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Coordinates: 37°14′N 99°50′W / 37.233°N 99.833°W / 37.233; -99.833
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{{short description|County in Kansas, United States}}
'''Clark County''' is a [[county]] located in the [[U.S. State]] of [[Kansas]]. As of [[2000]], the population is 2,390. The [[county seat]] is at [[Ashland, Kansas|Ashland]].
{{Use American English|date=June 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox U.S. county
|county = Clark County
|state = Kansas
|type = [[County (United States)|County]]
|ex image = First National Bank bldg (Ashland, KS) from SE 2.JPG
|ex image cap = [[Stockgrowers State Bank]] in [[Ashland, Kansas|Ashland]] (2016)
|founded = February 26, 1867
|named for = Charles F. Clarke
|seat wl = Ashland
|largest city wl = Ashland
|area_total_sq_mi = 977
|area_land_sq_mi = 975
|area_water_sq_mi = 2.6
|area percentage = 0.3%


|population_footnotes = <ref name="QF"/>
== Geography ==
|population_as_of = 2020
The county has a total area of 2,531 [[square kilometer|km<sup>2</sup>]] (977 [[square mile|mi<sup>2</sup>]]). 2,524 km<sup>2</sup> (975 mi<sup>2</sup>) of it is land and 7 km<sup>2</sup> (3 mi<sup>2</sup>) of it is water. The total area is 0.26% water.
|population_total = 1991
|pop_est_footnotes = <ref name="USCensusEst2021">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-counties-total.html|title=Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2021|access-date=October 23, 2022}}</ref>
|pop_est_as_of = 2021
|population_est = 1977 {{decrease}}
|population_density_sq_mi = 2.0


|area codes = [[Area code 620|620]]
== Demographics ==
|district = 1st
As of [[2000]], there are 2,390 people, 979 households, and 676 families residing in the county. The population density is 1/km<sup>2</sup> (2/mi<sup>2</sup>). There are 1,111 housing units at an average density of 0 persons/km<sup>2</sup> (1 persons/mi<sup>2</sup>). The racial makeup of the county is 95.77% White, 0.25% [[African American]], 1.13% [[Native American]], 0.08% [[Asia|Asian]], 0.00% Pacific Islander, 1.88% from other races, and 0.88% from two or more races. 4.02% of the population are [[Hispanic]] or [[Latino]] of any race.
|time zone = Central
|website = {{URL|http://www.clarkcountyks.com/|ClarkCountyKS.com}}
|coordinates = {{coord|37|14|N|99|50|W|region:US-KS_type:adm2nd_source:GNIS|display=inline,title}}
}}


'''Clark County''' is a [[County (United States)|county]] located in the [[U.S. state]] of [[Kansas]]. Its [[county seat]] and most populous city is [[Ashland, Kansas|Ashland]].<ref name="GR6">{{cite web|url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |access-date=June 7, 2011 |title=Find a County |publisher=National Association of Counties |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110531210815/http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |archive-date=May 31, 2011}}</ref> As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], the county population was 1,991.<ref name="QF">{{cite web |title=QuickFacts; Clark County, Kansas; Population, Census, 2020 & 2010 |url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/clarkcountykansas/POP010220 |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=August 15, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210815222524/https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/clarkcountykansas/POP010220 |archive-date=August 15, 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref> The county was named after Charles Clarke.
There are 979 households out of which 30.20% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.30% are married couples living together, 6.20% have a woman whose husband does not live with her, and 30.90% are non-families. 29.60% of all households are made up of individuals and 17.00% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.39 and the average family size is 2.95.


==History==
In the county the population is spread out with 26.60% under the age of 18, 4.90% from 18 to 24, 23.10% from 25 to 44, 23.60% from 45 to 64, and 21.80% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 42 years. For every 100 females there are 95.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 88.50 males.
{{See also|History of Kansas}}
Clark County, Kansas, was established on February 26, 1867, from the territory of the former [[Peketon County, Kansas Territory|Peketon County]], and named for Charles F. Clarke, a captain in the 6th Regiment Kansas Volunteer Cavalry during the [[American Civil War]], though the final 'e' was later dropped. As an unorganized county, it was initially attached to Ford County for judicial purposes until 1883, when it was incorporated into Ford County on account of its sparse population and prosperous cattle ranches. This inclusion displeased the settlers of Clark County, and Clark County was again detached from Ford County in March 1885, this time attached to Comanche County for judicial purposes. Clark County was finally organized in May 1885, with the county seat at Ashland.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |last=Blackmar |first=Frank Wilson |url=https://www.ksgenweb.org/archives/1912/c/clark_county.html |title=Kansas: A Cyclopedia of State History, Embracing Events, Institutions, Industries, Counties, Cities, Towns, Prominent Persons, Etc; Volume 2 |date=2018-10-30 |publisher=Creative Media Partners, LLC |isbn=978-0-344-49002-6 |language=en}}</ref>


The opening of the Mount Jesus Trail, passing near a hill in the center of the county named Mount Jesus by the Custer expedition in 1868 on its way from [[Fort Dodge (United States Army Post)|Fort Dodge]] to [[Fort Supply (Oklahoma)|Fort Supply]], along with the onset of Texas cattle drives through the county, marked the beginning of American settlement in Clark County. Settlement intensified with the establishment of a road ranch by John Glenn in 1874 near present-day Ashland, the beginning of weekly [[stagecoach]] service along the Mount Jesus Trail in 1875, and the opening of additional cattle ranches in 1876. Efforts to create a [[Benedictines|Benedictine]] colony in the late 1870s near Mount Casino were abandoned after resistance from cattlemen and an Indian raid.<ref name=":0" />
The median income for a household in the county is $33,857, and the median income for a family is $40,521. Males have a median income of $27,321 versus $20,833 for females. The per capita income for the county is $17,795. 12.70% of the population and 11.30% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 18.00% are under the age of 18 and 10.20% are 65 or older.


Clark City hosted the first school and newspaper in the county, but both activities shifted to Ashland as the latter town grew, including by direct payments to Clark City residents to relocate. Ultimately Ashland became the county's dominant town and was officially designated the county seat in 1885 while Clark City was abandoned.<ref name=":0" /> Ashland remains the county seat and principal city of Clark County to this day.
== Cities and Towns ==

*[[Ashland, Kansas|Ashland]]
==Geography==
*[[Englewood, Kansas|Englewood]]
According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the county has a total area of {{convert|977|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|975|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|2.6|sqmi}} (%) is water.<ref name="GR1">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/geographies/reference-files/time-series/geo/gazetteer-files.html|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=April 23, 2011|date=February 12, 2011|title=US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990}}</ref>
*[[Minneola, Kansas|Minneola]]

===Adjacent counties===
* [[Ford County, Kansas|Ford County]] (north)
* [[Kiowa County, Kansas|Kiowa County]] (northeast)
* [[Comanche County, Kansas|Comanche County]] (east)
* [[Harper County, Oklahoma|Harper County]], [[Oklahoma]] (southeast)
* [[Beaver County, Oklahoma|Beaver County]], [[Oklahoma]] (southwest)
* [[Meade County, Kansas|Meade County]] (west)

===Major highways===
Sources: National Atlas,<ref>[http://www.nationalatlas.gov/ National Atlas] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081205020547/http://www.nationalatlas.gov/ |date=December 5, 2008}}</ref> U.S. Census Bureau<ref>[https://www.census.gov/geo/www/tiger/ U.S. Census Bureau TIGER shape files]</ref>
* [[U.S. Route 54 in Kansas|U.S. Route 54]]
* [[U.S. Route 160 in Kansas|U.S. Route 160]]
* [[U.S. Route 183 in Kansas|U.S. Route 183]]
* [[U.S. Route 283 in Kansas|U.S. Route 283]]
* [[K-34 (Kansas highway)|Kansas Highway 34]]

==Demographics==
[[Image:USA Clark County, Kansas age pyramid.svg|thumb|175px|left|[[Population pyramid]] based on 2000 census age data]]
{{US Census population
|1880= 163
|1890= 2357
|1900= 1701
|1910= 4093
|1920= 4989
|1930= 4796
|1940= 4081
|1950= 3946
|1960= 3396
|1970= 2896
|1980= 2599
|1990= 2418
|2000= 2390
|2010= 2215
|2020= 1991
|estyear=2023
|estimate=1847
|estref=<ref name="USCensusEst2023">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/popest/data/tables.html|title=Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=April 3, 2024}}</ref>
|align-fn=center
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=U.S. Decennial Census|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=July 22, 2014}}</ref><br />1790-1960<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu/|title=Historical Census Browser|publisher=University of Virginia Library|access-date=July 22, 2014|archive-date=August 11, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120811110448/http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu/|url-status=dead}}</ref> 1900-1990<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/ks190090.txt|title=Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=July 22, 2014}}</ref><br />1990-2000<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100327165705/http://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |archive-date=March 27, 2010 |url-status=live|title=Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=July 22, 2014}}</ref> 2010-2020<ref name="QF"/>
}}

As of the [[census]] of 2000, there were 2,390 people, 979 households, and 676 families residing in the county. The [[population density]] was {{convert|2|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|people&nbsp;|people|}}. There were 1,111 housing units at an average density of {{convert|1|/mi2|/km2|}}. The [[Race (United States Census)|racial makeup]] of the county was 95.77% [[White American|White]], 0.25% [[Black American|Black]] or [[African American]], 1.13% [[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]], 0.08% [[Asian American|Asian]], 1.88% from other races, and 0.88% from [[Multiracial|two or more races]]. [[Hispanic]] or [[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Latino]] of any race were 4.02% of the population.

There were 979 [[household]]s, out of which 30.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.30% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 6.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.90% were non-families. 29.60% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 2.95.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 26.60% under the age of 18, 4.90% from 18 to 24, 23.10% from 25 to 44, 23.60% from 45 to 64, and 21.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 95.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.50 males.

The [[Median household income|median income for a household]] in the county was $33,857, and the median income for a family was $40,521. Males had a median income of $27,321 versus $20,833 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the county was $17,795. About 11.30% of families and 12.70% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 18.00% of those under age 18 and 10.20% of those age 65 or over.

==Government==

===Presidential elections===
Prior to 1944, Clark County was a swing county, backing the national winner in every presidential election from 1900 to 1940. From 1944 on, it has become a Republican stronghold in presidential elections aside from 1964 when [[Lyndon B. Johnson]] won the county as part of his nationwide landslide victory.
{{Hidden
|headercss = background: #ccccff; font-size: 100%; width: 100%;
|contentcss = text-align: left; font-size: 100%; width: 100%;
|header = Presidential election results
|content =
{{PresHead|place=Clark County, Kansas|source=<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS|title = Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections}}</ref>}}
<!-- PresRow should be {{PresRow|Year|Winning party|GOP vote #|Dem vote #|3rd party vote #|State}} -->
{{PresRow|2024|Republican|867|129|18|Kansas}}
{{PresRow|2020|Republican|904|143|20|Kansas}}
{{PresRow|2016|Republican|825|120|67|Kansas}}
{{PresRow|2012|Republican|805|174|38|Kansas}}
{{PresRow|2008|Republican|897|245|17|Kansas}}
{{PresRow|2004|Republican|1,014|257|20|Kansas}}
{{PresRow|2000|Republican|926|292|43|Kansas}}
{{PresRow|1996|Republican|855|334|126|Kansas}}
{{PresRow|1992|Republican|676|293|344|Kansas}}
{{PresRow|1988|Republican|876|409|30|Kansas}}
{{PresRow|1984|Republican|1,075|324|27|Kansas}}
{{PresRow|1980|Republican|901|430|86|Kansas}}
{{PresRow|1976|Republican|761|680|28|Kansas}}
{{PresRow|1972|Republican|1,142|311|49|Kansas}}
{{PresRow|1968|Republican|920|446|213|Kansas}}
{{PresRow|1964|Democratic|777|881|7|Kansas}}
{{PresRow|1960|Republican|1,286|538|6|Kansas}}
{{PresRow|1956|Republican|1,243|529|8|Kansas}}
{{PresRow|1952|Republican|1,410|479|35|Kansas}}
{{PresRow|1948|Republican|999|777|31|Kansas}}
{{PresRow|1944|Republican|950|741|15|Kansas}}
{{PresRow|1940|Democratic|1,072|1,079|16|Kansas}}
{{PresRow|1936|Democratic|899|1,457|2|Kansas}}
{{PresRow|1932|Democratic|938|1,152|16|Kansas}}
{{PresRow|1928|Republican|1,383|419|8|Kansas}}
{{PresRow|1924|Republican|969|410|259|Kansas}}
{{PresRow|1920|Republican|923|610|59|Kansas}}
{{PresRow|1916|Democratic|653|1,102|144|Kansas}}
{{PresRow|1912|Democratic|162|485|467|Kansas}}
{{PresRow|1908|Republican|386|350|38|Kansas}}
{{PresRow|1904|Republican|246|131|28|Kansas}}
{{PresRow|1900|Republican|201|199|9|Kansas}}
{{PresRow|1896|Democratic|182|191|1|Kansas}}
{{PresRow|1892|Populist|226|0|307|Kansas}}
{{PresFoot|1888|Republican|473|349|100|Kansas}}
}}<!-- End of Hidden template -->

===Laws===
The [[Kansas Constitution]] was amended in 1986 to allow the sale of alcoholic liquor by the individual drink with the approval of voters, either with or without a minimum of 30% of sales coming from food. Clark County is one of 35 counties in the state that allows for the sale of liquor by the drink without the minimum food sales stipulation.<ref>{{Cite web|date=December 30, 2019|title=Map of Wet and Dry Counties|url=https://www.ksrevenue.org/pdf/abcwetdrymap.pdf|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201104064913/https://www.ksrevenue.org/pdf/abcwetdrymap.pdf|archive-date=November 4, 2020|access-date=November 4, 2020|publisher=[[Kansas Department of Revenue]] Alcoholic Beverage Control}}</ref>

==Education==

===Unified school districts===
* [https://www.usd219.org/ Minneola USD 219]
* [[Ashland USD 220]]

==Communities==
[[Image:Map of Clark Co, Ks, USA.png|thumb|300px|2005 map of Clark County<ref name="County-Map-Current"/> ([[:File:Kansas official transportation map legend.png|map legend]])]]
List of townships / incorporated cities / unincorporated communities / extinct former communities within Clark County.<ref name="County-Map-Current">{{cite web |title=General Highway Map of Clark County, Kansas |url=https://www.ksdot.gov/Assets/wwwksdotorg/bureaus/burTransPlan/maps/county-pdf/clark.PDF |publisher=[[Kansas Department of Transportation]] (KDOT) |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231223092637/https://www.ksdot.gov/Assets/wwwksdotorg/bureaus/burTransPlan/maps/county-pdf/clark.PDF |archive-date=December 23, 2023 |date=July 2009 |url-status=live}}</ref>

===Cities===
* [[Ashland, Kansas|Ashland]] (county seat)
* [[Englewood, Kansas|Englewood]]
* [[Minneola, Kansas|Minneola]]

===Unincorporated communities===
* Acres
* Letitia
* [[Sitka, Kansas|Sitka]]

===Ghost towns===
* Appleton
* Cash City<ref>{{cite book | url=https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_o8X5krq3fP8C | title=Kansas: A Cyclopedia of State History, Embracing Events, Institutions, Industries, Counties, Cities, Towns, Prominent Persons, Etc. | publisher=Standard Publishing Company | author=Blackmar, Frank Wilson | year=1912 | pages=[https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_o8X5krq3fP8C/page/n294 298]}}</ref>
* [[Lexington, Kansas|Lexington]]
* Vanham
* Vesta

===Townships===
Clark County is divided into six [[Civil township|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.

{| class="toccolours" border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=4 style="text-align:center; border-collapse:collapse; font-size:90%;"
|- style="background:#ccccff"
! Township !! [[FIPS place code|FIPS]] !! Population<br/>center
! Population !! Population<br/>density<br/><small>/km<sup>2</sup> (/sq mi)</small>
! Land area<br/><small>km<sup>2</sup> (sq mi)</small> !! Water area<br/><small>km<sup>2</sup> (sq mi)</small> !! Water %
! Geographic coordinates
|-
| [[Appleton Township, Clark County, Kansas|Appleton]]|| 02100 ||[[Minneola, Kansas|Minneola]] || 921 || 1 (4) || 630 (243) || 2 (1) || 0.29% || {{coord|37|23|28|N|99|55|57|W|}}
|-
| [[Center Township, Clark County, Kansas|Center]]|| 11600 ||[[Ashland, Kansas|Ashland]] || 1,097 || 2 (5) || 528 (204) || 2 (1) || 0.31% || {{coord|37|10|15|N|99|47|52|W|}}
|-
| [[Englewood Township, Clark County, Kansas|Englewood]]|| 21375 ||[[Englewood, Kansas|Englewood]] || 171 || 0 (1) || 536 (207) || 0 (0) || 0.07% || {{coord|37|6|5|N|99|59|7|W|}}
|-
| [[Lexington Township, Clark County, Kansas|Lexington]]|| 39775 || || 83 || 0 (1) || 232 (90) || 0 (0) || 0.21% || {{coord|37|19|20|N|99|38|41|W|}}
|-
| [[Liberty Township, Clark County, Kansas|Liberty]]|| 39900 || || 32 || 0 (1) || 155 (60) || 0 (0) || 0.05% || {{coord|37|25|6|N|99|39|18|W|}}
|-
| [[Sitka Township, Clark County, Kansas|Sitka]]|| 65725 || || 86 || 0 (1) || 444 (171) || 2 (1) || 0.48% || {{coord|37|8|13|N|99|38|28|W|}}
|-
|colspan=9|Sources: {{Cite web |url=https://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/places2k.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020802223743/http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/places2k.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=August 2, 2002 |title=Census 2000 U.S. Gazetteer Files |publisher=U.S. Census Bureau, Geography Division }}
|}

==See also==
{{Portal|Kansas}}
[[Image:Clark County, Kansas.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Rural Clark County]]
* [[Dry counties]]
* [[Big Basin Prairie Preserve]]
{{See also Kansas counties}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
{{Kansas books}}
* [http://www.kansasmemory.org/item/209444/ ''Plat Book of Clark County, Kansas'']; Dick Mackey; 37 pages; 1909.

==External links==
{{Commons category|Clark County, Kansas}}
;County
* {{Official website|http://www.clarkcountyks.com/|Clark County - Official}}
* [https://www.lkm.org/members/?id=41260413 Clark County - Directory of Public Officials]
;Maps
* Clark County Maps: [http://www.ksdot.org/Assets/wwwksdotorg/bureaus/burTransPlan/maps/county-pdf/clark.PDF Current], [http://www.ksdot.org/bureaus/burtransplan/maps/PastPublishedCounty.asp Historic], KDOT
* Kansas Highway Maps: [http://www.ksdot.org/burtransplan/maps/MapsState.asp Current], [http://www.ksdot.org/burtransplan/maps/HistoricStateMaps.asp Historic], KDOT
* Kansas Railroad Maps: [http://www.ksdot.org/BurTransPlan/maps/RRStateMap.asp Current], [http://www.kansasmemory.org/item/227379 1996], [http://www.kansasmemory.org/item/227380 1915], KDOT and Kansas Historical Society

{{Geographic Location
|Centre = Clark County, Kansas
|North = [[Ford County, Kansas|Ford County]]
|Northeast = [[Kiowa County, Kansas|Kiowa County]]
|East = [[Comanche County, Kansas|Comanche County]]
|Southeast = [[Harper County, Oklahoma]]
|South = [[Harper County, Oklahoma]]
|Southwest = [[Beaver County, Oklahoma]]
|West = [[Meade County, Kansas|Meade County]]
|Northwest = [[Ford County, Kansas|Ford County]]
}}

{{Clark County, Kansas}}
{{Kansas}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Clark County, Kansas| ]]
[[Category:Kansas counties]]
[[Category:1867 establishments in Kansas]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1867]]

Latest revision as of 05:53, 7 June 2025

Clark County
County
Stockgrowers State Bank in Ashland (2016)
Stockgrowers State Bank in Ashland (2016)
Map of Kansas highlighting Clark County
Location within the U.S. state of Kansas
Map of the United States highlighting Kansas
Kansas's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 37°14′N 99°50′W / 37.233°N 99.833°W / 37.233; -99.833
Country United States
State Kansas
FoundedFebruary 26, 1867
Named afterCharles F. Clarke
SeatAshland
Largest cityAshland
Area
 • Total
977 sq mi (2,530 km2)
 • Land975 sq mi (2,530 km2)
 • Water2.6 sq mi (7 km2)  0.3%
Population
 (2020)[1]
 • Total
1,991
 • Estimate 
(2021)[2]
1,977 Decrease
 • Density2.0/sq mi (0.8/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Area code620
Congressional district1st
WebsiteClarkCountyKS.com

Clark County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kansas. Its county seat and most populous city is Ashland.[3] As of the 2020 census, the county population was 1,991.[1] The county was named after Charles Clarke.

History

[edit]
See also: History of Kansas

Clark County, Kansas, was established on February 26, 1867, from the territory of the former Peketon County, and named for Charles F. Clarke, a captain in the 6th Regiment Kansas Volunteer Cavalry during the American Civil War, though the final 'e' was later dropped. As an unorganized county, it was initially attached to Ford County for judicial purposes until 1883, when it was incorporated into Ford County on account of its sparse population and prosperous cattle ranches. This inclusion displeased the settlers of Clark County, and Clark County was again detached from Ford County in March 1885, this time attached to Comanche County for judicial purposes. Clark County was finally organized in May 1885, with the county seat at Ashland.[4]

The opening of the Mount Jesus Trail, passing near a hill in the center of the county named Mount Jesus by the Custer expedition in 1868 on its way from Fort Dodge to Fort Supply, along with the onset of Texas cattle drives through the county, marked the beginning of American settlement in Clark County. Settlement intensified with the establishment of a road ranch by John Glenn in 1874 near present-day Ashland, the beginning of weekly stagecoach service along the Mount Jesus Trail in 1875, and the opening of additional cattle ranches in 1876. Efforts to create a Benedictine colony in the late 1870s near Mount Casino were abandoned after resistance from cattlemen and an Indian raid.[4]

Clark City hosted the first school and newspaper in the county, but both activities shifted to Ashland as the latter town grew, including by direct payments to Clark City residents to relocate. Ultimately Ashland became the county's dominant town and was officially designated the county seat in 1885 while Clark City was abandoned.[4] Ashland remains the county seat and principal city of Clark County to this day.

Geography

[edit]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 977 square miles (2,530 km2), of which 975 square miles (2,530 km2) is land and 2.6 square miles (6.7 km2) (%) is water.[5]

Adjacent counties

[edit]

Major highways

[edit]

Sources: National Atlas,[6] U.S. Census Bureau[7]

Demographics

[edit]
Population pyramid based on 2000 census age data
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1880163—
18902,3571,346.0%
19001,701−27.8%
19104,093140.6%
19204,98921.9%
19304,796−3.9%
19404,081−14.9%
19503,946−3.3%
19603,396−13.9%
19702,896−14.7%
19802,599−10.3%
19902,418−7.0%
20002,390−1.2%
20102,215−7.3%
20201,991−10.1%
2023 (est.)1,847[8]−7.2%
U.S. Decennial Census[9]
1790-1960[10] 1900-1990[11]
1990-2000[12] 2010-2020[1]

As of the census of 2000, there were 2,390 people, 979 households, and 676 families residing in the county. The population density was 2 people per square mile (0.77 people/km2). There were 1,111 housing units at an average density of 1 per square mile (0.39/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 95.77% White, 0.25% Black or African American, 1.13% Native American, 0.08% Asian, 1.88% from other races, and 0.88% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.02% of the population.

There were 979 households, out of which 30.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.30% were married couples living together, 6.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.90% were non-families. 29.60% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 2.95.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 26.60% under the age of 18, 4.90% from 18 to 24, 23.10% from 25 to 44, 23.60% from 45 to 64, and 21.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 95.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.50 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $33,857, and the median income for a family was $40,521. Males had a median income of $27,321 versus $20,833 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,795. About 11.30% of families and 12.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.00% of those under age 18 and 10.20% of those age 65 or over.

Government

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Presidential elections

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Prior to 1944, Clark County was a swing county, backing the national winner in every presidential election from 1900 to 1940. From 1944 on, it has become a Republican stronghold in presidential elections aside from 1964 when Lyndon B. Johnson won the county as part of his nationwide landslide victory.

Presidential election results
United States presidential election results for Clark County, Kansas[13]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2024 867 85.50% 129 12.72% 18 1.78%
2020 904 84.72% 143 13.40% 20 1.87%
2016 825 81.52% 120 11.86% 67 6.62%
2012 805 79.15% 174 17.11% 38 3.74%
2008 897 77.39% 245 21.14% 17 1.47%
2004 1,014 78.54% 257 19.91% 20 1.55%
2000 926 73.43% 292 23.16% 43 3.41%
1996 855 65.02% 334 25.40% 126 9.58%
1992 676 51.49% 293 22.32% 344 26.20%
1988 876 66.62% 409 31.10% 30 2.28%
1984 1,075 75.39% 324 22.72% 27 1.89%
1980 901 63.59% 430 30.35% 86 6.07%
1976 761 51.80% 680 46.29% 28 1.91%
1972 1,142 76.03% 311 20.71% 49 3.26%
1968 920 58.26% 446 28.25% 213 13.49%
1964 777 46.67% 881 52.91% 7 0.42%
1960 1,286 70.27% 538 29.40% 6 0.33%
1956 1,243 69.83% 529 29.72% 8 0.45%
1952 1,410 73.28% 479 24.90% 35 1.82%
1948 999 55.29% 777 43.00% 31 1.72%
1944 950 55.69% 741 43.43% 15 0.88%
1940 1,072 49.47% 1,079 49.79% 16 0.74%
1936 899 38.13% 1,457 61.79% 2 0.08%
1932 938 44.54% 1,152 54.70% 16 0.76%
1928 1,383 76.41% 419 23.15% 8 0.44%
1924 969 59.16% 410 25.03% 259 15.81%
1920 923 57.98% 610 38.32% 59 3.71%
1916 653 34.39% 1,102 58.03% 144 7.58%
1912 162 14.54% 485 43.54% 467 41.92%
1908 386 49.87% 350 45.22% 38 4.91%
1904 246 60.74% 131 32.35% 28 6.91%
1900 201 49.14% 199 48.66% 9 2.20%
1896 182 48.66% 191 51.07% 1 0.27%
1892 226 42.40% 0 0.00% 307 57.60%
1888 473 51.30% 349 37.85% 100 10.85%

Laws

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The Kansas Constitution was amended in 1986 to allow the sale of alcoholic liquor by the individual drink with the approval of voters, either with or without a minimum of 30% of sales coming from food. Clark County is one of 35 counties in the state that allows for the sale of liquor by the drink without the minimum food sales stipulation.[14]

Education

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Unified school districts

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Communities

[edit]
2005 map of Clark County[15] (map legend)

List of townships / incorporated cities / unincorporated communities / extinct former communities within Clark County.[15]

Cities

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Unincorporated communities

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Ghost towns

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Townships

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Clark County is divided into six 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.

Township FIPS Population
center 		Population Population
density
/km2 (/sq mi) 		Land area
km2 (sq mi)		 Water area
km2 (sq mi)		 Water % Geographic coordinates
Appleton 02100 Minneola 921 1 (4) 630 (243) 2 (1) 0.29% 37°23′28″N 99°55′57″W / 37.39111°N 99.93250°W / 37.39111; -99.93250
Center 11600 Ashland 1,097 2 (5) 528 (204) 2 (1) 0.31% 37°10′15″N 99°47′52″W / 37.17083°N 99.79778°W / 37.17083; -99.79778
Englewood 21375 Englewood 171 0 (1) 536 (207) 0 (0) 0.07% 37°6′5″N 99°59′7″W / 37.10139°N 99.98528°W / 37.10139; -99.98528
Lexington 39775 83 0 (1) 232 (90) 0 (0) 0.21% 37°19′20″N 99°38′41″W / 37.32222°N 99.64472°W / 37.32222; -99.64472
Liberty 39900 32 0 (1) 155 (60) 0 (0) 0.05% 37°25′6″N 99°39′18″W / 37.41833°N 99.65500°W / 37.41833; -99.65500
Sitka 65725 86 0 (1) 444 (171) 2 (1) 0.48% 37°8′13″N 99°38′28″W / 37.13694°N 99.64111°W / 37.13694; -99.64111
Sources: "Census 2000 U.S. Gazetteer Files". U.S. Census Bureau, Geography Division. Archived from the original on August 2, 2002.

See also

[edit]
Rural Clark County
Community information for Kansas

References

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  1. ^ a b c "QuickFacts; Clark County, Kansas; Population, Census, 2020 & 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on August 15, 2021. Retrieved August 15, 2021.
  2. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2021". Retrieved October 23, 2022.
  3. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  4. ^ a b c Blackmar, Frank Wilson (October 30, 2018). Kansas: A Cyclopedia of State History, Embracing Events, Institutions, Industries, Counties, Cities, Towns, Prominent Persons, Etc; Volume 2. Creative Media Partners, LLC. ISBN 978-0-344-49002-6.
  5. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  6. ^ National Atlas Archived December 5, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  7. ^ U.S. Census Bureau TIGER shape files
  8. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 3, 2024.
  9. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 22, 2014.
  10. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Archived from the original on August 11, 2012. Retrieved July 22, 2014.
  11. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 22, 2014.
  12. ^ "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 22, 2014.
  13. ^ "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections".
  14. ^ "Map of Wet and Dry Counties" (PDF). Kansas Department of Revenue Alcoholic Beverage Control. December 30, 2019. Archived (PDF) from the original on November 4, 2020. Retrieved November 4, 2020.
  15. ^ a b "General Highway Map of Clark County, Kansas" (PDF). Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT). July 2009. Archived (PDF) from the original on December 23, 2023.
  16. ^ Blackmar, Frank Wilson (1912). Kansas: A Cyclopedia of State History, Embracing Events, Institutions, Industries, Counties, Cities, Towns, Prominent Persons, Etc. Standard Publishing Company. pp. 298.

Further reading

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See also: List of books about Kansas, including historical information about its counties and cities
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Clark County, Kansas.
County
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