Harper County
countyHarper County is located in south-central Kansas, along the Oklahoma border. As of the 2020 census, the population was 5,485. The county exhibits a rural character with a landscape of rolling plains and a strong agricultural heritage. The county seat and largest city is Anthony. Agriculture is a cornerstone of Harper County's economy, with wheat being a primary crop. Other key sectors include manufacturing and healthcare. Major employers include Harper Industries, Elkhorn Valley Packing, and Patterson Health Center. Harper County's history is marked by an initial fraudulent organization in 1873, followed by legitimate settlement in the late 1870s. The county is named after Sergeant Marion Harper, who died in the Civil War. Today, Harper County offers a glimpse into the pioneering spirit of the Old West, with a focus on community and agricultural resilience.
Harper County, Kansas
- Classification
- County
- FIPS Code
- 20-077
- Country
- United States
- County
- Harper County
- Region
- Great Plains
- Total Area
- 803 sq mi
- Land Area
- 801 sq mi
- Water Area
- 1.5 sq mi
- Latitude
- 37.2
- Longitude
- -98.083
- Climate
- Humid continental climate
- Notable Features
- Chikaskia River · Bluff Creek
- Neighboring Areas
- Kingman County · Sumner County · Barber County · Alfalfa County, OK · Grant County, OK
- Population (2020)
- 5,485
- Est. Population (2023)
- 5,446
- Median Age
- 40.8
- Median Income
- $55,417
- Poverty Rate
- 15.3%
- Owner-Occupied
- 73.6%
- Racial & Ethnic Composition
- 87% White (Non-Hispanic), 3.64% White (Hispanic), 2.9% Two Races Excluding Other, & Three or More Races (Non-Hispanic), 2.26% Other (Hispanic), 1.4% Two Races Including Other (Hispanic)
- Government Type
- County Commission
- Governing Body
- Board of County Commissioners
- Municipal Services
- Road & Bridge Maintenance and Construction · Right of Way · Noxious Weeds · County Landfill
- Unemployment Rate
- 3.6%
- Economic Profile
- Agricultural · Manufacturing · Healthcare
- Employment Sectors
- Health Care & Social Assistance · Manufacturing · Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting
- Major Employers
- Harper Industries · Elkhorn Valley Packing · Cox Machine · Patterson Health Center · Prairie Belting · Blanchat Manufacturing
- Schools
- 6
- Students
- 996
- School Districts
- Argonia Unified School District 359 · Attica Unified School District 511 · Chaparral Unified School District 361 · Cunningham Unified School District 332 · Kingman-Norwich Unified School District 331 · South Barber County Unified School District 255
- Transportation
- U.S. Highway 160 · Kansas Highway 2 · U.S. Highway 54 · U.S. Highway 400
- Utilities
- Municipal water · Municipal power
- Major Facilities
- Harper County Courthouse · Patterson Health Center
- Outdoor Access
- Yes
- Major Recreation Areas
- Anthony City Parks · Anthony Disc Golf · Harper City Park
- Parks & Trails
- Anthony City Parks · Harper City Park
- Founded
- 1867
- Named After
- Sergeant Marion Harper
- Historical Significance
- Named for Sergeant Marion Harper, Harper County's early history involved disputes over bonds and temporary seats like Bluff City, resolved by the late 1870s as railroads facilitated settlement, though its sparse development has preserved a low-density profile with limited urban influences.
- Key Events
- Established in 1867 · Fraudulent organization in 1873 · Re-organized in 1878