Pottawatomie County (standard abbreviation: PT) is a county located in the U.S. state of Kansas. As of the 2010 census, the county population was 21,604. The county seat is Westmoreland. The county takes its name from the Potawatomi tribe of Native Americans.
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 1857, Pottawatomie County was established.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 862 square miles (2,230Â km2), of which 841 square miles (2,180Â km2) is land and 21 square miles (54Â km2) (2.4%) is water.
Adjacent counties
- Marshall County (north)
- Nemaha County (northeast)
- Jackson County (east)
- Shawnee County (southeast)
- Wabaunsee County (south)
- Riley County (west)
Demographics
Pottawatomie County is part of the Manhattan Metropolitan Statistical Area.
As of the census of 2000, there were 18,209 people, 6,771 households, and 4,929 families residing in the county. The population density was 22 people per square mile (8/km²). There were 7,311 housing units at an average density of 9 per square mile (3/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 96.32% White, 0.66% Black or African American, 0.59% Native American, 0.32% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.60% from other races, and 1.50% from two or more races. 2.26% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 6,771 households out of which 36.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.40% were married couples living together, 7.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.20% were non-families. 23.20% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.65 and the average family size was 3.15.
In the county, the population was spread out with 29.50% under the age of 18, 7.70% from 18 to 24, 27.70% from 25 to 44, 21.60% from 45 to 64, and 13.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 98.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.70 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $40,176, and the median income for a family was $47,261. Males had a median income of $31,368 versus $23,238 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,785. About 6.40% of families and 9.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.10% of those under age 18 and 10.30% of those age 65 or over.
Law and government
Pottawatomie County was created by the Kansas Territorial legislature in 1857, out of land formerly included in Riley County. The present county seat of Westmoreland was selected by a vote held in 1882.
Pottawatomie County was a prohibition, or "dry", county until the Kansas Constitution was amended in 1986 and voters approved the sale of alcoholic liquor by the individual drink with a 30% food sales requirement.
Education
Unified school districts
The Unified School Districts that serve Pottawatomie County include:
- Wamego USD 320 (Wamego, Louisville, Belvue)
- Kaw Valley USD 321 (St. Marys, Emmett)
- Onaga USD 322 (Onaga, Havensville, Wheaton)
- Rock Creek USD 323 (Westmoreland, St. George)
- Riley County USD 378 (West-Central Pottawatomie County)
- Manhattan-Ogden USD 383 (Southwest Pottawatomie County)
- Blue Valley USD 384 (Olsburg, Fostoria)
Private schools
- St. Marys Academy & College(St. Marys)
Communities
Cities
Prior to the creation of Tuttle Creek Lake, the town of Garrison existed in west central Pottawatomie County.
Townships
Pottawatomie County is divided into twenty-three townships. The city of Manhattan 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.
Notable people
Among the famous natives of Pottawatomie County are world heavyweight boxing champion Jess Willard and automobile manufacturer Walter Chrysler.
See also
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Pottawatomie County, Kansas
References
Further reading
- History of the State of Kansas; William G. Cutler; A.T. Andreas Publisher; 1883. (Online HTML eBook)
- Kansas : A Cyclopedia of State History, Embracing Events, Institutions, Industries, Counties, Cities, Towns, Prominent Persons, Etc; 3 Volumes; Frank W. Blackmar; Standard Publishing Co; 944 / 955 / 824 pages; 1912. (Volume1 - Download 54MB PDF eBook),(Volume2 - Download 53MB PDF eBook), (Volume3 - Download 33MB PDF eBook)
External links
- County
- Pottawatomie County - Official Website
- Pottawatomie County - Directory of Public Officials
- Pottawatomie County Economic Development Corporation - PCEDC
- Maps
- Pottawatomie County Maps: Current, Historic, KDOT
- Kansas Highway Maps: Current, Historic, KDOT
- Kansas Railroad Maps: Current, 1996, 1915, KDOT and Kansas Historical Society