Morton County (standard abbreviation: MT) is a county located in the U.S. state of Kansas. As of 2000, the population was 3,496. The largest city and county seat is Elkhart.

Until recently, Morton County was the only Kansas county in the media market of Amarillo, Texas. In early 2007, the Federal Communications Commission moved Morton into the Wichita market, along with the rest of western Kansas.

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, Morton County has remained a prohibition, or "dry", county.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 730 square miles (1,891 km²), of which, 730 square miles (1,890 km²) of it is land and 0 square miles (0 km²) of it (0.00%) is water.

Adjacent counties

• Stanton County (north)
• Stevens County (east)
• Texas County, Oklahoma (south)
• Cimarron County, Oklahoma (southwest)
• Baca County, Colorado (west)

National protected area

• Cimarron National Grassland (part)

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 3,496 people, 1,306 households, and 961 families residing in the county. The population density was 5 people per square mile (2/km²). There were 1,519 housing units at an average density of 2 per square mile (1/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 88.39% White, 0.20% Black or African American, 1.14% Native American, 1.06% Asian, 7.52% from other races, and 1.69% from two or more races. 14.10% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.



There were 1,306 households out of which 36.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 64.20% were married couples living together, 6.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.40% were non-families. 24.30% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.20% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.63 and the average family size was 3.15.

In the county the population was spread out with 29.30% under the age of 18, 8.00% from 18 to 24, 27.20% from 25 to 44, 21.50% from 45 to 64, and 13.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 94.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.70 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $37,232, and the median income for a family was $43,494. Males had a median income of $31,875 versus $19,474 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,076. About 8.50% of families and 10.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.00% of those under age 18 and 5.20% of those age 65 or over.

Cities and towns

Incorporated cities

Name and population (2004 estimate):

• Elkhart, 2,081 (county seat)
• Rolla, 453
• Richfield, 45

Unincorporated places

• Wilburton

Townships

Morton County is divided into six 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.

Sources: 2000 U.S.Gazetteerfrom the U.S.Census Bureau.

Township	FIPS	Population center	Population	Population density /km² (/sq mi)	Land area km² (sq mi)	Water area km² (sq mi)	Water %	Geographic coordinates
Cimarron	13350		67	0 (1)	173 (67)	0 (0)	0 %
Jones	35650		17	0 (0)	140 (54)	0 (0)	0 %
Richfield	59225		218	0 (1)	649 (251)	0 (0)	0 %
Rolla	60925	Rolla	650	2 (5)	373 (144)	0 (0)	0 %
Taloga	69975	Elkhart	2,437	17 (44)	142 (55)	0 (0)	0 %
Westola	77225		107	0 (1)	412 (159)	0 (0)	0.01%

Education

Unified school districts

• Rolla USD 217
• Elkhart USD 218

See also

Points of Interest

• Cimarron National Grassland
• Dry counties

References

External links

• Official website

General county information

* Blue Skyways - Morton County

County Level Data

* Kansas Statistical Abstract