Seward County, Kansas

Infobox U.S. County
county=Seward County
state=Kansas

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founded=March 20, 1873
seat=Liberal
area_total_km2=1659|area_total_sq_mi=641
area_land_km2=1656|area_land_sq_mi=640
area_water_km2=3|area_water_sq_mi=1
area percentage=0.15%
census estimate yr=2005
pop=23274
density_km2=14.1|density_sq_mi=36.4
time zone=Central
UTC offset=-6
DST offset=-5|

Seward County (standard abbreviation: SW) is a county of the U.S. state of Kansas. In 2000 its population was 22,510. The largest city and county seat is Liberal.

The Liberal Micropolitan Statistical Area includes all of Seward County.

Law and government

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. [Cite web| url=http://www.ksrevenue.org/abcwetdrymap.htm| title=Map of Wet and Dry Counties| publisher=Alcoholic Beverage Control, Kansas Department of Revenue| month=November | year=2006| accessdate=2007-12-26]

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 641 square miles (1,659 km²), of which, 640 square miles (1,656 km²) of it is land and 1 square miles (3 km²) of it (0.15%) is water.

Adjacent counties

*Haskell County (north)
*Meade County (east)
*Beaver County, Oklahoma (southeast)
*Texas County, Oklahoma (southwest)
*Stevens County (west)

History

Seward County was formed on March 20, 1873. It was named after William Henry Seward, an American politician and Secretary of State under Abraham Lincoln and Andrew Jackson.

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 22,510 people, 7,419 households, and 5,504 families residing in the county. The population density was 35 people per square mile (14/km²). There were 8,027 housing units at an average density of 13 per square mile (5/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 65.44% White, 3.78% Black or African American, 0.77% Native American, 2.86% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 23.81% from other races, and 3.27% from two or more races. 42.14% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 7,419 households out of which 43.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.60% were married couples living together, 10.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.80% were non-families. 20.60% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.80% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.98 and the average family size was 3.46.

In the county the population was spread out with 32.00% under the age of 18, 11.70% from 18 to 24, 30.50% from 25 to 44, 16.90% from 45 to 64, and 8.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 29 years. For every 100 females there were 105.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 103.70 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $36,752, and the median income for a family was $41,134. Males had a median income of $29,765 versus $21,889 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,059. About 13.90% of families and 16.90% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.00% of those under age 18 and 7.30% of those age 65 or over.

Cities and towns

Incorporated cities

Name and population (2004 estimate):
*Liberal, 20,218 (county seat)
*Kismet, 518

Townships

Seward County is divided into three townships. The city of Liberal 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.

Education

Unified school districts

* Liberal USD 480
* Kismet-Plains USD 483

ee also

References

External links