Osage County, Kansas
Osage County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kansas. Its county seat is Lyndon, and its most populous city is Osage City. As of the 2020 census, the county population was 15,766. The county was originally organized in 1855 as Weller County, then renamed in 1859 after the Osage tribe.
History
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 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, Osage County was established.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of, of which is land and is water.Adjacent counties
Demographics
Osage County is included in the Topeka metropolitan area.2020 census
As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 15,766. The median age was 44.4 years. 23.2% of residents were under the age of 18 and 21.3% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 99.2 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 97.1 males age 18 and over.The racial makeup of the county was 93.3% White, 0.2% Black or African American, 0.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% Asian, 0.0% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 0.6% from some other race, and 5.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 2.9% of the population.
0.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 100.0% lived in rural areas.
There were 6,480 households in the county, of which 28.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 22.7% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 27.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.
There were 7,233 housing units, of which 10.4% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 77.5% were owner-occupied and 22.5% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.6% and the rental vacancy rate was 7.9%.
2000 census
As of the 2000 census, there were 16,712 people, 6,490 households, and 4,737 families residing in the county. The population density was. There were 7,018 housing units at an average density of. The racial makeup of the county was 97.27% White, 0.22% Black or African American, 0.65% Native American, 0.17% Asian, 0.10% Pacific Islander, 0.41% from other races, and 1.18% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.53% of the population.There were 6,490 households, out of which 33.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.00% were married couples living together, 8.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.00% were non-families. 23.50% 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 2.54 and the average family size was 2.99.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 27.00% under the age of 18, 6.40% from 18 to 24, 27.00% from 25 to 44, 23.70% from 45 to 64, and 15.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.30 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $37,928, and the median income for a family was $44,581. Males had a median income of $30,670 versus $22,981 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,691. About 6.40% of families and 8.40% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.40% of those under age 18 and 10.40% of those age 65 or over.
Government
Presidential elections
Osage County is strongly Republican. In only six presidential elections from 1880 to the present day has the county failed to back the Republican Party candidate, most recently in Lyndon B. Johnson's national landslide of 1964.Laws
Osage County was a prohibition, or "dry", county until the Kansas Constitution was amended in 1986 and voters approved the sale of alcoholic liquor by the individual drink with a 30% food sales requirement.The county voted "No" on the 2022 Kansas abortion referendum, an anti-abortion ballot measure, by 56% to 44% despite backing Donald Trump with 71% of the vote to Joe Biden's 27% in the 2020 presidential election.
Education
Unified school districts
School districts include:- Osage City USD 420
- Lyndon USD 421
- Santa Fe Trail USD 434
- Burlingame USD 454
- Marais des Cygnes Valley USD 456
- Auburn-Washburn USD 437
- North Lyon County USD 251
- Wabaunsee East USD 330
- West Franklin USD 287
- Shawnee Heights USD 450
- Lebo-Waverly USD 243
Media
Osage County is served by a weekly newspaper, The Osage County Herald-Chronicle. The newspaper has a circulation of approximately 4,500, making it the 3rd largest paid weekly publication in the state of Kansas.The Herald-Chronicle was created by the merger of The Osage County Herald and The Osage County Chronicle in February 2007.