Barton County, Kansas

Barton County (standard abbreviation: BT) is a county located in the U.S. state of Kansas. As of 2000, the population was 28,205. The largest city and county seat is Great Bend. The county is named for Clara Barton, responsible for the founding of the American Red Cross.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 2,332 km² (900 mi²). 2,315 km² (894 mi²) of it is land and 17 km² (6 mi²) of it (0.72%) is water. The geographic center of Kansas is located in Barton County.

Adjacent counties

Russell County (north)
Ellsworth County (northeast)
Rice County (southeast)
Stafford County (south)
Pawnee County (southwest)
Rush County (west)

Demographics

As of the census ² of 2000, there were 28,205 people, 11,393 households, and 7,530 families residing in the county. The population density was 12/km² (32/mi²). There were 12,888 housing units at an average density of 6/km² (14/mi²). The racial makeup of the county was 92.98% White, 1.15% Black or African American, 0.51% Native American, 0.23% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 3.51% from other races, and 1.60% from two or more races. 8.31% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 11,393 households out of which 31.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.10% were married couples living together, 7.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.90% were non-families. 30.20% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.41 and the average family size was 3.01.

In the county the population was spread out with 26.00% under the age of 18, 9.00% from 18 to 24, 25.10% from 25 to 44, 22.00% from 45 to 64, and 17.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 93.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.10 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $32,176, and the median income for a family was $39,929. Males had a median income of $28,803 versus $20,428 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,695. About 9.90% of families and 12.90% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.00% of those under age 18 and 10.90% of those age 65 or over.

Cities and towns

Incorporated cities

Name and population (2004 estimate):

Great Bend, 14,851 (county seat)
Hoisington, 2,969
Ellinwood, 2,072
Claflin, 683
Pawnee Rock, 341
Albert, 180
Olmitz, 137
Galatia, 60
Susank, 56

Unincorporated places

Boyd
Dent Spur
Dundee
Heizer
Hitschmann
Odin
Redwing
Stickney

Townships

Barton County is divided into twenty-two townships. The cities of Ellinwood, Great Bend, and Hoisington are considered governmentally independent and are 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.

align="bottom"|Sources: 2000 U.S. Gazetteer from the U.S. Census Bureau.
Township	FIPS	Population center	Population	Population density /km² (/mi²)	Land area km² (mi²)	Water area km² (mi²)	Water %
Albion	00850		58	1 (2)	94 (36)	0 (0)	0.05%
Beaver	04975		108	1 (3)	95 (37)	0 (0)	0.05%
Buffalo	09075		490	6 (14)	88 (34)	0 (0)	0.12%
Cheyenne	13025		238	1 (4)	174 (67)	13 (5)	6.80%
Clarence	13475		125	1 (3)	93 (36)	0 (0)	0 %
Cleveland	14025		69	1 (2)	94 (36)	0 (0)	0.12%
Comanche	15125		452	3 (7)	167 (64)	0 (0)	0.11%
Eureka	21750		116	1 (3)	93 (36)	0 (0)	0.24%
Fairview	22400	Galatia	129	1 (4)	93 (36)	0 (0)	0.03%
Grant	27475		79	1 (2)	92 (36)	0 (0)	0.10%
Great Bend	28325		1,839	18 (46)	104 (40)	1 (0)	0.50%
Independent	33975	Claflin	844	9 (24)	93 (36)	0 (0)	0.04%
Lakin	38125		299	2 (4)	172 (67)	0 (0)	0.23%
Liberty	39875		321	4 (9)	88 (34)	0 (0)	0.21%
Logan	41750		176	2 (5)	93 (36)	0 (0)	0.06%
North Homestead	51200		133	1 (4)	92 (36)	0 (0)	0.06%
Pawnee Rock	54900	Pawnee Rock	544	6 (15)	93 (36)	0 (0)	0.05%
South Bend	66525		682	7 (19)	93 (36)	0 (0)	0.17%
South Homestead	66725		343	4 (10)	90 (35)	1 (0)	1.23%
Union	72025	Susank	128	1 (4)	94 (36)	0 (0)	0.20%
Walnut	74825	Albert, Olmitz	474	5 (13)	93 (36)	0 (0)	0 %
Wheatland	77600		74	1 (2)	94 (36)	0 (0)	0.14%