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Ness County, Kansas facts for kids

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Ness County
Ness County courthouse in Ness City (2016)
Ness County courthouse in Ness City (2016)
Map of Kansas highlighting Ness 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 February 26, 1867
Named for Noah V. Ness
Seat Ness City
Largest city Ness City
Area
 • Total 1,075 sq mi (2,780 km2)
 • Land 1,075 sq mi (2,780 km2)
 • Water 0.3 sq mi (0.8 km2)  0.02%%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 2,687
 • Density 2.5/sq mi (1.0/km2)
Time zone UTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST) UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district 1st

Ness County (standard abbreviation: NS) is a county located in the U.S. state of Kansas. As of the 2020 census, the county population was 2,687. The largest city and county seat is Ness City. The county was named for Corporal Noah V. Ness of the 7th Kansas Cavalry.

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. In 1867, Ness County was established.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,075 square miles (2,780 km2), of which 1,075 square miles (2,780 km2) is land and 0.3 square miles (0.78 km2) (0.02%) is water.

Adjacent counties

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop.
1880 3,722
1890 4,944 32.8%
1900 4,535 −8.3%
1910 5,883 29.7%
1920 7,490 27.3%
1930 8,358 11.6%
1940 6,864 −17.9%
1950 6,322 −7.9%
1960 5,470 −13.5%
1970 4,791 −12.4%
1980 4,498 −6.1%
1990 4,033 −10.3%
2000 3,454 −14.4%
2010 3,107 −10.0%
2020 2,687 −13.5%
U.S. Decennial Census
1790-1960 1900-1990
1990-2000 2010-2020
USA Ness County, Kansas age pyramid
Age pyramid

As of the census of 2000, there were 3,454 people, 1,516 households, and 977 families residing in the county. The population density was 3 people per square mile (1/km2). There were 1,835 housing units at an average density of 2 per square mile (1/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 98.23% White, 0.06% Black or African American, 0.23% Native American, 0.09% Asian, 0.49% from other races, and 0.90% from two or more races. 1.51% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 1,516 households, out of which 26.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.10% were married couples living together, 4.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.50% were non-families. 33.50% of all households were made up of individuals, and 18.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.23 and the average family size was 2.83.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 22.90% under the age of 18, 4.60% from 18 to 24, 24.00% from 25 to 44, 24.20% from 45 to 64, and 24.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females there were 98.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.10 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $32,340, and the median income for a family was $39,775. Males had a median income of $27,892 versus $20,037 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,787. About 6.50% of families and 8.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.50% of those under age 18 and 10.20% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

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

Cities

Unincorporated communities

Ghost town

Townships

Ness County is divided into ten townships. None of the cities within the county are considered governmentally independent, and all figures for the townships 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.

Sources: 2000 U.S. Gazetteer from the U.S. Census Bureau.
Township FIPS Population
center
Population Population
density
/km² (/sq mi)
Land area
km² (sq mi)
Water area
km² (sq mi)
Water % Geographic coordinates
Bazine 04800 Bazine 441 1 (4) 312 (120) 0 (0) 0% 38°27′30″N 99°41′15″W / 38.45833°N 99.68750°W / 38.45833; -99.68750
Center 11925 Ness City 1,567 13 (33) 124 (48) 0 (0) 0.01% 38°27′40″N 99°53′45″W / 38.46111°N 99.89583°W / 38.46111; -99.89583
Eden 19775 14 0 (1) 266 (103) 0 (0) 0% 38°28′57″N 100°8′49″W / 38.48250°N 100.14694°W / 38.48250; -100.14694
Forrester 23875 109 1 (1) 206 (80) 0 (0) 0% 38°30′45″N 99°59′28″W / 38.51250°N 99.99111°W / 38.51250; -99.99111
Franklin 24475 132 0 (1) 372 (144) 0 (0) 0.02% 38°21′22″N 99°54′25″W / 38.35611°N 99.90694°W / 38.35611; -99.90694
Highpoint 32100 93 0 (1) 312 (121) 0 (0) 0.08% 38°20′13″N 99°42′26″W / 38.33694°N 99.70722°W / 38.33694; -99.70722
Johnson 35550 76 0 (1) 308 (119) 0 (0) 0.05% 38°18′37″N 100°5′25″W / 38.31028°N 100.09028°W / 38.31028; -100.09028
Nevada 50125 Ransom 479 2 (4) 278 (107) 0 (0) 0.04% 38°37′55″N 99°55′22″W / 38.63194°N 99.92278°W / 38.63194; -99.92278
Ohio 52400 Utica 345 1 (3) 298 (115) 0 (0) 0% 38°38′28″N 100°7′45″W / 38.64111°N 100.12917°W / 38.64111; -100.12917
Waring 75400 Brownell 142 0 (1) 308 (119) 0 (0) 0.03% 38°37′50″N 99°42′56″W / 38.63056°N 99.71556°W / 38.63056; -99.71556

Education

Unified school districts

  • Western Plains USD 106

See also

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

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