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Harvey County, Kansas

Harvey County, Kansas

Former Carnegie Library in Newton, currently is the Harvey County Historical Museum

Former Carnegie Library in Newton, currently is the Harvey County Historical Museum

Map of Kansas highlighting Harvey County

Location within the U.S. state of Kansas

Coordinates: 38°03′N 97°26′W / 38.050°N 97.433°W
Country United States
State Kansas
FoundedMarch 7, 1872
Named afterJames Harvey
SeatNewton
Largest cityNewton
Area

• Total

541 sq mi (1,400 km2)
 • Land540 sq mi (1,400 km2)
Population

• Total

34,024
 

• Estimate

(2023)[2]

33,504 Decrease
 • Density63/sq mi (24/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district4th
Websiteharveycounty.com

Harvey County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kansas. Its county seat and most populous city is Newton.[3] As of the 2020 census, the county population was 34,024.[1] The county was named for James Harvey, a U.S. senator and the fifth governor of Kansas.

In 1854, the Kansas Territory was organized, then in 1861 Kansas became the 34th U.S. state.

In 1871, the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway extended a main line from Emporia to Newton.[4] The next year, in 1872, Harvey County was founded from portions of McPherson, Marion, and Sedgwick counties, and named in honor of the fifth Governor of Kansas, James M. Harvey, with Newton designated the county seat.[5][6]

The first settlers arrived in 1869, and by 1871, there was already significant pressure to organize a new county in what was then the northern portion of Sedgwick County, an effort which succeeded in 1872. The early years of Harvey County's government were dogged by persistent public discontent over missing records and financial irregularities, but by the mid-1870s confidence in the county's government was restored and the county grew rapidly, particularly with the arrival of large numbers of Mennonite settlers in 1872.[6]

The county developed quickly, with churches, schools, and businesses established within a few years of its founding. Despite early hardship from prairie fires, storms, and the devastating grasshopper plague of 1874, Harvey County rebounded with strong agricultural output and infrastructure improvements. The county's abundant water resources, fertile farmland, and natural materials like gypsum and limestone further strengthened its economy. By 1910, Harvey County had a population of 19,200 and no public debt, a rare achievement among Kansas counties at that time.[6]

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 541 square miles (1,400 km2), of which 540 square miles (1,400 km2) is land and 1.0 square mile (2.6 km2) (0.2%) is water.[7] The Little Arkansas River flows through the county.

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
188011,451—
189017,60153.7%
190017,591−0.1%
191019,2009.1%
192020,7448.0%
193022,1206.6%
194021,712−1.8%
195021,698−0.1%
196025,86519.2%
197027,2365.3%
198030,53112.1%
199031,0281.6%
200032,8695.9%
201034,6845.5%
202034,024−1.9%
2023 (est.)33,504[2]−1.5%
U.S. Decennial Census[8]
1790-1960[9] 1900-1990[10]
1990-2000[11] 2010-2020[1]

Harvey County is part of the Wichita metropolitan area.

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 34,024. The median age was 40.7 years. 23.8% of residents were under the age of 18 and 20.9% of residents were 65 years of age or older.[12]

For every 100 females there were 96.4 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 94.3 males age 18 and over. 59.9% of residents lived in urban areas, while 40.1% lived in rural areas.[12][13]

The racial makeup of the county was 84.2% White, 1.9% Black or African American, 0.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% Asian, 0.0% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 4.4% from some other race, and 7.9% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 11.9% of the population.[14]

There were 13,363 households in the county, of which 30.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 24.0% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 28.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[12]

There were 14,569 housing units, of which 8.3% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 69.6% were owner-occupied and 30.4% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.0% and the rental vacancy rate was 10.2%.[12]

As of the 2000 census,[15] there were 32,869 people, 12,581 households, and 8,932 families residing in the county. The population density was 61 inhabitants per square mile (24/km2). There were 13,378 housing units at an average density of 25 per square mile (9.7/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 91.04% White, 1.59% Black or African American, 0.52% Native American, 0.52% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 4.17% from other races, and 2.14% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 7.97% of the population.

There were 12,581 households, out of which 32.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.20% were married couples living together, 7.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.00% were non-families. 25.80% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 3.00.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 26.00% under the age of 18, 9.10% from 18 to 24, 26.50% from 25 to 44, 21.60% from 45 to 64, and 16.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.60 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $40,907, and the median income for a family was $48,793. Males had a median income of $35,037 versus $22,492 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,715. About 4.20% of families and 6.40% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.50% of those under age 18 and 5.00% of those age 65 or over.

Presidential elections

[edit]

Following amendment to the Kansas Constitution in 1986, the county remained a prohibition, or "dry", county until 1996, when voters approved the sale of alcoholic liquor by the individual drink with a 30% food sales requirement.[17]

The county voted "No" on the 2022 Kansas abortion referendum, an anti-abortion ballot measure, by 53% to 47% despite backing Donald Trump with 59% of the vote to Joe Biden's 39% in the 2020 presidential election.[18]

Unified school districts

[edit]

School district office in neighboring county
2005 map of Harvey County[19] (map legend)

List of townships / incorporated cities / unincorporated communities / extinct former communities within Harvey County.[19]

‡ means a community has portions in an adjacent county.

Unincorporated communities

[edit]

1915 railroad map

Harvey County is divided into fifteen townships. The cities of Halstead and Newton are considered governmentally independent and are 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
Alta 01500 221 2 (6) 93 (36) 0 (0) 0.48% 38°7′27″N 97°38′44″W / 38.12417°N 97.64556°W
Burrton 09600 1,143 12 (32) 93 (36) 0 (0) 0.17% 38°1′32″N 97°39′55″W / 38.02556°N 97.66528°W
Darlington 17025 601 7 (17) 92 (35) 0 (0) 0.10% 37°57′5″N 97°19′32″W / 37.95139°N 97.32556°W
Emma 21025 4,181 45 (116) 93 (36) 0 (0) 0% 38°8′10″N 97°25′46″W / 38.13611°N 97.42944°W
Garden 25300 294 3 (8) 93 (36) 0 (0) 0% 38°7′44″N 97°32′14″W / 38.12889°N 97.53722°W
Halstead 29625 353 4 (10) 92 (35) 0 (0) 0.07% 38°2′9″N 97°31′51″W / 38.03583°N 97.53083°W
Highland 31875 415 5 (12) 92 (35) 0 (0) 0.19% 38°7′38″N 97°19′9″W / 38.12722°N 97.31917°W
Lake 37825 173 2 (5) 92 (36) 1 (0) 1.05% 37°57′46″N 97°39′7″W / 37.96278°N 97.65194°W
Lakin 38150 357 4 (10) 92 (35) 0 (0) 0.06% 37°57′18″N 97°32′20″W / 37.95500°N 97.53889°W
Macon 43925 1,056 11 (30) 92 (36) 0 (0) 0% 38°2′8″N 97°24′58″W / 38.03556°N 97.41611°W
Newton 50500 1,950 28 (73) 69 (27) 0 (0) 0.07% 38°3′27″N 97°19′31″W / 38.05750°N 97.32528°W
Pleasant 56250 439 5 (12) 93 (36) 1 (0) 0.81% 38°2′27″N 97°12′8″W / 38.04083°N 97.20222°W
Richland 59350 360 4 (10) 94 (36) 0 (0) 0.20% 37°57′39″N 97°12′1″W / 37.96083°N 97.20028°W
Sedgwick 63825 1,711 18 (48) 93 (36) 0 (0) 0% 37°56′24″N 97°25′22″W / 37.94000°N 97.42278°W
Walton 75225 552 6 (15) 95 (37) 0 (0) 0.06% 38°7′26″N 97°13′1″W / 38.12389°N 97.21694°W
Sources: "Census 2000 U.S. Gazetteer Files". U.S. Census Bureau, Geography Division. Archived from the original on August 2, 2002.
Community information for Kansas
  1. ^ a b c "QuickFacts; Harvey County, Kansas; Population, Census, 2020 & 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on August 17, 2021. Retrieved August 16, 2021.
  2. ^ a b "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 24, 2024.
  3. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  4. ^ Santa Fe Rail History
  5. ^ History of the State of Kansas: Containing a Full Account of Its Growth from an Uninhabited Territory to a Wealthy and Important State. A. T. Andreas. 1883. p. 772.
  6. ^ a b c Blackmar, Frank Wilson (1912). Kansas: A Cyclopedia of State History, Embracing Events, Institutions, Industries, Counties, Cities, Towns, Prominent Persons, Etc. ... with a Supplementary Volume Devoted to Selected Personal History and Reminiscence. Standard publishing Company.
  7. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  8. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 26, 2014.
  9. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved July 26, 2014.
  10. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 26, 2014.
  11. ^ "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 26, 2014.
  12. ^ a b c d "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved December 15, 2025.
  13. ^ "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)". United States Census Bureau. 2023. Retrieved December 15, 2025.
  14. ^ "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved December 15, 2025.
  15. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  16. ^ "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections".
  17. ^ "Map of Wet and Dry Counties". Alcoholic Beverage Control, Kansas Department of Revenue. November 2006. Archived from the original on October 8, 2007. Retrieved December 26, 2007.
  18. ^ Panetta, Grace (August 3, 2022). "14 of the 19 Kansas counties that rejected an anti-abortion amendment voted for Trump in 2020". Business Insider. Retrieved August 3, 2022.
  19. ^ a b "General Highway Map of Harvey County, Kansas" (PDF). Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT). January 2011. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 18, 2023.
Notes
County
Newton
County
Historical
Maps