County population in 2012: 23,547 (89% urban, 11% rural); it was 22,510 in 2000 County owner-occupied with a mortgage or a loan houses and condos in 2010: 2,886 County owner-occupied free and clear houses and condos in 2010: 1,921 County owner-occupied houses and condos in 2000: 4,753 Renter-occupied apartments: 2,653 (it was 2,666 in 2000)
% of renters here:
36%
State:
32%
Land area: 640 sq. mi. Water area: 1.0 sq. mi.
Population density: 36 people per square mile
(low).
Mar. 2012 cost of living index in Seward County: 80.6 (low, U.S. average is 100)
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Industries providing employment: Manufacturing (23.1%), Educational,health and social services (18.0%), Retail trade (12.3%), Agriculture,forestry,fishing and hunting, and mining (12.2%).
Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units with mortgages in 2009: $1,107 (1.3%) Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units with no mortgage in 2009: $807 (1.3%)
Percentage of residents living in poverty in 2009: 17.3%
(11.2% for White Non-Hispanic residents, 1.5% for Black residents, 23.6% for Hispanic or Latino residents, 9.1% for American Indian residents, 27.8% for other race residents, 33.9% for two or more races residents) Median age of residents in 2010: 28 years old
(Males: 28 years old, Females: 30 years old)
(Median age for: White residents: 30 years old, Black residents: 29 years old, American Indian residents: 24 years old, Asian residents: 37 years old, Hispanic or Latino residents: 23 years old, Other race residents: 24 years old)
Residents with income below the poverty level in 2009:
This county:
16.9%
Whole state:
9.9%
Residents with income below 50% of the poverty level in 2009:
This county:
8.8%
Whole state:
4.1%
Fair market rent in 2006 for a 1-bedroom apartment in Seward County is $458 a month. Fair market rent for a 2-bedroom apartment is $529 a month. Fair market rent for a 3-bedroom apartment is $650 a month.
Notable locations in this county outside city limits:
Notable locations in Seward County: Western Star Recreational Vehicle Ranch (A), Kismet Wastewater Treatment Facility (B), Shamrock (C), Pleasant Valley (D), Route 54 Weigh Station 37A (E), KSMM - FM (Liberal) (F), KSMM - AM (Liberal) (G), Seward County Fire Department - Cimmaron Station (H), Pleasant Valley Community Hall (I), Liberal Fire Department Station 2 (J). Display/hide their locations on the map
Cemeteries: Banner Cemetery (1), Springfield Cemetery (2), Mennonite Cemetery (3), Arkalon Cemetery (4), Liberal Memorial Cemetery (5), Biller Cemetery (6). Display/hide their locations on the map
Current college students: 766 People 25 years of age or older with a high school degree or higher: 63.7% People 25 years of age or older with a bachelor's degree or higher: 13.6%
Number of foreign born residents: 6,170 (23% naturalized citizens)
Seward County:
27.4%
Whole state:
5.0%
Year of entry for the foreign-born population
1995 to March 2000: 2,267
1990 to 1994: 1,601
1985 to 1989: 993
1980 to 1984: 736
1975 to 1979: 310
1970 to 1974: 122
1970 to 1974: 50
1965 to 1969: 91
Mean travel time to work (commute): 14.8 minutes
Percentage of county residents living and working in this county: 90.7%
Housing units in structures:
One, detached: 5,086
One, attached: 195
Two: 329
3 or 4: 278
5 to 9: 293
10 to 19: 160
20 or more: 195
Mobile homes: 1,471
Boats, RVs, vans, etc.: 20
Housing units in Seward County with a mortgage: 2,332 (213 second mortgage, 218 home equity loan, 3 both second mortgage and home equity loan) Houses without a mortgage: 1,187
Here:
66.3% with mortgage
State:
65.7% with mortgage
Religion statistics:
Percentage of population affiliated with a religious congregations: 39.67%
Here
39.7%
USA
50.2%
Total adherents: 8,929 Total congregations: 26
Adherents
Breakdown of population affiliated with a religious congregations
Name
Catholic Church
Southern Baptist Convention
United Methodist Church
Christian Churches and Churches of Christ
Non-Charismatic Churches Independent
Adherents
2,559 (28.7%)
1,817 (20.3%)
1,208 (13.5%)
468 (5.2%)
425 (4.8%)
Congregations
1 (3.8%)
2 (7.7%)
3 (11.5%)
1 (3.8%)
1 (3.8%)
Name
Churches of Christ
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Lutheran Church
Assemblies of God
Other
Adherents
410 (4.6%)
297 (3.3%)
254 (2.8%)
245 (2.7%)
1,246 (14.0%)
Congregations
2 (7.7%)
1 (3.8%)
1 (3.8%)
2 (7.7%)
12 (46.2%)
Source: Jones, Dale E., et al. 2002. Congregations and Membership in the United States 2000. Nashville, TN: Glenmary Research Center.
Average size of farms: 1036 acres Average value of agricultural products sold per farm: $788,894 Average value of crops sold per acre for harvested cropland: $226.62 The value of nursery, greenhouse, floriculture, and sod as a percentage of the total market value of agricultural products sold: 0.00% The value of livestock, poultry, and their products as a percentage of the total market value of agricultural products sold: 88.77% Average total farm production expenses per farm: $781,916 Harvested cropland as a percentage of land in farms: 37.72% Average market value of all machinery and equipment per farm: $199,005 The percentage of farms operated by a family or individual: 74.86% Average age of principal farm operators: 57 years Average number of cattle and calves per 100 acres of all land in farms: 37.65 Corn for grain: 46640 harvested acres All wheat for grain: 49679 harvested acres Upland cotton: 2008 harvested acres Soybeans for beans: 5253 harvested acres Land in orchards: 65 acres
Tornado activity:
Seward County historical area-adjusted tornado activity is above Kansas state average. It is 3.9 times above overall U.S. average. Tornadoes in this county have caused 15 injuries recorded between 1950 and 2004. On 4/9/1994, a category 2 (max. wind speeds 113-157 mph) tornado injured 8 people and caused between $5000 and $50,000 in damages.
Earthquake activity:
Seward County-area historical earthquake activity is slightly below Kansas state average. It is 97% smaller than the overall U.S. average.
On 2/15/1974 at 13:33:49, a magnitude 4.6 (4.5 MB, 4.6 LG, Class: Light, Intensity: IV - V) earthquake occurred 44.0 miles away from the county center On 10/14/2008 at 03:07:28, a magnitude 3.7 (3.7 MW, Depth: 3.1 mi, Class: Light, Intensity: II - III) earthquake occurred 94.1 miles away from the county center On 10/25/1999 at 23:19:58, a magnitude 3.0 (3.0 LG, Depth: 16.2 mi) earthquake occurred 69.9 miles away from the county center Magnitude types: regional Lg-wave magnitude (LG), body-wave magnitude (MB), moment magnitude (MW)
Most recent natural disasters:
Kansas Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes, Incident Period: May 22, 2008 to June 16, 2008, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared (DR-1776): July 9, 2008, FEMA Id: FEMA-DR-1776, Natural disaster type: Storm, Tornado, Flood
Kansas Severe Winter Storms, Incident Period: December 6, 2007 to December 19, 2007, Emergency Declared (EM-3282): December 12, 2007, FEMA Id: FEMA-EM-3282, Natural disaster type: Winter Storm
Kansas Severe Winter Storm, Incident Period: December 28, 2006 to December 31, 2006, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared (DR-1675): January 7, 2007, FEMA Id: FEMA-DR-1675, Natural disaster type: Winter Storm
Kansas Hurricane Katrina Evacuation, Incident Period: September 1, 2005 to October 1, 2005, Emergency Declared (EM-3236): September 10, 2005, FEMA Id: FEMA-EM-3236, Natural disaster type: Hurricane
Kansas Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding, Incident Period: May 4, 2003 to May 30, 2003, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared (DR-1462): May 6, 2003, FEMA Id: FEMA-DR-1462, Natural disaster type: Storm, Tornado, Flood
Kansas Severe Storms, Flooding, And Tornadoes, Incident Period: October 1, 1998 to October 8, 1998, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared (DR-1254): October 14, 1998, FEMA Id: FEMA-DR-1254, Natural disaster type: Storm, Tornado, Flood
Kansas SEVERE STORMS, FLOODING, Incident Period: May 2, 1973, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared (DR-378): May 2, 1973, FEMA Id: FEMA-DR-378, Natural disaster type: Storm, Flood
The number of natural disasters in Seward County (7) is smaller than the US average (12). Major Disasters (Presidential) Declared: 5 Emergencies Declared: 2
Other production occupations including supervisors (7%)
Driver/sales workers and truck drivers (6%)
Vehicle and mobile equipment mechanics, installers, and repairers (6%)
Electrical equipment mechanics and other installation, maintenance, and repair occupations including supervisors (5%)
Agricultural workers including supervisors (5%)
Laborers and material movers, hand (4%)
Food processing workers (7%)
Secretaries and administrative assistants (7%)
Other production occupations including supervisors (5%)
Cashiers (5%)
Building and grounds cleaning and maintenance occupations (4%)
Preschool, kindergarten, elementary and middle school teachers (4%)
Information and record clerks except customer service representatives (4%)
Most common places of birth for the foreign-born residents (%):
Mexico (88%)
Vietnam (3%)
Canada (2%)
India (1%)
Honduras (1%)
Guatemala (1%)
Nicaragua (1%)
Most common first ancestries reported in Seward County (%):
German (12%)
United States or American (7%)
Irish (6%)
English (5%)
French (except Basque) (2%)
Swedish (1%)
Italian (1%)
Means of transportation to work:
Drove a car alone: 6,912 (73%)
Carpooled: 2,028 (21%)
Bus or trolley bus: 16 (0%)
Bicycle: 44 (0%)
Walked: 140 (1%)
Other means: 137 (1%)
Worked at home: 201 (2%)
Owners and renters by unit type in %
Breakdown of mean house values by ages of householders
People in group quarters in Seward County, Kansas in 2000:
156 people in nursing homes
143 people in college dormitories (includes college quarters off campus)
70 people in local jails and other confinement facilities (including police lockups)
30 people in other noninstitutional group quarters
11 people in homes or halfway houses for drug/alcohol abuse
4 people in other group homes
People in group quarters in Seward County, Kansas in 2010:
205 people in college/university student housing
128 people in local jails and other municipal confinement facilities
109 people in nursing facilities/skilled-nursing facilities
12 people in emergency and transitional shelters (with sleeping facilities) for people experiencing homelessness
9 people in residential treatment centers for adults
7 people in other noninstitutional facilities
6 people in group homes intended for adults
Average gross adjusted income of non-migrant taxpayers in this county in 2005 was $42,093.
6.81% of this county's 2006 resident taxpayers lived in other counties in 2005 ($26,935 average adjusted gross income)
Here:
6.81%
Kansas average:
7.39%
10 or fewer of this county's residents moved from foreign countries.
2.23% relocated from other counties in Kansas ($9,015 average AGI)
4.58% relocated from other states ($17,920 average AGI)
Seward County:
4.58%
Kansas average:
3.56%
Percentage of residents relocating from other counties or countries
Top counties from which taxpayers relocated into this county between 2005 and 2006:
9.33% of this county's 2005 resident taxpayers moved to other counties in 2006 ($33,310 average adjusted gross income)
Here:
9.33%
Kansas average:
7.67%
10 or fewer of this county's residents moved to foreign countries.
3.34% relocated to other counties in Kansas ($12,175 average AGI)
5.99% relocated to other states ($21,136 average AGI)
Seward County:
5.99%
Kansas average:
3.95%
Percentage of residents relocating to other counties or countries
Top counties to which taxpayers relocated from this county between 2005 and 2006:
Births per 1000 population from 1990 to 1999: 21.6 Births per 1000 population from 2000 to 2006: 23.0
Births per 1000 population in Seward County
Deaths per 1000 population from 1990 to 1999: 6.5 Deaths per 1000 population from 2000 to 2006: 6.3
Deaths per 1000 population in Seward County
Infant deaths per 1000 live births from 1990 to 1999: 7.4 Infant deaths per 1000 live births from 2000 to 2006: 8.2
Infant deaths per 1000 live births in Seward County
Persons enrolled in hospital insurance and/or supplemental medical insurance (Medicare) in July 1, 2003: 2,068 (1,779 aged, 289 disabled) Population without health insurance coverage in 2000: 20% Children under 18 without health insurance coverage in 2000: 14%
Short term general hospitals per 100,000 population in 2004: 4.3 Short term general hospital admissions per 100,000 population in 2004: 15634.55 Short term general hospital beds per 100,000 population in 2004: 383.010 Emergency room visits per 100,000 population in 2004: 44756.21
General practice office based MDs per 100,000 population in 2005: 2419.010 Medical specialist MDs per 100,000 population in 2005: 657.390 Dentists per 100,000 population in 1998: 30.08
Total births per 100,000 population, July 2005 - July 2006 : 35.03 Total deaths per 100,000 population, July 2005 - July 2006: 73.04
Limited-service eating places per 100,000 population in 2005 : 4.3
EPA green book nonattainment status in 2004-2006: 1 Crimes per 100,000 population in 1996: 1
Household type by relationship:
Households: 22,476
In family households: 19,979 (3,980 male householders, 1,518 female householders)
4,060 spouses, 7,947 children (7,389 natural, 146 adopted, 412 stepchildren), 577 grandchildren, 277 brothers or sisters, 206 parents, 578 other relatives, 655 non-relatives
In nonfamily households: 2,497 (1,021 male householders (763 living alone)), 941 female householders (831 living alone)), 535 nonrelatives
In group quarters: 476 (237 institutionalized population)
Size of family households: 1,780 2-persons, 1,068 3-persons, 1,157 4-persons, 858 5-persons, 346 6-persons, 289 7-or-more-persons.
58.8% of residents of Seward County speak English at home.
38.0% of residents speak Spanish at home (38% speak English very well, 18% speak English well, 25% speak English not well, 19% don't speak English at all).
1.8% of residents speak other Indo-European language at home (68% speak English very well, 27% speak English well, 2% speak English not well, 3% don't speak English at all).
1.4% of residents speak Asian or Pacific Island language at home (24% speak English very well, 23% speak English well, 43% speak English not well, 11% don't speak English at all).
In fiscal year 2004:
Federal Government expenditure: $80,163,000 ($3450 per capita) Department of Defense expenditure: $1,007,000 Federal direct payments to individuals for retirement and disability: $30,675,000 Federal other direct payments to individuals: $17,081,000 Federal direct payments not to individuals: $9,165,000 Federal grants: $16,608,000 Federal procurement contracts: $1,018,000 ($125,000 Department of Defense) Federal salaries and wages: $5,616,000 ($289,000 Department of Defense) Federal Government direct loans: $2,143,000 Federal guaranteed/insured loans: $15,169,000 Federal Government insurance: $28,823,000
Population change from April 1, 2000 to July 1, 2005:
Births: 2,727
Here:
117 per 1000 residents
State:
75 per 1000 residents
Deaths: 747
Here:
32 per 1000 residents
State:
47 per 1000 residents
Net international migration: +1,892
Here:
+81 per 1000 residents
State:
+14 per 1000 residents
Net internal migration: -3,071
Here:
-132 per 1000 residents
State:
-21 per 1000 residents
Population growth in Seward County
Total withdrawal of fresh water for public supply: 5.00 millions of gallons per day (all from ground)
Median number of rooms in houses and condos:
Here:
5.8
State:
6.3
Median number of rooms in apartments:
Here:
4.0
State:
4.2
Year house built
2005 or later: 61
2000 to 2004: 424
1990 to 1999: 799
1980 to 1989: 1,089
1970 to 1979: 1,604
1960 to 1969: 1,199
1950 to 1959: 1,186
1940 to 1949: 550
1939 or earlier: 1,248
Rooms in houses/apartments in Seward County, Kansas
49% of Seward County residents lived in the same house 5 years ago. Out of people who lived in different houses, 52% lived in this county. Out of people who lived in different counties, 32% lived in Kansas.
Seward County:
49.3%
State average:
53.5%
Place of birth for U.S.-born residents:
This state: 8967
Northeast: 185
Midwest: 1196
South: 3953
West: 1939
Median price asked for vacant for-sale houses in 2000: $73,400
Housing units lacking complete plumbing facilities: 1%
Housing units lacking complete kitchen facilities: 1%
Year Householders Moved Into Unit:
Most commonly used house heating fuel in Seward County
28.0 years
36.0 years
(50.3%)
(49.7%)
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