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Sumner County, Kansas

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Sumner County, Kansas
County
Old Oxford Mill in Oxford (2012)
Old Oxford Mill in Oxford (2012)
Map of Kansas highlighting Sumner County
Location within the U.S. state of Kansas
Coordinates: 37°14′N 97°29′W / 37.233°N 97.483°W / 37.233; -97.483
Country United States
State Kansas
FoundedDecember 20, 1870
Named afterCharles Sumner
SeatWellington
Largest cityWellington
Area
 • Total
1,185 sq mi (3,070 km2)
 • Land1,182 sq mi (3,060 km2)
 • Water3.0 sq mi (7.8 km2)  0.3%
Population
 (2020)[1]
 • Total
22,382
 • Estimate 
(2025)
22,312 Decrease
 • Density18.94/sq mi (7.311/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Area code620
Congressional district4th
WebsiteCounty website

Sumner County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kansas. Its county seat is Wellington.[2] As of the 2020 census, the population was 22,382.[1] The county is named after Charles Sumner, a U.S. senator from Massachusetts who was a leader of Reconstruction politics.

History

[edit]

Early history

[edit]

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. 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 1848, after the Mexican–American War, the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo with Spain brought into the United States all or part of land for ten future states, including southwest Kansas. In 1854, the Kansas Territory was organized, then in 1861 Kansas became the 34th U.S. state.

19th century

[edit]

On February 26, 1867, Sumner County was created from parts of Marion and Butler counties. It was named in honor of Charles Sumner, a U.S. Senator from Massachusetts (1811–74), who was a strong advocate of Kansas becoming a free state.

In 1887, the Chicago, Kansas and Nebraska Railway built a branch line north–south from Herington to Caldwell.[3] This branch line connected Herington, Lost Springs, Lincolnville, Antelope, Marion, Aulne, Peabody, Elbing, Whitewater, Furley, Kechi, Wichita, Peck, Corbin, Wellington and Caldwell. By 1893, this branch line was incrementally built to Fort Worth, Texas. This line is called the "OKT". The Chicago, Kansas and Nebraska Railway was foreclosed in 1891 and was taken over by Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railway, which shut down in 1980 and reorganized as Oklahoma, Kansas and Texas Railroad, merged in 1988 with Missouri Pacific Railroad, and finally merged in 1997 with Union Pacific Railroad. Most locals still refer to this railroad as the "Rock Island".

21st century

[edit]

In December 2011, the Kansas Star Casino opened approximately 4.5 miles (7.2 km) west of the center of Mulvane, adjacent to an exit on the Kansas Turnpike that was added in the mid-1980s. The casino is located just west of the turnpike exit.[4]

Geography

[edit]

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,185 square miles (3,070 km2), of which 1,182 square miles (3,060 km2) is land and 3.0 square miles (7.8 km2) (0.3%) is water.[5]

Adjacent counties

[edit]

Demographics

[edit]
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
187022—
188020,81294,500.0%
189030,27145.4%
190025,631−15.3%
191030,65419.6%
192029,213−4.7%
193028,960−0.9%
194026,163−9.7%
195023,646−9.6%
196025,3167.1%
197023,553−7.0%
198024,9285.8%
199025,8413.7%
200025,9460.4%
201024,132−7.0%
202022,382−7.3%
2025 (est.)22,312[6] Decrease−0.3%
U.S. Decennial Census[7]
1790-1960[8] 1900-1990[9]
1990-2000[10] 2010-2020[1]

Sumner County is part of the Wichita Metropolitan Statistical Area. It reached its historic peak population in 1910.

Racial and ethnic composition

[edit]
Sumner County, Kansas – Racial and ethnic composition
Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.
Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) Pop 1980[11] Pop 1990[12] Pop 2000[13] Pop 2010[14] Pop 2020[15] % 1980 % 1990 % 2000 % 2010 % 2020
White alone (NH) 23,893 24,455 24,067 22,044 19,347 95.85% 94.64% 92.76% 91.35% 86.44%
Black or African American alone (NH) 136 138 175 211 200 0.55% 0.53% 0.67% 0.87% 0.89%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) 155 280 258 255 215 0.62% 1.08% 0.99% 1.06% 0.96%
Asian alone (NH) 46 69 57 50 73 0.18% 0.27% 0.22% 0.21% 0.33%
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander alone (NH) x [16] x [17] 14 4 0 x x 0.05% 0.02% 0.00%
Other race alone (NH) 2 11 8 12 93 0.01% 0.04% 0.03% 0.05% 0.42%
Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) x [18] x [19] 438 459 1,200 x x 1.69% 1.90% 5.36%
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 696 888 929 1,097 1,254 2.79% 3.44% 3.58% 4.55% 5.60%
Total 24,928 25,841 25,946 24,132 22,382 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00%

2020 census

[edit]

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 22,382. The median age was 41.9 years. 24.4% of residents were under the age of 18 and 20.2% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 100.4 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 99.2 males age 18 and over.[20][21]

The racial makeup of the county was 89.1% White, 0.9% Black or African American, 1.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% Asian, 0.0% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 1.6% from some other race, and 7.0% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 5.6% of the population.[21]

37.4% of residents lived in urban areas, while 62.6% lived in rural areas.[22]

There were 9,028 households in the county, of which 29.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 22.8% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 28.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[20]

There were 10,324 housing units, of which 12.6% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 73.7% were owner-occupied and 26.3% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.0% and the rental vacancy rate was 11.8%.[20]

2000 census

[edit]

As of the census[23] of 2000, there were 25,946 people, 9,888 households, and 7,089 families residing in the county. The population density was 22 people per square mile (8.5 people/km2). There were 10,877 housing units at an average density of 9 per square mile (3.5/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 94.62% White, 0.71% Black or African American, 1.05% Native American, 0.22% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 1.29% from other races, and 2.06% from two or more races. 3.58% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 9,888 households, out of which 34.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.90% were married couples living together, 8.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.30% were non-families. 25.60% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.58 and the average family size was 3.10.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 28.50% under the age of 18, 7.50% from 18 to 24, 26.20% from 25 to 44, 22.40% from 45 to 64, and 15.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.90 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $39,415, and the median income for a family was $46,739. Males had a median income of $36,616 versus $23,020 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,305. About 7.20% of families and 9.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.20% of those under age 18 and 6.80% of those age 65 or over.

Government

[edit]

Presidential elections

[edit]

Sumner County, like many neighboring counties, often votes for the Republican Party in presidential elections. However, in 1992 independent candidate Ross Perot came within two percent of winning the county against George H. W. Bush. The last time the county voted for a Democratic candidate was Jimmy Carter in 1976, but towards the end of the Great Plains drought of the 1980s, Michael Dukakis managed to crack 40%, the last Democratic nominee to do so.

Presidential election results
United States presidential election results for Sumner County, Kansas[24][25]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No. %No. %No. %
1888 3,499 49.72% 2,139 30.39% 1,400 19.89%
1892 3,503 45.52% 0 0.00% 4,192 54.48%
1896 2,515 44.76% 3,048 54.24% 56 1.00%
1900 3,184 50.61% 2,982 47.40% 125 1.99%
1904 3,264 61.61% 1,489 28.10% 545 10.29%
1908 3,235 51.30% 2,772 43.96% 299 4.74%
1912 781 12.21% 2,557 39.97% 3,060 47.83%
1916 4,079 39.37% 5,519 53.27% 763 7.36%
1920 5,830 60.49% 3,454 35.84% 354 3.67%
1924 5,552 54.93% 2,556 25.29% 2,000 19.79%
1928 8,951 79.64% 2,108 18.75% 181 1.61%
1932 4,926 42.40% 6,353 54.68% 340 2.93%
1936 4,946 38.23% 7,966 61.57% 27 0.21%
1940 6,585 51.86% 5,988 47.16% 125 0.98%
1944 6,343 59.87% 4,187 39.52% 64 0.60%
1948 5,922 55.42% 4,571 42.78% 192 1.80%
1952 8,134 68.95% 3,567 30.24% 96 0.81%
1956 7,024 62.95% 4,088 36.64% 46 0.41%
1960 7,219 61.51% 4,462 38.02% 55 0.47%
1964 4,760 45.55% 5,574 53.34% 116 1.11%
1968 5,622 54.48% 3,562 34.52% 1,136 11.01%
1972 6,941 68.08% 2,685 26.34% 569 5.58%
1976 4,645 44.92% 5,385 52.08% 310 3.00%
1980 6,038 57.53% 3,761 35.83% 697 6.64%
1984 6,942 64.32% 3,708 34.36% 143 1.32%
1988 5,394 53.71% 4,417 43.99% 231 2.30%
1992 4,087 35.27% 3,564 30.76% 3,937 33.97%
1996 5,952 54.22% 3,638 33.14% 1,387 12.64%
2000 6,176 60.36% 3,549 34.69% 507 4.96%
2004 7,092 67.62% 3,217 30.67% 179 1.71%
2008 6,737 65.17% 3,353 32.44% 247 2.39%
2012 6,260 68.48% 2,658 29.08% 223 2.44%
2016 6,984 71.84% 2,076 21.35% 662 6.81%
2020 8,105 74.17% 2,591 23.71% 232 2.12%
2024 7,810 74.04% 2,527 23.95% 212 2.01%

Laws

[edit]

Following amendment to the Kansas Constitution in 1986, Sumner County remained a prohibition, or "dry", county until 1992, when voters approved the sale of alcoholic liquor by the individual drink with a 30 percent food sales requirement.[26]

Education

[edit]

Unified school districts

[edit]

School districts covering parts of the county include:[27]

Communities

[edit]
2005 map of Sumner County[28] (map legend)

List of townships / incorporated cities / unincorporated communities / extinct former communities within Sumner County.[28]

Cities

[edit]

‡ means a community has portions in an adjacent county.

Unincorporated communities

[edit]

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

Ghost towns

[edit]

Townships

[edit]
1915 Railroad Map of Sumner County

Sumner County is divided into thirty townships. The cities of Caldwell and Wellington are considered governmentally independent and are 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.

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
Avon035753193 (9)93 (36)0 (0)0.03%37°15′58″N 97°18′56″W / 37.26611°N 97.31556°W / 37.26611; -97.31556
Belle Plaine055253,50433 (87)105 (40)1 (0)0.69%37°24′33″N 97°17′19″W / 37.40917°N 97.28861°W / 37.40917; -97.28861
Bluff07750741 (1)136 (53)0 (0)0%37°3′19″N 97°44′18″W / 37.05528°N 97.73833°W / 37.05528; -97.73833
Caldwell099252001 (4)136 (52)0 (0)0.02%37°3′42″N 97°37′52″W / 37.06167°N 97.63111°W / 37.06167; -97.63111
Chikaskia13150691 (2)94 (36)0 (0)0.02%37°10′4″N 97°38′4″W / 37.16778°N 97.63444°W / 37.16778; -97.63444
Conway153001,28614 (35)94 (36)0 (0)0%37°24′33″N 97°39′4″W / 37.40917°N 97.65111°W / 37.40917; -97.65111
Creek163002413 (7)95 (37)0 (0)0.05%37°20′10″N 97°44′18″W / 37.33611°N 97.73833°W / 37.33611; -97.73833
Dixon182007388 (20)94 (36)0 (0)0%37°15′55″N 97°45′44″W / 37.26528°N 97.76222°W / 37.26528; -97.76222
Downs185251592 (5)91 (35)0 (0)0%37°10′43″N 97°31′12″W / 37.17861°N 97.52000°W / 37.17861; -97.52000
Eden198004525 (12)95 (37)0 (0)0%37°25′45″N 97°45′36″W / 37.42917°N 97.76000°W / 37.42917; -97.76000
Falls228751871 (3)139 (54)0 (0)0%37°4′48″N 97°31′52″W / 37.08000°N 97.53111°W / 37.08000; -97.53111
Gore269752,22027 (70)83 (32)1 (1)1.69%37°26′56″N 97°12′28″W / 37.44889°N 97.20778°W / 37.44889; -97.20778
Greene28525801 (2)93 (36)0 (0)0.10%37°10′28″N 97°18′26″W / 37.17444°N 97.30722°W / 37.17444; -97.30722
Guelph291751641 (3)141 (55)0 (0)0%37°4′10″N 97°19′21″W / 37.06944°N 97.32250°W / 37.06944; -97.32250
Harmon301252773 (9)79 (31)0 (0)0%37°21′31″N 97°19′6″W / 37.35861°N 97.31833°W / 37.35861; -97.31833
Illinois338001782 (5)94 (36)0 (0)0.05%37°25′20″N 97°31′6″W / 37.42222°N 97.51833°W / 37.42222; -97.51833
Jackson349251532 (4)94 (36)0 (0)0.02%37°10′36″N 97°24′38″W / 37.17667°N 97.41056°W / 37.17667; -97.41056
London424007747 (19)107 (41)1 (0)0.93%37°26′4″N 97°24′32″W / 37.43444°N 97.40889°W / 37.43444; -97.40889
Morris48375350 (1)94 (36)0 (0)0%37°10′35″N 97°44′17″W / 37.17639°N 97.73806°W / 37.17639; -97.73806
Osborne533352733 (8)92 (35)1 (0)1.30%37°15′11″N 97°32′9″W / 37.25306°N 97.53583°W / 37.25306; -97.53583
Oxford538751,40314 (37)99 (38)1 (0)1.08%37°16′29″N 97°10′31″W / 37.27472°N 97.17528°W / 37.27472; -97.17528
Palestine541752493 (9)72 (28)1 (0)1.26%37°21′7″N 97°13′5″W / 37.35194°N 97.21806°W / 37.35194; -97.21806
Ryan619502393 (7)92 (36)0 (0)0%37°15′37″N 97°38′51″W / 37.26028°N 97.64750°W / 37.26028; -97.64750
Seventy Six640002383 (7)93 (36)0 (0)0%37°21′15″N 97°24′40″W / 37.35417°N 97.41111°W / 37.35417; -97.41111
South Haven666756705 (12)140 (54)0 (0)0%37°2′44″N 97°24′51″W / 37.04556°N 97.41417°W / 37.04556; -97.41417
Springdale675757618 (21)93 (36)0 (0)0%37°21′57″N 97°38′54″W / 37.36583°N 97.64833°W / 37.36583; -97.64833
Sumner692251502 (4)94 (36)0 (0)0%37°21′8″N 97°31′12″W / 37.35222°N 97.52000°W / 37.35222; -97.52000
Valverde733501472 (4)93 (36)1 (0)0.76%37°11′5″N 97°12′13″W / 37.18472°N 97.20361°W / 37.18472; -97.20361
Walton753004313 (8)139 (54)0 (0)0%37°4′43″N 97°11′36″W / 37.07861°N 97.19333°W / 37.07861; -97.19333
Wellington765003444 (11)81 (31)0 (0)0.06%37°16′17″N 97°25′16″W / 37.27139°N 97.42111°W / 37.27139; -97.42111

See also

[edit]
Community information for Kansas

References

[edit]
  1. 1 2 3 "QuickFacts; Sumner County, Kansas; Population, Census, 2020 & 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on August 20, 2021. Retrieved August 20, 2021.
  2. ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ↑ "Rock Island Rail History". Archived from the original on June 19, 2011. Retrieved April 18, 2011.
  4. ↑ Kansas Star Casino Plans To Open; The Wichita Eagle; December 7, 2011.
  5. ↑ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  6. ↑ "County Population Totals and Components of Change: 2020-2025". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 14, 2026.
  7. ↑ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 29, 2014.
  8. ↑ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved July 29, 2014.
  9. ↑ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 29, 2014.
  10. ↑ "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 29, 2014.
  11. ↑ "1980 Census of Population - General Population Characteristics - Kansas- Table 15 Persons by Race: 198О • Table 16 - Total Persons and Spanish Origin Persons by Type of Spanish Origin and Race: 1980" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. p. 12-21. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 12, 2025.
  12. ↑ "1990 Census of Population - General Population Characteristics - Kansas: Tables 4, 5, 6 - Race and Hispanic Origin" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. p. 11-44. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 24, 2026.
  13. ↑ "P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Sumner County, Kansas". United States Census Bureau.
  14. ↑ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Sumner County, Kansas". United States Census Bureau.
  15. ↑ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Sumner County, Kansas". United States Census Bureau.
  16. ↑ included in the Asian category in the 1980 Census
  17. ↑ included in the Asian category in the 1990 Census
  18. ↑ not an option in the 1980 Census
  19. ↑ not an option in the 1990 Census
  20. 1 2 3 "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved December 22, 2025.
  21. 1 2 "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved December 22, 2025.
  22. ↑ "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)". United States Census Bureau. 2023. Retrieved December 22, 2025.
  23. ↑ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  24. ↑ "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections".
  25. ↑ Schwab, Scott (November 5, 2024). "Election Results". Secretary of State of Kansas. Retrieved April 13, 2026.
  26. ↑ "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.
  27. ↑ Geography Division (January 15, 2021). 2020 Census - School District Reference Map: Sumner County, KS (PDF) (Map). Suitland, Maryland: U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved November 5, 2025. - Text list
  28. 1 2 "General Highway Map of Sumner County, Kansas" (PDF). Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT). May 2010. Archived (PDF) from the original on May 19, 2024.
Notes

Further reading

[edit]
[edit]
County
Historical
Maps
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