Rush County
County
Rush County courthouse in La Crosse (2016)
Rush County courthouse in La Crosse (2016)
Map of Kansas highlighting Rush County
Location within the U.S. state of Kansas
Map of the United States highlighting Kansas
Kansas's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 38°31′00″N 99°18′00″W / 38.5167°N 99.3°W / 38.5167; -99.3
Country United States
State Kansas
FoundedFebruary 26, 1867
Named forAlexander Rush
SeatLa Crosse
Largest cityLa Crosse
Area
 • Total718 sq mi (1,860 km2)
 • Land718 sq mi (1,860 km2)
 • Water0.2 sq mi (0.5 km2)  0.03%
Population
 (2020)[1]
 • Total2,956
 • Density4.1/sq mi (1.6/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district1st
Websiterushcountykansas.org

Rush County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kansas. Its county seat and largest city is La Crosse.[2] As of the 2020 census, the county population was 2,956.[1] The county was named for Alexander Rush.

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, Rush County was established. Rush County was organized on December 5, 1874.[3] There was a county seat struggle between La Crosse and Rush Center lasting 10 years until La Crosse finally became the county seat.

20th century

The first county fair was held in 1910 south of Rush Center.

21st century

In 2015, the "Alexander Wind Farm" was constructed south of Alexander. It cost about $85 million and generates 48 megawatts of power.[4][5]

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 718 square miles (1,860 km2), of which 718 square miles (1,860 km2) is land and 0.2 square miles (0.52 km2) (0.03%) is water.[6]

It is intersected by Walnut Creek, a tributary of the Arkansas River, and watered by other streams.[7]

Adjacent counties

Demographics

Population pyramid based on 2000 census age data
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18805,490—
18905,204−5.2%
19006,13417.9%
19107,82627.6%
19208,3606.8%
19309,0938.8%
19408,285−8.9%
19507,231−12.7%
19606,160−14.8%
19705,117−16.9%
19804,516−11.7%
19903,842−14.9%
20003,551−7.6%
20103,307−6.9%
20202,956−10.6%
U.S. Decennial Census[8]
1790-1960[9] 1900-1990[10]
1990-2000[11] 2010-2020[1]

As of the census[12] of 2000, there were 3,551 people, 1,548 households, and 1,013 families residing in the county. The population density was 5 people per square mile (1.9 people/km2). There were 1,928 housing units at an average density of 3 per square mile (1.2/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 98.45% White, 0.31% Black or African American, 0.42% Native American, 0.11% Asian, 0.17% from other races, and 0.54% from two or more races. 1.04% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 1,548 households, out of which 26.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.10% were married couples living together, 5.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.50% were non-families. 31.70% of all households were made up of individuals, and 18.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.24 and the average family size was 2.80.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 22.10% under the age of 18, 5.50% from 18 to 24, 22.90% from 25 to 44, 24.20% from 45 to 64, and 25.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 45 years. For every 100 females there were 94.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.60 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $31,268, and the median income for a family was $38,821. Males had a median income of $25,408 versus $20,307 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,033. About 6.70% of families and 9.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.50% of those under age 18 and 9.90% of those age 65 or over.

Government

Presidential elections

Presidential election results
United States presidential election results for Rush County, Kansas[13]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No. %No. %No. %
2020 1,350 80.50% 295 17.59% 32 1.91%
2016 1,197 79.64% 233 15.50% 73 4.86%
2012 1,166 74.27% 367 23.38% 37 2.36%
2008 1,225 68.78% 504 28.30% 52 2.92%
2004 1,226 68.53% 517 28.90% 46 2.57%
2000 1,235 66.61% 505 27.24% 114 6.15%
1996 1,239 62.29% 547 27.50% 203 10.21%
1992 756 35.74% 689 32.58% 670 31.68%
1988 1,045 48.54% 1,020 47.38% 88 4.09%
1984 1,758 69.49% 718 28.38% 54 2.13%
1980 1,840 71.54% 557 21.66% 175 6.80%
1976 1,170 45.33% 1,359 52.65% 52 2.01%
1972 1,639 65.25% 806 32.09% 67 2.67%
1968 1,471 57.46% 864 33.75% 225 8.79%
1964 1,098 37.85% 1,778 61.29% 25 0.86%
1960 1,668 53.86% 1,418 45.79% 11 0.36%
1956 2,007 64.87% 1,080 34.91% 7 0.23%
1952 2,650 75.50% 843 24.02% 17 0.48%
1948 1,840 56.41% 1,360 41.69% 62 1.90%
1944 2,193 66.80% 1,076 32.77% 14 0.43%
1940 2,394 59.84% 1,588 39.69% 19 0.47%
1936 1,733 41.08% 2,482 58.83% 4 0.09%
1932 1,433 37.97% 2,275 60.28% 66 1.75%
1928 1,985 60.02% 1,296 39.19% 26 0.79%
1924 1,780 57.25% 787 25.31% 542 17.43%
1920 2,017 73.43% 605 22.02% 125 4.55%
1916 1,223 41.66% 1,478 50.34% 235 8.00%
1912 210 11.47% 870 47.52% 751 41.02%
1908 764 45.02% 894 52.68% 39 2.30%
1904 883 58.21% 570 37.57% 64 4.22%
1900 681 48.47% 717 51.03% 7 0.50%
1896 515 44.09% 643 55.05% 10 0.86%
1892 570 47.50% 0 0.00% 630 52.50%
1888 681 58.71% 424 36.55% 55 4.74%

Rush County is presently overwhelmingly Republican, although as recently as 1988 Michael Dukakis, aided by a major Great Plains drought, came within 25 votes of carrying the county for the Democrats.

Laws

Rush 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 percent food sales requirement.[14]

Education

Unified school districts

Communities

2005 KDOT Map of Rush County (map legend)

Cities

Unincorporated communities

Ghost towns

Townships

Rush County is divided into twelve 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.
TownshipFIPSPopulation
center		 PopulationPopulation
density
/km2 (/sq mi)		 Land area
km2 (sq mi)		Water area
km2 (sq mi)		Water % Geographic coordinates
Alexander-Belle Prairie010871391 (2)220 (85)0 (0)0.02%38°27′23″N 99°31′49″W / 38.45639°N 99.53028°W / 38.45639; -99.53028
Banner040751911 (4)139 (54)0 (0)0.01%38°25′53″N 99°11′28″W / 38.43139°N 99.19111°W / 38.43139; -99.19111
Big Timber067751641 (3)122 (47)0 (0)0.03%38°39′1″N 99°18′54″W / 38.65028°N 99.31500°W / 38.65028; -99.31500
Center121252562 (5)139 (54)0 (0)0%38°26′6″N 99°18′13″W / 38.43500°N 99.30361°W / 38.43500; -99.30361
Garfield258001321 (2)139 (54)0 (0)0.01%38°25′15″N 99°4′45″W / 38.42083°N 99.07917°W / 38.42083; -99.07917
Hampton-Fairview298123041 (3)276 (107)0 (0)0.11%38°37′32″N 99°30′12″W / 38.62556°N 99.50333°W / 38.62556; -99.50333
Illinois33750470 (1)125 (48)0 (0)0.01%38°38′48″N 99°11′28″W / 38.64667°N 99.19111°W / 38.64667; -99.19111
La Crosse-Brookdale375251,4757 (17)218 (84)0 (0)0.01%38°32′2″N 99°20′15″W / 38.53389°N 99.33750°W / 38.53389; -99.33750
Lone Star425003193 (8)110 (42)0 (0)0%38°31′21″N 99°11′46″W / 38.52250°N 99.19611°W / 38.52250; -99.19611
Pioneer559504264 (10)108 (42)0 (0)0.01%38°32′13″N 99°4′4″W / 38.53694°N 99.06778°W / 38.53694; -99.06778
Pleasantdale56325330 (1)124 (48)0 (0)0.07%38°38′20″N 99°5′17″W / 38.63889°N 99.08806°W / 38.63889; -99.08806
Union72350650 (1)141 (54)0 (0)0.01%38°26′4″N 99°25′47″W / 38.43444°N 99.42972°W / 38.43444; -99.42972

Former townships

See also

Community information for Kansas

References

  1. 1 2 3 "QuickFacts; Rush County, Kansas; Population, Census, 2020 & 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on August 19, 2021. Retrieved August 19, 2021.
  2. ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ↑ Rush County, Kansas, Kansapedia
  4. ↑ NJR Clean Energy acquires Kansas wind farm; October 24, 2014.
  5. ↑ Siemens touts order for 21 wind turbines for Kansas project; KAKE tv; January 23, 2015. Archived January 24, 2015, at archive.today
  6. ↑ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  7. ↑ Ripley, George; Dana, Charles A., eds. (1879). "Rush. II. A W. central county of Kansas" . The American Cyclopædia.
  8. ↑ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 28, 2014.
  9. ↑ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved July 28, 2014.
  10. ↑ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 28, 2014.
  11. ↑ "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 28, 2014.
  12. ↑ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  13. ↑ "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections".
  14. ↑ "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 28, 2007.

Further reading

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38°31′N 99°18′W / 38.517°N 99.300°W / 38.517; -99.300

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