Comanche County is located in the south-central region of Kansas and has a population of 2,539 people according to the U.S. Census Bureau in 2018. The county seat is Coldwater and the largest city is Protection with a population of 678 people. Comanche County is made up of 8 townships and covers an area of 1,064 square miles. See top counties in Kansas.
The county’s economy is largely driven by agriculture, with corn, soybeans, wheat, sorghum, and hay being some of its main crops. Manufacturing also plays an important role with Protection being home to many industrial plants such as Tyson Foods and Bimbo Bakeries USA providing jobs for local residents. Tourism has also become increasingly important for Comanche County as well with many visitors coming to explore its numerous attractions such as Monument Rocks National Landmark or the Coronado Trail Scenic Byway offering breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside.
Comanche County offers a great quality of life for its residents due to its low cost living options, excellent public schools, plentiful recreational activities such as fishing or hiking on one of its many trails, and close proximity to major cities such as Wichita or Oklahoma City making it an ideal place to live or visit. The county also boasts many historical sites including Fort Larned National Historic Site or Fort Hays State Historic Site which offer a glimpse into the area’s rich past.
History of Comanche County, Kansas
Comanche County was established in 1867 and is located in the south-central region of Kansas. It was named after the Comanche Native American tribe who had inhabited the area prior to its settlement by European Americans. The county seat is Coldwater and the largest city is Protection with a population of 678 people according to the U.S. Census Bureau in 2018.
The first settlers arrived in Comanche County in 1870 and were primarily farmers from Germany, Sweden, and Norway who were looking for fertile land for their crops and livestock. By 1880, the population had grown to over 5,000 people with many small towns being established throughout the county such as Protection, Wilmore, Minneola, Coldwater, Wilmore City, and Haviland.
In 1879, one of Comanche County’s most notable events occurred when the Coronado Trail Scenic Byway was opened connecting Kansas City with Santa Fe providing access to new markets for local farmers and ranchers. In addition to agriculture, manufacturing also played an important role in Comanche County’s economy with Protection becoming home to many industrial plants such as Tyson Foods and Bimbo Bakeries USA providing jobs for local residents.
Today, Comanche County offers a great quality of life for its residents due to its low cost living options, excellent public schools, plentiful recreational activities such as fishing or hiking on one of its many trails, and close proximity to major cities such as Wichita or Oklahoma City making it an ideal place to live or visit. The county also boasts many historical sites including Fort Larned National Historic Site or Fort Hays State Historic Site which offer a glimpse into the area’s rich past.
Major cities and towns in Comanche County, Kansas
The largest city in Comanche County is Coldwater, with a population of 2,395 according to the 2010 census. This small city is located in the southeast corner of the county and is known for its historic downtown area and friendly people. The city offers a variety of amenities including shopping, restaurants, parks and recreational facilities. There are also several schools located in Coldwater including a high school, middle school and elementary school.
Protection is another small town located on the western side of Comanche County. This town has a population of 695 and is known for its rich history as it was once an important stop on the Chisholm Trail during the 1800s cattle drive era. Protection boasts some great outdoor activities like fishing, hunting and camping at nearby Lake Coldwater. The town also features several shops, restaurants, parks and other recreational facilities for locals to enjoy.
Wilmore is another small city in Comanche County with a population of 511 according to the 2010 census. It is situated in the southwestern corner of the county and offers its residents many amenities including shopping centers, banks, parks and churches. Wilmore also has several educational institutions such as Wilmore Elementary School which serves students from kindergarten through fifth grade. The town also features some great outdoor activities like camping at nearby Lake Coldwater or hiking along one of many nature trails found throughout Wilmore’s wooded areas.
Population in Comanche County, Kansas
According to Iamaccepted, the population of Comanche County, Kansas is 2,742. The majority of the population is spread out across the three major cities in the county; Coldwater (2,395), Protection (695) and Wilmore (511). The rest of the population is spread out among several small towns and rural areas. The population of Comanche County has remained relatively unchanged since 2000.
The median age in Comanche County is 42.3 years old with 22.7% of the population under 18 years old and 12.5% over 65 years old. The racial makeup of Comanche County is 87.9% White, 7.0% Hispanic or Latino, 4.6% Native American, 0.3% Asian and 0.2% Black or African American residents according to the 2010 census data.
Comanche County also has a relatively low poverty rate compared to other counties in Kansas at only 9%. The median household income for Comanche County is $43,033 which is slightly lower than Kansas’s median household income of $49,424 according to 2017 census data.
Comanche County is a small rural community with a diverse population that offers its residents a variety of amenities including restaurants, shopping centers, parks and recreational facilities as well as educational institutions like schools and universities for both children and adults alike to attend in order to further their education or pursue their career goals.