Hamilton County, Kansas


Hamilton County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kansas. Its county seat and most populous city is Syracuse. As of the 2020 census, the county population was 2,518. The county was founded in 1873 and named for Alexander Hamilton, a founding father of the United States.

History

In 1873, Hamilton County was established and named for Alexander Hamilton, though its boundaries were later expanded in 1883 to include parts of present-day Grant, Kearny, and Stanton counties. In 1887 the original boundaries were restored. Many early American exploring expeditions, including those led by Zebulon Pike in 1806 and Stephen Long in 1820, passed through the county. Fort Aubrey, established in 1865 near what would become Mayline, briefly served as a military post. The first permanent settlement came in 1872 when a colony from Syracuse, New York, selected land in the county, though their attempt to rename the county to Onondaga was unsuccessful.
By early 1886, the county's population had grown enough to seek formal organization. A petition signed by 250 citizens led Governor John A. Martin to authorize a census, which confirmed 1,893 residents. On January 29, 1886, Hamilton County was officially organized, initially encompassing Stanton and parts of Kearny and Grant counties. Kendall was named the temporary county seat, but a battle for the permanent designation ensued between Kendall and Syracuse. Allegations of election fraud led to a Supreme Court ruling invalidating Syracuse's initial victory, but a second vote in November 1886 confirmed Syracuse as the county seat.
The dispute continued for several years, with two rival sets of county officials and divided records until the Kansas Supreme Court finally ruled in favor of Syracuse. The arrival of the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad hastened the county's development, and by 1910, Hamilton County had eight townships, 27 school districts, and high schools in Coolidge and Syracuse.
In the 1930s, the prosperity of the area was severely affected by its location within the Dust Bowl. This catastrophe intensified the economic impact of the Great Depression in the region.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of, of which is land and is water.
The Arkansas River flows through the county. White magnesian limestone and gypsum deposits are found in the region.

Major highways

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 2,518. The median age was 34.5 years; 28.8% of residents were under the age of 18 and 14.0% were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 110.5 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 111.3 males age 18 and over. 0.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 100.0% lived in rural areas.
The racial makeup of the county was 63.4% White, 0.5% Black or African American, 1.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% Asian, 0.0% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 21.4% from some other race, and 13.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 43.1% of the population.
There were 933 households in the county, of which 37.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 22.6% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 27.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.
There were 1,106 housing units, of which 15.6% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 69.3% were owner-occupied and 30.7% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.2% and the rental vacancy rate was 13.0%.

2000 census

As of the 2000 census, there were 2,670 people, 1,054 households, and 715 families residing in the county. The population density was. There were 1,211 housing units at an average density of. The racial makeup of the county was 81.65% White, 0.56% Asian, 0.49% Black or African American, 0.49% Native American, 15.13% from other races, and 1.69% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 20.60% of the population.
There were 1,054 households, out of which 33.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.90% were married couples living together, 7.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.10% were non-families. 29.40% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.80% 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 3.09.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 28.40% under the age of 18, 7.20% from 18 to 24, 25.30% from 25 to 44, 20.90% from 45 to 64, and 18.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 97.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.60 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $32,033, and the median income for a family was $38,550. Males had a median income of $26,701 versus $21,000 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,484. About 10.90% of families and 15.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.50% of those under age 18 and 9.40% of those age 65 or over.

Government

Hamilton County has, since the 1940s, nearly always been carried by Republican candidates. The last time a Democratic candidate has carried Hamilton County was in 1976 by Jimmy Carter. As with many adjacent counties, Republicans have been increasing their influence in the county's presidential elections, when Donald Trump in 2016 won by a margin of approximately 70%, as Hillary Clinton only managed to get 14% of the county's vote.

Presidential elections

Laws

Although the Kansas Constitution was amended in 1986 to allow the sale of alcoholic liquor by the individual drink with the approval of voters, Hamilton County has remained a prohibition, or "dry", county.

Education

Unified school districts

List of townships / incorporated cities / unincorporated communities / extinct former communities within Hamilton County.

Cities

  • Coolidge
  • Syracuse

    Unincorporated community

  • Kendall

    Townships

Hamilton County is divided into eight 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 included in that township's population total, if it is of a significant size.