Rice County, Kansas: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 11:11, 20 March 2025

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Rice County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kansas. Its county seat and largest city is Lyons.<ref name="GR6">Template:Cite web</ref> As of the 2020 census, the county population was 9,427.<ref name="QF">Template:Cite web</ref> The county was named in memory of Samuel Allen Rice, Brigadier-General, United States volunteers, killed April 30, 1864, at Jenkins Ferry, Arkansas.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

History

Early history

Template:See also 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 1867, Rice County was established.

The Santa Fe Trail followed the route of present-day U.S. Route 56. Ruts in the earth from the trail are still visible in several locations. (Ralph's Ruts are visible in aerial photos at Template:Coord.)<ref name="titleAerial Photos Topo Maps of Santa Fe Trail Ruts and Sites">Template:Cite web</ref>

In 1878, Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway and parties from Marion and McPherson counties chartered the Marion and McPherson Railway Company.<ref name="MarionCountyBook">Marion County Kansas : Past and Present; Sondra Van Meter; MB Publishing House; LCCN 72-92041; 344 pages; 1972.</ref> In 1879, a branch line was built from Florence to McPherson; in 1880 it was extended to Lyons, then in 1881 was extended to Ellinwood.<ref>Fourth Annual Report of the Board of Railroad Commissioners for the Year Ending December 1, 1886 in State of Kansas; Kansas Publishing House; 1886.</ref> The line was leased and operated by the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway. The line from Florence to Marion, was abandoned in 1968.<ref name="Abandon Railway 1968">Railway Abandonment 1968</ref> In 1992, the line from Marion to McPherson was sold to Central Kansas Railway. In 1993, after heavy flood damage, the line from Marion to McPherson was abandoned. The original branch line connected Florence, Marion, Canada, Hillsboro, Lehigh, Canton, Galva, McPherson, Conway, Windom, Little River, Mitchell, Lyons, Chase and Ellinwood.

Samuel Allen Rice in 1864

Samuel Allen Rice in 1864
1845 Santa Fe Trail crossing Rice County

1845 Santa Fe Trail crossing Rice County
1915-1918 Railroad Map of Rice County

1915-1918 Railroad Map of Rice County
Bushton Grain Elevators (2004)

Bushton Grain Elevators (2004)

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of Template:Convert, of which Template:Convert is land and Template:Convert (0.2%) is water.<ref name="GR1">Template:Cite web</ref>

Adjacent counties

Ellsworth County (north)
McPherson County (east)
Reno County (south)
Stafford County (southwest)
Barton County (northwest)

National protected area

Quivira National Wildlife Refuge (part)

Demographics

File:USA Rice County, Kansas age pyramid.svg

Population pyramid based on 2000 census age data

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As of the census<ref name="GR2">Template:Cite web</ref> of 2000, there were 10,761 people, 4,050 households, and 2,830 families residing in the county. The population density was Template:Convert. There were 4,609 housing units at an average density of Template:Convert. The racial makeup of the county was 94.68% White, 1.15% Black or African American, 0.57% Native American, 0.33% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 1.84% from other races, and 1.39% from two or more races. 5.61% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 4,050 households, out of which 31.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.10% were married couples living together, 7.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.10% were non-families. 27.80% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 2.97.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 24.70% under the age of 18, 13.30% from 18 to 24, 22.80% from 25 to 44, 21.30% from 45 to 64, and 18.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 92.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.20 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $35,671, and the median income for a family was $40,960. Males had a median income of $31,175 versus $18,968 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,064. About 8.50% of families and 10.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.60% of those under age 18 and 8.20% of those age 65 or over.

Government

Presidential elections

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Laws

The Kansas Constitution was amended in 1986 to allow the sale of alcoholic liquor by the individual drink with the approval of voters, either with or without a minimum of 30% of sales coming from food. Rice County is one of 35 counties in the state that allows for the sale of liquor by the drink without the minimum food sales stipulation.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Education

Colleges

Sterling College in Sterling

Unified school districts

School district office in neighboring county

Central Plains USD 112

Communities

File:Map of Rice Co, Ks, USA.png

2005 map of Rice County<ref name="County-Map-Current"/> (map legend)

List of townships / incorporated cities / unincorporated communities / extinct former communities within Rice County.<ref name="County-Map-Current">Template:Cite web</ref>

Cities

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Unincorporated communities

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Ghost towns

Townships

Rice County is divided into twenty townships. The cities of Lyons and Sterling are considered governmentally independent and are 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.

Sources: 2000 U.S. Gazetteer from the U.S. Census Bureau.
Township	FIPS	Population	Population density /km² (/sq mi)	Land area km² (sq mi)	Water area km² (sq mi)	Water %	Geographic coordinates
Atlanta	03075	233	3 (7)	90 (35)	0 (0)	0.25%	Template:Coord
Bell	05375	18	0 (0)	94 (36)	1 (0)	0.65%	Template:Coord
Center	12075	136	1 (4)	95 (37)	0 (0)	0.04%	Template:Coord
East Washington	19725	179	2 (5)	93 (36)	0 (0)	0.03%	Template:Coord
Eureka	21900	65	1 (2)	95 (37)	0 (0)	0%	Template:Coord
Farmer	23100	441	5 (12)	94 (36)	0 (0)	0%	Template:Coord
Galt	25175	51	1 (1)	94 (36)	0 (0)	0.22%	Template:Coord
Harrison	30425	192	2 (5)	92 (35)	0 (0)	0.06%	Template:Coord
Lincoln	41100	577	6 (16)	95 (37)	0 (0)	0%	Template:Coord
Mitchell	47525	131	1 (4)	94 (36)	0 (0)	0.18%	Template:Coord
Odessa	52150	55	1 (2)	93 (36)	0 (0)	0.10%	Template:Coord
Pioneer	55925	101	1 (3)	94 (36)	0 (0)	0.03%	Template:Coord
Raymond	58575	185	2 (5)	92 (36)	1 (0)	0.71%	Template:Coord
Rockville	60725	134	1 (4)	93 (36)	0 (0)	0.04%	Template:Coord
Sterling	68225	223	2 (5)	114 (44)	1 (0)	1.01%	Template:Coord
Union	72325	741	8 (21)	93 (36)	0 (0)	0%	Template:Coord
Valley	73100	276	4 (9)	77 (30)	1 (0)	1.11%	Template:Coord
Victoria	73825	364	4 (10)	94 (36)	0 (0)	0.06%	Template:Coord
West Washington	77425	138	1 (4)	93 (36)	0 (0)	0.12%	Template:Coord
Wilson	79775	147	2 (4)	94 (36)	0 (0)	0.02%	Template:Coord

Trivia

The CW television series Superman & Lois places Superman's home town of Smallville in Rice County ("Pilot").

References

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Notes

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External links

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County

Maps

Rice County Maps: Current, Historic, KDOT
Kansas Highway Maps: Current, Historic, KDOT
Kansas Railroad Maps: Current, 1996, 1915, KDOT and Kansas Historical Society

Template:Geographic location

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