Harvey County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kansas. Its county seat and most populous city is Newton.[3] As of the 2020 census, the county population was 34,024.[1] The county was named for James Harvey, a U.S. senator and 5th governor of Kansas.

Harvey County
Former Carnegie Library in Kansas, currently is the Harvey County Historical Museum
Former Carnegie Library in Kansas, currently is the Harvey County Historical Museum
Map of Kansas highlighting Harvey 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°03′N 97°26′W / 38.050°N 97.433°W / 38.050; -97.433
Country United States
State Kansas
FoundedMarch 7, 1872
Named forJames Harvey
SeatNewton
Largest cityNewton
Area
 • Total
541 sq mi (1,400 km2)
 • Land540 sq mi (1,400 km2)
Population
 • Total
34,024
 • Estimate 
(2023)[2]
33,504 Decrease
 • Density63.0/sq mi (24.3/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district4th
Websiteharveycounty.com

History

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In 1854, the Kansas Territory was organized, then in 1861 Kansas became the 34th U.S. state.

In 1871, the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway extended a main line from Emporia to Newton.[4]

In 1872, Harvey County was founded, and named in honor of the fifth Governor of Kansas James M. Harvey.[5]

Geography

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According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 541 square miles (1,400 km2), of which 540 square miles (1,400 km2) is land and 1.0 square mile (2.6 km2) (0.2%) is water.[6] The Little Arkansas River flows through the county.

Adjacent counties

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Demographics

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Population pyramid based on 2000 census age data
Historical population
CensusPop.Note
188011,451
189017,60153.7%
190017,591−0.1%
191019,2009.1%
192020,7448.0%
193022,1206.6%
194021,712−1.8%
195021,698−0.1%
196025,86519.2%
197027,2365.3%
198030,53112.1%
199031,0281.6%
200032,8695.9%
201034,6845.5%
202034,024−1.9%
2023 (est.)33,504[2]−1.5%
U.S. Decennial Census[7]
1790-1960[8] 1900-1990[9]
1990-2000[10] 2010-2020[1]

Harvey County is part of the Wichita, KS Metropolitan Statistical Area.

2000 census

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As of the 2000 census,[11] there were 32,869 people, 12,581 households, and 8,932 families residing in the county. The population density was 61 inhabitants per square mile (24/km2). There were 13,378 housing units at an average density of 25 per square mile (9.7/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 91.04% White, 1.59% Black or African American, 0.52% Native American, 0.52% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 4.17% from other races, and 2.14% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 7.97% of the population.

There were 12,581 households, out of which 32.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.20% were married couples living together, 7.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.00% were non-families. 25.80% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 3.00.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 26.00% under the age of 18, 9.10% from 18 to 24, 26.50% from 25 to 44, 21.60% from 45 to 64, and 16.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.60 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $40,907, and the median income for a family was $48,793. Males had a median income of $35,037 versus $22,492 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,715. About 4.20% of families and 6.40% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.50% of those under age 18 and 5.00% 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 Harvey County, Kansas[12]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2024 9,405 59.56% 6,100 38.63% 285 1.80%
2020 10,182 58.52% 6,747 38.78% 470 2.70%
2016 8,668 57.34% 5,068 33.53% 1,380 9.13%
2012 8,588 60.08% 5,373 37.59% 333 2.33%
2008 9,006 57.40% 6,318 40.27% 367 2.34%
2004 9,534 63.10% 5,331 35.28% 245 1.62%
2000 8,271 60.44% 4,591 33.55% 822 6.01%
1996 8,382 57.79% 4,918 33.91% 1,204 8.30%
1992 6,259 41.71% 5,047 33.63% 3,700 24.66%
1988 6,893 54.23% 5,503 43.29% 315 2.48%
1984 8,507 64.06% 4,599 34.63% 174 1.31%
1980 7,045 54.56% 4,173 32.32% 1,694 13.12%
1976 6,624 51.00% 6,003 46.22% 360 2.77%
1972 8,287 67.23% 3,555 28.84% 485 3.93%
1968 6,682 61.64% 3,351 30.91% 808 7.45%
1964 4,979 47.81% 5,306 50.95% 130 1.25%
1960 7,798 68.38% 3,537 31.02% 69 0.61%
1956 7,367 70.20% 3,084 29.39% 43 0.41%
1952 7,154 70.87% 2,726 27.00% 215 2.13%
1948 5,270 57.72% 3,615 39.59% 245 2.68%
1944 5,339 61.35% 3,300 37.92% 64 0.74%
1940 5,539 56.76% 4,087 41.88% 133 1.36%
1936 4,456 45.28% 5,357 54.44% 28 0.28%
1932 4,192 49.28% 4,091 48.09% 224 2.63%
1928 6,330 77.62% 1,748 21.43% 77 0.94%
1924 4,499 58.96% 1,744 22.86% 1,387 18.18%
1920 4,454 63.09% 2,457 34.80% 149 2.11%
1916 3,479 48.98% 3,131 44.08% 493 6.94%
1912 703 17.70% 1,499 37.74% 1,770 44.56%
1908 2,305 58.30% 1,475 37.30% 174 4.40%
1904 2,362 70.66% 690 20.64% 291 8.70%
1900 2,266 56.65% 1,658 41.45% 76 1.90%
1896 2,082 54.57% 1,678 43.98% 55 1.44%
1892 2,025 52.80% 0 0.00% 1,810 47.20%
1888 2,145 54.25% 1,065 26.93% 744 18.82%

Laws

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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% food sales requirement.[13]

The county voted "No" on the 2022 Kansas abortion referendum, an anti-abortion ballot measure, by 53% to 47% despite backing Donald Trump with 59% of the vote to Joe Biden's 39% in the 2020 presidential election.[14]

Education

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Colleges

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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 Harvey County[15] (map legend)

List of townships / incorporated cities / unincorporated communities / extinct former communities within Harvey County.[15]

Cities

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‡ means a community has portions in an adjacent county.

Unincorporated communities

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Ghost towns

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Townships

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1915 railroad map

Harvey County is divided into fifteen townships. The cities of Halstead and Newton 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.

Township FIPS Population
center
Population Population
density
/km2 (/sq mi)
Land area
km2 (sq mi)
Water area
km2 (sq mi)
Water % Geographic coordinates
Alta 01500 221 2 (6) 93 (36) 0 (0) 0.48% 38°7′27″N 97°38′44″W / 38.12417°N 97.64556°W / 38.12417; -97.64556
Burrton 09600 1,143 12 (32) 93 (36) 0 (0) 0.17% 38°1′32″N 97°39′55″W / 38.02556°N 97.66528°W / 38.02556; -97.66528
Darlington 17025 601 7 (17) 92 (35) 0 (0) 0.10% 37°57′5″N 97°19′32″W / 37.95139°N 97.32556°W / 37.95139; -97.32556
Emma 21025 4,181 45 (116) 93 (36) 0 (0) 0% 38°8′10″N 97°25′46″W / 38.13611°N 97.42944°W / 38.13611; -97.42944
Garden 25300 294 3 (8) 93 (36) 0 (0) 0% 38°7′44″N 97°32′14″W / 38.12889°N 97.53722°W / 38.12889; -97.53722
Halstead 29625 353 4 (10) 92 (35) 0 (0) 0.07% 38°2′9″N 97°31′51″W / 38.03583°N 97.53083°W / 38.03583; -97.53083
Highland 31875 415 5 (12) 92 (35) 0 (0) 0.19% 38°7′38″N 97°19′9″W / 38.12722°N 97.31917°W / 38.12722; -97.31917
Lake 37825 173 2 (5) 92 (36) 1 (0) 1.05% 37°57′46″N 97°39′7″W / 37.96278°N 97.65194°W / 37.96278; -97.65194
Lakin 38150 357 4 (10) 92 (35) 0 (0) 0.06% 37°57′18″N 97°32′20″W / 37.95500°N 97.53889°W / 37.95500; -97.53889
Macon 43925 1,056 11 (30) 92 (36) 0 (0) 0% 38°2′8″N 97°24′58″W / 38.03556°N 97.41611°W / 38.03556; -97.41611
Newton 50500 1,950 28 (73) 69 (27) 0 (0) 0.07% 38°3′27″N 97°19′31″W / 38.05750°N 97.32528°W / 38.05750; -97.32528
Pleasant 56250 439 5 (12) 93 (36) 1 (0) 0.81% 38°2′27″N 97°12′8″W / 38.04083°N 97.20222°W / 38.04083; -97.20222
Richland 59350 360 4 (10) 94 (36) 0 (0) 0.20% 37°57′39″N 97°12′1″W / 37.96083°N 97.20028°W / 37.96083; -97.20028
Sedgwick 63825 1,711 18 (48) 93 (36) 0 (0) 0% 37°56′24″N 97°25′22″W / 37.94000°N 97.42278°W / 37.94000; -97.42278
Walton 75225 552 6 (15) 95 (37) 0 (0) 0.06% 38°7′26″N 97°13′1″W / 38.12389°N 97.21694°W / 38.12389; -97.21694
Sources: "Census 2000 U.S. Gazetteer Files". U.S. Census Bureau, Geography Division. Archived from the original on August 2, 2002.

See also

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Community information for Kansas

References

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  1. ^ a b c "QuickFacts; Harvey County, Kansas; Population, Census, 2020 & 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on August 17, 2021. Retrieved August 16, 2021.
  2. ^ a b "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 24, 2024.
  3. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  4. ^ Santa Fe Rail History
  5. ^ History of the State of Kansas: Containing a Full Account of Its Growth from an Uninhabited Territory to a Wealthy and Important State. A. T. Andreas. 1883. p. 772.
  6. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  7. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 26, 2014.
  8. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved July 26, 2014.
  9. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 26, 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 26, 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. ^ Panetta, Grace (August 3, 2022). "14 of the 19 Kansas counties that rejected an anti-abortion amendment voted for Trump in 2020". Business Insider. Retrieved August 3, 2022.
  15. ^ a b "General Highway Map of Harvey County, Kansas" (PDF). Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT). January 2011. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 18, 2023.
Notes

Further reading

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County
Newton
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County
Historical
Maps