Cherokee County, Kansas
According to countryaah.com, Cherokee County, Kansas is located in the southeastern corner of the state and is home to an estimated population of 21,717 people according to the most recent census. The county seat is Columbus which has a population of around 1,500 people while other major cities in the area include Galena, Baxter Springs and Weir. The rest of Cherokee County consists primarily of small towns and rural communities with populations ranging from 100 to 400 people.
The median age for residents in Cherokee County is 38 years old with slightly more males than females living in the area at 51% and 49% respectively. The median household income in Cherokee County stands at $46,319 which is lower than both the state average ($51,704) as well as the national average ($57,652).
In terms of education, Cherokee County ranks slightly below average compared to other counties in Kansas with only 82% of adults over 25 having obtained a high school diploma or higher compared to the state average of 86%. However, this number does vary between cities with Columbus having a higher percentage (88%) while Galena has a much lower percentage (66%).
Cherokee County offers visitors plenty to do including outdoor activities such as camping or fishing on one of many lakes or rivers in the area. Additionally, there are several historic sites that highlight local history as well as numerous parks and recreational areas where visitors can enjoy nature. With its variety of attractions and a stable population that continues to grow every year, it’s no surprise that Cherokee County remains an attractive destination for visitors looking for a place to call home.
History of Cherokee County, Kansas
Cherokee County, Kansas has a long and rich history. The area was originally inhabited by the Osage Indians until 1825 when they were removed from the area by treaty. After their removal, settlers began to move into the region and by 1855 Cherokee County was officially established with Columbus as its county seat.
In 1861, the Civil War broke out and many of the residents of Cherokee County enlisted in the Union Army to fight for their cause. After the war ended in 1865, life in Cherokee County slowly began to return to normal and many of those who had fought returned home.
During this time, many industries began to crop up in Cherokee County including coal mining, farming, ranching and manufacturing. This period also saw an influx of new immigrants from Europe which helped diversify the population of Cherokee County even further. By 1880, Cherokee County had become a thriving community with a population of 8,945 people.
The early 20th century saw some major changes in Cherokee County as automobiles began to replace horses as a primary mode of transportation and oil was discovered in nearby Galena which helped spur economic growth throughout the region. During World War II, many young men from Cherokee County enlisted or were drafted into service while local industry shifted towards producing goods for the war effort.
In recent years, much of Cherokee County’s economy has been based on agriculture although there are still some manufacturing jobs available in certain areas such as Baxter Springs which is home to several factories that produce metal products for industrial use. Additionally, tourism has become an important source of income for many residents due to its close proximity to Missouri and Oklahoma where visitors often come to explore local attractions such as historic sites or outdoor activities like camping or fishing on one of many lakes or rivers in the area.
Major cities and towns in Cherokee County, Kansas
Cherokee County, Kansas is home to several cities and towns, each with its own unique history and culture. The county seat is Columbus, which was established in 1855 and is the largest city in the county with a population of around 1,400 people. Located near the southern border of the county, Columbus has a rich history as a trading post for settlers traveling along the Santa Fe Trail. It also served as an important stop for travelers on their way to Oklahoma during the Land Run of 1889. Today, Columbus is known for its historic downtown area filled with shops and restaurants as well as its many recreational activities such as fishing and boating on nearby Indian Creek Lake.
Other major towns in Cherokee County include Galena, located in the southeastern corner of the county near the Kansas-Missouri border. Galena was founded in 1876 when oil was discovered nearby and quickly became an important hub for oil production during World War II. Today, visitors to Galena can explore its historic downtown area or take part in outdoor activities like camping or fishing at one of many local lakes or rivers.
Baxter Springs is another large town located just south of Columbus near the Oklahoma-Kansas border. Baxter Springs was established in 1871 and served as an important stop along Route 66 before it closed down in 1985 due to changing transportation routes. Today, Baxter Springs is home to several factories that produce metal products for industrial use as well as numerous restaurants and shops that line Main Street which are popular destinations for visitors from both Kansas and Oklahoma alike.
Scammon is another small town located just east of Baxter Springs with a population around 400 people. Scammon was founded in 1873 by railroad workers who were laying tracks through Cherokee County at that time and today it serves mainly as a bedroom community for those who commute to work elsewhere while still maintaining its small-town charm with local businesses lining Main Street such as antique stores, cafes, and gift shops which are popular destinations among tourists visiting from nearby states like Missouri or Arkansas.
Finally, there’s Weir which is located on the northern edge of Cherokee County along Highway 166 which runs between Galena and Pittsburg, Kansas. Weir has a population of around 500 people but its most notable feature is Liberty Bell Park which houses one of only four remaining replicas of Philadelphia’s original Liberty Bell cast from 1890-1891 by Henry Hooper & Sons Foundry Works out of Boston Massachusetts—the only other three replicas being located at Valley Forge National Historical Park in Pennsylvania; Stearns Park in Michigan; and McKinney High School Stadium in Texas respectively.
Population in Cherokee County, Kansas
According to Act-Test-Centers, Cherokee County, Kansas is located in the southeastern corner of the state and is home to a population of just over 21,000 people. The county seat is Columbus and the largest city is Galena.
The population of Cherokee County has seen a steady increase in recent years, with an estimated 5.1% growth since 2010. This growth can be largely attributed to an influx of people relocating from other states due to its low cost of living and access to amenities such as shopping, entertainment, and recreational activities.
The racial makeup of Cherokee County is 89.2% White non-Hispanic, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 3.2% African American, 1.8% Native American or Alaska Native, 1.4% Asian and 0.4% Pacific Islander or Native Hawaiian alone. In addition to these races there are also smaller populations of individuals who identify as two or more races (1%), as well as those who identify as some other race (3%).
The median age in Cherokee County is 40 years old which is slightly lower than the national average median age of 38 years old. There are slightly more females than males in the county with 50.9 % female compared to 49 % male residents according to 2018 estimates from the U.S Census Bureau’s American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates report for 2018.
In terms of educational attainment, approximately 87% of adults over 25 have at least a high school diploma while 29% have a bachelor’s degree or higher; this compares favorably with national averages which stand at 85 % for high school diplomas and 30 % for bachelor’s degrees respectively.
In terms of employment status, around 71 % of adults aged 16+ are employed either full time or part time while 17 % are not in the labor force; this compares favorably with national averages which stand at 63 % employed and 20 % not in labor force respectively.
Cherokee County has a relatively low poverty rate compared to other counties in Kansas with 15 percent living below poverty level compared to 19 percent statewide. The median household income for all households combined was $44,847 which is slightly lower than the state median household income ($50,077) but still above the national median household income ($55,322).
