Ford County, Kansas

Ford County, Kansas
Ford County (county code FO) is a county located in the U.S. state of Kansas. Its county seat and most populous city is Dodge City. As of the 2020 census, its population was 34,287. The county was named in honor of James Ford, a brevet brigadier general during the American Civil War.
History
For millennia, the Great Plains of North America were inhabited by nomadic Native Americans.
In 1854, the Kansas Territory was organized, then in 1861 Kansas became the 34th U.S. state.
In 1867, Ford County was established.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of , of which are land and (0.07%) is covered by water.
Adjacent counties
Hodgeman County (north)
Edwards County (northeast)
Kiowa County (east)
Clark County (south)
Meade County (southwest)
Gray County (west)
Transit
D-TRAN
Dodge City station
Major highways
U.S. Route 50
U.S. Route 54
U.S. Route 56
U.S. Route 283
U.S. Route 400
K-34
Demographics
The Dodge City Micropolitan Statistical Area includes all of Ford County.
As of the 2000 census, 33,848 people, 10,852 households, and 7,856 families were residing in the county. The population density was . The 11,650 housing units averaged . The racial makeup of the county was 75.3% White, 2.1% African American, 1.0% Native American, 1.4% Asian, 0.2% Pacific Islander, 17.8% from other races, and 2.7% from two or more races. Hispanic and Latino Americans of any race were 51.2% of the population.
Of the 10,852 households, 40.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.90% were married couples living together, 9.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.60% were not families. About 22.70% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.92, and the average family size was 3.42.
In the county, the age distribution was 31.10% under 18, 11.20% from 18 to 24, 29.40% from 25 to 44, 17.30% from 45 to 64, and 11.00% who were 65 or older. The median age was 30 years. For every 100 females, there were 107.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 105.30 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $37,860, and for a family was $42,734. Males had a median income of $27,189 versus $22,165 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,721. About 9.90% of families and 12.40% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.40% of those under age 18 and 8.40% of those age 65 or over.
Government
Presidential elections
Ford County has been strongly Republican for most of its history, especially in recent elections. Only eight Democratic presidential candidates from 1880 to 2020 have carried the county, the most recent being Jimmy Carter in 1976.
Laws
Ford 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.
Education
Colleges
Dodge City Community College
Unified school districts
Spearville USD 381
Dodge City USD 443
Bucklin USD 459
Communities
† means a community is designated a Census-Designated Place (CDP) by the United States Census Bureau.
Cities
Bucklin
Dodge City (county seat)
Ford
Spearville
Unincorporated communities
Bellefont
Bloom
Fort Dodge†
Kingsdown
Wilroads Gardens†
Windhorst
Wright†
Townships
Ford County is divided into 14 townships. The city of Dodge City 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.
Notable people
Numerous figures of the American Old West lived in Dodge City during its period as a frontier cowtown. These included, most notably, lawmen Wyatt Earp and Bat Masterson, and gunfighter Doc Holliday.
See also
Golden Triangle of Meat-packing
National Register of Historic Places listings in Ford County, Kansas
References
Further reading
Handbook of Ford County, Kansas; C.S. Burch Publishing Co; 32 pages; 1887.
Atlas and Plat Book of Ford County, Kansas; Kenyon Co; 54 pages; 1916.
Standard Atlas of Ford County, Kansas; Geo. A. Ogle & Co; 63 pages; 1906.
External links
County
Ford County - Directory of Public Officials
Historical
Ford County History from FCHS, Dodge City, KS
Ford County GenWeb
Ford County from American History and Genealogy Project (AHGP)
Maps
Ford County Maps: Current, Historic, KDOT
Kansas Highway Maps: Current, Historic, KDOT
Kansas Railroad Maps: Current, 1996, 1915, KDOT and Kansas Historical Society
Kansas counties
1867 establishments in Kansas
Populated places established in 1867