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Geary County, Kansas facts for kids

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Geary County
Geary County Courthouse in Junction City (1979)
Geary County Courthouse in Junction City (1979)
Map of Kansas highlighting Geary County
Location within the U.S. state of Kansas
Map of the United States highlighting Kansas
Kansas's location within the U.S.
Country  United States
State  Kansas
Founded 1855
Named for John W. Geary
Seat Junction City
Largest city Junction City
Area
 • Total 404 sq mi (1,050 km2)
 • Land 385 sq mi (1,000 km2)
 • Water 20 sq mi (50 km2)  4.9%%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 36,739
 • Density 95.4/sq mi (36.8/km2)
Time zone UTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST) UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district 1st

Geary County (county code GE) is a county located in the U.S. state of Kansas. As of the 2020 census, the county population was 36,739. Its county seat and most populous city is Junction City. The county is named in honor of Governor John W. Geary.

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 828,000 square mile 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. Geary County was formed on August 30, 1855 as an original county from open, free territory. It was among the first 33 counties established by the territory government.

Geary County was originally named Davis County in 1855 after Jefferson Davis. In 1862 and 1864 after Davis became president of the confederacy, attempts were made to change the county's name, but both failed. Federal census records show it as Davis County from 1860 through 1880, in addition to the 1885 Kansas State census. In 1888 the county was renamed in honor of John W. Geary, an early Governor of the Kansas Territory.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 404 square miles (1,050 km2), of which 385 square miles (1,000 km2) is land and 20 square miles (52 km2) (4.9%) is water. It is the second-smallest county in Kansas by land area and third-smallest by total area.

Adjacent counties

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop.
1860 1,163
1870 5,526 375.2%
1880 6,994 26.6%
1890 10,428 49.1%
1900 10,744 3.0%
1910 12,681 18.0%
1920 13,452 6.1%
1930 14,366 6.8%
1940 15,222 6.0%
1950 21,671 42.4%
1960 28,779 32.8%
1970 28,111 −2.3%
1980 29,852 6.2%
1990 30,453 2.0%
2000 27,947 −8.2%
2010 34,362 23.0%
2020 36,739 6.9%
U.S. Decennial Census
1790-1960 1900-1990
1990-2000 2010-2020

Geary County comprises the Junction City, KS Micropolitan Statistical Area, which is included in the Manhattan-Junction City, KS Combined Statistical Area.

As of the 2000 census, there were 27,947 people, 10,458 households, and 7,582 families residing in the county. The population density was 73 people per square mile (28/km2). There were 11,959 housing units at an average density of 31 per square mile (12/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 64.13% White, 22.03% Black or African American, 0.75% Native American, 3.16% Asian, 0.41% Pacific Islander, 4.10% from other races, and 5.41% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 8.45% of the population.

There were 10,458 households, out of which 39.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.90% were married couples living together, 12.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.50% were non-families. 22.50% 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 2.61 and the average family size was 3.07.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 29.60% under the age of 18, 13.60% from 18 to 24, 30.00% from 25 to 44, 17.40% from 45 to 64, and 9.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 29 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.30 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $31,917, and the median income for a family was $36,372. Males had a median income of $25,942 versus $21,389 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,199. About 9.70% of families and 12.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.80% of those under age 18 and 9.90% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

Map of Geary Co, Ks, USA
2005 KDOT Map of Geary County (map legend)

Cities

Unincorporated community

Fort Riley

Located north of the junction of the Smoky Hill and Republican rivers, the Fort Riley Military Reservation covers 100,656 acres (407 km2) in Geary and Riley counties. The fort has a daytime population of nearly 25,000 and includes one census-designated place:

  • Fort Riley (formerly Fort Riley North), primarily in Riley County

Townships

Geary County is divided into eight townships. The city of Junction City 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.

Township FIPS Population
center
Population Population
density
/km² (/sq mi)
Land area
km² (sq mi)
Water area
km² (sq mi)
Water % Geographic coordinates
Blakely 07275 113 1 (3) 93 (36) 0 (0) 0.01% 38°54′32″N 96°45′9″W / 38.90889°N 96.75250°W / 38.90889; -96.75250
Jackson 34775 78 1 (2) 104 (40) 0 (0) 0% 39°1′25″N 96°33′42″W / 39.02361°N 96.56167°W / 39.02361; -96.56167
Jefferson 35200 Grandview Plaza 1,651 13 (35) 124 (48) 2 (1) 1.55% 39°1′53″N 96°46′53″W / 39.03139°N 96.78139°W / 39.03139; -96.78139
Liberty 40050 225 1 (3) 171 (66) 0 (0) 0.03% 38°54′53″N 96°36′8″W / 38.91472°N 96.60222°W / 38.91472; -96.60222
Lyon 43500 298 3 (7) 113 (43) 1 (1) 1.20% 38°55′17″N 96°52′3″W / 38.92139°N 96.86750°W / 38.92139; -96.86750
Milford 46550 1,583 16 (41) 101 (39) 28 (11) 21.49% 39°8′59″N 96°54′22″W / 39.14972°N 96.90611°W / 39.14972; -96.90611
Smoky Hill 66000 4,974 33 (86) 149 (58) 20 (8) 11.84% 39°2′14″N 96°53′58″W / 39.03722°N 96.89944°W / 39.03722; -96.89944
Wingfield 80025 139 1 (3) 123 (48) 0 (0) 0% 38°59′38″N 96°38′37″W / 38.99389°N 96.64361°W / 38.99389; -96.64361
Sources:

Education

Unified school districts

  • Geary County USD 475

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Condado de Geary para niños

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