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 1887, Jewell County was established and named for Lieutenant Colonel Lewis R. Jewell of the 6th Regiment Kansas Volunteer Cavalry^[3] who died from wounds received in the Battle of Cane Hill.^[4] The county lies on the historic Pawnee road, which was crossed by the Pike Exedition in 1806. The first attempt at settlement was made by William Harshberger and his wife on White Rock Creek in 1862, but they were soon driven out by hostile Indian tribes. Subsequent settlement efforts along White Rock Creek in 1866 and 1867 were again subjected to Cheyenne raids in which many settlers were killed, after which the survivors evacuated the county. The Excelsior colony from New York attempted to settle in 1869 but was driven out by June. Despite these dangers, more settlers arrived later that year and into 1870. The first marriage was recorded in the county in 1871.^[4]

In response to the persistent threat of Indian raids, settlers formed the "Buffalo Militia" in May 1870 to protect against an anticipated Cheyenne attack. They constructed a fort at what is now Jewell City, which they held until relieved by the Third U.S. Mounted Artillery the following month. After this, there were no further attacks from hostile tribes. The county's formal organization began with the appointment of county commissioners in July 1870, followed by an election in September to establish county officials and choose Jewell City as the county seat.^[4]

In 1887, Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway built a branch line from Neva (3 miles west of Strong City) to Superior, Nebraska. This branch line connected Strong City, Neva, Rockland, Diamond Springs, Burdick, Lost Springs, Jacobs, Hope, Navarre, Enterprise, Abilene, Talmage, Manchester, Longford, Oak Hill, Miltonvale, Aurora, Huscher, Concordia, Kackley, Courtland, Webber, Superior. At some point, the line from Neva to Lost Springs was pulled but the right of way has not been abandoned. This branch line was originally called "Strong City and Superior line" but later the name was shortened to the "Strong City line". In 1996, the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway merged with Burlington Northern Railroad and renamed to the current BNSF Railway. Most locals still refer to this railroad as the "Santa Fe".

Adjacent counties

• Nuckolls County, Nebraska (northeast)
• Republic County (east)
• Cloud County (southeast)
• Mitchell County (south)
• Osborne County (southwest)
• Smith County (west)
• Webster County, Nebraska (northwest)

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 2,932. The median age was 49.9 years, 21.3% of residents were under the age of 18, and 28.4% were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 106.6 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 106.2 males age 18 and over.^[11] All residents lived in rural areas while 0.0% resided in urban areas.^[12]

The racial makeup of the county was 94.0% White, 0.2% Black or African American, 0.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% Asian, 0.0% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 0.6% from some other race, and 4.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 2.1% of the population.^[13]

There were 1,346 households in the county, of which 22.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 20.2% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 35.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 20.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.^[11]

There were 1,763 housing units, of which 23.7% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 79.9% were owner-occupied and 20.1% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.2% and the rental vacancy rate was 12.8%.^[11]

2000 census

As of the 2000 census,^[14] there were 3,791 people, 1,695 households, and 1,098 families residing in the county. The population density was 4 people per square mile (1.5 people/km²). There were 2,103 housing units at an average density of 2 per square mile (0.77/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 98.79% White, 0.34% Native American, 0.05% Asian, 0.03% Black or African American, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.05% from other races, and 0.71% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.71% of the population.

There were 1,695 households, out of which 23.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.10% were married couples living together, 4.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.20% were non-families. 32.40% of all households were made up of individuals, and 18.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.21 and the average family size was 2.80.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 21.90% under the age of 18, 4.40% from 18 to 24, 21.50% from 25 to 44, 26.20% from 45 to 64, and 25.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 46 years. For every 100 females there were 97.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.00 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $30,538, and the median income for a family was $36,953. Males had a median income of $24,821 versus $18,170 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,644. About 8.40% of families and 11.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.80% of those under age 18 and 10.90% of those age 65 or over.

Presidential elections

Like all of Kansas outside the eastern cities, Jewell County is overwhelmingly Republican. The only Democratic presidential candidates to win a majority in the county have been Woodrow Wilson in 1916 and William Jennings Bryan in 1896, and the last Democrat to win a plurality was Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1932. Since 1940 only Lyndon Johnson in 1964 and Jimmy Carter in 1976 have exceeded 31 percent of the county's vote, a devotion to the GOP comparable to famous Appalachia Unionist strongholds like Avery County, North Carolina, or Grant County, West Virginia.

Laws

Although the Kansas Constitution was amended in 1986 to allow the sale of alcoholic liquor by the individual drink with the approval of voters, Jewell County restaurants serve only 3.2 beer and no hard alcohol.^[17][18]

Unified school districts

• Rock Hills USD 107

Cities

Unincorporated communities

† means a community is designated a Census-Designated Place (CDP) by the United States Census Bureau.

Ghost towns

• Dentonia
• Salem

Townships

Jewell County is divided into twenty-five 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.