Wallace County
County
Wallace County Courthouse in Sharon Springs (2010)
Location within the U.S. state of Kansas
Kansas's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 38°45′52″N 101°34′33″W / 38.7644°N 101.5758°W / 38.7644; -101.5758
Country	United States
State	Kansas
Founded	1868
Named for	W. H. L. Wallace
Seat	Sharon Springs
Largest city	Sharon Springs
Area
• Total	914 sq mi (2,370 km2)
• Land	914 sq mi (2,370 km2)
• Water	0.05 sq mi (0.1 km2)  0.01%
Population  (2020)[1]
• Total	1,512
• Estimate  (2021)[2]	1,508
• Density	1.7/sq mi (0.7/km2)
Time zone	UTC−7 (Mountain)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−6 (MDT)
Congressional district	1st
Website	wallacecountyks.gov

Wallace County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kansas. Its county seat is Sharon Springs.^[3] As of the 2020 census, the county population was 1,512,^[1] making it the second-least populous county in Kansas (Greeley County is the least). The county was created in 1868 and named in honor of Brigadier General W.H.L. Wallace, who had been mortally wounded in combat in the Battle of Shiloh. Wallace County is home to Mount Sunflower, the highest point in Kansas at 4,039 feet (1,231 meters). Mount Sunflower is located approximately 15 miles (24 km) north-northwest of Weskan, less than one mile (1.6 km) from the Colorado state line. It is one of four Kansas counties to use the Mountain Time Zone rather than the Central Time Zone like the remainder of Kansas.

History

Early history

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

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, Wallace County was established.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 914 square miles (2,370 km²), of which 914 square miles (2,370 km²) is land and 0.05 square miles (0.13 km²) (0.01%) is water.^[4]

Adjacent counties

• Sherman County (north)
• Logan County (east/Central Time border)
• Wichita County (southeast/Central Time border)
• Greeley County (south)
• Cheyenne County, Colorado (west)
• Kit Carson County, Colorado (northwest)

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 1,749 people, 674 households, and 477 families residing in the county. The population density was 2 people per square mile (0.77 people/km²). There were 791 housing units at an average density of 1 per square mile (0.39/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 94.63% White, 0.63% Black or African American, 0.80% Native American, 0.17% Asian, 2.52% from other races, and 1.26% from two or more races. 4.80% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 674 households, out of which 33.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.60% were married couples living together, 4.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.20% were non-families. 27.60% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.56 and the average family size was 3.12.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 29.10% under the age of 18, 6.50% from 18 to 24, 23.60% from 25 to 44, 22.80% from 45 to 64, and 18.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 99.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.40 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $33,000, and the median income for a family was $42,022. Males had a median income of $25,610 versus $18,333 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,016. About 10.70% of families and 16.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.50% of those under age 18 and 12.70% of those age 65 or over.

Government

Presidential elections