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Ford County, Kansas

Ford County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kansas. Its county seat and most populous city is Dodge City.[2] As of the 2020 census, its population was 34,287.[1] The county was named in honor of James Ford, a brevet brigadier general during the American Civil War.[3]

Ford County
County
Ford County Courthouse in Dodge City (2009)
Ford County Courthouse in Dodge City (2009)
Map of Kansas highlighting Ford 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°42′N 99°54′W / 37.7°N 99.9°W / 37.7; -99.9
Country United States
State Kansas
FoundedFebruary 26, 1867
Named forJames Ford
SeatDodge City
Largest cityDodge City
Area
 • Total
1,099 sq mi (2,850 km2)
 • Land1,098 sq mi (2,840 km2)
 • Water0.8 sq mi (2 km2)  0.07%
Population
 (2020)[1]
 • Total
34,287
 • Density31.2/sq mi (12.0/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district1st
Websitefordcounty.net

History

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See also: History of Kansas

One of the earliest military posts in Kansas, Fort Atkinson, was located in Ford County. Fort Dodge, established in 1864, was on the north bank of the Arkansas River, about five miles southeast of what would become Dodge City. During the California Gold Rush in 1849, thousands of gold seekers passed through the area along the Santa Fe Trail, but few settled there.

Ford County was established in 1867 and named for Colonel James H. Ford of the Second Colorado Cavalry, who was in charge of the construction of Fort Dodge after the Civil War.[4] The region had been frequently traveled by pioneers along the Santa Fe Trail since the early 19th century.[5]

The town of Dodge City was established in 1872 upon the completion of the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad. Before the buffalo were wiped out, their hides were extensively shipped from Dodge City. Dodge City would later develop into a rough and tumble cowtown during the peak cattle drive years of 1875–1885.[5][6]

Geography

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According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,099 square miles (2,850 km2), of which 1,098 sq mi (2,840 km2) are land and 0.8 square miles (2.1 km2) (0.07%) is covered by water.[7]

Adjacent counties

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Transit

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Major highways

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Demographics

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Population pyramid based on 2000 census age data
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1870427—
18803,122631.1%
18905,30870.0%
19005,4973.6%
191011,393107.3%
192014,27325.3%
193020,64744.7%
194017,254−16.4%
195019,67014.0%
196020,9386.4%
197022,5877.9%
198024,3157.7%
199027,46312.9%
200032,45818.2%
201033,8484.3%
202034,2871.3%
2023 (est.)33,980[8]−0.9%
U.S. Decennial Census[9]
1790-1960[10] 1900-1990[11]
1990-2000[12] 2010-2020[1]

The Dodge City Micropolitan Statistical Area includes all of Ford County.

As of the 2000 census,[13] 33,848 people, 10,852 households, and 7,856 families were residing in the county. The population density was 30 people/sq mi (12 people/km2). The 11,650 housing units averaged 11 per square mile (4.2/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 75.3% White, 2.1% African American, 1.0% Native American, 1.4% Asian, 0.2% Pacific Islander, 17.8% from other races, and 2.7% from two or more races. Hispanic and Latino Americans of any race were 51.2% of the population.

Of the 10,852 households, 40.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.90% were married couples living together, 9.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.60% were not families. About 22.70% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.92, and the average family size was 3.42.

In the county, the age distribution was 31.10% under 18, 11.20% from 18 to 24, 29.40% from 25 to 44, 17.30% from 45 to 64, and 11.00% who were 65 or older. The median age was 30 years. For every 100 females, there were 107.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 105.30 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $37,860, and for a family was $42,734. Males had a median income of $27,189 versus $22,165 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,721. About 9.90% of families and 12.40% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.40% of those under age 18 and 8.40% of those age 65 or over.

Government

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Presidential elections

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Ford County has been strongly Republican for most of its history, especially in recent elections. Only eight Democratic presidential candidates from 1880 to 2024 have carried the county, the most recent being Jimmy Carter in 1976.

Presidential election results
United States presidential election results for Ford County, Kansas[14]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2024 5,475 68.45% 2,381 29.77% 142 1.78%
2020 5,803 65.09% 2,947 33.06% 165 1.85%
2016 5,114 65.78% 2,149 27.64% 511 6.57%
2012 5,602 66.99% 2,600 31.09% 160 1.91%
2008 5,730 64.64% 2,991 33.74% 143 1.61%
2004 6,632 73.56% 2,286 25.35% 98 1.09%
2000 6,050 67.85% 2,566 28.78% 301 3.38%
1996 5,681 61.30% 2,628 28.36% 958 10.34%
1992 4,342 41.93% 2,635 25.44% 3,379 32.63%
1988 5,685 58.63% 3,817 39.36% 195 2.01%
1984 6,935 69.72% 2,914 29.30% 98 0.99%
1980 5,686 58.86% 3,194 33.06% 781 8.08%
1976 4,679 47.61% 4,934 50.21% 214 2.18%
1972 6,232 67.12% 2,804 30.20% 249 2.68%
1968 4,645 52.80% 3,191 36.27% 961 10.92%
1964 3,481 39.73% 5,221 59.59% 59 0.67%
1960 5,200 57.67% 3,792 42.05% 25 0.28%
1956 5,561 66.84% 2,710 32.57% 49 0.59%
1952 6,359 68.96% 2,748 29.80% 114 1.24%
1948 4,089 47.21% 4,396 50.75% 177 2.04%
1944 4,110 57.23% 2,994 41.69% 77 1.07%
1940 4,356 51.97% 3,954 47.17% 72 0.86%
1936 3,378 38.69% 5,335 61.11% 17 0.19%
1932 3,335 41.61% 4,442 55.42% 238 2.97%
1928 4,893 71.59% 1,870 27.36% 72 1.05%
1924 3,449 57.99% 1,551 26.08% 948 15.94%
1920 3,305 61.90% 1,879 35.19% 155 2.90%
1916 2,337 40.29% 3,044 52.47% 420 7.24%
1912 529 19.18% 1,125 40.79% 1,104 40.03%
1908 1,333 53.28% 1,089 43.53% 80 3.20%
1904 1,148 64.79% 526 29.68% 98 5.53%
1900 653 50.46% 610 47.14% 31 2.40%
1896 555 45.75% 643 53.01% 15 1.24%
1892 648 53.42% 0 0.00% 565 46.58%
1888 882 52.47% 630 37.48% 169 10.05%

Laws

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Ford 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.[15]

Education

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Colleges

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Unified school districts

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Communities

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2005 map of Ford County[16] (map legend)

List of townships / incorporated cities / unincorporated communities / extinct former communities within Ford County.[16]

Cities

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Unincorporated communities

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

Townships

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Ford County is divided into 14 townships. The city of Dodge City 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
Bloom 07375 113 1 (2) 144 (55) 0 (0) 0% 37°30′23″N 99°55′4″W / 37.50639°N 99.91778°W / 37.50639; -99.91778
Bucklin 09025 900 3 (8) 285 (110) 0 (0) 0.02% 37°34′44″N 99°37′9″W / 37.57889°N 99.61917°W / 37.57889; -99.61917
Concord 15150 117 1 (2) 187 (72) 0 (0) 0.11% 37°36′36″N 100°5′52″W / 37.61000°N 100.09778°W / 37.61000; -100.09778
Dodge 18225 899 13 (33) 70 (27) 0 (0) 0.21% 37°47′0″N 100°0′52″W / 37.78333°N 100.01444°W / 37.78333; -100.01444
Enterprise 21450 1,113 6 (17) 175 (67) 0 (0) 0.19% 37°40′47″N 99°57′8″W / 37.67972°N 99.95222°W / 37.67972; -99.95222
Fairview 22500 346 2 (5) 188 (73) 0 (0) 0.06% 37°45′11″N 100°8′57″W / 37.75306°N 100.14917°W / 37.75306; -100.14917
Ford 23750 456 2 (5) 249 (96) 0 (0) 0.01% 37°36′58″N 99°46′27″W / 37.61611°N 99.77417°W / 37.61611; -99.77417
Grandview 27350 784 3 (9) 226 (87) 0 (0) 0.20% 37°47′10″N 99°55′54″W / 37.78611°N 99.93167°W / 37.78611; -99.93167
Richland 59300 931 9 (24) 99 (38) 0 (0) 0.17% 37°42′10″N 100°2′19″W / 37.70278°N 100.03861°W / 37.70278; -100.03861
Royal 61575 105 1 (1) 185 (72) 0 (0) 0.06% 37°51′51″N 100°6′44″W / 37.86417°N 100.11222°W / 37.86417; -100.11222
Sodville 66150 110 1 (2) 145 (56) 0 (0) 0.01% 37°31′16″N 99°45′6″W / 37.52111°N 99.75167°W / 37.52111; -99.75167
Spearville 67150 1,150 2 (6) 479 (185) 0 (0) 0.03% 37°47′58″N 99°45′4″W / 37.79944°N 99.75111°W / 37.79944; -99.75111
Wheatland 77675 170 1 (2) 193 (74) 0 (0) 0% 37°48′58″N 99°37′22″W / 37.81611°N 99.62278°W / 37.81611; -99.62278
Wilburn 79100 88 0 (1) 187 (72) 0 (0) 0% 37°31′22″N 100°7′10″W / 37.52278°N 100.11944°W / 37.52278; -100.11944
Sources: "Census 2000 U.S. Gazetteer Files". U.S. Census Bureau, Geography Division. Archived from the original on August 2, 2002.

Notable people

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Numerous figures of the American Old West lived in Dodge City during its period as a frontier cowtown. These included, most notably, lawmen Wyatt Earp and Bat Masterson, and gunfighter Doc Holliday.[17]

See also

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Railroad crew works on the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe tracks near Bellefont, 1974. Photo by Charles O'Rear.
Community information for Kansas

References

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  1. ^ a b c "QuickFacts; Ford 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. Archived from the original on May 9, 2015. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Govt. Print. Off. pp. 128.
  4. ^ Cutler, William (1883). History of the State of Kansas. ISBN 9780722248751.
  5. ^ a b "Ford County, Kansas – Legends of Kansas". Retrieved April 4, 2024.
  6. ^ Gribben, Brian. "Research Guides: Kansas Heritage: Ford County". fhsuguides.fhsu.edu. Retrieved April 4, 2024.
  7. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  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 24, 2014.
  10. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved July 24, 2014.
  11. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 24, 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 24, 2014.
  13. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 19, 2018.
  14. ^ "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections".
  15. ^ "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.
  16. ^ a b "General Highway Map of Ford County, Kansas" (PDF). Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT). June 2010. Archived (PDF) from the original on December 30, 2023.
  17. ^ "More Dodge City History". Dodge City Convention and Visitors Bureau. Retrieved September 23, 2011.

Further reading

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See also: List of books about Kansas, including historical information about its counties and cities
See also: List of books about Santa Fe Trail
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Ford County, Kansas.
County
Historical
Maps

37°42′N 99°54′W / 37.700°N 99.900°W / 37.700; -99.900

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