Doniphan County, Kansas

Doniphan County, Kansas
The Doniphan County Courthouse in Troy
Location in the state of Kansas
Kansas's location in the U.S.
Founded	August 25, 1855
Seat	Troy
Area  - Total  - Land  - Water	397.07 sq mi (1,028 km²) 392.18 sq mi (1,016 km²) 4.89 sq mi (13 km²), 1.23%
Population  - (2010)  - Density	7,945 20.1/sq mi (7.7/km²)
Time zone	Central: UTC-6/-5
Website	www.DpCountyKS.com

Doniphan County (county code DP) is a county located in Northeast Kansas, in the Central United States. As of the 2010 census, the county population was 7,945.^[1] Its county seat is Troy^[2] and its most populous city is Wathena. The county along with Buchanan, Andrew, and DeKalb counties in Missouri is included in the St. Joseph Metropolitan Statistical Area.

History

Doniphan County was established August 25, 1855, and organized on September 18, 1855. It is named for the U.S. cavalry commander Colonel Alexander W. Doniphan (1808–1887) of Liberty, Missouri, who played an important part in the Mexican-American War. He was a zealous partisan in the failed effort made to extend slavery into Kansas.^{[citation needed]}

Law and government

Doniphan County is served by a Board of County Commissioners composed of one elected official from each of three districts. The commissioners serve four-year terms with the 2nd and 3rd district elections following two years after the 1st district election. The board is responsible for setting the county's policies, procedures, and budgets as well as overseeing functions of their respective road and bridge shops. In addition, the board acts as the Board of County Canvassers and canvasses votes cast at each election. The county has adopted comprehensive county planning and zoning codes. The cities are governed by mayors and city councils. Government services are paid for through a sales tax, property tax, and an ad valorem tax mill levy.^{[citation needed]}

Although the Kansas Constitution was amended in 1986 to allow the sale of alcoholic liquor by the individual drink with the approval of voters, Doniphan County has remained a prohibition, or "dry", county.^[3]

In Presidential elections, Doniphan County has voted Republican for at least the last 13 elections,^[4] and possibly since statehood.^[5] In the last four Presidential elections, the Republican candidate has received over 60% of the vote.^[6]

Geography

Doniphan County is located in the northeastern corner of the state—it is bordered by Nebraska to the north and Missouri to the east. According to the 2000 census, the county has a total area of 397.07 square miles (1,028.4 km²), of which 392.18 square miles (1,015.7 km²) (or 98.77%) is land and 4.89 square miles (12.7 km²) (or 1.23%) is water.^[7]

Geographic features

The Missouri River defines the border in the north and east. Eight barge lines travel the river, and a Port Authority is located across the river in Saint Joseph, Missouri. The river provides much of the water for the eastern part of the county. Interior cities, such as Troy and Highland, receive their water from underground wells. The Wolf River flows through western portions of the county and north into the Missouri River.

Major highways

The only major highway serving the county is U.S. Highway 36, an east/west route traveling through St. Joseph. Troy, Elwood, and Wathena lie along this route. Kansas state highways K-7, K-20, K-120, K-136, K-137, and K-238 serve other areas of the county. K-7 has been designated a scenic byway. (See the map below.)

Adjacent counties

• Holt County, Missouri (north)
• Andrew County, Missouri (northeast)
• Buchanan County, Missouri (southeast)
• Atchison County (southwest)
• Brown County (west)
• Richardson County, Nebraska (northwest)

Demographics

Historical populations
Census	Pop.		%±
1860	8,083		—
1870	13,969		72.8%
1880	14,257		2.1%
1890	13,535		−5.1%
1900	15,079		11.4%
1910	14,422		−4.4%
1920	13,438		−6.8%
1930	14,063		4.7%
1940	12,936		−8.0%
1950	10,499		−18.8%
1960	9,574		−8.8%
1970	9,107		−4.9%
1980	9,268		1.8%
1990	8,134		−12.2%
2000	8,249		1.4%
2010	7,945		−3.7%
U.S. Decennial Census

Population pyramid

2005 KDOT Map of Doniphan County (map legend)

As of the U.S. Census in 2000,^[8] there were 8,249 people, 3,173 households, and 2,183 families residing in the county. The population density was 21 people per square mile (8/km²). There were 3,489 housing units at an average density of 9 per square mile (3/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 94.85% White, 2.00% Black or African American, 1.21% Native American, 0.25% Asian, 0.40% from other races, and 1.29% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.16% of the population.

There were 3,173 households out of which 32.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.40% were married couples living together, 8.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.20% were non-families. 27.60% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.20% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.48 and the average family size was 3.03.

In the county the population was spread out with 25.30% under the age of 18, 11.80% from 18 to 24, 24.70% from 25 to 44, 22.00% from 45 to 64, and 16.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 98.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.20 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $32,537, and the median income for a family was $39,357. Males had a median income of $28,096 versus $19,721 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,849. About 9.00% of families and 11.90% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.30% of those under age 18 and 12.50% of those age 65 or over.

Cities and towns

Incorporated cities

Name and population (2004 estimate):

• Wathena, 1,328
• Elwood, 1,201
• Troy, 1,024 (county seat)
• Highland, 962
• White Cloud, 238
• Denton, 184
• Severance, 108
• Leona, 88

Unincorporated places

• Bendena
• Blair
• Doniphan
• Fanning
• Iowa Point
• Moray
• Palermo
• Purcell
• Sparks

See also: List of extinct towns and post offices

Townships

Doniphan County is divided into nine mostly rural townships. The three townships with the greatest population lie along U.S. Highway 36. None of the cities within the county are considered governmentally independent, and all figures for the township include those of the cities. 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
Burr Oak	09500		153	2 (5)	81 (31)	2 (1)	2.73%	39°51′17″N 94°58′19″W / 39.85472°N 94.97194°W / 39.85472; -94.97194
Center	11700	Troy	1,743	11 (28)	162 (63)	2 (1)	1.31%	39°47′35″N 95°5′30″W / 39.79306°N 95.09167°W / 39.79306; -95.09167
Independence	33850		342	4 (9)	96 (37)	0 (0)	0.01%	39°42′13″N 95°11′8″W / 39.70361°N 95.18556°W / 39.70361; -95.18556
Iowa	34400	Highland	1,694	8 (20)	216 (83)	2 (1)	1.05%	39°53′12″N 95°15′3″W / 39.88667°N 95.25083°W / 39.88667; -95.25083
Marion	44675		226	5 (13)	45 (17)	1 (1)	2.84%	39°43′29″N 94°59′43″W / 39.72472°N 94.99528°W / 39.72472; -94.99528
Union	72125		360	4 (10)	94 (36)	0 (0)	0.09%	39°42′14″N 95°16′27″W / 39.70389°N 95.27417°W / 39.70389; -95.27417
Washington	75600	Wathena, Elwood	3,066	36 (94)	85 (33)	4 (1)	4.30%	39°45′39″N 94°55′38″W / 39.76083°N 94.92722°W / 39.76083; -94.92722
Wayne	76100		226	2 (6)	92 (36)	1 (0)	0.73%	39°40′56″N 95°4′57″W / 39.68222°N 95.0825°W / 39.68222; -95.0825
Wolf River	80275		439	3 (8)	145 (56)	0 (0)	0.02%	39°46′54″N 95°14′26″W / 39.78167°N 95.24056°W / 39.78167; -95.24056
Sources: "Census 2000 U.S. Gazetteer Files". U.S. Census Bureau, Geography Division. http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/places2k.html.

Education

Unified school districts

• Riverside USD 114
• Doniphan West USD 425 (Web site)
• Troy USD 429 (Web site)

Colleges and universities

Highland Community College 

This was the first college established in the state when the Highland University charter was granted by the Territorial Legislature in 1858. Over time the college lost its affiliation with the Presbyterian Church and changed its name several times before becoming a regional rural community college. (Web site)

Points of interest

Native American Heritage Museum, 2 miles east of Highland 

Originally a Presbyterian Mission built in 1845 to educate Iowa and Missouri Sac and Fox children, the museum was rehabilitated to showcase the arts and history of the emigrant tribes in northeastern Kansas. (Web site)

Nelson Rodgers House, in Troy 

Built in 1856, this 1 ¹⁄₂-story center-gable house constructed of hand-hewn timbers is the first and oldest remaining house in Troy.

Four-state Lookout, in White Cloud 

This viewing platform provides a panoramic view of the Missouri River valley, including Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, and (possibly) Iowa.

Townsite of Old Doniphan 

On July 4, 1804 the Lewis and Clark Expedition camped near an uninhabited Kanza Indian village on Independence Creek. The former town of Doniphan was established in the vicinity of the campsite.

See also

• Dry counties
• National Register of Historic Places listings in Doniphan County, Kansas

Information on this and other counties in Kansas

• List of counties in Kansas
• National Register of Historic Places listings in Kansas
• Kansas locations by per capita income

Other information for Kansas

• List of cities in Kansas
• List of unified school districts in Kansas
• List of colleges and universities in Kansas

References

1. ^ "2010 County Population and Housing Occupancy Status". U.S. Census Bureau. http://factfinder2.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?pid=DEC_10_PL_GCTPL2.ST05&prodType=table. Retrieved March 31, 2011. 
2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx. Retrieved 2011-06-07. 
3. ^ "Map of Wet and Dry Counties". Alcoholic Beverage Control, Kansas Department of Revenue. November 2004. http://www.ksrevenue.org/abcwetdrymap.htm. Retrieved 2007-01-21. 
4. ^ David Leip's Presidential Atlas (Maps for Kansas by election)
5. ^ Geographie Electorale
6. ^ The New York Times electoral map (Zoom in on Kansas)
7. ^ "Census 2000 U.S. Gazetteer Files: Counties". United States Census. http://www.census.gov/tiger/tms/gazetteer/county2k.txt. Retrieved 2011-02-13. 
8. ^ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov. Retrieved 2008-01-31. 

Further reading

• History of the State of Kansas; William G. Cutler; A.T. Andreas Publisher; 1883. (Online HTML eBook)
• Kansas : A Cyclopedia of State History, Embracing Events, Institutions, Industries, Counties, Cities, Towns, Prominent Persons, Etc; 3 Volumes; Frank W. Blackmar; Standard Publishing Co; 944 / 955 / 824 pages; 1912. (Volume1 - Download 54MB PDF eBook),(Volume2 - Download 53MB PDF eBook), (Volume3 - Download 33MB PDF eBook)

External links

Kansas portal

Official sites

• Doniphan County

General county information

• Blue Skyways, a service of the Kansas State Library
• National Association of Counties
• The Political Graveyard

Additional information

• Lewis & Clark in Kansas: Doniphan County Attractions
• Doniphan County 1882 Historical Plat Book
• County Level Data from Kansas Statistical Abstract
• Kansas State Historical Society

Maps

• 2010 Doniphan County Map, KDOT
• 2011 Kansas Highway Map, KDOT
• 2011 Kansas Railroad Map, KDOT
• 2005 Kansas School District Boundary Map, KSDE