Coffey County, Kansas

Coffey County is a county located in Eastern Kansas. Its county seat and most populous city is Burlington. As of the 2020 census, the county population was 8,360. It was named after A.M. Coffey, a territorial legislator and Free-Stater during Bleeding Kansas era.

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 1855, Coffey County was established.

Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 654 sqmi, of which 627 sqmi is land and 27 sqmi (4.2%) is water.

Adjacent counties

 * Osage County (north)
 * Franklin County (northeast)
 * Anderson County (east)
 * Allen County (southeast)
 * Woodson County (south)
 * Greenwood County (southwest)
 * Lyon County (northwest)

Major highways
Sources: National Atlas, U.S. Census Bureau
 * Interstate 35
 * U.S. Route 50
 * U.S. Route 75
 * K-31
 * K-58

National protected area

 * Flint Hills National Wildlife Refuge (part)

Demographics


As of the 2000 census, there were 8,865 people, 3,489 households, and 2,477 families residing in the county. The population density was 14 /mi2. There were 3,876 housing units at an average density of 6 /mi2. The racial makeup of the county was 96.95% White, 0.25% Black or African American, 0.52% Native American, 0.34% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.50% from other races, and 1.43% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.55% of the population.

There were 3,489 households, out of which 33.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.70% were married couples living together, 6.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.00% were non-families. 26.00% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 2.99.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 26.80% under the age of 18, 6.50% from 18 to 24, 26.40% from 25 to 44, 24.00% from 45 to 64, and 16.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 96.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.50 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $37,839, and the median income for a family was $44,912. Males had a median income of $31,356 versus $20,666 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,337. About 5.00% of families and 6.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.00% of those under age 18 and 9.80% of those age 65 or over.

Laws
Following amendment to the Kansas Constitution in 1986, Coffey County remained a prohibition, or "dry", county until 2004, when voters approved the sale of alcoholic liquor by the individual drink with a 30 percent food sales requirement.

Unified school districts

 * Lebo–Waverly USD 243
 * Burlington USD 244
 * LeRoy–Gridley USD 245 (Southern Coffey County)


 * School district office in neighboring county
 * Southern Lyon County USD 252
 * Garnett USD 365

Communities
List of townships / incorporated cities / unincorporated communities / extinct former communities within Coffey County.

Cities

 * Burlington (county seat)
 * Gridley
 * Lebo
 * LeRoy
 * New Strawn
 * Waverly

Unincorporated communities

 * Agricola
 * Aliceville
 * Halls Summit
 * Ottumwa
 * Sharpe

Townships
Coffey County is divided into fourteen townships. The city of Burlington 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

 * Alan L. Hart (1890–1962), transgender physician, radiologist, tuberculosis researcher, writer, and novelist