Hamilton County, Kansas

Infobox U.S. County
county=Hamilton County
state=Kansas
founded=March 20, 1873
seat wl=Syracuse
area_total_km2=2584|area_total_sq_mi=998
area_land_km2=2581|area_land_sq_mi=996
area_water_km2=3|area_water_sq_mi=1
area percentage=0.11%
census estimate yr=2006
pop=2594
density_km2=1.0|density_sq_mi=2.6
time zone=Mountain
UTC offset=-7
DST offset=-6|

Hamilton County (county code HM) is a county located in Southwest Kansas, in the Central United States. The population was estimated to be 2,594 in the year 2006. Its county seat and most populous city is Syracuse.GR|6

Law and government

Although the Kansas Constitution was amended in 1986 to allow the sale of alcoholic liquor by the individual drink with the approval of voters, Hamilton County has remained a prohibition, or "dry", county. [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=2004| accessdate=2007-01-21]

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 998 square miles (2,584 km²), of which 996 square miles (2,581 km²) is land and 1 square miles (3 km²), or 0.11%, is water.GR|2

Adjacent counties

*Greeley County (north)
*Wichita County (northeast)
*Kearny County (east)
*Grant County (southeast)
*Stanton County (south)
*Prowers County, Colorado (west)

Demographics

Hamilton County's population was estimated to be 2,594 in the year 2006, a decrease of 66, or -2.5%, over the previous six years.Cite web| url=http://www.census.gov/popest/estimates.php| title=Population Estimates| publisher=U.S. Census Bureau, Population Division| Annual estimates of the population to 2006-07-01. Released 2007-03-22. Six year change is from 2000-07-01 to 2006-07-01.]

As of the U.S. Census in 2000,GR|2 there were 2,670 people, 1,054 households, and 715 families residing in the county. The population density was 3 people per square mile (1/km²). There were 1,211 housing units at an average density of 1 per square mile (0/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 81.65% White, 0.56% Asian, 0.49% Black or African American, 0.49% Native American, 15.13% from other races, and 1.69% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 20.60% of the population.

There were 1,054 households out of which 33.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.90% were married couples living together, 7.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.10% were non-families. 29.40% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.80% 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 3.09.

In the county the population was spread out with 28.40% under the age of 18, 7.20% from 18 to 24, 25.30% from 25 to 44, 20.90% from 45 to 64, and 18.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 97.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.60 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $32,033, and the median income for a family was $38,550. Males had a median income of $26,701 versus $21,000 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,484. About 10.90% of families and 15.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.50% of those under age 18 and 9.40% of those age 65 or over.

Cities and towns

Incorporated cities

Name and population (2004 estimate):
*Syracuse, 1,824 (county seat)
*Coolidge, 87

Townships

Hamilton County is divided into eight 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.

Education

Unified school districts

* Syracuse USD 494

ee also

References

External links

Additional information
* [http://skyways.lib.ks.us/counties/HM/ Blue Skyways]
* [http://www.ku.edu/pri/ksdata/county.shtml Kansas Statistical Abstract]