Decatur County, Kansas is located in the northwest corner of the state and is bordered by Nebraska to the north, Colorado to the west, and Oklahoma to the south. The county seat is Oberlin, with a population of around 1,200 people. Decatur County is part of the High Plains region of Kansas and consists mainly of rolling prairie land. The county’s topography ranges from flat to gently sloping hills with some ravines and badlands. The county has a total area of 1,097 square miles and an average elevation of 2,400 feet above sea level.

According to ITYPEUSA.COM, the climate in Decatur County is typical for a continental climate; it has hot summers and cold winters, with occasional snowfall during winter months. Temperatures range from an average low in January of 19°F to an average high in July of 92°F. Average annual precipitation for Decatur County is 20 inches with most occurring during June through August.

The population of Decatur County was 2,902 as recorded by the 2020 census. Most residents are employed in agriculture which contributes significantly to the local economy; other industries include manufacturing, retail trade, health care services and educational services.

Decatur County offers visitors many opportunities for outdoor recreation including hunting for deer and turkey; fishing at nearby lakes including Cedar Bluff Lake State Park; camping at several campgrounds throughout the county; hiking on various trails throughout Decatur County State Park; viewing wildlife around Cedar Bluff Dam; or visiting one of several museums including Oberlin Heritage Museum or Bird City Historical Museum.

Decatur County also has several attractions that appeal to visitors such as Fort Wallace Memorial Park which features a replica fort from 1867-1868; Rocking Horse Ranch which offers horseback riding lessons and trail rides; The National Orphan Train Complex which houses artifacts related to orphan train riders who traveled through Kansas between 1854-1929; or The Big Basin Prairie Preserve which offers visitors a chance to explore one of Kansas’ largest remaining tallgrass prairies.

Decatur County provides visitors with many opportunities for outdoor recreation as well as attractions that appeal to those interested in local history or culture. With its beautiful landscape comprised mainly of rolling prairie land dotted with small towns throughout its 1,097 square miles this corner of Kansas provides plenty for travelers looking for an interesting place to explore.

Economy of Decatur County, Kansas

Decatur County, Kansas is home to one of the most stable and prosperous economies in the state. Located in Northwest Kansas, Decatur County has a population of around 2,000 people and covers an area of about 708 square miles. The county seat is Oberlin, and the largest city is Norton. The economy of Decatur County is primarily based on agriculture, with some manufacturing, retail trade, and services also contributing to the local economy. Agriculture is the main industry in Decatur County with wheat, corn and soybeans being the major contributors to the county’s income. Livestock production also plays a significant role in the local economy with beef cattle being raised for both meat production and dairy products. Manufacturing is also an important sector in Decatur County with companies producing building materials, furniture parts, farm machinery and industrial tools being major employers in the area. Retail trade includes a variety of businesses such as grocery stores, clothing stores, restaurants and convenience stores. Finally, services are provided by professionals such as lawyers, doctors and accountants as well as other businesses like banks or insurance agencies providing financial services to residents of Decatur County.

Libraries in Decatur County, Kansas

According to babyinger, Decatur County, Kansas is home to a number of excellent libraries that provide access to books, magazines, audio-visual materials, and computers. The Oberlin Public Library is the largest and most comprehensive library in the county, located in the county seat of Oberlin. It offers a wide variety of services including reference assistance, interlibrary loan services and online databases. In addition to its physical collection, it also provides access to digital resources such as e-books and audiobooks. The library also hosts a variety of events for all ages including storytimes for children and book clubs for adults.

The Norton Public Library serves the city of Norton with an extensive collection of books and other materials for both children and adults. It also offers computers with internet access as well as programs such as summer reading clubs for kids and book clubs for adults. The library hosts many events throughout the year such as author visits, movie nights and game nights.

The Palco Public Library serves residents in Palco with an array of materials including books, magazines, audio-visual materials and computer access. The library also provides programming for children such as storytimes, summer reading clubs and educational classes. Additionally, the library offers free Wi-Fi access to visitors so that they can stay connected while using the library’s resources.

Finally, Decatur County is home to a number of small libraries located in rural communities throughout the county which offer basic services such as book borrowing privileges but lack more robust collections or programming opportunities like those offered by larger libraries like those found in Oberlin or Norton. These small libraries serve an important role in providing their local communities with public access to books and other resources at no cost to patrons.

Landmarks in Decatur County, Kansas

Decatur County, Kansas is home to a variety of unique landmarks that capture the history and culture of the region. One of the most iconic landmarks in the county is the Decatur County Courthouse located in Oberlin, the county seat. Built in 1884, this historic building is an example of the Second Empire style of architecture and features a clock tower, gables and bay windows. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places for its significance in local history.

The Oberlin Carnegie Library is another landmark located downtown Oberlin. This historic library was built with funds from Andrew Carnegie’s philanthropic library program and serves as a reminder of his commitment to public access to knowledge. The building has been restored to its original appearance with high ceilings, tall windows, and an ornate staircase leading up to its entrance.

The Ghost Town Museum in Oberlin also serves as a reminder of Decatur County’s past. This museum preserves artifacts from many abandoned town sites throughout Decatur County including photographs, newspapers, postcards and other memorabilia from these former towns. Visitors can learn about rural life during different eras as well as view some interesting artifacts such as a one-room schoolhouse or old gas pumps from former service stations.

In addition to these historical landmarks, Decatur County also offers many natural attractions such as Cedar Bluffs Park which features scenic views of Cedar Bluffs Lake along with hiking trails and picnic areas. The park also contains a variety of wildlife including deer, wild turkeys and bald eagles making it a great spot for bird watching or wildlife photography. Other natural attractions include High Plains Nature Area which features grasslands perfect for bird watching or kayaking on Clear Creek Reservoir which offers stunning views of rolling hills surrounded by pine trees.