Thomas County, Kansas

Infobox U.S. County
county=Thomas County
state=Kansas

---

founded=8 October 1885
seat=Colby
area_total_km2=2784|area_total_sq_mi=1075
area_land_km2=2784|area_land_sq_mi=1075
area_water_km2=0|area_water_sq_mi=0
area percentage=0.01%
census estimate yr=2005
pop=7639
density_km2=2.7|density_sq_mi=7.1
time zone=Central
UTC offset=-6
DST offset=-5
web=www.thomascounty.com
named for=George Henry Thomas|

Thomas County (standard abbreviation: TH) is a county located in the U.S. state of Kansas. As of 2000, the population is 8,180. Its county seat is Colby.GR|6

Law and government

Thomas 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. [Cite web| url=http://www.ksrevenue.org/abcwetdrymap.htm| title=Map of Wet and Dry Counties| publisher=Alcoholic Beverage Control, Kansas Department of Revenue| month=November | year=2006| accessdate=2007-12-28]

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,075 square miles (2,784 km²), of which, 1,075 square miles (2,784 km²) of it is land and 0 square miles (0 km²) of it (0.01%) is water.

Adjacent counties

*Rawlins County (north)
*Decatur County (northeast)
*Sheridan County (east)
*Gove County (southeast)
*Logan County (south)
*Sherman County (west)

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 8,180 people, 3,226 households, and 2,125 families residing in the county. The population density was 8 people per square mile (3/km²). There were 3,562 housing units at an average density of 3 per square mile (1/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 97.14% White, 0.43% Black or African American, 0.33% Native American, 0.27% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.95% from other races, and 0.86% from two or more races. 1.85% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 3,226 households out of which 32.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.10% were married couples living together, 6.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.10% were non-families. 28.40% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 3.04.

In the county the population was spread out with 26.30% under the age of 18, 13.50% from 18 to 24, 24.40% from 25 to 44, 21.20% from 45 to 64, and 14.60% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 94.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.50 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $37,034, and the median income for a family was $45,931. Males had a median income of $33,833 versus $21,310 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,028. About 6.60% of families and 9.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.90% of those under age 18 and 7.50% of those age 65 or over.

Cities and towns

Incorporated cities

Name and population (2004 estimate):
*Colby, 5,145 (county seat)
*Brewster, 268
*Rexford, 153
*Gem, 93
*Menlo, 56
*Oakley (only a small portion)

Townships

Thomas County is divided into thirteen townships. The city of Colby 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.

Education

Unified school districts

* Brewster USD 314
* Colby USD 315
* Golden Plains USD 316

References

External links

;General information on Thomas County:* [http://skyways.lib.ks.us/counties/TH/ Blue Skyways]

;Kansas County Data:* [http://www.ku.edu/pri/ksdata/county.shtml Kansas Statistical Abstract]

;Thomas County local history and genealogy:* [http://www.kshs.org/genealogists/places/counties.php?county=TH Kansas State Historical Society]