%72717.87%2917.15%
20122,90374.32%89822.99%1052.69%
20083,05472.16%1,12126.49%571.35%
20043,25973.93%1,09324.80%561.27%
20002,70066.83%1,19629.60%1443.56%
19962,36957.92%1,11827.33%60314.74%
19921,82442.44%1,02123.76%1,45333.81%
19882,58166.69%1,24632.20%431.11%
19843,06374.00%1,03725.05%390.94%
19802,49169.16%93826.04%1734.80%
19762,14556.70%1,54940.95%892.35%
19722,66775.70%78222.20%742.10%
19682,22363.06%93326.47%36910.47%
19641,99855.41%1,59444.20%140.39%
19602,92569.69%1,26330.09%90.21%
19563,28672.24%1,24727.41%160.35%
19523,73174.78%1,23924.83%190.38%
19482,94561.20%1,79637.32%711.48%
19443,46167.28%1,66032.27%230.45%
19404,16464.26%2,27235.06%440.68%
19363,90059.29%2,66240.47%160.24%
19322,70743.77%3,38954.80%881.42%
19284,34273.81%1,51425.74%270.46%
19243,55262.47%1,63128.68%5038.85%
19203,37064.20%1,78534.01%941.79%
19162,79945.57%3,12150.81%2223.61%
191268118.73%1,58143.48%1,37437.79%
19082,09453.38%1,72944.07%1002.55%
19042,16459.39%1,28035.13%2005.49%
19002,15950.46%2,06648.28%541.26%
18962,00046.84%2,19451.38%761.78%
18921,76947.53%00.00%1,95352.47%
18881,97052.59%1,22732.75%54914.66%

Laws

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Following amendment to the Kansas Constitution in 1986, Coffey County remained a prohibition, or "dry", county until 2004, when voters approved the sale of alcoholic liquor by the individual drink with a 30 percent food sales requirement.[13]

Education

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Unified school districts

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School district office in neighboring county

Communities

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2005 map of Coffey County[14] (map legend)

List of townships / incorporated cities / unincorporated communities / extinct former communities within Coffey County.[14]

Cities

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Unincorporated communities

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Townships

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Coffey County is divided into fourteen townships. The city of Burlington 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.

TownshipFIPSPopulation
center
PopulationPopulation
density
/km2 (/sq mi)
Land area
km2 (sq mi)
Water area
km2 (sq mi)
Water %Geographic coordinates
Avon035501832 (6)80 (31)0 (0)0.40%38°10′1″N 95°35′16″W / 38.16694°N 95.58778°W / 38.16694; -95.58778
Burlington094253004 (10)81 (31)0 (0)0.48%38°10′40″N 95°45′18″W / 38.17778°N 95.75500°W / 38.17778; -95.75500
Hampden297751142 (5)56 (22)20 (8)26.43%38°12′14″N 95°42′10″W / 38.20389°N 95.70278°W / 38.20389; -95.70278
Key West366502372 (5)123 (48)1 (0)0.68%38°23′53″N 95°44′50″W / 38.39806°N 95.74722°W / 38.39806; -95.74722
Le Roy3967566912 (32)54 (21)0 (0)0.39%38°5′2″N 95°38′5″W / 38.08389°N 95.63472°W / 38.08389; -95.63472
Liberty399256343 (9)186 (72)1 (0)0.57%38°6′0″N 95°53′7″W / 38.10000°N 95.88528°W / 38.10000; -95.88528
Lincoln405501,2687 (18)181 (70)3 (1)1.60%38°23′24″N 95°52′34″W / 38.39000°N 95.87611°W / 38.39000; -95.87611
Neosho497501401 (3)124 (48)0 (0)0.34%38°5′38″N 95°44′1″W / 38.09389°N 95.73361°W / 38.09389; -95.73361
Ottumwa537007406 (16)122 (47)15 (6)11.06%38°16′54″N 95°44′34″W / 38.28167°N 95.74278°W / 38.28167; -95.74278
Pleasant562252722 (4)158 (61)18 (7)10.40%38°13′57″N 95°53′38″W / 38.23250°N 95.89389°W / 38.23250; -95.89389
Pottawatomie572002172 (4)140 (54)1 (0)0.87%38°17′28″N 95°35′20″W / 38.29111°N 95.58889°W / 38.29111; -95.58889
Rock Creek605001,0257 (19)140 (54)1 (1)1.00%38°24′4″N 95°35′26″W / 38.40111°N 95.59056°W / 38.40111; -95.59056
Spring Creek673751181 (3)90 (35)1 (0)0.76%38°5′31″N 95°34′50″W / 38.09194°N 95.58056°W / 38.09194; -95.58056
Star680001582 (5)90 (35)1 (0)1.15%38°13′40″N 95°36′27″W / 38.22778°N 95.60750°W / 38.22778; -95.60750
Sources: "Census 2000 U.S. Gazetteer Files". U.S. Census Bureau, Geography Division. Archived from the original on August 2, 2002.

Notable people

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See also

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Community information for Kansas

References

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  1. ^ a b c "QuickFacts; Coffey County, Kansas; Population, Census, 2020 & 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on August 16, 2021. Retrieved August 15, 2021.
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  4. ^ National Atlas Archived December 5, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  5. ^ U.S. Census Bureau TIGER shape files
  6. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 3, 2024.
  7. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 22, 2014.
  8. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Archived from the original on August 11, 2012. Retrieved July 22, 2014.
  9. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 22, 2014.
  10. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 27, 2010. Retrieved July 22, 2014.
  11. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  12. ^ "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections".
  13. ^ "Map of Wet and Dry Counties". Alcoholic Beverage Control, Kansas Department of Revenue. November 2006. Archived from the original on October 8, 2007. Retrieved December 26, 2007.
  14. ^ a b "General Highway Map of Coffey County, Kansas" (PDF). Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT). November 2008. Archived (PDF) from the original on June 9, 2023.

Further reading

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County
Maps