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McPherson County, Kansas

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McPherson County, Kansas
County
McPherson County Courthouse in McPherson (2023)
McPherson County Courthouse in McPherson (2023)
Map of Kansas highlighting McPherson County
Location within the U.S. state of Kansas
Coordinates: 38°24′N 97°42′W / 38.4°N 97.7°W / 38.4; -97.7
Country United States
State Kansas
FoundedFebruary 26, 1867
Named forJames B. McPherson
SeatMcPherson
Largest cityMcPherson
Area
 • Total
901 sq mi (2,330 km2)
 • Land898 sq mi (2,330 km2)
 • Water2.3 sq mi (6.0 km2)  0.3%
Population
 (2020)[1]
 • Total
30,223
 • Estimate 
(2025)
30,064 Decrease
 • Density33.7/sq mi (13.0/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district1st
Websitemcphersoncountyks.us

McPherson County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kansas. Its county seat and largest city is McPherson.[2] As of the 2020 census, the county population was 30,223.[1] The county was named for James McPherson, a general in the Civil War.[3]

History

[edit]

Early history

[edit]

For many millennia, the Great Plains of North America were 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. 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 1848, after the Mexican–American War, the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo with Spain brought into the United States all or part of land for ten future states, including southwestern Kansas. In 1854, the Kansas Territory was organized, then in 1861 Kansas became the 34th U.S. state.

19th century

[edit]
1845 Santa Fe Trail crossing McPherson County
1915–1918 railroad map of McPherson County

From the 1820s to 1870s, the Santa Fe Trail passed through, what is now McPherson County. The trail entered the county, east of Canton, then south of Galva, then north of Inman, and west towards Lyons. In 1855, Charles O. Fuller established a ranch adjacent to the Running Turkey Creek Crossing about two miles south and one mile east of Galva. Fuller's Ranch provided accommodations for travelers on the Santa Fe Trail and was probably the first white settlement in McPherson County.

From 1860 to 1865, McPherson County was part of Peketon County. On February 17, 1865, Peketon County was abolished, and McPherson County was made a part of Marion County, which extended from the west line of Chase County to the present western boundary of Kansas.

In 1868, Solomon Stephens and L. N. Holmberg were appointed Justices of the Peace—the first officers in what is now McPherson County. The next year (1869) occurred the first election for the township, now the county of McPherson. McPherson was regularly organized as a county in the spring of 1870, a mass meeting being held at Sweadal. Sweadal, the county seat thus selected, was located about one mile and a half southwest of the present site of Lindsborg. In September, however, the County Commissioners resolved to meet at the latter place, McPherson which had already been located some two years.

In April 1873, a petition was filed for the county seat re-location. It was signed by 483 voters, and a special election was accordingly ordered for June 10. Upon that day, McPherson received 605 votes, New Gottland 325, King City 3 and Lindsborg 1; McPherson's majority over all, 276. In May the McPherson Town Company had offered, as an inducement for the location of the county seat at this point, the free use of rooms for ten years, and the donation of two squares of land on the town site. The offer was accepted the next month, the County Commissioners selecting blocks 56 and 65. Thus the county seat was established at McPherson and has remained since.

As early as 1875, city leaders of Marion held a meeting to consider a branch railroad from Florence. In 1878, Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway and parties from Marion County and McPherson County chartered the Marion and McPherson Railway Company.[4] In 1879, a branch line was built from Florence to McPherson; in 1880 it was extended to Lyons and in 1881 was extended to Ellinwood.[5] The line was leased and operated by the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway. The line from Florence to Marion was abandoned in 1968.[6] In 1992, the line from Marion to McPherson was sold to Central Kansas Railway. In 1993, after heavy flood damage, the line from Marion to McPherson was abandoned. The original branch line connected Florence, Marion, Canada, Hillsboro, Lehigh, Canton, Galva, McPherson, Conway, Windom, Little River, Mitchell, Lyons and Chase, then connected with the original AT&SF main line at Ellinwood.

In 1887, the Chicago, Kansas and Nebraska Railway extended its main line from Herington to Pratt.[7] This main line connected Herington, Ramona, Tampa, Durham, Waldeck, Canton, Galva, McPherson, Groveland, Inman, Medora, Hutchinson, Whiteside, Partridge, Arlington, Langdon, Turon, Preston, Natrona and Pratt. In 1888, this main line was extended to Liberal. Later, this line was extended to Tucumcari, New Mexico and Santa Rosa, New Mexico, where it made a connection with the Southern Pacific from El Paso, Texas. The Chicago, Kansas and Nebraska Railway was absorbed by the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railway. This line is also called the "Golden State Route".

20th century

[edit]

The National Old Trails Road, also known as the Ocean-to-Ocean Highway, was established in 1912, and was routed through Windom, Conway and McPherson.

Geography

[edit]
Windom, Kansas in McPherson County during the early 20th century

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 901 square miles (2,330 km2), of which 898 square miles (2,330 km2) is land and 2.3 square miles (6.0 km2) (0.3%) is water.[8]

Adjacent counties

[edit]

Major highways

[edit]

Demographics

[edit]
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1870738—
188017,1432,222.9%
189021,61426.1%
190021,421−0.9%
191021,5210.5%
192021,8451.5%
193023,5888.0%
194024,1522.4%
195023,670−2.0%
196024,2852.6%
197024,7782.0%
198026,8558.4%
199027,2681.5%
200029,5548.4%
201029,180−1.3%
202030,2233.6%
2025 (est.)30,064[9]Decrease−0.5%
U.S. Decennial Census[10]
1790-1960[11] 1900-1990[12]
1990-2000[13] 2010-2020[1]

The McPherson Micropolitan Statistical Area includes all of McPherson County.

Racial and ethnic composition

[edit]
McPherson County, Kansas – Racial and ethnic composition
Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.
Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) Pop 1980[14] Pop 1990[15] Pop 2000[16] Pop 2010[17] Pop 2020[18] % 1980 % 1990 % 2000 % 2010 % 2020
White alone (NH) 26,211 26,504 28,240 27,176 26,519 97.60% 97.20% 95.55% 93.13% 87.74%
Black or African American alone (NH) 180 203 232 279 475 0.67% 0.74% 0.79% 0.96% 1.57%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) 69 101 92 91 93 0.26% 0.37% 0.31% 0.31% 0.31%
Asian alone (NH) 111 122 95 144 213 0.41% 0.45% 0.32% 0.49% 0.70%
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander alone (NH) x [19] x [20] 15 19 8 x x 0.05% 0.07% 0.03%
Other race alone (NH) 34 13 12 17 140 0.13% 0.05% 0.04% 0.06% 0.46%
Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) x [21] x [22] 295 429 1,183 x x 1.00% 1.47% 3.91%
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 250 325 573 1,025 1,592 0.93% 1.19% 1.94% 3.51% 5.27%
Total 26,855 27,268 29,554 29,180 30,223 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00%


2020 census

[edit]

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 30,223. The median age was 40.0 years. 22.0% of residents were under the age of 18 and 21.0% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 99.8 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 97.7 males age 18 and over. 46.5% of residents lived in urban areas, while 53.5% lived in rural areas.[23][24][25]

The racial makeup of the county was 89.2% White, 1.6% Black or African American, 0.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% Asian, 0.0% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 2.2% from some other race, and 5.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 5.3% of the population.[25]

There were 11,897 households in the county, of which 28.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 22.9% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 29.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[24]

There were 13,019 housing units, of which 8.6% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 72.4% were owner-occupied and 27.6% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.9% and the rental vacancy rate was 10.8%.[24]

2000 census

[edit]

As of the census[26] of 2000, there were 29,554 people, 11,205 households, and 7,966 families residing in the county. The population density was 33 people per square mile (13 people/km2). There were 11,830 housing units at an average density of 13 per square mile (5.0/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 96.53% White, 0.81% Black or African American, 0.34% Native American, 0.32% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 0.79% from other races, and 1.16% from two or more races. 1.94% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 37.1% were of German, 12.9% Swedish, 12.1% American, 6.7% English and 6.3% Irish ancestry according to Census 2000.

There were 11,205 households, out of which 33.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.50% were married couples living together, 6.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.90% were non-families. 25.50% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.80% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 2.99.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 25.40% under the age of 18, 10.30% from 18 to 24, 25.20% from 25 to 44, 21.80% from 45 to 64, and 17.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 95.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.90 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $41,138, and the median income for a family was $48,243. Males had a median income of $33,530 versus $21,175 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,921. About 4.20% of families and 6.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.20% of those under age 18 and 8.10% of those age 65 or over.

Government

[edit]

Presidential elections

[edit]

McPherson County has been predominantly carried by Republican candidates, particularly from 1940. The last time a Democratic candidate carried this county was in 1964 (Lyndon B. Johnson).

Presidential election results
United States presidential election results for McPherson County, Kansas[27][28]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No. %No. %No. %
1888 2,279 51.70% 829 18.81% 1,300 29.49%
1892 2,294 48.42% 0 0.00% 2,444 51.58%
1896 2,269 48.93% 2,324 50.12% 44 0.95%
1900 2,640 54.61% 2,121 43.88% 73 1.51%
1904 2,991 72.72% 773 18.79% 349 8.49%
1908 2,708 57.39% 1,905 40.37% 106 2.25%
1912 455 9.79% 1,639 35.27% 2,553 54.94%
1916 3,806 47.61% 3,737 46.75% 451 5.64%
1920 4,870 69.50% 1,926 27.49% 211 3.01%
1924 5,128 65.99% 1,530 19.69% 1,113 14.32%
1928 6,230 79.98% 1,457 18.71% 102 1.31%
1932 4,098 43.70% 5,003 53.35% 276 2.94%
1936 4,744 42.95% 6,256 56.64% 46 0.42%
1940 6,732 60.24% 4,240 37.94% 204 1.83%
1944 5,840 62.31% 3,321 35.44% 211 2.25%
1948 5,952 57.54% 3,879 37.50% 513 4.96%
1952 8,053 74.58% 2,371 21.96% 374 3.46%
1956 7,521 73.75% 2,603 25.52% 74 0.73%
1960 7,920 73.61% 2,774 25.78% 65 0.60%
1964 4,483 45.62% 5,173 52.65% 170 1.73%
1968 6,420 64.98% 2,893 29.28% 567 5.74%
1972 7,457 70.56% 2,858 27.04% 254 2.40%
1976 3,519 57.31% 2,483 40.44% 138 2.25%
1980 6,843 58.83% 3,340 28.72% 1,448 12.45%
1984 8,630 71.89% 3,185 26.53% 189 1.57%
1988 6,563 58.79% 4,354 39.00% 247 2.21%
1992 5,745 44.22% 3,645 28.06% 3,601 27.72%
1996 8,142 63.20% 3,536 27.45% 1,205 9.35%
2000 8,501 68.22% 3,272 26.26% 688 5.52%
2004 9,595 71.78% 3,589 26.85% 183 1.37%
2008 8,937 66.76% 4,218 31.51% 231 1.73%
2012 8,545 69.49% 3,449 28.05% 303 2.46%
2016 8,549 67.09% 3,226 25.32% 967 7.59%
2020 9,964 69.01% 4,134 28.63% 340 2.35%
2024 9,816 69.60% 4,021 28.51% 267 1.89%

Laws

[edit]

Following amendment to the Kansas Constitution in 1986, the county remained a prohibition, or "dry", county until 1996, when voters approved the sale of alcoholic liquor by the individual drink with a 30 percent food sales requirement.[29]

Education

[edit]

Colleges

[edit]

Unified school districts

[edit]

School districts include:[30]

School district office in neighboring county

Museums

[edit]

Communities

[edit]
2005 map of McPherson County[31] (map legend)

List of townships / incorporated cities / unincorporated communities / extinct former communities within McPherson County.[31]

Cities

[edit]

Unincorporated communities

[edit]

† means a community is designated a Census-Designated Place (CDP) by the United States Census Bureau.

Ghost towns

[edit]

Townships

[edit]

McPherson County is divided into twenty-five townships. The cities of Lindsborg and McPherson 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.

Sources: 2000 U.S. Gazetteer from the U.S. Census Bureau.
TownshipFIPSPopulation
center		 PopulationPopulation
density
/km2 (/sq mi)		 Land area
km2 (sq mi)		Water area
km2 (sq mi)		Water % Geographic coordinates
Battle Hill04550911 (3)93 (36)0 (0)0.33%38°29′2″N 97°25′22″W / 38.48389°N 97.42278°W / 38.48389; -97.42278
Bonaville07925661 (2)93 (36)0 (0)0.34%38°32′57″N 97°30′34″W / 38.54917°N 97.50944°W / 38.54917; -97.50944
Canton105001,09012 (30)93 (36)0 (0)0.02%38°23′21″N 97°25′36″W / 38.38917°N 97.42667°W / 38.38917; -97.42667
Castle109502252 (6)93 (36)0 (0)0.12%38°23′9″N 97°52′44″W / 38.38583°N 97.87889°W / 38.38583; -97.87889
Delmore175751381 (4)93 (36)0 (0)0.15%38°28′43″N 97°33′17″W / 38.47861°N 97.55472°W / 38.47861; -97.55472
Empire212001,17813 (33)94 (36)0 (0)0%38°23′12″N 97°32′7″W / 38.38667°N 97.53528°W / 38.38667; -97.53528
Groveland291502342 (6)94 (36)0 (0)0.12%38°17′55″N 97°44′37″W / 38.29861°N 97.74361°W / 38.29861; -97.74361
Gypsum Creek293252152 (6)93 (36)0 (0)0.11%38°33′32″N 97°26′12″W / 38.55889°N 97.43667°W / 38.55889; -97.43667
Harper302251371 (4)93 (36)0 (0)0.17%38°28′55″N 97°45′50″W / 38.48194°N 97.76389°W / 38.48194; -97.76389
Hayes309502873 (8)94 (36)0 (0)0%38°17′55″N 97°52′54″W / 38.29861°N 97.88167°W / 38.29861; -97.88167
Jackson348501982 (6)93 (36)0 (0)0.49%38°22′33″N 97°46′48″W / 38.37583°N 97.78000°W / 38.37583; -97.78000
King City369005446 (15)93 (36)0 (0)0.13%38°18′51″N 97°39′8″W / 38.31417°N 97.65222°W / 38.31417; -97.65222
Little Valley416004755 (13)93 (36)0 (0)0.02%38°13′38″N 97°52′32″W / 38.22722°N 97.87556°W / 38.22722; -97.87556
Lone Tree425254865 (13)94 (36)0 (0)0%38°17′37″N 97°32′48″W / 38.29361°N 97.54667°W / 38.29361; -97.54667
McPherson439756188 (21)77 (30)0 (0)0.23%38°23′24″N 97°38′57″W / 38.39000°N 97.64917°W / 38.39000; -97.64917
Marquette449507768 (22)93 (36)0 (0)0.16%38°33′9″N 97°51′30″W / 38.55250°N 97.85833°W / 38.55250; -97.85833
Meridian459753414 (9)94 (36)0 (0)0%38°12′43″N 97°26′8″W / 38.21194°N 97.43556°W / 38.21194; -97.43556
Mound486752,10423 (59)93 (36)0 (0)0.17%38°12′24″N 97°31′22″W / 38.20667°N 97.52278°W / 38.20667; -97.52278
New Gottland503503544 (10)93 (36)0 (0)0.38%38°28′29″N 97°38′21″W / 38.47472°N 97.63917°W / 38.47472; -97.63917
Smoky Hill660252973 (9)89 (34)0 (0)0.05%38°34′35″N 97°38′59″W / 38.57639°N 97.64972°W / 38.57639; -97.64972
South Sharps Creek670001121 (3)93 (36)0 (0)0.18%38°28′21″N 97°52′11″W / 38.47250°N 97.86972°W / 38.47250; -97.86972
Spring Valley677503734 (10)94 (36)0 (0)0.03%38°18′2″N 97°25′21″W / 38.30056°N 97.42250°W / 38.30056; -97.42250
Superior694751,64018 (46)92 (36)1 (0)0.72%38°13′28″N 97°46′1″W / 38.22444°N 97.76694°W / 38.22444; -97.76694
Turkey Creek717002943 (8)93 (36)0 (0)0%38°13′10″N 97°38′23″W / 38.21944°N 97.63972°W / 38.21944; -97.63972
Union722251902 (5)93 (36)0 (0)0.20%38°33′12″N 97°44′59″W / 38.55333°N 97.74972°W / 38.55333; -97.74972

See also

[edit]
Community information for Kansas

References

[edit]
  1. 1 2 3 "QuickFacts; McPherson County, Kansas; Population, Census, 2020 & 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on August 16, 2021. Retrieved August 16, 2021.
  2. ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ↑ Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. U.S. Government Printing Office. p. 195.
  4. ↑ Marion County Kansas: Past and Present; Sondra Van Meter; MB Publishing House; LCCN 72-92041; 344 pages; 1972.
  5. ↑ Fourth Annual Report of the Board of Railroad Commissioners for the Year Ending December 1, 1886 in State of Kansas; Kansas Publishing House; 1886.
  6. ↑ Railway Abandonment 1968
  7. ↑ "Rock Island Rail History". Archived from the original on July 23, 2011. Retrieved April 18, 2011.
  8. ↑ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  9. ↑ "County Population Totals and Components of Change: 2020-2025". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 14, 2026.
  10. ↑ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 27, 2014.
  11. ↑ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved July 27, 2014.
  12. ↑ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 27, 2014.
  13. ↑ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 27, 2010. Retrieved July 27, 2014.
  14. ↑ "1980 Census of Population - General Population Characteristics - Kansas- Table 15 Persons by Race: 198О • Table 16 - Total Persons and Spanish Origin Persons by Type of Spanish Origin and Race: 1980" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. p. 12-21. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 12, 2025.
  15. ↑ "1990 Census of Population - General Population Characteristics - Kansas: Tables 4, 5, 6 - Race and Hispanic Origin" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. p. 11-44. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 24, 2026.
  16. ↑ "P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – McPherson County, Kansas". United States Census Bureau.
  17. ↑ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – McPherson County, Kansas". United States Census Bureau.
  18. ↑ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – McPherson County, Kansas". United States Census Bureau.
  19. ↑ included in the Asian category in the 1980 Census
  20. ↑ included in the Asian category in the 1990 Census
  21. ↑ not an option in the 1980 Census
  22. ↑ not an option in the 1990 Census
  23. ↑ "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)". United States Census Bureau. 2023. Retrieved December 15, 2025.
  24. 1 2 3 "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved December 15, 2025.
  25. 1 2 "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved December 15, 2025.
  26. ↑ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  27. ↑ "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections".
  28. ↑ Schwab, Scott (November 5, 2024). "Election Results". Secretary of State of Kansas. Retrieved April 13, 2026.
  29. ↑ "Map of Wet and Dry Counties". Alcoholic Beverage Control, Kansas Department of Revenue. November 2006. Archived from the original on October 8, 2007. Retrieved December 26, 2007.
  30. ↑ Geography Division (January 15, 2021). 2020 Census - School District Reference Map: McPherson County, KS (PDF) (Map). Suitland, Maryland: U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved March 31, 2026. - Text list
  31. 1 2 "General Highway Map of McPherson County, Kansas" (PDF). Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT). November 2007. Archived (PDF) from the original on April 9, 2023.
Notes

Further reading

[edit]
  • Wheeler, Wayne Leland. "An Analysis of Social Change in a Swedish-Immigrant Community: The Case of Lindsborg, Kansas." (PhD dissertation, University of Missouri-Columbia; ProQuest Dissertations Publishing, 1959. 5905657).
County
Trails
Mennonite Settlements
[edit]
County
Historical
Maps

38°24′N 97°40′W / 38.400°N 97.667°W / 38.400; -97.667

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