Editing Athol, Kansas

{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Short description|City in Smith County, Kansas}}
{{Infobox settlement
|name                     = Athol, Kansas
|settlement_type          = [[City]]

<!-- Images -->
|image_skyline            = Athol, KS.jpg
|image_caption            = (2021)
|image_flag               =
|image_seal               =

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

<!-- Location -->
|coordinates_footnotes    = <ref name="GNIS"/>
|coordinates              = {{coord|39|45|58|N|98|55|11|W|region:US-KS_type:city|display=inline,title}}
|subdivision_type         = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
|subdivision_name         = United States
|subdivision_type1        = [[U.S. state|State]]
|subdivision_name1        = [[Kansas]]
|subdivision_type2        = [[List of counties in Kansas|County]]
|subdivision_name2        = [[Smith County, Kansas|Smith]]
|subdivision_type3        = [[List of townships in Kansas|Township]]
|subdivision_name3        =

<!-- Established -->
|established_title        = Founded
|established_date         = 1888
|established_title1       = [[Platted]]
|established_date1        =
|established_title2       = [[Municipal corporation|Incorporated]]
|established_date2        = 1911
|named_for                =

<!-- Government -->
|government_footnotes     =
|government_type          = <!-- [[Mayor–council government|Mayor–Council]] -->
|leader_title             = [[Mayor]]
|leader_name              =

<!-- 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|accessdate=July 24, 2020}}</ref>
|area_total_sq_mi         = 0.18
|area_land_sq_mi          = 0.18
|area_water_sq_mi         = 0.00
|area_total_km2           = 0.48
|area_land_km2            = 0.48
|area_water_km2           = 0.00
|unit_pref                = Imperial

<!-- Elevation -->
|elevation_footnotes      = <ref name="GNIS"/>
|elevation_ft             = 1791

<!-- Population -->
|population_footnotes     = <ref name="Census-2020-Profile"/>
|population_as_of         = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
|population_total         = 41
|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              = 66932
|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               = 20-03025 
|blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS ID]]
|blank1_info              = 2394011<ref name="GNIS">{{cite gnis2|2394011}}</ref>
|website                  =
}}

'''Athol''' is a city in [[Smith County, Kansas|Smith County]], [[Kansas]], United States.<ref name="GNIS"/>  As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], the population of the city was 41.<ref name="Census-2020-Profile">{{cite web |title=Profile of Athol, Kansas in 2020 |url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/profile?g=1600000US2003025 |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=March 23, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220323235252/https://data.census.gov/cedsci/profile?g=1600000US2003025 |archive-date=March 23, 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref>

==History==
Athol was founded in 1888.<ref>{{cite book | url=https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_5zdAAQAAMAAJ | title=Biennial Report of the Board of Directors of the Kansas State Historical Society | publisher=Kansas State Printing Plant | author=Kansas State Historical Society | year=1916 | pages=[https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_5zdAAQAAMAAJ/page/n408 301]}}</ref> The first post office in Athol was established in February 1888.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kshs.org/geog/geog_postoffices/search/county:SM |title=Kansas Post Offices, 1828-1961 |publisher=Kansas Historical Society |accessdate=23 June 2014 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131009133615/http://www.kshs.org/geog/geog_postoffices/search/county%3ASM |archivedate=October 9, 2013 }}</ref>

Athol was a station and shipping point on the [[Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad]].<ref>{{cite book | url=https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_o8X5krq3fP8C | title=Kansas: A Cyclopedia of State History, Embracing Events, Institutions, Industries, Counties, Cities, Towns, Prominent Persons, Etc. | publisher=Standard Publishing Company | author=Blackmar, Frank Wilson | year=1912 | pages=[https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_o8X5krq3fP8C/page/n112 116]}}</ref>

In the 1870s, the song "[[Home on the Range]]" was written by Dr. [[Brewster Higley]] in a cabin {{convert|8|mi}} north of Athol.<ref>{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=j4Pg-3gwbuEC&pg=PA209 | title=Kansas Off the Beaten Path, 9th: A Guide to Unique Places | publisher=Globe Pequot |author1=DeLano, Patti  |author2=Smarsh, Sarah  |name-list-style=amp | year=2010 | pages=209| isbn=9780762765676 }}</ref>

==Geography==

According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|0.18|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, all of it 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]] |accessdate=2012-07-06 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120125061959/http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt |archivedate=2012-01-25 }}</ref>

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|align=left
|1920= 294
|1930= 280
|1940= 248
|1950= 203
|1960= 140
|1970= 108
|1980= 90
|1990= 86
|2000= 51
|2010= 44
|2020= 41
|estyear=
|estimate=
|estref=
|align-fn=center
|footnote=[https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html U.S. Decennial Census]
}}
===2020 census===
The [[2020 United States census]] counted 41 people, 25 households, and 19 families in Athol.<ref>{{Cite web |title=US Census Bureau, Table P16: HOUSEHOLD TYPE |url=https://data.census.gov/table?q=Athol%20city,%20Kansas%20p16&y=2020 |access-date=2024-01-16 |website=data.census.gov}}</ref><ref name=:0 /> The population density was 221.6 per square mile (85.6/km{{sup|2}}). There were 25 housing units at an average density of 135.1 per square mile (52.2/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=Athol%20city,%20Kansas%20dp1 |access-date=2024-01-16 |website=data.census.gov}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |publisher=United States Census Bureau |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 100.0% (41) [[White (U.S. Census)|white]] or [[European American]] (100.0% [[Non-Hispanic White|non-Hispanic white]]), 0.0% (0) [[African American (U.S. Census)|black]] or [[African American|African-American]], 0.0% (0) [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]] or [[Alaska Native]], 0.0% (0) [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.0% (0) [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]] or [[Native Hawaiian]], 0.0% (0) from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 0.0% (0) 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=Athol%20city,%20Kansas%20p1&y=2020 |access-date=2024-01-16 |website=data.census.gov}}</ref> [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race was 0.0% (0) 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=Athol%20city,%20Kansas%20p2&y=2020 |access-date=2024-01-16 |website=data.census.gov}}</ref>

Of the 25 households, 28.0% had children under the age of 18; 56.0% were married couples living together; 12.0% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. 20.0% of households consisted of individuals and 4.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.<ref name=:0 /> The average household size was 2.2 and the average family size was 2.6.<ref>{{Cite web |title=US Census Bureau, Table S1101: HOUSEHOLDS AND FAMILIES |url=https://data.census.gov/table/ACSST5Y2020.S1101?q=Athol%20city,%20Kansas%20s1101%20&y=2020 |access-date=2024-01-16 |website=data.census.gov}}</ref> The percent of those with a bachelor’s degree or higher was estimated to be 17.1% of the population.<ref>{{Cite web |title=US Census Bureau, Table S1501: EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT |url=https://data.census.gov/table/ACSST5Y2020.S1501?q=Athol%20city,%20Kansas%20s1501%20&y=2020 |access-date=2024-01-16 |website=data.census.gov}}</ref>

14.6% of the population was under the age of 18, 2.4% from 18 to 24, 26.8% from 25 to 44, 24.4% from 45 to 64, and 31.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 46.8 years. For every 100 females, there were 64.0 males.<ref name=:0 /> For every 100 females ages 18 and older, there were 59.1 males.<ref name=:0 />

The 2016-2020 5-year [[American Community Survey]] estimates show that the median family income was $38,750 (+/- $28,485).<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=Athol%20city,%20Kansas%20s1903%20&y=2020 |access-date=2024-01-16 |website=data.census.gov}}</ref> Females had a median income of $18,250 (+/- $3,932). The median income for those above 16 years old was $17,750 (+/- $2,936).<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=Athol%20city,%20Kansas%20s2001%20&y=2020 |access-date=2024-01-16 |website=data.census.gov}}</ref> Approximately, 25.0% of families and 35.5% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 100.0% of those under the age of 18 and 0.0% 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=Athol%20city,%20Kansas%20s1701%20&y=2020 |access-date=2024-01-16 |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=Athol%20city,%20Kansas%20s1702&y=2020 |access-date=2024-01-16 |website=data.census.gov}}</ref>

===2010 census===
As of the [[census]]<ref name ="wwwcensusgov">{{cite web|title=U.S. Census website|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|accessdate=2012-07-06}}</ref> of 2010, there were 44 people, 17 households, and 14 families residing in the city. The [[population density]] was {{convert|244.4|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 26 housing units at an average density of {{convert|144.4|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the city was 88.6% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]] and 11.4% from two or more races.

There were 17 households, of which 29.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 76.5% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 5.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 17.6% were non-families. 17.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 5.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.59 and the average family size was 2.86.

The median age in the city was 41 years. 25% of residents were under the age of 18; 4.7% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 25% were from 25 to 44; 31.8% were from 45 to 64; and 13.6% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 43.2% male and 56.8% female.

===2000 census===
As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |accessdate=2008-01-31 |title=U.S. Census website }}</ref> of 2000, there were 51 people, 25 households, and 14 families residing in the city. The population density was {{convert|287.0|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 27 housing units at an average density of {{convert|152.0|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the city was 96.08% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]] and 3.92% from two or more races.

There were 25 households, out of which 24.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.0% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, and 44.0% were non-families. 44.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 40.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.04 and the average family size was 2.79.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 19.6% under the age of 18, 5.9% from 18 to 24, 15.7% from 25 to 44, 35.3% from 45 to 64, and 23.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 48 years. For every 100 females, there were 112.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.2 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $28,250, and the median income for a family was $34,375. Males had a median income of $11,250 versus $18,750 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $14,872. There were 13.3% of families and 8.5% of the population living below the [[poverty line]], including no under eighteens and 11.8% of those over 64.

==Government==
The Athol government consists of a mayor and five council members.  The council meets the 1st Wednesday of each month at 7PM.<ref name="gov1">[http://www.lkm.org/directory/cities.php?ID=473 Athol - Directory of Public Officials] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110505110336/http://www.lkm.org/directory/cities.php?ID=473 |date=May 5, 2011 }}</ref>

==Education==
The community is served by [[Thunder Ridge USD 110]] public school district.

==References==
{{Reflist}}

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

==External links==
{{Commons category|Athol, Kansas}}
* [https://www.lkm.org/members/?id=41260534 Athol - Directory of Public Officials]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20110721200327/http://www.kansassampler.org/8wonders/history.php?id=20 Home on the Range Cabin], cabin where the song ''Home on the Range'' was written.
* [https://www.ksdot.org/Assets/wwwksdotorg/bureaus/burTransPlan/maps/city-pdf/athol.pdf Athol city map], KDOT

{{Smith County, Kansas}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Cities in Kansas]]
[[Category:Cities in Smith County, Kansas]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1888]]
[[Category:1888 establishments in Kansas]]