Lyon County, Kansas

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

---

founded=February 5, 1862
seat=Emporia
area_total_km2=2215|area_total_sq_mi=855
area_land_km2=2204|area_land_sq_mi=851
area_water_km2=11|area_water_sq_mi=4
area percentage=0.50%
census estimate yr=2005
pop=35609
density_km2=16.2|density_sq_mi=41.8
time zone=Central
UTC offset=-6
DST offset=-5|

Lyon County (standard abbreviation: LY) is a county located in the U.S. state of Kansas. The county was named for General Nathaniel Lyon, who was killed at the battle of Wilson's Creek in the Civil War. As of 2000, the population was 35,935. Emporia is the largest city and county seat.

Lyon County is part of the Emporia Micropolitan Statistical Area.

Law and government

Lyon 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 food sales requirement was removed with voter approval in 1992. [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=2007-12-28]

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 855 square miles (2,215 km²), of which, 851 square miles (2,204 km²) of it is land and 4 square miles (11 km²) of it (0.50%) is water.

Adjacent counties

*Wabaunsee County, Kansas (north)
*Osage County, Kansas (northeast)
*Coffey County, Kansas (southeast)
*Greenwood County, Kansas (south)
*Chase County, Kansas (west)
*Morris County, Kansas (northwest)

National protected area

* Flint Hills National Wildlife Refuge (part)

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 35,935 people, 13,691 households, and 8,639 families residing in the county. The population density was 42 people per square mile (16/km²). There were 14,757 housing units at an average density of 17 per square mile (7/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 83.27% White, 2.27% Black or African American, 0.47% Native American, 2.04% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 9.79% from other races, and 2.16% from two or more races. 16.72% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 13,691 households out of which 32.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.80% were married couples living together, 8.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.90% were non-families. 28.50% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.80% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.51 and the average family size was 3.12.

In the county the population was spread out with 25.70% under the age of 18, 16.20% from 18 to 24, 27.20% from 25 to 44, 19.10% from 45 to 64, and 11.60% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females there were 97.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.20 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $32,819, and the median income for a family was $43,112. Males had a median income of $28,865 versus $21,338 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,724. About 9.60% of families and 14.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.60% of those under age 18 and 9.20% of those age 65 or over.

Cities and towns

Incorporated cities

Name and population (2004 estimate):
*Emporia, 26,639 (county seat)
*Americus, 938
*Olpe, 513
*Hartford, 509
*Neosho Rapids, 280
*Reading, 251
*Allen, 214
*Admire, 180
*Bushong, 56

Townships

Lyon County is divided into eleven townships. The city of Emporia 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

* North Lyon County USD 251
* Southern Lyon County USD 252
* Emporia USD 253

Colleges and universities

* Emporia State University

ee also

References

External links

;General county information:* [http://skyways.lib.ks.us/counties/LY/ Blue Skyways]

;County Level Data:* [http://www.ku.edu/pri/ksdata/county.shtml Kansas Statistical Abstract]

;Official Site:* [http://www.lyoncounty.org/ Lyon County] [http://www.lyon.kansasgov.com/ Lyon]