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 mileLouisiana 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 1859, Jackson County was established.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has an area of, of which is land and is water.
Jackson County is included in the Topeka, KS Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of the 2000 census, there were 12,657 people, 4,727 households, and 3,507 families residing in the county. The population density was 19 people per square mile. There were 5,094 housing units at an average density of 8 per square mile. The county's racial makeup was 90.21% White, 6.84% Native American, 0.53% Black or African American, 0.17% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.39% from other races, and 1.84% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.49% of the population. There were 4,727 households, of which 35.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.30% were married couplesliving together, 8.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.80% were non-families. 22.70% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.50% 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 3.09. 28.30% of the county's residents were under the age of 18, 6.80% were from 18 to 24, 26.70% were from 25 to 44, 23.40% were from 45 to 64, and 14.90% were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.80 males. The county's median household income was $40,451, and the median family income was $46,520. Males had a median income of $32,195 versus $22,305 for females. The county's per capita income was $18,606. About 6.40% of families and 8.80% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.50% of those under age 18 and 9.20% of those age 65 or over.
Government
Presidential elections
Jackson County has supported the Republican Party candidate in every presidential election from 1936 onward. Democratic Party candidates for president have only won the county twice since 1888, in 1912 & 1932.
Laws
Following amendment to the Kansas Constitution in 1986, the county remained a prohibition, or "dry", county until 2004, when voters approved the sale of alcoholic liquor by the individual drink with a 30% food sales requirement.
Jackson County is divided into fifteen townships. The city of Holton 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 included in that township's population total, if it is of a significant size.
