Editing Abilene, Kansas

{{Short description|City in Dickinson County, Kansas}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Infobox settlement
|name                     = Abilene, Kansas
|settlement_type          = [[City]] and [[County seat]]

<!-- Images -->
|image_skyline            = Aerial view of Abilene Kansas 09-04-2013.JPG
|image_caption            = Aerial view of Abilene (2013)
|image_flag               =
|image_seal               =

<!-- Maps -->
|image_map                = Dickinson_County_Kansas_Incorporated_and_Unincorporated_areas_Abilene_Highlighted.svg
|map_caption              = Location within [[Dickinson County, Kansas|Dickinson County]] and [[Kansas]]
|image_map1               = Map of Dickinson Co, Ks, USA.png
|map_caption1             = [[Kansas Department of Transportation|KDOT]] map of [[Dickinson County, Kansas|Dickinson County]] ([[:File:Kansas official transportation map legend.png|legend]])

<!-- Location -->
|coordinates_footnotes    = <ref name="GNIS"/>
|coordinates              = {{coord|38|55|23|N|97|13|31|W|region:US-KS_type:city_source:GNIS|display=inline,title}}
|subdivision_type         = Country
|subdivision_name         = United States
|subdivision_type1        = [[U.S. state|State]]
|subdivision_name1        = [[Kansas]]
|subdivision_type2        = [[List of counties in Kansas|County]]
|subdivision_name2        = [[Dickinson County, Kansas|Dickinson]]
|subdivision_type3        = [[List of townships in Kansas|Township]]
|subdivision_name3        =

<!-- Established -->
|established_title        = Founded
|established_date         = {{start date and age|1857}}
|established_title1       = [[Platted]]
|established_date1        =
|established_title2       = [[Municipal corporation|Incorporated]]
|established_date2        = 1869<ref name=EB/>
|named_for                = [[Luke 3|Luke 3:1]] (bible)

<!-- Government -->
|government_footnotes     =
|government_type          = [[Mayor–council government|Mayor–Council]]
|leader_title             = [[Mayor]]
|leader_name              = Brandon L. Rein {{citation needed|date=September 2023}}

<!-- Area -->
|area_footnotes           = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2019">{{cite web|title=2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2019_Gazetteer/2019_gaz_place_20.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=July 24, 2020}}</ref>
|area_total_sq_mi         = 4.76
|area_land_sq_mi          = 4.76
|area_water_sq_mi         = 0.00
|area_total_km2           = 12.34
|area_land_km2            = 12.33
|area_water_km2           = 0.01
|unit_pref                = Imperial

<!-- Elevation -->
|elevation_footnotes      = <ref name="GNIS"/>
|elevation_ft             = 1145

<!-- Population -->
|population_footnotes     = <ref name="Census-2020-Profile"/><ref name="Census-2020-QF"/>
|population_as_of         = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
|population_total         = 6460
|pop_est_footnotes        =
|pop_est_as_of            =
|population_est           =
|population_density_sq_mi = auto
|population_density_km2   = auto

<!-- General information -->
|timezone                 = [[Central Time Zone|CST]]
|utc_offset               = -6
|timezone_DST             = CDT
|utc_offset_DST           = -5
|postal_code_type         = [[ZIP code]]
|postal_code              = 67410
|area_code_type           = [[North American Numbering Plan|Area code]]
|area_code                = [[Area code 785|785]]
|blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
|blank_info               = {{FIPS|20|00125}}
|blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS ID]]
|blank1_info              = 485539<ref name="GNIS">{{GNIS|485539}}</ref>
|website                  = {{URL|https://www.abilenecityhall.com/|abilenecityhall.com}}
}}

'''Abilene''' (pronounced {{IPAc-en|ˈ|æ|b|ᵻ|l|iː|n}})<ref>{{cite book |title=A pronunciation guide to Kansas place names |author=William Allen White School of Journalism and Public Information |publisher=University of Kansas |location=Lawrence, KS |year=1955 |page=7 |hdl=2027/mdp.39015047651115?urlappend=%3Bseq=11 |url=http://hdl.handle.net/2027/mdp.39015047651115?urlappend=%3Bseq=11}}</ref> is a city in and the [[county seat]] of [[Dickinson County, Kansas]], United States.<ref name="GNIS"/> As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], the population of the city was 6,460.<ref name="Census-2020-Profile">{{cite web |title=Profile of Abilene, Kansas in 2020 |url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/profile?g=1600000US2000125 |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=November 13, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211113124616/https://data.census.gov/cedsci/profile?g=1600000US2000125 |archive-date=November 13, 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Census-2020-QF">{{cite web |title=QuickFacts; Abilene, Kansas; Population, Census, 2020 & 2010 |url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/abilenecitykansas/POP010220 |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=August 27, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210827075227/https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/abilenecitykansas/POP010220 |archive-date=August 27, 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref> It is home of the [[Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum and Boyhood Home|Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library]] and the Greyhound Hall of Fame.

==History==
{{See also|History of Kansas}}

===19th century===
[[File:1867-Drovers-Hotel-Abilene-Kansas-LOC-2004682071.tif|thumb|[[Joseph McCoy|Joseph McCoy's]] Drover's Hotel, McCoy's Stock Yard in 1867]]
[[File:Stouffer's Railroad Map of Kansas 1915-1918 Dickinson County.png|thumb|1915 railroad map of Dickinson County]]
In 1803, most of [[History of Kansas|modern Kansas]] was secured by the United States as part of the [[Louisiana Purchase]]. In 1854, the [[Kansas Territory]] was organized, and in 1861 [[Kansas]] became the 34th [[U.S. state]].

In 1857, [[Dickinson County, Kansas|Dickinson County]] was founded and Abilene began as a stage coach stop, established by Timothy Hersey and named Mud Creek. It was not until 1860 that it was named [[Abilene (ancient)|Abilene]], from a passage in the Bible ([[Luke 3]]:1), meaning "grassy plains".<ref name=EB/>

In 1867, the [[Kansas Pacific Railway]] ([[Union Pacific]]) pushed westward through Abilene. In the same year, [[Joseph McCoy|Joseph G. McCoy]] purchased 250 acres of land north and east of Abilene, on which he built a hotel, the Drover's Cottage, stockyards equipped for 2,000 heads of cattle, and a stable for their horses. The Kansas Pacific put in a spur line at Abilene that enabled the cattle cars to be loaded and sent on to their destinations. The first twenty carloads left September 5, 1867, en route to Chicago, Illinois, where McCoy was familiar with the market.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://krex.k-state.edu/dspace/bitstream/handle/2097/15686/JessicaSmith2013.pdf|first=Jessica|last=Smith|publisher=[[Kansas State University]]|title=Morality and Money: A Look at how the Respectable Community Battled the Sporting Community over Prostitution in Kansas Cowtowns, 1867-1885|year=2013}}</ref> The town grew quickly and became the first "cow town" of the west.<ref name=jrosa>{{cite book | author=Joseph G. Rosa | title=They Called Him Wild Bill | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gXhYxXsVhIYC | year=1979 | publisher=University of Oklahoma Press | isbn=978-0-8061-1538-2 | pages=172–206 | access-date=18 October 2010}}</ref>

McCoy encouraged Texas cattlemen to drive their herds to his stockyards. From 1867 to 1871, the [[Chisholm Trail]] ended in Abilene, bringing in many travelers and making Abilene one of the wildest towns in the west.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://digital.library.okstate.edu/encyclopedia/entries/C/CH045.html |title=Chisholm Trail |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121119063030/http://digital.library.okstate.edu/encyclopedia/entries/C/CH045.html |archive-date=2012-11-19}} at the Oklahoma Historical Society's Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture.</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kansasmemory.org/item/208628|title=Route of the Chisholm cattle trail in Kansas|publisher=Kansas Historical Society|year=1960s|website=Kansas Memory}}</ref> The stockyards shipped 35,000 head in 1867 and became the largest stockyards west of [[Kansas City, Kansas]]. In 1871, more than 5,000 cowboys herded from 600,000 to 700,000 cows to Abilene and other Kansas railheads.<ref name=EB/><ref>{{cite book| title = The Chisholm Trail| first = Wayne| last = Gard| publisher=University of Oklahoma Press| location = Norman, OK| year = 1969| orig-year = 1954|lccn = 54-6204|pages= 155–156}}</ref><ref>{{cite book| pages=124–125|title=Trail of the Wild West|first = Paul Robert|last = Walker| publisher = National Geographic Society| location = Kingsport, TN| editor-first = Kevin | editor-last = Mulroy| year = 1997 | isbn = 978-0792270218}}</ref> Another source reports 440,200 head of cattle were shipped out of Abilene from 1867 to 1871.<ref>[https://archive.today/20130625020007/http://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=njp.32101074863513;view=1up;seq=1 Kansas Pacific Railway Company. ''Guide Map of the Best and Shortest Cattle Trail to the Kansas Pacific Railway''; Kansas Pacific Railway Company; 1875.]</ref> As railroads were built further south, the end of the Chisholm Trail was slowly moved south toward [[Caldwell, Kansas|Caldwell]], while Kansas homesteaders concerned with cattle ruining their farm crops moved the trail west toward and past [[Ellsworth, Kansas|Ellsworth]].

Town [[marshal]] [[Thomas J. Smith|Tom "Bear River" Smith]] was initially successful policing Abilene, often using only his bare hands. He survived two [[assassination]] attempts, but was murdered and [[decapitated]] on November 2, 1870. Smith wounded one of his two attackers during the shootout preceding his death, and both suspects received [[life in prison]] for the offense.<ref name=jrosa/> He was replaced as marshal by [[Wild Bill Hickok]] in April 1871.<ref name=EB/> Hickok's time in the job was short. While the marshal was standing off a crowd during a street brawl, [[gambler]] [[Phil Coe]] took two shots at Hickok, who returned fire, killing Coe, but Hickok then accidentally shot his friend and deputy, Mike Williams,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.odmp.org/officer.php?oid=16507|title=Officer Down Memorial Page (ODMP)|date=2017-07-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170703030700/http://www.odmp.org/officer.php?oid=16507|archive-date=2017-07-03}}</ref> who was coming to his aid. Hickok lost his job two months later in December.

In 1880, Conrad Lebold built the [[Lebold Mansion]]. Lebold was one of the early town developers and bankers from 1869 through 1889. The Hersey dugout can still be seen in the cellar. The house is now a private residence.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.kansassampler.org/8wonders/architectureresults.php?id=50 | title=Lebold Mansion, Abilene | publisher=Kansas Sampler Foundation | access-date=18 October 2010 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721200200/http://www.kansassampler.org/8wonders/architectureresults.php?id=50 | archive-date=21 July 2011 | url-status=dead }}</ref> A marker outside credits the name of the town being given by opening a Bible and using the first place name pointed to.

In 1887, [[Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway]] built a branch line from [[Neva, Kansas|Neva]] ({{convert|3|mile|km}} west of [[Strong City, Kansas|Strong City]]) through Abilene to [[Superior, Nebraska]]. In 1996, the [[Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway]] merged with [[Burlington Northern Railroad]] and renamed to the current [[BNSF Railway]].

In 1890, Dr. A.B. Seelye founded the A.B. Seelye Medical Company. Seelye developed over 100 products for the company including "Wasa-Tusa",<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.seelyemansion.org/ | title=The historic Seelye Mansion, Abilene, Kansas | access-date=18 October 2010}}</ref>{{Failed verification|date=July 2024}} an Indian name meaning ''to heal''.

===20th century===
[[File:Eisenhower library.jpg|thumb|right|[[Eisenhower Presidential Center|Eisenhower Presidential Library]]]]
Abilene became home to [[Dwight D. Eisenhower]] when his family moved to Abilene from [[Denison, Texas]] in 1892. Eisenhower attended elementary school through high school in Abilene, graduating in 1909. [[Eisenhower Presidential Library|The Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum]] is the burial site of President Eisenhower, his wife, [[Mamie Eisenhower|Mamie]], and their first-born son Doud Dwight.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.kansasflinthills.travel/sites/eisenhower_center|title=Flint Hills of Kansas Shopping, Dining, & Accommodations|date=2016-03-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160308192616/http://www.travelks.com/flint-hills/|archive-date=2016-03-08}}</ref>

==Geography==
Abilene is on the north side of the [[Smoky Hill River]]<ref name=EB>{{cite encyclopedia |editor-first=Dale H. |editor-last=Hoiberg |encyclopedia=Encyclopædia Britannica |title=Abilene |edition=15th |year=2010 |publisher=Encyclopædia Britannica Inc. |volume=I: A-ak Bayes |location=Chicago, Illinois |isbn=978-1-59339-837-8 |pages=32–33}}</ref> in the [[Flint Hills]] region of the [[Great Plains]].<ref name=KDOT>{{cite web | title = 2003-2004 Official Transportation Map | publisher = [[Kansas Department of Transportation]] | year = 2003 | url = http://www.ksdot.org/burtransplan/maps/HistoricStateMaps/2003-04Mapside.pdf | access-date = 2011-04-17}}</ref> Mud Creek, a tributary of the Smoky Hill, flows south through the city.<ref name=CountyMap>{{cite web | title = General Highway Map - Dickinson County, Kansas | publisher = [[Kansas Department of Transportation]] | date = 2010-07-01 | url = http://www.ksdot.org/burtransplan/maps/county-pdf/dickinson.PDF | access-date = 2011-04-17}}</ref> Located in [[North Central Kansas]] at the intersection of [[Interstate 70]] and [[K-15 (Kansas highway)|K-15]], Abilene is approximately {{convert|27|mi|abbr=on}} east of [[Salina, Kansas]], {{convert|94|mi|abbr=on}} north of [[Wichita, Kansas|Wichita]], and {{convert|139|mi|abbr=on}} west of [[Kansas City, Missouri|Kansas City]].<ref name=KDOT/><ref>{{cite web | title = City Distance Tool | publisher = [[Geobytes]] | url = http://www.geobytes.com/citydistancetool.htm | access-date = 2010-04-11 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100412193759/http://www.geobytes.com/citydistancetool.htm | archive-date = 12 April 2010 | url-status = dead }}</ref>

According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has an area of {{convert|4.68|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, all  land.<ref name="Gazetteer files">{{cite web|title=US Gazetteer files 2010 |url=https://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=2012-07-06 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120702145235/http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt |archive-date=2012-07-02 }}</ref>

===Climate===
Located in the transition zone between North America's [[humid subtropical climate|humid subtropical climate (Köppen ''Cfa'')]] and [[humid continental climate|humid continental climate (Köppen ''Dfa'')]] zones, Abilene experiences hot, humid summers and cold, dry winters. In the spring, severe thunderstorms bring the threat of tornadoes and hail. The hottest temperature recorded in Abilene was {{convert|113|F|C|1}} on July 13, 1954 and July 15, 1954, while the coldest temperature recorded was {{convert|-29|F|C|1}} on February 12, 1899.<ref name = NOWData />

{{Weather box
|location = Abilene, Kansas, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1893–present
|single line = Yes

|Jan record high F = 78
|Feb record high F = 84
|Mar record high F = 95
|Apr record high F = 100
|May record high F = 103
|Jun record high F = 111
|Jul record high F = 113
|Aug record high F = 112
|Sep record high F = 113
|Oct record high F = 98
|Nov record high F = 88
|Dec record high F = 74

|Jan avg record high F = 63.9
|Feb avg record high F = 71.0
|Mar avg record high F = 81.0
|Apr avg record high F = 87.4
|May avg record high F = 93.1
|Jun avg record high F = 100.7
|Jul avg record high F = 105.2
|Aug avg record high F = 102.8
|Sep avg record high F = 96.9
|Oct avg record high F = 89.7
|Nov avg record high F = 75.3
|Dec avg record high F = 65.7
|year avg record high F = 106.5

|Jan high F = 43.2
|Feb high F = 48.6
|Mar high F = 59.7
|Apr high F = 69.7
|May high F = 78.9
|Jun high F = 89.4
|Jul high F = 94.4
|Aug high F = 92.1
|Sep high F = 84.2
|Oct high F = 71.2
|Nov high F = 57.1
|Dec high F = 45.4
|year high F =

|Jan mean F = 32.5
|Feb mean F = 36.9
|Mar mean F = 47.3
|Apr mean F = 57.2
|May mean F = 66.8
|Jun mean F = 77.1
|Jul mean F = 81.9
|Aug mean F = 79.8
|Sep mean F = 71.6
|Oct mean F = 58.8
|Nov mean F = 45.6
|Dec mean F = 35.0
|year mean F =

|Jan low F = 21.7
|Feb low F = 25.2
|Mar low F = 34.9
|Apr low F = 44.7
|May low F = 54.7
|Jun low F = 64.8
|Jul low F = 69.4
|Aug low F = 67.4
|Sep low F = 58.9
|Oct low F = 46.4
|Nov low F = 34.1
|Dec low F = 24.5
|year low F =

|Jan avg record low F = 1.6
|Feb avg record low F = 6.1
|Mar avg record low F = 15.2
|Apr avg record low F = 27.5
|May avg record low F = 38.9
|Jun avg record low F = 52.1
|Jul avg record low F = 59.0
|Aug avg record low F = 56.5
|Sep avg record low F = 42.5
|Oct avg record low F = 28.1
|Nov avg record low F = 16.7
|Dec avg record low F = 6.7
|year avg record low F = -2.3

|Jan record low F = -20
|Feb record low F = -29
|Mar record low F = -9
|Apr record low F = 9
|May record low F = 27
|Jun record low F = 34
|Jul record low F = 44
|Aug record low F = 41
|Sep record low F = 23
|Oct record low F = 16
|Nov record low F = -6
|Dec record low F = -24

|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation inch = 0.86
|Feb precipitation inch = 1.43
|Mar precipitation inch = 2.23
|Apr precipitation inch = 3.26
|May precipitation inch = 5.20
|Jun precipitation inch = 4.18
|Jul precipitation inch = 4.75
|Aug precipitation inch = 4.27
|Sep precipitation inch = 2.54
|Oct precipitation inch = 2.47
|Nov precipitation inch = 1.59
|Dec precipitation inch = 1.50
|year precipitation inch =

|unit precipitation days = 0.01 in
|Jan precipitation days = 3.9
|Feb precipitation days = 4.0
|Mar precipitation days = 6.6
|Apr precipitation days = 7.6
|May precipitation days = 10.2
|Jun precipitation days = 8.2
|Jul precipitation days = 8.5
|Aug precipitation days = 8.1
|Sep precipitation days = 5.9
|Oct precipitation days = 6.4
|Nov precipitation days = 4.5
|Dec precipitation days = 4.3

|Jan snow inch = 4.1
|Feb snow inch = 2.8
|Mar snow inch = 1.7
|Apr snow inch = 0.2
|May snow inch = 0.0
|Jun snow inch = 0.0
|Jul snow inch = 0.0
|Aug snow inch = 0.0
|Sep snow inch = 0.0
|Oct snow inch = 0.2
|Nov snow inch = 1.0
|Dec snow inch = 2.2
|year snow inch =

|unit snow days = 0.1 in
|Jan snow days = 2.4
|Feb snow days = 1.4
|Mar snow days = 0.8
|Apr snow days = 0.1
|May snow days = 0.0
|Jun snow days = 0.0
|Jul snow days = 0.0
|Aug snow days = 0.0
|Sep snow days = 0.0
|Oct snow days = 0.2
|Nov snow days = 0.6
|Dec snow days = 1.9

|Jan snow depth inch = 
|Feb snow depth inch = 
|Mar snow depth inch = 
|Apr snow depth inch = 
|May snow depth inch = 
|Jun snow depth inch = 
|Jul snow depth inch = 
|Aug snow depth inch = 
|Sep snow depth inch = 
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|year snow depth inch =

|source 1 = NOAA<ref name = NOAA>
{{cite web
|url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&stations=USC00140010&format=pdf&dataTypes=MLY-TMAX-NORMAL,MLY-TMIN-NORMAL,MLY-TAVG-NORMAL,MLY-PRCP-NORMAL,MLY-SNOW-NORMAL
|publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
|title = U.S. Climate Normals Quick Access – Station: Abilene, KS
|access-date = November 21, 2023
}}
</ref>
|source 2 = National Weather Service<ref name = NOWData>
{{cite web
|url = https://www.weather.gov/wrh/climate?wfo=top
|publisher = National Weather Service
|title = NOAA Online Weather Data – NWS Topeka
|access-date = November 21, 2023
}}
</ref>
}}

==Economy==
Abilene remains a cattle yard town, loading onto the rail system, along with grain and other crops.<ref name=EB/>

There are two [[Great Plains Manufacturing]] Land Pride manufacturing facilities in Abilene.

It is the birthplace of [[Sprint Corporation|Sprint Telecommunications]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.abilenecityhall.com/index.aspx?NID=177 |title=Fast facts |access-date=2018-12-31 |archive-date=2018-12-31 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181231092835/https://www.abilenecityhall.com/index.aspx?NID=177 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
| align = 
| 1880 = 2360
| 1890 = 3547
| 1900 = 3507
| 1910 = 4118
| 1920 = 4895
| 1930 = 5658
| 1940 = 5671
| 1950 = 5775
| 1960 = 6746
| 1970 = 6661
| 1980 = 6572
| 1990 = 6242
| 2000 = 6543
| 2010 = 6844
| 2020 = 6460
| estyear = 2023
| estimate = 6443
| estref = <ref name="USCensusEst2023">{{Cite web |title=Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023 |url=https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-counties-total.html |access-date=March 24, 2024 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref>
| align-fn = center
| footnote = [https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html U.S. Decennial Census]<br />2010-2020<ref name="Census-2020-QF"/>
}}

===2020 census===
The [[2020 United States census]] counted 6,460 people, 2,797 households, and 1,675 families in Abilene.<ref>{{Cite web |title=US Census Bureau, Table P16: HOUSEHOLD TYPE |url=https://data.census.gov/table?q=Abilene%20city,%20Kansas%20p16&y=2020 |access-date=2023-12-31 |website=data.census.gov}}</ref><ref name=:0 /> The population density was 1,356.6 per square mile (523.8/km{{sup|2}}). There were 3,137 housing units at an average density of 658.8 per square mile (254.3/km{{sup|2}}).<ref name=:0>{{Cite web |title=US Census Bureau, Table DP1: PROFILE OF GENERAL POPULATION AND HOUSING CHARACTERISTICS |url=https://data.census.gov/table/DECENNIALDP2020.DP1?q=Abilene%20city,%20Kansas%20dp1 |access-date=2023-12-31 |website=data.census.gov}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web   |title=Gazetteer Files |url=https://www.census.gov/geographies/reference-files/2020/geo/gazetter-file.html |access-date=2023-12-30 |website=Census.gov}}</ref> The racial makeup was 91.93% (5,939) [[White (U.S. Census)|white]] or [[European American]] (89.52% [[Non-Hispanic White|non-Hispanic white]]), 0.87% (56) [[African American (U.S. Census)|black]] or [[African American|African-American]], 0.36% (23) [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]] or [[Alaska Native]], 0.34% (22) [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.12% (8) [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]] or [[Native Hawaiian]], 1.47% (95) from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 4.91% (317) from [[Multiracial Americans|two or more races]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=US Census Bureau, Table P1: RACE |url=https://data.census.gov/table/DECENNIALPL2020.P1?q=Abilene%20city,%20Kansas%20p1&y=2020 |access-date=2023-12-31 |website=data.census.gov}}</ref> [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race was 5.65% (365) of the population.<ref>{{Cite web |title=US Census Bureau, Table P2: HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE |url=https://data.census.gov/table/DECENNIALPL2020.P2?q=Abilene%20city,%20Kansas%20p2&y=2020 |access-date=2023-12-31 |website=data.census.gov}}</ref>

Of the 2,797 households, 26.9% had children under the age of 18; 44.7% were married couples living together; 30.0% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. 35.8% of households consisted of individuals and 18.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.<ref name=:0 /> The average household size was 2.1 and the average family size was 2.9.<ref>{{Cite web |title=US Census Bureau, Table S1101: HOUSEHOLDS AND FAMILIES |url=https://data.census.gov/table/ACSST5Y2020.S1101?q=Abilene%20city,%20Kansas%20s1101%20&y=2020 |access-date=2023-12-31 |website=data.census.gov}}</ref> The percent of those with a bachelor’s degree or higher was estimated to be 21.2% of the population.<ref>{{Cite web |title=US Census Bureau, Table S1501: EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT |url=https://data.census.gov/table/ACSST5Y2020.S1501?q=Abilene%20city,%20Kansas%20s1501%20&y=2020 |access-date=2023-12-31 |website=data.census.gov}}</ref>

23.1% of the population was under the age of 18, 7.4% from 18 to 24, 22.3% from 25 to 44, 24.6% from 45 to 64, and 22.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42.3 years. For every 100 females, there were 106.9 males.<ref name=:0 /> For every 100 females ages 18 and older, there were 111.9 males.<ref name=:0 />

The 2016-2020 5-year [[American Community Survey]] estimates show that the median household income was $47,829 (with a margin of error of +/- $10,161) and the median family income was $69,815 (+/- $11,480).<ref>{{Cite web |title=US Census Bureau, Table S1903: MEDIAN INCOME IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS (IN 2020 INFLATION-ADJUSTED DOLLARS) |url=https://data.census.gov/table/ACSST5Y2020.S1903?q=Abilene%20city,%20Kansas%20s1903%20&y=2020 |access-date=2023-12-31 |website=data.census.gov}}</ref> Males had a median income of $36,933 (+/- $6,402) versus $21,540 (+/- $3,802) for females. The median income for those above 16 years old was $30,625 (+/- $4,869).<ref>{{Cite web |title=US Census Bureau, Table S2001: EARNINGS IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS (IN 2020 INFLATION-ADJUSTED DOLLARS) |url=https://data.census.gov/table/ACSST5Y2020.S2001?q=Abilene%20city,%20Kansas%20s2001%20&y=2020 |access-date=2023-12-31 |website=data.census.gov}}</ref> Approximately, 4.8% of families and 8.3% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 9.2% of those under the age of 18 and 8.5% of those ages 65 or over.<ref>{{Cite web |title=US Census Bureau, Table S1701: POVERTY STATUS IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS |url=https://data.census.gov/table/ACSST5Y2020.S1701?q=Abilene%20city,%20Kansas%20s1701%20&y=2020 |access-date=2023-12-31 |website=data.census.gov}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=US Census Bureau, Table S1702: POVERTY STATUS IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS OF FAMILIES |url=https://data.census.gov/table/ACSST5Y2020.S1702?q=Abilene%20city,%20Kansas%20s1702&y=2020 |access-date=2023-12-31 |website=data.census.gov}}</ref>

===2010 census===
As of the [[2010 United States Census|2010 census]], there were 6,844 people, 2,878 households, and 1,781 families residing in the city.<ref name="Census2010">{{cite web|title=2010 City Population and Housing Occupancy Status |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/2010/cph-2/cph-2-18.pdf |publisher=U.S. Census Bureau |access-date=September 8, 2022}}</ref> The population density was {{convert|1,463.6|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 3,143 housing units at an average density of {{convert|671.6|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The city's racial makeup was 94.9% [[White American|White]], 0.9% [[African American]], 0.4% [[Native Americans in the United States|American Indian]], 0.2% [[Asian American|Asian]], 1.1% from some other race, and 2.4% from two or more races. 4.7% of the population was [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race.<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=2008-01-31 |title=U.S. Census website }}</ref>

There were 2,878 households, of which 31.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.3% were married couples living together, 4.0% had a male householder with no wife present, 10.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.1% were non-families. 33.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.33, and the average family size was 2.97.<ref name="GR2" />

In the city, the population was spread out, with 25.7% under the age of 18, 6.9% from 18 to 24, 23.7% from 25 to 44, 24.5% from 45 to 64, and 19.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39.6 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.2 males age 18 and over.<ref name="GR2" />

The city's median household income was $48,115, and the median family income was $61,146. Males had a median income of $42,332 versus $29,325 for females. The city's [[per capita income]] was $21,820. About 7.3% of families and 10.8% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 14.1% of those under age 18 and 15.1% of those age 65 or over.<ref name="GR2" />

==Education==
The community is served by [[Abilene USD 435]] public school district.

==Transportation==
[[File:Abilene Kansas Rock Island Depot.jpg|thumb|right|The former Rock Island Depot is a gift shop for the [[Abilene and Smoky Valley Railroad]] (2010).]]
[[Interstate 70 in Kansas|Interstate 70]] and [[U.S. Route 40 in Kansas|U.S. Route 40]] run concurrently east–west immediately north of Abilene, intersecting highway [[K-15 (Kansas highway)|K-15]], which runs north–south through the city.<ref name=KDOT/>

[[Abilene Municipal Airport]] is on the city's southwestern side. Publicly owned, it has one asphalt runway and is used predominantly for [[general aviation]].<ref>{{cite web | title = K78 - Abilene Municipal Airport | publisher = AirNav.com | url = http://www.airnav.com/airport/K78 | access-date = 2011-04-16}}</ref>

The Kansas Pacific (KP) line of the [[Union Pacific Railroad]] runs east–west through the city.<ref name=CountyMap/><ref>{{cite web | title = UPRR Common Line Names | publisher = [[Union Pacific Railroad]] | url = http://www.uprr.com/aboutup/maps/attachments/upcomnam.pdf | access-date = 2011-04-17| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110514174900/http://www.uprr.com/aboutup/maps/attachments/upcomnam.pdf| archive-date= 14 May 2011 | url-status= live}}</ref> It intersects a [[BNSF Railway]] line which enters the city from the east and then turns north.<ref>{{cite web|title=Kansas Operating Division |publisher=[[BNSF Railway]] |date=2009-01-01 |url=http://www.bnsf.com/customers/pdf/maps/div_ks.pdf |access-date=2011-04-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110325001559/http://www.bnsf.com/customers/pdf/maps/div_ks.pdf |archive-date=25 March 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The city of Abilene provided [[demand responsive transport]].<ref>{{Cite web| title = Abilene, KS - Public Transportation| access-date = 2018-12-01| url = http://www.abilenecityhall.com/index.aspx?nid=271}}</ref>

==Media==
===Print===
Abilene has one daily [[newspaper]], ''[[The Abilene Reflector-Chronicle]]''.<ref>{{cite web | title = About this Newspaper: Abilene reflector-chronicle | work = Chronicling America | publisher = [[Library of Congress]] | url = http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn84029353/ | access-date = 2009-09-27}}</ref>

===Radio===
The following [[radio station]]s are [[city of license|licensed]] to Abilene:

'''AM'''
{| class="wikitable"
|+ align=bottom |
!style="background:#ffcccc;"| '''Frequency'''
!style="background:#ffcccc;"| '''[[Callsign]]'''<ref>{{cite web|title=AMQ AM Radio Database Query |publisher=[[Federal Communications Commission]] |url=http://www.fcc.gov/mb/audio/amq.html |access-date=2009-09-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090825063614/http://www.fcc.gov/mb/audio/amq.html |archive-date=25 August 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
!style="background:#ffcccc;"| '''Format'''<ref name=Arbitron>{{cite web | title = Station Information Profile | publisher = [[Arbitron]] | url = http://www.arbitron.com/radio_stations/station_information.htm | access-date = 2009-09-27}}</ref>
!style="background:#ffcccc;"| '''[[City of License]]'''
!style="background:#ffcccc;"| '''Notes'''
|-
|1560||[[KABI (AM)|KABI]]||[[Adult Standards]]/[[Middle of the road (music)|MOR]]||Abilene, Kansas||-
|-
|}

'''FM'''
{| class="wikitable"
|+ align=bottom |
!style="background:#ffcccc;"| '''Frequency'''
!style="background:#ffcccc;"| '''[[Callsign]]'''<ref>{{cite web|title=FMQ FM Radio Database Query |publisher=[[Federal Communications Commission]] |url=http://www.fcc.gov/mb/audio/fmq.html |access-date=2009-09-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090825071957/http://www.fcc.gov/mb/audio/fmq.html |archive-date=25 August 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
!style="background:#ffcccc;"| '''Format'''<ref>{{cite web | title = Radio Stations in Abilene, Kansas | publisher = Radio-Locator | url = http://www.radio-locator.com/cgi-bin/locate?select=city&city=Abilene&state=KS&x=12&y=7 | access-date = 2011-05-11}}</ref>
!style="background:#ffcccc;"| '''[[City of License]]'''
!style="background:#ffcccc;"| '''Notes'''
|-
|94.1||[[KAKA (FM)|K231AW]]||[[Christian radio|Religious]]||Abilene, Kansas||[[American Family Radio|AFR]]; Translator of [[KAKA (FM)|KAKA]], [[Salina, Kansas]]<ref>{{cite web | title = K231AW-FM Radio Station Information | publisher = Radio-Locator | url = http://www.radio-locator.com/info/K231AW-FX | access-date = 2011-05-13}}</ref>
|-
|98.5||[[KSAJ-FM]]||[[Oldies]]||Abilene, Kansas||Broadcasts from [[Salina, Kansas]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Contact Us |publisher=[[KSAJ-FM]] |url=http://www.trueoldies985.com/page.php?page_id=68 |access-date=2011-12-17 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120105135109/http://www.trueoldies985.com/page.php?page_id=68 |archive-date=2012-01-05 }}</ref>
|-
|}

===Television===
Abilene is in the [[Wichita, Kansas|Wichita]]-[[Hutchinson, Kansas]] television [[media market|market]].<ref>{{cite web | title = Kansas TV Market Map | publisher = EchoStar Knowledge Base | url = http://dishuser.org/TVMarkets/Maps/kansas.gif | access-date = 2011-05-13 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110726000406/http://dishuser.org/TVMarkets/Maps/kansas.gif | archive-date = 2011-07-26 }}</ref>

==Points of interest==
[[File:Lebold Mansion.JPG|thumb|upright|Lebold Mansion]]
* [[Abilene and Smoky Valley Railroad]] - A tourist railroad based out of the old Rock Island train depot in Old Abilene Town; it hauls passengers between Abilene and [[Enterprise, Kansas|Enterprise]].<ref>[http://www.travelks.com/s/index.cfm?LID=267 Abilene & Smoky Valley Excursion Train], Kansas Department of Commerce. Accessed 2009-04-14.</ref>
* [[Eisenhower Presidential Center]] and the Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum.[http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20011109035216/http://www.eisenhower.utexas.edu/] - Contains murals depicting President Eisenhower's life, painted by artists, [[Louis Bouche|Louis George Bouché]] and [[Ross Moffett]] in 1954.
* Great Plains Theatre - Originally First Presbyterian Church, built in 1881, Landmarked, and is now a live professional theatre, and movie theatre. [http://www.greatplainstheatre.com]
* Greyhound Hall of Fame - Near the Eisenhower Presidential Library, the hall exhibits the history of the [[greyhound]] breed and of greyhound racing.
* Heritage Center of Dickinson County - Two museums including the Historical Museum and the Museum of Independent Telephony. The Museum of Independent Telephony tells the story of [[C. L. Brown]], whose independent [[Brown Telephone Company]] grew to become [[Sprint Corporation]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://heritagecenterdk.com/museum_of_independent_telephony.html |title=Telephone Museum |website=heritagecenterdk.com |access-date=19 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051119094546/http://heritagecenterdk.com/museum_of_independent_telephony.html |archive-date=19 November 2005 |url-status=dead}}</ref> and then [[T-Mobile US|T-Mobile]].
* [[Lebold Mansion]] - National Register Property listed in 1973. Built in 1880 in the Italianate Tuscan villa style. This decorative arts museum was once home to one of the finest collections of American Victorian antiques and artifacts. However, the museum closed to all tours in June 2010 and was sold to new owners as a private residence on 9/15/10.{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20050828065521/http://lebold-mansion.com/]}}
* Old Abilene Town - Constructed as a replica historic district, beginning in the late 1950s, it includes several original buildings that have been moved from their original locations.<ref>[http://www.abilenekansas.org/page.aspx?page_id=30 Historic Old Abilene Town] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090729002913/http://www.abilenekansas.org/page.aspx?page_id=30 |date=July 29, 2009 }}, Abilene. Accessed 2009-04-14.</ref>
* [[A. B. Seelye House]] and Museum - A Georgian style mansion built in 1905 at a cost of $55,000. The 25 room mansion contains the original furniture and Edison light fixtures. The Patent Medicine Museum contains many artifacts of the A.B. Seelye Medical Company. [http://www.seelyemansion.com/] Listed on the [[National Register of Historic Places]], it is a museum showcasing Seelye, an advocate of [[patent medicine]]s.<ref>[http://www.abilenekansas.org/page.aspx?page_id=12 Seelye Mansion] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100102134431/http://www.abilenekansas.org/page.aspx?page_id=12 |date=January 2, 2010 }}, Abilene. Accessed 2009-04-14.</ref>
* Kansas Historical Marker - ''Historic Abilene'', on south Sixth Street.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.kshs.org/p/kansas-historical-markers/14999|title=Kansas Historical Markers - Kansas Historical Society|website=www.kshs.org}}</ref>

==Cultural==
Cowboy-era Abilene is the fictional setting for the Randolph Scott-starring 1946 film ''[[Abilene Town]]'', which in turn became the inspiration behind the 1963 hit song "[[Abilene (song)|Abilene]]", recorded by [[George Hamilton IV]].

British singer-songwriter [[John Cale]]'s song "Buffalo Ballet" from his 1975 album "[[Fear (John Cale album)|Fear]]" reflects a cynical view of the town's history from the days it was "young and gay" until it "drowned in wealth and pain", as an example of the expansion of the [[American frontier|American Frontier]].

The main storyline of western video game ''[[Call of Juarez: Gunslinger]]'' is at Abilene.

The much larger city of [[Abilene, Texas]] takes its name from Abilene, Kansas.<ref name=EB/><ref>{{cite book |title=The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States |publisher=U.S. Government Printing Office |year=1905 |page=[https://archive.org/details/origincertainpl00ganngoog/page/n28 22] |author=Gannett, Henry |url=https://archive.org/details/origincertainpl00ganngoog |isbn=0-7884-0579-9}}</ref>

==Notable people==
[[File:Dwight D. Eisenhower, official Presidential portrait.jpg|thumb|upright|Dwight D. Eisenhower]]
{{see also|List of people from Dickinson County, Kansas}}
<!-- All people MUST meet [[Wikipedia:Notability]] requirements. If the person has a Wikipedia article, then wiki link the name (see [[Help:Links#Wikilinks]]). If the name appears in red or black, then you MUST add a good reference to prove notability (see [[Wikipedia:External links]] and [[Wikipedia:Verifiability]]). -->
Old West figures who lived in Abilene during its period as a cowtown included [[Wild Bill Hickok]], cattle baron [[Joseph McCoy]], gambler [[Phil Coe]], marshal [[Thomas J. Smith|Tom "Bear River" Smith]], gunfighters [[Pat Desmond]], [[John Wesley Hardin]], and [[Ben Thompson (lawman)|Ben Thompson]], and Thompson's sister-in-law [[Libby Thompson|Libby]], a prostitute and dance hall girl.<ref>{{cite web|last=Gray |first=Jim |title=Abilene History |publisher=Kansas Cattle Towns |url=http://www.kansascattletowns.org/abilene/abilene_history.html |access-date=2011-04-23 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120323023053/http://www.kansascattletowns.org/abilene/abilene_history.html |archive-date=2012-03-23 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | last = Weiser | first = Kathy | title = Old West Legends - Texas Madam Squirrel Tooth Alice | publisher = Legends of America | year = 2008 | url = http://www.legendsofamerica.com/we-squirreltooth.html | access-date = 2011-04-23}}</ref> 
[[President of the United States]] and [[General of the Army (United States)|five-star general]] [[Dwight D. Eisenhower]] grew up in Abilene as did his brothers [[Edgar N. Eisenhower|Edgar]], [[Earl D. Eisenhower|Earl]], and [[Milton S. Eisenhower|Milton]].<ref>{{cite web | title = Abilene Years | publisher = [[Eisenhower Presidential Center]] | url = https://www.eisenhower.archives.gov/All_About_Ike/Early%20Years/Early_Years.html# | access-date = 2011-04-23 | archive-date = 2011-06-14 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110614220337/http://www.eisenhower.archives.gov/All_About_Ike/Early%20Years/Early_Years.html | url-status = dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title = President Dwight D. Eisenhower | publisher = Internet Accuracy Project | url = http://accuracyproject.org/cbe-Eisenhower,DwightD..html | access-date = 2011-04-23}}</ref> Eisenhower is buried in Abilene, along with his wife [[Mamie Eisenhower|Mamie]] and their eldest son Doud, on the grounds of his presidential library.<ref>{{cite web | title = Final Post | publisher = [[Eisenhower Presidential Center]] | url = https://www.eisenhower.archives.gov/All_About_Ike/Final%20Years/Final%20Years.html | access-date = 2011-04-23 | archive-date = 2011-06-14 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110614220429/http://www.eisenhower.archives.gov/All_About_Ike/Final%20Years/Final%20Years.html | url-status = dead }}</ref>

Other notable individuals who have lived in Abilene include these:
*[[C. Olin Ball]], food scientist, inventor<ref>{{cite web | last = Pehanich | first = Mike | title = Hail to the innovators | publisher = Food Engineering | date = 2003-09-10 | url = http://www.foodengineeringmag.com/CDA/Archives/52b0bc2fd62f8010VgnVCM100000f932a8c0____ | access-date = 2011-04-23}}</ref>
*[[Harry Beaumont]], Oscar-nominated film director<ref>{{cite book |title=The Oxford Companion to the American Musical |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XbBz3C4Gr0EC&pg=PA54 |last=Hischak |first=Thomas |publisher=[[Oxford University Press]] |isbn=9780195335330 |page=54 |year=2008}}</ref>
*[[Joseph R. Burton|Joseph Burton]], [[United States Senate|U.S. Senator]] from Kansas<ref>{{cite encyclopedia | title = Burton, Joseph Ralph | dictionary = [[Biographical Directory of the United States Congress]] | url = http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=B001154 | access-date = 2011-04-23}}</ref>
*[[Steve Doocy]], journalist, author<ref>{{cite web | title = Five Minutes with FOX & Friends | publisher = [[Fox News Channel]] | url = http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,89351,00.html | access-date = 2011-04-23}}</ref>
*[[Joe Engle]], pilot and NASA Astronaut<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/01/science/space/joe-engle-dead.html|title=Joe Engle, Trailblazer as Test Pilot and an Astronaut, Dies at 91|website=The New York Times|author-first1=Richard|author-last1=Sandomir|year=2024|access-date=28 February 2025|url-status=live|url-access=limited|archive-date=2 December 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241202214425/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/01/science/space/joe-engle-dead.html}}</ref>
*[[Marlin Fitzwater]], former Press Secretary of Presidents [[Ronald Reagan]] and [[George H. W. Bush|George Bush]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Roberts |first=Steven V. |author-link=Steven V. Roberts |title=MAN IN THE NEWS: MAX MARLIN FITZWATER; The Face Is Familiar Max Marlin Fitzwater |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1988/11/29/us/man-in-the-news-max-marlin-fitzwater-the-face-is-familiar-max-marlin-fitzwater.html |date=29 November 1988 |access-date=21 May 2018 |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |page=6 |url-access=limited}}</ref>
*[[Edward C. Little|Edward Little]], [[United States House of Representatives|U.S. Representative]] from Kansas<ref>{{cite encyclopedia | title = Little, Edward Campbell | dictionary = [[Biographical Directory of the United States Congress]] | url = http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=L000349 | access-date = 2011-04-23}}</ref>
*[[Deane Waldo Malott|Deane Malott]], university administrator<ref>{{cite news|title=President Emeritus Malott dies at 98 |newspaper=[[Cornell Chronicle]] |date=1996-09-19 |url=http://www.news.cornell.edu/Chronicle/96/9.19.96/Malott_obit.html |access-date=2011-04-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110514093811/http://www.news.cornell.edu/Chronicle/96/9.19.96/Malott_obit.html |archive-date=14 May 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
*[[Frank D. Parent|Frank Parent]], California court judge<ref>{{citation | title = F. D. Parent, Retired City Judge, Dies at 81: Inglewood Man, Who Served on Bench 28 Years, Coached Eisenhower in High School. | work = [[Los Angeles Times]] | page = B1 | date = 1960-06-20}}</ref>
*[[Mike Racy]], commissioner for [[Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association|MIAA]], previously vice president for [[NCAA]]{{citation needed|date=February 2025}}
*[[Everett W. Stewart|Everett Stewart]], World War II [[flying ace]]<ref>{{citation | last1 = Hatch | first1 = Gardner N. | last2 = Winter | first2 = Frank H. | title = P-51 Mustang | publisher = [[Turner Publishing Company]] | year = 1993 | location = [[Nashville, Tennessee|Nashville]] | page = 135}}</ref>
*[[Hy Vandenberg]], [[Major League Baseball]] pitcher<ref>{{cite web | title = Hy Vandenberg Statistics and History | website = [[Baseball-Reference.com]] | url = https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/v/vandehy01.shtml | access-date = 2011-04-23}}</ref>
*[[Cody Whitehair]], center for the [[Chicago Bears]] and [[Las Vegas Raiders]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ksn.com/sports/chicago-bears-release-abilene-native-cody-whitehair-report/|title=Chicago Bears release Abilene native Cody Whitehair|author-first1=Daniel|author-last1=Fair|website=KSN|publisher=Nexstar Media Group, Inc.|date=15 February 2024|access-date=28 February 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240224154101/https://www.ksn.com/sports/chicago-bears-release-abilene-native-cody-whitehair-report/|archive-date=24 February 2024|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Sister cities==
*{{flagdeco|Japan}} [[Omitama]], [[Ibaraki Prefecture|Ibaraki]], Japan<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sister-cities.org/interactive-map/Abilene,%20Kansas |title=Interactive City Directory |publisher=Sister Cities International |access-date=2016-02-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160301183503/http://www.sister-cities.org/interactive-map/Abilene,%20Kansas |archive-date=2016-03-01 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==See also==
{{Portal|Kansas}}
* [[National Register of Historic Places listings in Dickinson County, Kansas]]
* [[Abilene High School (Abilene, Kansas)|Abilene High School]]
* [[Abilene Trail]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
{{Kansas books}}
{{See also|Dickinson County, Kansas#Further reading|l1=List of books about Dickinson County, Kansas}}
{{See also|Chisholm Trail#Further reading|l1=List of books about Chisholm Trail}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* [https://www.abilenecityhall.com/ City of Abilene]
* [https://www.lkm.org/members/?id=41260508 Abilene - Directory of Public Officials]
* [http://specialcollections.wichita.edu/kw/towns.asp?town=Abilene&county=Dickinson Historic Images of Abilene], Special Photo Collections at [[Wichita State University]] Library
* [http://www.kansasphototour.com/eisenhow.htm Kansas Photo Tour - Eisenhower Center]
* {{YouTube|mPavJ2aPFOc|Seelye Mansion}}, from ''Hatteberg's People'' on [[KAKE]] TV news

{{Dickinson County, Kansas}}
{{Kansas}}
{{Wild West}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Cities in Kansas]]
[[Category:County seats in Kansas]]
[[Category:Cities in Dickinson County, Kansas]]
[[Category:American frontier]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1857]]
[[Category:1857 establishments in Kansas Territory]]