Gove County, Kansas

Not to be confused with Gove City, Kansas.

Gove County
County
Historic Opera House in Grainfield
Historic Opera House in Grainfield
Map of Kansas highlighting Gove County
Location within the U.S. state of Kansas
Map of the United States highlighting Kansas
Kansas's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 38°55′12″N 100°29′48″W / 38.92°N 100.4967°W / 38.92; -100.4967
Country United States
State Kansas
FoundedMarch 11, 1868
Named forGrenville L. Gove
SeatGove City
Largest cityQuinter
Area
 • Total1,072 sq mi (2,780 km2)
 • Land1,072 sq mi (2,780 km2)
 • Water0.1 sq mi (0.3 km2)  0.01%
Population
 (2020)[1]
 • Total2,718
 • Density2.5/sq mi (1.0/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district1st
Websitegovecountyks.org

Gove County is a county in the U.S. state of Kansas. Its county seat is Gove City,[2] and its most populous city is Quinter. As of the 2020 census, the county population was 2,718.[1] The county was named for Granville Gove, a captain of Company G of the 11th Kansas Cavalry Regiment Volunteer Cavalry, who died from battle wounds during the American Civil War.

History

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Early history

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See also: History of Kansas

Eighty million years ago, Gove County was part of an ancient inland sea known as the Western Interior Seaway. Many students still visit the Castle Rock Badlands today to explore fossils.[3]

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

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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 1868, Gove County was established and named for Granville Llewellyn Gove, member of the 11th Regiment Kansas Volunteer Cavalry, and son of Moses Gove, a former mayor of Manhattan, Kansas.[4][5]

21st century

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Main article: COVID-19 pandemic in Kansas

In 2020, USA Today profiled Gove County during the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States and called it the "deadliest place in America" due to it having the highest death rate from COVID-19 compared to any other county in the nation: 1 out of every 132 people. The first deaths were reported on October 7; as of November 2020, 20 residents died from the virus, and 314 other positive cases were reported. The article attributed the high death rate to predominant public opposition towards wearing face masks, doubts over the pandemic's severity, and the county's high median age, all of which left residents highly vulnerable.[6]

Geography

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According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has an area of 1,072 square miles (2,780 km2), of which 1,072 square miles (2,780 km2) is land and 0.1 square miles (0.26 km2) (0.01%) is water.[7]

Adjacent counties

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Demographics

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Population pyramid based on 2000 census age data
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18801,196—
18902,994150.3%
19002,441−18.5%
19106,044147.6%
19204,748−21.4%
19305,64318.9%
19404,793−15.1%
19504,447−7.2%
19604,107−7.6%
19703,940−4.1%
19803,726−5.4%
19903,231−13.3%
20003,068−5.0%
20102,695−12.2%
20202,7180.9%
2023 (est.)2,735[8]0.6%
U.S. Decennial Census[9]
1790-1960[10] 1900-1990[11]
1990-2000[12] 2010-2020[1]

As of the 2000 census,[13] there were 3,068 people, 1,245 households, and 861 families residing in the county. The population density was 3 people per square mile (1.2 people/km2). There were 1,423 housing units at an average density of 1 per square mile (0.39/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 97.95% White, 0.10% Black or African American, 0.16% Native American, 0.10% Asian, 0.72% from other races, and 0.98% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.24% of the population.

There were 1,245 households, out of which 28.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.50% were married couples living together, 3.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.80% were non-families. 29.70% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 3.01.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 26.20% under the age of 18, 5.40% from 18 to 24, 22.10% from 25 to 44, 23.70% from 45 to 64, and 22.70% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females there were 95.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.30 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $33,510, and the median income for a family was $40,438. Males had a median income of $26,863 versus $21,357 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,852. About 8.00% of families and 10.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.90% of those under age 18 and 6.90% of those age 65 or over.

In 2020, Gove County had 2,600 residents, and the median age was about 50, a decade older than the national average.[6]

Government

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Presidential elections

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Presidential election results
United States presidential election results for Gove County, Kansas[14]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2020 1,291 87.76% 166 11.28% 14 0.95%
2016 1,140 84.88% 149 11.09% 54 4.02%
2012 1,168 84.45% 176 12.73% 39 2.82%
2008 1,136 80.11% 261 18.41% 21 1.48%
2004 1,196 81.53% 247 16.84% 24 1.64%
2000 1,122 75.05% 296 19.80% 77 5.15%
1996 1,123 69.19% 351 21.63% 149 9.18%
1992 792 46.42% 379 22.22% 535 31.36%
1988 966 57.36% 663 39.37% 55 3.27%
1984 1,310 73.43% 426 23.88% 48 2.69%
1980 1,263 71.11% 396 22.30% 117 6.59%
1976 860 48.95% 848 48.26% 49 2.79%
1972 1,226 69.86% 466 26.55% 63 3.59%
1968 1,018 59.05% 538 31.21% 168 9.74%
1964 774 42.69% 1,022 56.37% 17 0.94%
1960 1,065 55.85% 828 43.42% 14 0.73%
1956 1,315 72.29% 492 27.05% 12 0.66%
1952 1,453 75.84% 453 23.64% 10 0.52%
1948 1,030 57.48% 719 40.12% 43 2.40%
1944 1,125 72.02% 420 26.89% 17 1.09%
1940 1,352 66.31% 659 32.32% 28 1.37%
1936 1,107 49.75% 1,090 48.99% 28 1.26%
1932 1,043 45.75% 1,186 52.02% 51 2.24%
1928 1,470 70.95% 590 28.47% 12 0.58%
1924 1,211 67.77% 400 22.38% 176 9.85%
1920 950 74.92% 285 22.48% 33 2.60%
1916 642 40.07% 862 53.81% 98 6.12%
1912 170 18.56% 355 38.76% 391 42.69%
1908 632 55.15% 456 39.79% 58 5.06%
1904 470 63.17% 204 27.42% 70 9.41%
1900 368 58.41% 253 40.16% 9 1.43%
1896 279 55.36% 204 40.48% 21 4.17%
1892 327 56.87% 0 0.00% 248 43.13%
1888 586 65.84% 278 31.24% 26 2.92%

Laws

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Although the Kansas Constitution was amended in 1986 to allow the sale of alcoholic liquor by the individual drink with the approval of voters, Gove County has remained a prohibition, or "dry", county.[15]

Education

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Unified school districts

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Attractions

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Communities

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

List of townships / incorporated cities / unincorporated communities / extinct former communities within Gove County.[16]
‡ means a community has portions in an adjacent county.

Cities

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Unincorporated community

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  • Campus

Ghost towns

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Townships

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Gove County is divided into nine townships. None of the cities within the county are considered governmentally independent, and all figures for the townships include those of the cities. 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
Baker 03775 Quinter 1,357 4 (11) 324 (125) 0 (0) 0% 39°2′18″N 100°13′56″W / 39.03833°N 100.23222°W / 39.03833; -100.23222
Gaeland 25000 46 0 (1) 208 (80) 0 (0) 0% 38°56′21″N 100°44′30″W / 38.93917°N 100.74167°W / 38.93917; -100.74167
Gove 27075 215 1 (2) 301 (116) 0 (0) 0% 38°57′19″N 100°31′44″W / 38.95528°N 100.52889°W / 38.95528; -100.52889
Grainfield 27225 Grainfield 430 2 (6) 184 (71) 0 (0) 0% 39°5′41″N 100°28′28″W / 39.09472°N 100.47444°W / 39.09472; -100.47444
Grinnell 28925 Grinnell 480 2 (4) 320 (123) 0 (0) 0.04% 39°5′50″N 100°41′41″W / 39.09722°N 100.69472°W / 39.09722; -100.69472
Jerome 35425 132 0 (1) 370 (143) 0 (0) 0.01% 38°48′3″N 100°28′45″W / 38.80083°N 100.47917°W / 38.80083; -100.47917
Larrabee 38750 80 0 (1) 371 (143) 0 (0) 0.01% 38°47′24″N 100°15′14″W / 38.79000°N 100.25389°W / 38.79000; -100.25389
Lewis 39750 13 0 (0) 372 (144) 0 (0) 0% 38°46′23″N 100°43′39″W / 38.77306°N 100.72750°W / 38.77306; -100.72750
Payne 55050 315 1 (3) 324 (125) 0 (0) 0% 39°3′4″N 100°20′42″W / 39.05111°N 100.34500°W / 39.05111; -100.34500
Sources: "Census 2000 U.S. Gazetteer Files". U.S. Census Bureau, Geography Division. Archived from the original on August 2, 2002.
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See also

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Community information for Kansas

References

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  1. ^ a b c "QuickFacts; Gove 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 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ "Believe it or not: dry western Kansas is the place to study prehistoric oceans". NPR.org. Retrieved August 16, 2022.
  4. ^ Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Govt. Print. Off. pp. 140.
  5. ^ Blackmar, Frank Wilson (1912). Kansas: A Cyclopedia of State History, Embracing Events, Institutions, Industries, Counties, Cities, Towns, Prominent Persons, Etc. Standard Publishing Company. pp. 768.
  6. ^ a b Hughes, Trevor (December 12, 2020). "Deadliest place in America: They shrugged off the pandemic, then their family and friends started dying". USA TODAY. Retrieved December 12, 2020.
  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 January 31, 2008.
  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 2004. Archived from the original on October 8, 2007. Retrieved January 21, 2007.
  16. ^ a b "General Highway Map of Gove County, Kansas" (PDF). Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT). October 2006. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 3, 2023.
Notes

Further reading

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

38°55′N 100°29′W / 38.917°N 100.483°W / 38.917; -100.483

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