Ford County, Kansas
County in Kansas, United States From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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 | |
|---|---|
 Ford County Courthouse in Dodge City (2009) | |
 Location within the U.S. state of Kansas | |
 Kansas's location within the U.S. | |
| Coordinates: 37°42′N 99°54′W | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  Kansas |
| Founded | February 26, 1867 |
| Named for | James Ford |
| Seat | Dodge City |
| Largest city | Dodge City |
| Area | |
• Total | 1,099 sq mi (2,850 km2) |
| • Land | 1,098 sq mi (2,840 km2) |
| • Water | 0.8 sq mi (2 km2) 0.07% |
| Population | |
• Total | 34,287 |
| • Density | 31.2/sq mi (12.0/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−6 (Central) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (CDT) |
| Congressional district | 1st |
| Website | fordcounty.net |
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]
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
- Hodgeman County (north)
- Edwards County (northeast)
- Kiowa County (east)
- Clark County (south)
- Meade County (southwest)
- Gray County (west)
Transit
Major highways
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1870 | 427 | — | |
| 1880 | 3,122 | 631.1% | |
| 1890 | 5,308 | 70.0% | |
| 1900 | 5,497 | 3.6% | |
| 1910 | 11,393 | 107.3% | |
| 1920 | 14,273 | 25.3% | |
| 1930 | 20,647 | 44.7% | |
| 1940 | 17,254 | −16.4% | |
| 1950 | 19,670 | 14.0% | |
| 1960 | 20,938 | 6.4% | |
| 1970 | 22,587 | 7.9% | |
| 1980 | 24,315 | 7.7% | |
| 1990 | 27,463 | 12.9% | |
| 2000 | 32,458 | 18.2% | |
| 2010 | 33,848 | 4.3% | |
| 2020 | 34,287 | 1.3% | |
| 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.
Presidential elections
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.
| 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% |
Presidential election results
Laws
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]
Colleges
Unified school districts
List of townships / incorporated cities / unincorporated communities / extinct former communities within Ford County.[16]
Cities
- Bucklin
- Dodge City (county seat)
- Ford
- Spearville
Unincorporated communities
† means a community is designated a Census-Designated Place (CDP) by the United States Census Bureau.
Townships
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 | |
| Bucklin | 09025 | 900 | 3 (8) | 285 (110) | 0 (0) | 0.02% | 37°34′44″N 99°37′9″W | |
| Concord | 15150 | 117 | 1 (2) | 187 (72) | 0 (0) | 0.11% | 37°36′36″N 100°5′52″W | |
| Dodge | 18225 | 899 | 13 (33) | 70 (27) | 0 (0) | 0.21% | 37°47′0″N 100°0′52″W | |
| Enterprise | 21450 | 1,113 | 6 (17) | 175 (67) | 0 (0) | 0.19% | 37°40′47″N 99°57′8″W | |
| Fairview | 22500 | 346 | 2 (5) | 188 (73) | 0 (0) | 0.06% | 37°45′11″N 100°8′57″W | |
| Ford | 23750 | 456 | 2 (5) | 249 (96) | 0 (0) | 0.01% | 37°36′58″N 99°46′27″W | |
| Grandview | 27350 | 784 | 3 (9) | 226 (87) | 0 (0) | 0.20% | 37°47′10″N 99°55′54″W | |
| Richland | 59300 | 931 | 9 (24) | 99 (38) | 0 (0) | 0.17% | 37°42′10″N 100°2′19″W | |
| Royal | 61575 | 105 | 1 (1) | 185 (72) | 0 (0) | 0.06% | 37°51′51″N 100°6′44″W | |
| Sodville | 66150 | 110 | 1 (2) | 145 (56) | 0 (0) | 0.01% | 37°31′16″N 99°45′6″W | |
| Spearville | 67150 | 1,150 | 2 (6) | 479 (185) | 0 (0) | 0.03% | 37°47′58″N 99°45′4″W | |
| Wheatland | 77675 | 170 | 1 (2) | 193 (74) | 0 (0) | 0% | 37°48′58″N 99°37′22″W | |
| Wilburn | 79100 | 88 | 0 (1) | 187 (72) | 0 (0) | 0% | 37°31′22″N 100°7′10″W | |
| Sources: "Census 2000 U.S. Gazetteer Files". U.S. Census Bureau, Geography Division. Archived from the original on August 2, 2002. | ||||||||
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]
- Golden Triangle of Meat-packing
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Ford County, Kansas
- Community information for Kansas
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