Coffey County is a county located in Eastern Kansas. Its county seat and most populous city is Burlington. As of the 2020 census, the county population was 8,360. It was named after A.M. Coffey, a territorial legislator and Free-Stater during Bleeding Kansas era.
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 1855, Coffey County was established.
Geography According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of , of which is land and (4.2%) is water.
Adjacent counties Osage County (north) Franklin County (northeast) Anderson County (east) Allen County (southeast) Woodson County (south) Greenwood County (southwest) Lyon County (northwest)
Major highways Sources: National Atlas,National Atlas U.S. Census BureauU.S. Census Bureau TIGER shape files Interstate 35 U.S. Route 50 U.S. Route 75 K-31 K-58
National protected area Flint Hills National Wildlife Refuge (part)
Demographics
2020 census As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 8,360. The median age was 44.7 years. 23.2% of residents were under the age of 18 and 22.6% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 98.2 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 94.8 males age 18 and over. 0.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 100.0% lived in rural areas.
The racial makeup of the county was 93.0% White, 0.5% Black or African American, 0.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% Asian, 0.0% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 0.6% from some other race, and 4.9% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 2.6% of the population.
There were 3,477 households in the county, of which 27.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 22.4% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 28.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.
There were 3,959 housing units, of which 12.2% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 76.4% were owner-occupied and 23.6% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.4% and the rental vacancy rate was 10.2%.
2000 census As of the 2000 census, there were 8,865 people, 3,489 households, and 2,477 families residing in the county. The population density was . There were 3,876 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the county was 96.95% White, 0.25% Black or African American, 0.52% Native American, 0.34% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.50% from other races, and 1.43% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.55% of the population.
There were 3,489 households, out of which 33.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.70% were married couples living together, 6.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.00% were non-families. 26.00% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 2.99.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 26.80% under the age of 18, 6.50% from 18 to 24, 26.40% from 25 to 44, 24.00% from 45 to 64, and 16.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 96.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.50 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $37,839, and the median income for a family was $44,912. Males had a median income of $31,356 versus $20,666 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,337. About 5.00% of families and 6.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.00% of those under age 18 and 9.80% of those age 65 or over.
Government
Presidential elections
Laws Following amendment to the Kansas Constitution in 1986, Coffey County remained a prohibition, or "dry", county until 2004, when voters approved the sale of alcoholic liquor by the individual drink with a 30 percent food sales requirement.
Education
Unified school districts They include: - Text list Lebo–Waverly USD 243 Burlington USD 244 LeRoy–Gridley USD 245 (Southern Coffey County)
School district office in neighboring county Southern Lyon County USD 252 Garnett USD 365
Communities
List of townships / incorporated cities / unincorporated communities / extinct former communities within Coffey County.
Cities
Burlington (county seat) Gridley Lebo LeRoy New Strawn Waverly
Unincorporated communities
Agricola Aliceville Halls Summit Ottumwa Sharpe
Townships Coffey County is divided into fourteen townships. The city of Burlington 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 Populationcenter Population Populationdensity/km2 (/sq mi) Land areakm2 (sq mi) Water areakm2 (sq mi) Water % Geographic coordinates Avon 03550 183 2 (6) 80 (31) 0 (0) 0.40% Burlington 09425 300 4 (10) 81 (31) 0 (0) 0.48% Hampden 29775 114 2 (5) 56 (22) 20 (8) 26.43% Key West 36650 237 2 (5) 123 (48) 1 (0) 0.68% Le Roy 39675 669 12 (32) 54 (21) 0 (0) 0.39% Liberty 39925 634 3 (9) 186 (72) 1 (0) 0.57% Lincoln 40550 1,268 7 (18) 181 (70) 3 (1) 1.60% Neosho 49750 140 1 (3) 124 (48) 0 (0) 0.34% Ottumwa 53700 740 6 (16) 122 (47) 15 (6) 11.06% Pleasant 56225 272 2 (4) 158 (61) 18 (7) 10.40% Pottawatomie 57200 217 2 (4) 140 (54) 1 (0) 0.87% Rock Creek 60500 1,025 7 (19) 140 (54) 1 (1) 1.00% Spring Creek 67375 118 1 (3) 90 (35) 1 (0) 0.76% Star 68000 158 2 (5) 90 (35) 1 (0) 1.15% Sources:
Notable people Alan L. Hart (1890–1962), transgender physician, radiologist, tuberculosis researcher, writer, and novelist
See also
References
Further reading
Standard Atlas of Coffey County, Kansas; Geo. A. Ogle & Co; 69 pages; 1919. Plat Book of Coffey County, Kansas; North West Publishing Co; 40 pages; 1901. An Illustrated Historical Atlas of Coffey County, Kansas; Edwards Brothers; 44 pages; 1878.
External links
County
Coffey County - Directory of Public Officials Maps Historic County Township Boundary Maps - Kansas Department of Transportation Historic County Road Maps - Kansas Department of Transportation Historic State Highway Maps - Kansas Department of Transportation Historic State Railroad Maps: 1996, 1929, 1915, 1907 - Kansas Historical Society