Bourbon County, Kansas
Bourbon County is a county located in Southeast Kansas. Its county seat and most populous city is Fort Scott.[1] As of the 2020 census, the county population was 14,360.[2] The county was named after Bourbon County, Kentucky, the former home of many early settlers.
History
[edit]Early history
[edit]In 1855, Bourbon County was established and named after Bourbon County, Kentucky, due to the significant number of settlers from that region. Its early history is tied to the establishment of Fort Scott in 1842 to manage relations with Indian tribes in the region, and particularly with the Osage.[3] The county's first settlers, many of whom were pro-slavery, faced opposition from free-state advocates, leading to violent confrontations during the Bleeding Kansas era and later during the Civil War, such the Battle of Mine Creek in 1864.[4]
The aftermath of the Civil War brought economic and demographic changes; many ex-soldiers settled in the area, contributing to its agricultural growth. Post-war years saw the railroad's arrival, connecting Bourbon County to broader markets and facilitating the expansion of coal mining and agriculture, particularly wheat, corn, and later, sorghum.[4]
21st century
[edit]Bourbon virus, a new strain of thogotovirus, was first discovered in Bourbon County. In the spring of 2014 an otherwise healthy man was bitten by a tick, contracting the virus, dying 11 days later from organ failure.[5][6]
Geography
[edit]According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 639 square miles (1,660 km2), of which 635 square miles (1,640 km2) is land and 3.6 square miles (9.3 km2) (0.6%) is water.[7]
Adjacent counties
[edit]- Linn County (north)
- Vernon County, Missouri (east)
- Crawford County (south)
- Neosho County (southwest)
- Allen County (west)
- Anderson County (northwest)
National protected area
[edit]Major highways
[edit]Demographics
[edit]2020 census
[edit]As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 14,360.[10] The median age was 38.6 years, 25.5% of residents were under the age of 18, and 19.8% of residents were 65 years of age or older.[11] For every 100 females there were 98.7 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 96.3 males age 18 and over.[12] 51.8% of residents lived in urban areas, while 48.2% lived in rural areas.[12]
The racial makeup of the county was 87.6% White, 3.3% Black or African American, 0.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% Asian, 0.0% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 1.0% from some other race, and 6.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 2.7% of the population.[10]
There were 5,666 households in the county, of which 31.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 25.7% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 28.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[11]
There were 6,770 housing units, of which 16.3% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 69.4% were owner-occupied and 30.6% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.5% and the rental vacancy rate was 11.3%.[11]
2000 census
[edit]As of the 2000 census,[13] there were 15,379 people, 6,161 households, and 4,127 families residing in the county. The population density was 24 people per square mile (9.3 people/km2). There were 7,135 housing units at an average density of 11 per square mile (4.2/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 94.06% White, 3.08% Black or African American, 0.84% Native American, 0.36% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.28% from other races, and 1.33% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.29% of the population.
There were 6,161 households, out of which 30.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.50% were married couples living together, 9.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.00% were non-families. 29.00% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 3.01.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 25.80% under the age of 18, 9.50% from 18 to 24, 24.20% from 25 to 44, 22.30% from 45 to 64, and 18.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 93.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.50 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $31,199, and the median income for a family was $39,239. Males had a median income of $27,043 versus $20,983 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,393. About 9.50% of families and 13.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.00% of those under age 18 and 13.40% of those age 65 or over.
Government
[edit]Presidential elections
[edit]Bourbon County is a strongly Republican county. Only six presidential elections from 1888 to the present have resulted in Republicans failing to win the county, with the last of these being in 1964.
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 1888 | 3,569 | 57.07% | 1,831 | 29.28% | 854 | 13.66% |
| "text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Populist |1892 | 2,803 | 49.24% | 0 | 0.00% | 2,889 | 50.76% |
| 1896 | 2,900 | 48.20% | 3,067 | 50.97% | 50 | 0.83% |
| 1900 | 3,024 | 51.36% | 2,799 | 47.54% | 65 | 1.10% |
| 1904 | 3,234 | 59.26% | 1,808 | 33.13% | 415 | 7.60% |
| 1908 | 2,695 | 47.83% | 2,686 | 47.67% | 253 | 4.49% |
| 1912 | 1,448 | 27.04% | 2,209 | 41.25% | 1,698 | 31.71% |
| 1916 | 3,370 | 37.58% | 5,209 | 58.09% | 388 | 4.33% |
| 1920 | 4,194 | 52.09% | 3,632 | 45.11% | 225 | 2.79% |
| 1924 | 4,210 | 48.96% | 2,850 | 33.15% | 1,538 | 17.89% |
| 1928 | 7,251 | 75.88% | 2,223 | 23.26% | 82 | 0.86% |
| 1932 | 4,277 | 42.62% | 5,577 | 55.58% | 181 | 1.80% |
| 1936 | 5,402 | 48.58% | 5,714 | 51.38% | 4 | 0.04% |
| 1940 | 5,751 | 53.61% | 4,898 | 45.66% | 78 | 0.73% |
| 1944 | 4,790 | 56.68% | 3,622 | 42.86% | 39 | 0.46% |
| 1948 | 4,225 | 51.43% | 3,879 | 47.22% | 111 | 1.35% |
| 1952 | 5,785 | 65.26% | 3,023 | 34.10% | 56 | 0.63% |
| 1956 | 5,306 | 62.39% | 3,151 | 37.05% | 47 | 0.55% |
| 1960 | 5,062 | 63.03% | 2,928 | 36.46% | 41 | 0.51% |
| 1964 | 3,290 | 44.93% | 3,980 | 54.35% | 53 | 0.72% |
| 1968 | 3,983 | 56.87% | 2,241 | 32.00% | 780 | 11.14% |
| 1972 | 4,776 | 70.09% | 1,912 | 28.06% | 126 | 1.85% |
| 1976 | 3,589 | 51.80% | 3,237 | 46.72% | 103 | 1.49% |
| 1980 | 4,263 | 59.22% | 2,605 | 36.19% | 331 | 4.60% |
| 1984 | 4,858 | 68.40% | 2,175 | 30.63% | 69 | 0.97% |
| 1988 | 3,660 | 57.80% | 2,623 | 41.42% | 49 | 0.77% |
| 1992 | 2,876 | 40.17% | 2,509 | 35.05% | 1,774 | 24.78% |
| 1996 | 3,318 | 50.17% | 2,491 | 37.66% | 805 | 12.17% |
| 2000 | 3,852 | 61.07% | 2,211 | 35.05% | 245 | 3.88% |
| 2004 | 4,372 | 65.39% | 2,216 | 33.14% | 98 | 1.47% |
| 2008 | 4,240 | 62.53% | 2,394 | 35.30% | 147 | 2.17% |
| 2012 | 4,102 | 65.59% | 1,996 | 31.92% | 156 | 2.49% |
| 2016 | 4,424 | 71.64% | 1,336 | 21.64% | 415 | 6.72% |
| 2020 | 5,023 | 75.24% | 1,541 | 23.08% | 112 | 1.68% |
| 2024 | 5,003 | 76.13% | 1,444 | 21.97% | 125 | 1.90% |
| 2016 | 1 | 33.33% | 1 | 33.33% | 1 | 33.33% |
Laws
[edit]Following amendment to the Kansas Constitution in 1986, the county remained a prohibition, or "dry", county until 1992, when voters approved the sale of alcoholic liquor by the individual drink with a 30% food sales requirement.[15]
Education
[edit]Colleges
[edit]Unified school districts
[edit]Communities
[edit]
List of townships / incorporated cities / unincorporated communities / extinct former communities within Bourbon County.[16]
Cities
[edit]Unincorporated communities
[edit]† means a community is designated a Census-Designated Place (CDP) by the United States Census Bureau.
Townships
[edit]Bourbon County is divided into eleven townships. The city of Fort Scott 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.
| Township | FIPS | Population center |
Population | Population density /km2 (/sq mi) |
Land area km2 (sq mi) |
Water area km2 (sq mi) |
Water % | Geographic coordinates |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Drywood | 18750 | 394 | 3 (8) | 120 (47) | 0 (0) | 0.19% | 37°43′19″N 94°40′36″W / 37.72194°N 94.67667°W | |
| Franklin | 24300 | 312 | 2 (4) | 185 (71) | 0 (0) | 0.13% | 37°59′41″N 94°59′14″W / 37.99472°N 94.98722°W | |
| Freedom | 24600 | Fulton | 505 | 4 (12) | 113 (44) | 0 (0) | 0.17% | 38°0′4″N 94°44′45″W / 38.00111°N 94.74583°W |
| Marion | 44650 | Bronson, Uniontown |
1,165 | 4 (12) | 259 (100) | 0 (0) | 0.19% | 37°51′14″N 95°1′12″W / 37.85389°N 95.02000°W |
| Marmaton | 44900 | 815 | 6 (15) | 145 (56) | 0 (0) | 0.13% | 37°48′57″N 94°50′16″W / 37.81583°N 94.83778°W | |
| Mill Creek | 46675 | 472 | 3 (9) | 136 (52) | 1 (0) | 0.42% | 37°54′45″N 94°50′14″W / 37.91250°N 94.83722°W | |
| Osage | 53100 | 394 | 3 (8) | 125 (48) | 0 (0) | 0.16% | 37°58′40″N 94°39′33″W / 37.97778°N 94.65917°W | |
| Pawnee | 54775 | 308 | 2 (6) | 126 (49) | 0 (0) | 0.31% | 37°43′31″N 94°50′30″W / 37.72528°N 94.84167°W | |
| Scott | 63500 | 2,326 | 13 (34) | 179 (69) | 2 (1) | 0.94% | 37°48′35″N 94°41′30″W / 37.80972°N 94.69167°W | |
| Timberhill | 70600 | Mapleton | 256 | 3 (7) | 93 (36) | 0 (0) | 0.05% | 38°0′31″N 94°52′57″W / 38.00861°N 94.88250°W |
| Walnut | 74850 | 135 | 1 (2) | 154 (59) | 0 (0) | 0.13% | 37°43′10″N 94°59′0″W / 37.71944°N 94.98333°W | |
| Sources: "Census 2000 U.S. Gazetteer Files". U.S. Census Bureau, Geography Division. Archived from the original on August 2, 2002. | ||||||||
Notable people
[edit]- Richard Christy (b. 1974), drummer, radio personality; born and raised in Bourbon County[17]
- Jonathan Davis (1871–1943), 22nd governor of Kansas; born in Bourbon County.[18]
- Sarah Hall (1832–1926), president of Bourbon County Equal Suffrage Association; lived in Fort Scott, Bourbon County 1870–1911[19]
- Gordon Parks (1912–2006), photographer, composer, author, poet, and film director, who became prominent in U.S. documentary photojournalism in the 1940s; born in Bourbon County
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
- ↑ "QuickFacts; Bourbon County, Kansas; Population, Census, 2020 & 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on August 15, 2021. Retrieved August 15, 2021.
- ↑ Cutler, William G.; Andreas, Alfred Theodore (1883). History of the State of Kansas, Containing a Full Account of Its Growth from an Uninhabited Territory to a Wealthy and Important State ...: Also, a Supplementary History and Description of Its Counties, Cities, Towns, and Villages ... A.T. Andreas. ISBN 978-0-598-27697-1.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Blackmar, Frank Wilson (1912). Kansas: A Cyclopedia of State History, Embracing Events, Institutions, Industries, Counties, Cities, Towns, Prominent Persons, Etc. ... with a Supplementary Volume Devoted to Selected Personal History and Reminiscence. Standard Publishing Company.
- ↑ "New details on mystery virus that killed Kansas man". CBS News. February 20, 2015.
- ↑ "New so-called Bourbon virus linked to Kansas man's death after tick bite". UPI.
- ↑ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
- ↑ National Atlas Archived December 5, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
- ↑ "U.S. Census Bureau TIGER shape files". Archived from the original on May 23, 2017. Retrieved December 5, 2017.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved December 15, 2025.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved December 15, 2025.
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)". United States Census Bureau. 2023. Retrieved December 15, 2025.
- ↑ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
- ↑ Schwab, Scott (November 5, 2024). "Election Results". Secretary of State of Kansas. Retrieved April 13, 2026.
- ↑ "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.
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 "General Highway Map of Bourbon County, Kansas" (PDF). Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT). October 2008. Archived (PDF) from the original on June 5, 2024.
- ↑ Hogg, Ben (February 12, 2012). "Richard Christy – From Rags to Richard". Metal Maniacs. Retrieved July 6, 2016.
- ↑ "Jonathan M. Davis". The Political Graveyard. Retrieved September 30, 2012.
- ↑ "Bourbon County Equal Suffrage Association". The Fort Scott Weekly Tribune. November 28, 1889. p. 5. Retrieved April 18, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
Further reading
[edit]- Fort Scott Kansas - Then and Now - A Pictorial History; Bourbon County Historical Preservation Association; 240 pages; 2016.
- A Very Dear Spot - The Development of Fort Scott, Kansas, 1890-1920; Daron Blake; Kansas State University; 18 pages; 2011.
- Fort Scott - A Pictorial History; William G. Calhoun; Historic Preservation Association of Bourbon County; 272 pages; 1978.
- A Social History of Fort Scott Kansas at the Turn of the Century; James D. Conkright; Pittsburg State University; 1973.
- Soil Survey of Bourbon County, Kansas; U.S. Natural Resources Conservation Service; 37 pages; 1931.
- Place names of Bourbon County, Kansas - The County, Townships, streams, towns, lost towns, streets in Fort Scott and other place names, with origin of all names; Charles E. Cory; Monitor Printing Co; 1928.
- Standard Atlas of Bourbon County, Kansas; Geo. A. Ogle & Co; 67 pages; 1920.
- History of Bourbon County, Kansas: To the Close of 1865; Thomas F. Robley; 269 pages; 1894.
- An Illustrated Historical Atlas of Bourbon County, Kansas; Edwards Brothers of Missouri; 55 pages; 1878.
External links
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