Anderson County, Kansas

{{See also|History of Kansas}}

In 1854, the Kansas Territory was organized, and in 1855, Anderson County was established as one of the original 33 counties of the Kansas Territory, named for territorial legislator Joseph C. Anderson.{{Cite book |last=Blackmar |first=Frank Wilson |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=N1B80AEACAAJ&dq=a+cyclopedia+of+kansas+history+blackmar+volume+1&hl=en&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwissabDlYCKAxUXJEQIHfSjN3UQ6AF6BAgFEAE |title=Kansas: A Cyclopedia of State History, Embracing Events, Institutions, Industries, Counties, Cities, Towns, Prominent Persons, Etc. ... with a Supplementary Volume Devoted to Selected Personal History and Reminiscence |date=1912 |publisher=Standard Publishing Company |language=en}} The initial settlement began in 1854 with individuals such as Valentine Gerth and Francis Meyer staking claims near what would become Greeley. The settlers discovered fields previously worked by the Potawatomi, who had been relocated there in 1833.{{Cite book |last=Cutler |first=William G. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xlAMAQAAMAAJ&q=history+of+the+state+of+kansas+cutler&dq=history+of+the+state+of+kansas+cutler&hl=en&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiK_ZSbloCKAxV-lu4BHRB1CzYQ6AF6BAgEEAI |title=History of the State of Kansas, Containing a Full Account of Its Growth from an Uninhabited Territory to a Wealthy and Important State ...: Also, a Supplementary History and Description of Its Counties, Cities, Towns, and Villages ... |last2=Andreas |first2=Alfred Theodore |date=1883 |publisher=A.T. Andreas |isbn=978-0-598-27697-1 |language=en}} The early years were fraught with conflict during "Bleeding Kansas," with Anderson County men engaging in battles such as that at Osawatomie, where the clash over slavery was intense.

The county's administrative center was initially established at Shannon, but disputes over the location of the county seat resulted in its move to Garnett in 1859, where it has remained. The agrarian economy suffered from natural disasters, including the severe drought of 1860, which left the county in distress. Subsequent years brought the infamous grasshopper plagues of 1874-1875, which devastated crops, yet the resolve of the settlers saw them through these hardships. The introduction of wheat farming helped stabilize the region.

In 1861 Kansas became the 34th U.S. state. The Civil War period saw Anderson County's men volunteer for Union forces, with the war also temporarily halting the cattle drives from Texas that had introduced Spanish fever to the local cattle. Post-war, the county experienced a resurgence in agricultural development, with the arrival of the railroad playing a crucial role in economic growth by opening up markets. As Anderson County moved towards the 20th century, its economy was based on farming, with some coal mining activities due to local deposits. The onset of World War I saw the community rallying to support the war effort, with many local men enlisting for service overseas. This era marked the beginning of a transition period, where traditional farming practices would soon give way to technological advancements in agriculture.

In 1884, the first photograph of a tornado was taken in Anderson County.{{Cite web|url=https://mymodernmet.com/first-photograph-photography-history/|title=18 Famous First Photographs in History: From the Oldest Photo Ever to the World's First Instagram|date=September 30, 2019}}

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of {{convert|584|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|580|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|4.1|sqmi}} (0.7%) is water.{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/geographies/reference-files/time-series/geo/gazetteer-files.html|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=April 23, 2011|date=February 12, 2011|title=US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990}}

• Franklin County (north)
• Miami County (northeast)
• Linn County (east)
• Bourbon County (southeast)
• Allen County (south)
• Woodson County (southwest)
• Coffey County (west)

Sources: National Atlas,[http://www.nationalatlas.gov/ National Atlas] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081205020547/http://www.nationalatlas.gov/ |date=December 5, 2008 }} U.S. Census Bureau{{Cite web |url=https://www.census.gov/geo/www/tiger |title=U.S. Census Bureau TIGER shape files |access-date=December 5, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170523020601/https://www.census.gov/geo/www/tiger/ |archive-date=May 23, 2017 |url-status=dead }}

• U.S. Route 59
• U.S. Route 169
• Kansas Highway 31
• Kansas Highway 52
• Kansas Highway 58

Image:USA Anderson County, Kansas age pyramid.svg based on 2000 census age data]]

{{US Census population

|1860= 2400

|1870= 5220

|1880= 9057

|1890= 14203

|1900= 13938

|1910= 13829

|1920= 12986

|1930= 13355

|1940= 11658

|1950= 10267

|1960= 9035

|1970= 8501

|1980= 8749

|1990= 7803

|2000= 8110

|2010= 8102

|2020= 7836

|estyear=2023

|estimate=7838

|estref={{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/popest/data/tables.html|title=Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=April 3, 2024}}

|align-fn=center

|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html |title=U.S. Decennial Census |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=July 21, 2014 }}
1790-1960{{cite web|url=http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu|title=Historical Census Browser|publisher=University of Virginia Library|access-date=July 21, 2014}} 1900-1990{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/ks190090.txt|title=Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=July 21, 2014}}
1990-2000{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100327165705/http://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |archive-date=March 27, 2010 |url-status=live|title=Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=July 21, 2014}} 2010-2020

}}

As of the 2000 census,{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=January 31, 2008 |title=U.S. Census website }} there were 8,110 people, 3,221 households, and 2,264 families residing in the county. The population density was {{convert|14|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|people |people}}. There were 3,596 housing units at an average density of {{convert|6|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units |units|}}. The racial makeup of the county was 97.41% White, 0.32% Black or African American, 0.74% Native American, 0.22% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.33% from other races, and 0.95% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.09% of the population. 35.0% were of German, 20.4% American, 10.4% English and 9.9% Irish ancestry.

There were 3,221 households, out of which 31.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.90% were married couples living together, 6.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.70% were non-families. 26.80% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.48 and the average family size was 3.00.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 26.20% under the age of 18, 7.00% from 18 to 24, 24.60% from 25 to 44, 22.10% from 45 to 64, and 20.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 96.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.50 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $33,244, and the median income for a family was $39,101. Males had a median income of $30,102 versus $20,705 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,458. About 10.60% of families and 12.80% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.30% of those under age 18 and 11.00% of those age 65 or over.

{{Hidden

|headercss = background: #ccccff; font-size: 100%; width: 100%;

|contentcss = text-align: left; font-size: 100%; width: 100%;

|header = Presidential election results

|content =

{{PresHead|place=Anderson County, Kansas|source={{Cite web|url=https://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS/|title=Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections|website=uselectionatlas.org}}}}

{{PresRow|2024|Republican|2,998|732|72|Kansas}}

{{PresRow|2020|Republican|2,929|782|81|Kansas}}

{{PresRow|2016|Republican|2,435|672|243|Kansas}}

{{PresRow|2012|Republican|2,276|944|95|Kansas}}

{{PresRow|2008|Republican|2,362|1,175|89|Kansas}}

{{PresRow|2004|Republican|2,500|1,295|68|Kansas}}

{{PresRow|2000|Republican|1,984|1,327|167|Kansas}}

{{PresRow|1996|Republican|1,636|1,367|503|Kansas}}

{{PresRow|1992|Independent (United States)|1,218|1,178|1,291|Kansas}}

{{PresRow|1988|Republican|1,781|1,466|36|Kansas}}

{{PresRow|1984|Republican|2,462|1,155|50|Kansas}}

{{PresRow|1980|Republican|2,363|1,170|240|Kansas}}

{{PresRow|1976|Democratic|1,872|1,886|86|Kansas}}

{{PresRow|1972|Republican|2,718|1,035|83|Kansas}}

{{PresRow|1968|Republican|2,168|1,242|404|Kansas}}

{{PresRow|1964|Democratic|1,692|2,058|30|Kansas}}

{{PresRow|1960|Republican|2,665|1,589|20|Kansas}}

{{PresRow|1956|Republican|3,080|1,369|14|Kansas}}

{{PresRow|1952|Republican|3,672|1,333|13|Kansas}}

{{PresRow|1948|Republican|2,787|2,071|44|Kansas}}

{{PresRow|1944|Republican|3,060|1,649|7|Kansas}}

{{PresRow|1940|Republican|3,886|2,114|33|Kansas}}

{{PresRow|1936|Republican|3,452|2,767|99|Kansas}}

{{PresRow|1932|Democratic|2,408|3,580|88|Kansas}}

{{PresRow|1928|Republican|3,562|1,874|49|Kansas}}

{{PresRow|1924|Republican|3,101|1,421|563|Kansas}}

{{PresRow|1920|Republican|3,068|1,708|108|Kansas}}

{{PresRow|1916|Democratic|2,386|2,739|304|Kansas}}

{{PresRow|1912|Democratic|618|1,365|1,125|Kansas}}

{{PresRow|1908|Republican|1,722|1,512|126|Kansas}}

{{PresRow|1904|Republican|1,891|1,043|312|Kansas}}

{{PresRow|1900|Republican|1,846|1,757|60|Kansas}}

{{PresRow|1896|Democratic|1,780|1,890|72|Kansas}}

{{PresRow|1892|Republican|1,638|0|1,570|Kansas}}

{{PresFoot|1888|Republican|1,843|960|540|Kansas}}

}}

Anderson County has, in common with other rural areas of Kansas, voted predominantly Republican in presidential elections, with the last Democratic candidate to carry the county being Lyndon B. Johnson in 1964.

Following amendment to the Kansas Constitution in 1986, the county remained a prohibition, or "dry", county until 1996, when voters approved the sale of alcoholic liquor by the individual drink with a 30 percent food sales requirement.{{Cite web|url=http://www.ksrevenue.org/abcwetdrymap.htm |title=Map of Wet and Dry Counties |publisher=Alcoholic Beverage Control, Kansas Department of Revenue |date=November 2004 |access-date=January 21, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071008013617/http://www.ksrevenue.org/abcwetdrymap.htm |archive-date=October 8, 2007 }}

• Garnett USD 365
• [https://www.usd479.org/ Crest USD 479]

File:Map of Anderson Co, Ks, USA.png)]]

List of townships / incorporated cities / unincorporated communities / extinct former communities within Anderson County.{{cite web |title=General Highway Map of Anderson County, Kansas |url=https://www.ksdot.gov/Assets/wwwksdotorg/bureaus/burTransPlan/maps/county-pdf/anderson.PDF |publisher=Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230404172215/https://www.ksdot.gov/Assets/wwwksdotorg/bureaus/burTransPlan/maps/county-pdf/anderson.PDF |archive-date=April 4, 2023 |date=September 2010 |url-status=live}}

{{div col}}

• Colony
• Garnett (county seat)
• Greeley
• Kincaid
• Lone Elm
• Westphalia

{{div col end}}

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

{{div col}}

• Bush City
• Glenlock
• Harris†
• Mont Ida†
• Scipio
• Selma
• Welda†

{{div col end}}

• Hyattville

Anderson County is divided into fourteen townships. The city of Garnett 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.

|-

| Jackson || 34725 || || 453 || 5 (13) || 88 (34) || 0 (0) || 0.06% || {{coord|38|17|44|N|95|17|48|W|}}

|-

| Lincoln || 40475 || || 208 || 2 (4) || 128 (49) || 0 (0) || 0.22% || {{coord|38|12|42|N|95|8|42|W|}}

|-

| Lone Elm || 42450 || || 239 || 2 (5) || 120 (46) || 0 (0) || 0.21% || {{coord|38|4|56|N|95|14|30|W|}}

|-

| Monroe || 47725 || || 349 || 5 (12) || 74 (29) || 0 (0) || 0.11% || {{coord|38|17|44|N|95|12|54|W|}}

|-

| North Rich || 51325 || || 112 || 2 (5) || 62 (24) || 0 (0) || 0.06% || {{coord|38|8|10|N|95|7|24|W|}}

|-

| Ozark || 53900 || Colony || 565 || 6 (16) || 93 (36) || 0 (0) || 0.07% || {{coord|38|4|24|N|95|21|37|W|}}

|-

| Putnam || 58000 || || 284 || 3 (8) || 87 (34) || 0 (0) || 0.11% || {{coord|38|21|41|N|95|16|4|W|}}

|-

| Reeder || 58825 || || 427 || 2 (6) || 187 (72) || 1 (0) || 0.44% || {{coord|38|19|14|N|95|26|6|W|}}

|-

| Rich || 59175 || Kincaid || 346 || 4 (11) || 78 (30) || 0 (0) || 0.21% || {{coord|38|4|48|N|95|8|58|W|}}

|-

| Walker || 74650 || Greeley || 668 || 6 (15) || 117 (45) || 0 (0) || 0.38% || {{coord|38|21|4|N|95|6|47|W|}}

|-

| Washington || 75500 || || 268 || 3 (7) || 93 (36) || 0 (0) || 0.19% || {{coord|38|13|47|N|95|17|5|W|}}

|-

| Welda || 76450 || || 301 || 3 (7) || 116 (45) || 0 (0) || 0.22% || {{coord|38|9|44|N|95|19|17|W|}}

|-

| Westphalia || 77275 || Westphalia || 390 || 3 (8) || 134 (52) || 1 (0) || 0.38% || {{coord|38|11|56|N|95|27|46|W|}}

|-

|colspan=9|Sources: {{Cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/places2k.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020802223743/http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/places2k.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=August 2, 2002 |title=Census 2000 U.S. Gazetteer Files |publisher=U.S. Census Bureau, Geography Division }}

|}

File:St. Boniface Catholic Church.JPG

Anderson County Review is a weekly newspaper.{{Cite news|last=Hanna|first=John|date=July 5, 2020|title=Newspaper Owner: Sorry for Equating Mask Rule to Holocaust|agency=Associated Press|url=https://www.usnews.com/news/politics/articles/2020-07-05/kansas-paper-owner-apologizes-for-tying-mask-rule-holocaust|access-date=July 6, 2020}}

{{See also Kansas counties}}

• National Register of Historic Places listings in Anderson County, Kansas

{{Portal|Kansas}}

{{Reflist}}

{{Kansas books}}

• [https://archive.org/details/andersonKS1977 Soil Survey of Anderson County, Kansas]; U.S. Natural Resources Conservation Service; 114 pages; 1977.
• [https://www.kansasmemory.gov/item/209374/ Plat Book of Anderson County, Kansas]; Northwest Publishing Company; 41 pages; 1901.
• [https://archive.org/details/historyofanderso00john/ The History of Anderson County, Kansas, From its First Settlement to the Fourth of July 1876]; W.A. Johnson; Kauffman & Iler; 289 pages; 1877.

{{Commons category|Anderson County, Kansas}}

;County

• {{Official website|http://www.andersoncountyks.org/|Anderson County - Official}}
• [https://www.lkm.org/members/?id=41260402 Anderson County - Directory of Public Officials]
• [http://www.andersoncountyks.net/ Anderson County - Development Agency]

;Historical

• [http://www.kshs.org/geog/geog_counties/view/county:AN Anderson County - History], Kansas State Historical Society
• [http://www.kansasmemory.org/item/212439 Poster from Ninth Annual Anderson County Fair from September 25-28, 1891]

;Maps

• Anderson County Maps: [http://www.ksdot.org/Assets/wwwksdotorg/bureaus/burTransPlan/maps/county-pdf/anderson.PDF Current], [http://www.ksdot.org/bureaus/burtransplan/maps/PastPublishedCounty.asp Historic], KDOT
• Kansas Highway Maps: [http://www.ksdot.org/burtransplan/maps/MapsState.asp Current], [http://www.ksdot.org/burtransplan/maps/HistoricStateMaps.asp Historic], KDOT
• Kansas Railroad Maps: [http://www.ksdot.org/BurTransPlan/maps/RRStateMap.asp Current], [http://www.kansasmemory.org/item/227379 1996], [http://www.kansasmemory.org/item/227380 1915], KDOT and Kansas Historical Society

{{Geographic Location

|Centre = Anderson County, Kansas

|North = Franklin County

|Northeast = Miami County

|East = Linn County

|Southeast = Bourbon County

|South = Allen County

|Southwest = Woodson County

|West = Coffey County

|Northwest = Coffey County

}}

{{Anderson County, Kansas}}

{{Kansas}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:Kansas counties

Category:1855 establishments in Kansas Territory