Editing Baxter Springs, Kansas

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

<!-- Images -->
|image_skyline            = Downtown Baxter Springs.jpg
|image_caption            = Downtown Baxter Springs (2008)
|image_flag               =
|image_seal               =

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

<!-- Location -->
|coordinates_footnotes    = <ref name="GNIS"/>
|coordinates              = {{coord|37|01|10|N|94|44|06|W|region:US-KS_type:city_source:GNIS|display=inline,title}}
|subdivision_type         = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
|subdivision_type1        = [[U.S. state|State]]
|subdivision_type2        = [[List of counties in Kansas|County]]
|subdivision_name         = United States
|subdivision_name1        = [[Kansas]]
|subdivision_name2        = [[Cherokee County, Kansas|Cherokee]]
|subdivision_type3        = [[List of townships in Kansas|Township]]
|subdivision_name3        =

<!-- Established -->
|established_title        = Founded
|established_date         = 1858
|established_title1       = [[Platted]]
|established_date1        =
|established_title2       = [[Municipal corporation|Incorporated]]
|established_date2        = 1868
|named_for                = A. Baxter

<!-- 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|access-date=July 24, 2020}}</ref>
|area_total_sq_mi         = 3.24
|area_land_sq_mi          = 3.15
|area_water_sq_mi         = 0.09
|area_total_km2           = 8.38
|area_land_km2            = 8.16
|area_water_km2           = 0.23
|unit_pref                = Imperial

<!-- Elevation -->
|elevation_footnotes      = <ref name="GNIS"/>
|elevation_ft             = 843

<!-- Population -->
|population_footnotes     = <ref name="Census-2020-Profile"/>
|population_as_of         = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
|population_total         = 3888
|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              = 66713
|area_code_type           = [[North American Numbering Plan|Area code]]
|area_code                = [[Area code 620|620]]
|blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
|blank_info               = 20-04625
|blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS ID]]
|blank1_info              = 485544<ref name="GNIS">{{GNIS|485544}}</ref>
|website                  = {{URL|https://www.facebook.com/BaxterSpringsCityHall/|City webpage}}
}}

'''Baxter Springs''' is a city in [[Cherokee County, Kansas|Cherokee County]], [[Kansas]], United States,<ref name="GNIS"/> and located along [[Spring River (Missouri)|Spring River]].  As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], the population of the city was 3,888.<ref name="Census-2020-Profile">{{cite web |title=Profile of Baxter Springs, Kansas in 2020 |url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/profile/Baxter_Springs_city,_Kansas?g=1600000US2004625 |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=November 9, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221109065921/https://data.census.gov/cedsci/profile/Baxter_Springs_city,_Kansas?g=1600000US2004625 |archive-date=November 9, 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref> 

==History==
[[File:Birds eye view of the city of Baxter Springs, Kansas, 1871 LOC 2001620090.jpg|thumb|left|[[Panoramic map]] of Baxter Springs from 1871]]
{{See also|History of Kansas}}

=== Indigenous settlement ===
For thousands of years, [[indigenous peoples]] had lived along the waterways throughout the west. The [[Osage Nation|Osage]] migrated west from the [[Ohio River]] area of [[Kentucky]], driven out by the [[Iroquois]]. They settled in Kansas by the mid-17th century, adopting Plains Indian traditions. They competed with other tribes and by 1750 they dominated much of what is now the region of Kansas, [[Missouri]] and [[Oklahoma]].

One of the largest Osage bands was led by Chief [[Black Dog (Osage chief)|Black Dog]] (''Manka - Chonka''). His men completed what became known as the [[Black Dog Trail]] by 1803.<ref name="Marker">{{Cite web
| title = Black Dog Trail Marker
| access-date = 2012-01-14
| url = http://www.hmdb.org/marker.asp?marker=37839
}}</ref><ref name="Self"/> It started from their winter territory east of Baxter Springs and extended southwest to their summer hunting grounds at the [[Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge|Great Salt Plains]] in present-day [[Alfalfa County, Oklahoma]].<ref name="Self">[http://digital.library.okstate.edu/encyclopedia/entries/B/BL002.html Burl E. Self, "Black Dog"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100209211409/http://digital.library.okstate.edu/encyclopedia/entries/B/BL002.html |date=2010-02-09 }}, ''Oklahoma Encyclopedia of History and Culture'', accessed 5 Nov 2009</ref><ref>{{Cite web
| title = Full text of "Wah Kon Tah The Osage And White Man S Road"
| access-date = 2012-01-14
| url = https://archive.org/stream/wahkontahtheosag012195mbp/wahkontahtheosag012195mbp_djvu.txt
}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web
| title = DEXTER, "In The Flint Hills" KANSAS: BLACK DOG TRAIL.Photo of Chief Blackdog
| date = 28 July 2007
| access-date = 2012-01-14
| url = http://dexterks.blogspot.com/2007/07/black-dog-festival.html
}}</ref> The Osage regularly stopped at the springs for healing on their way to summer hunting grounds. They made the trail by clearing it of brush and large rocks, and constructing earthen ramps to the fords. Wide enough for eight horsemen to ride abreast, the trail was the first improved road in Kansas and Oklahoma.<ref>[http://digital.library.okstate.edu/encyclopedia/entries/O/OS001.html Louis F. Burns, "Osage"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110102050914/http://digital.library.okstate.edu/encyclopedia/entries/O/OS001.html |date=2011-01-02 }}, ''Oklahoma Encyclopedia of History and Culture'', accessed 5 Nov 2009</ref>

=== American frontier ===
During the late 1830s and [[Indian Removal]], the [[Cherokee people]] were among the [[Five Civilized Tribes]] forced out of the Southeast United States to west of the Mississippi River. This area was defined by the United States as part of their [[Cherokee Neutral Lands]]. A trading post was established at the springs. Some Native Americans and European-American settlers began to develop a community around the post. The 19th-century settlers eventually named the city and nearby springs after early settler A. Baxter. He had claimed land about 1850 and built a frontier tavern or inn.<ref name="allison">[http://www.kansashistory.us/cherokee-ch13.html "Chapter XIII: The History of Baxter Springs"], ''History of Cherokee County, Kansas and representative citizens,'' Ed. and comp. by Nathaniel Thompson Allison, 1904</ref>

=== Civil War era ===
During the [[American Civil War]], the United States government built several rudimentary military posts at present-day Baxter Springs, fortifying what had been a trading post: [[Fort Baxter (Kansas)|Fort Baxter]], [[Camp Ben Butler]] and [[Camp Hunter]]. This was to protect settlers against the Confederate regulars and partisan [[guerrillas]] operating in the eastern part of state.

On October 4, 1863, some 400 men of the pro-Southern [[Quantrill's raiders]] were passing on their way to Texas for the winter. They attacked Fort Blair. Part of the garrison was away from the fort on assignment. The remainder, mostly [[United States Colored Troops]], held the fort with few casualties.<ref name="allison"/> Quantrill's men later encountered an unrelated detachment of 103 Union troops out on the prairie. The Confederates overwhelmed them, killing nearly all the Union men, including many after they were captured.<ref>[http://www.vlib.us/old_west/forts1865.html William C. Pollard, Jr., "Kansas Forts During the Civil War"], Paper given September 1992 at Fourteenth Annual Mid-America Conference on History at the University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS; available through the WWW Virtual Library; accessed 06 November 2017</ref><ref>[http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/10/07/massacre-at-baxter-springs/?nl=opinion&emc=edit_ty_20131008&_r=0 "Massacre at Baxter Springs"], ''Opinionator'', ''New York Times'' blog, 07 October 2013; accessed 6 November 2017</ref>

After temporarily reinforcing the fort, the United States abandoned the Baxter Springs area later that year. It moved its troops to the better fortified [[Fort Scott National Historic Site|Fort Scott]], Kansas. Before leaving, US forces tore down and destroyed Fort Baxter to make it unusable for hostiles.<ref>Hugh L. Thompson, "Baxter Springs as a Military Post—1862–1863," ''Kansas in the Civil War Battles and Campaigns,'' Vol. 3, pp. 32-4 (from the Kansas State Historical Society).</ref>

=== Cowtown ===
Most of the town's growth took place after the war, when it began to develop at a rapid pace. By 1867, entrepreneurs had constructed a [[cable ferry]] across the [[Spring River (Missouri)|Spring River]], which was operated into the 1880s. At that time, it was replaced by the first bridge built across the river.{{Citation needed|date=November 2017}}

Around 1868 there was a great demand for beef in the [[Northern United States|North]]. [[Texas]] cattlemen and stock raisers drove large herds of cattle from the southern plains, and used Baxter Springs as a way point to the northern markets at [[Kansas City]], which linked to railroads to the East. This led to the dramatic growth of Baxter Springs by the early 1870s as the first "cow town" in Kansas. By 1875, its population was estimated at 5,000.<ref name="allison"/>

The town organized the Stockyards and Drovers Association to buy and sell cattle. They constructed corrals for up to 20,000 head of cattle, supplied with ample grazing lands and fresh water. Texas cattle trade stimulated the growth of related businesses, and Baxter Springs grew rapidly. The town was regularly the rowdy gathering place of cowboys, and saloons, livery stables, brothels and hotels were developed to support their seasonal business. At the same time other settlers were building schools and churches, to support family life.<ref name="History">[http://www.baxtersprings.us/index.php?page=history "History"], City of Baxter Springs website, accessed 5 Nov 2009</ref>

=== Resort town ===
After [[railroads]] were constructed from the North into [[Texas]] later in the century, cattlemen no longer needed to conduct the cattle drives, or to use Baxter Springs as a way station to markets. The first railroad to enter Texas from the north, completed in 1872, was the {{nowrap|[[Missouri–Kansas–Texas Railroad]]}}<ref>{{cite web|author=Donovan L. Hofsommer |url=http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/eqm08 |title=Handbook of Texas Online – Missouri-Kansas-Texas railroad |publisher=Tshaonline.org |access-date=April 11, 2010}}</ref> As ranchers started shipping their beef directly from Texas, business in Baxter Springs and other cow towns fell off sharply.<ref name="History" />

However, the Baxter spring developed a [[Medicinal spring|medicinal]] reputation.  The town became a [[destination resort]] around the springs for travelers brought by the new railroad.<ref name="R66">{{cite book |last=Wallis |first=Michael |title=Route 66: The Mother Road |publisher=St. Martin's |isbn=0-312-08285-1 |location=New York |page=83}}</ref>

=== Mining center ===
[[Image:Spring River 2006-07-03 210422.jpg|thumb|right|Spring River from Riverside Park in Baxter Springs]]
The discovery of [[lead]] in large veins in the tri-state area revived the area towns from the economic doldrums in the early twentieth century. In the early days of Baxter Springs, lead had been found in small quantities along Spring Creek, but it was of poor quality. It was suspected that higher grade ore could be found, but only at deeper depths. The Baxter Springs City Council by Ordinance 42 enacted provisions that greatly limited any mining within city limits. Their actions protected the land in the city; nearby towns have suffered from mining-related [[environmental degradation]].<ref name="mining-history"/>

Baxter Springs certainly benefited from the business and revenues generated by regional mining activity. Many of the mine owners and operators built ambitious houses here to reflect their success. In addition, in the early 1900s many mining executives built their business offices in Baxter Springs. By the 1940s, however, much of the high-quality ore had been mined, and the industry declined in the region. Some towns became defunct, and Hockerville, Lincolnville, Douthit, Zincville and others disappeared. The mining practices of the time caused considerable environmental degradation in the region. Federal and state restoration efforts have helped to improve the land since the late twentieth century.<ref name="mining-history">[http://www.baxterspringsmuseum.org/Tri-State-Mining-History.html Tri-State Mining History], Baxter Springs Museum</ref>

In 1926, the downtown main street was designated as part of the historic [[U.S. Route 66|Route 66]] transcontinental highway connecting Chicago and Los Angeles. The highway became known informally as America's "Main Street", because it used the main arteries of many cities. Designation as Route 66 stimulated related growth along the highway, including of motels and fast food places, and it gained a prominent place in popular culture.<ref name="History"/>  Baxter Springs was one of only three towns through which Route 66 passed in Kansas.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.route66roadtrip.com/route-66-kansas-road-trip.htm |title=Road Trip on Route 66 thru Kansas |publisher=Route66RoadTrip.com|access-date=September 13, 2020}}</ref>

Since the late 20th century, the town has reserved the land of Riverside Park along the Spring River. This has renewed the community's connection and preserved access to the river and its green banks.{{Citation needed|date=November 2017}}

===2014 tornado===
{{See also|Tornado outbreak of April 27–30, 2014}}
A tornado started near [[Quapaw, Oklahoma]] and moved through Baxter Springs on April 27, 2014.

==Geography==
Baxter Springs is sited on the western bank of the [[Spring River (Missouri)|Spring River]] at the edge of [[the Ozarks]], in the Spring River basin. [[U.S. Route 69]] Alternate and [[U.S. Route 166]] have a junction at the city, and [[U.S. Route 400]] bypasses it to the northeast. The center of town is less than two miles (3&nbsp;km) from the [[Kansas]]-[[Oklahoma]] state border, though the incorporated area of the city extends to the border. It is also about {{convert|13|mi|km}} west-southwest of [[Joplin, Missouri|Joplin]], [[Missouri]].

According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|3.19|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, of which {{convert|3.11|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is land and {{convert|0.08|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is water.<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/20120125061959/http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt |archive-date=2012-01-25 }}</ref>

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1870= 1284
|1880= 1177
|1890= 1248
|1900= 1641
|1910= 1598
|1920= 3608
|1930= 4541
|1940= 4921
|1950= 4647
|1960= 4498
|1970= 4489
|1980= 4773
|1990= 4351
|2000= 4602
|2010= 4238
|2020= 3888
|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 3,888 people, 1,595 households, and 979 families in Baxter Springs.<ref>{{Cite web |title=US Census Bureau, Table P16: HOUSEHOLD TYPE |url=https://data.census.gov/table?q=Baxter%20Springs%20city,%20Kansas%20p16&y=2020 |access-date=2024-01-02 |website=data.census.gov}}</ref><ref name=:0 /> The population density was 1,234.7 per square mile (476.7/km{{sup|2}}). There were 1,898 housing units at an average density of 602.7 per square mile (232.7/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=Baxter%20Springs%20city,%20Kansas%20dp1 |access-date=2024-01-02 |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 78.86% (3,066) [[White (U.S. Census)|white]] or [[European American]] (77.73% [[Non-Hispanic White|non-Hispanic white]]), 0.39% (15) [[African American (U.S. Census)|black]] or [[African American|African-American]], 7.07% (275) [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]] or [[Alaska Native]], 0.64% (25) [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.46% (18) [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]] or [[Native Hawaiian]], 1.08% (42) from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 11.5% (447) 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=Baxter%20Springs%20city,%20Kansas%20p1&y=2020 |access-date=2024-01-02 |website=data.census.gov}}</ref> [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race was 3.06% (119) 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=Baxter%20Springs%20city,%20Kansas%20p2&y=2020 |access-date=2024-01-02 |website=data.census.gov}}</ref>

Of the 1,595 households, 29.9% had children under the age of 18; 43.8% were married couples living together; 28.1% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. 32.1% of households consisted of individuals and 15.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.<ref name=:0 /> The average household size was 2.5 and the average family size was 3.3.<ref>{{Cite web |title=US Census Bureau, Table S1101: HOUSEHOLDS AND FAMILIES |url=https://data.census.gov/table/ACSST5Y2020.S1101?q=Baxter%20Springs%20city,%20Kansas%20s1101%20&y=2020 |access-date=2024-01-02 |website=data.census.gov}}</ref> The percent of those with a bachelor's degree or higher was estimated to be 14.5% of the population.<ref>{{Cite web |title=US Census Bureau, Table S1501: EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT |url=https://data.census.gov/table/ACSST5Y2020.S1501?q=Baxter%20Springs%20city,%20Kansas%20s1501%20&y=2020 |access-date=2024-01-02 |website=data.census.gov}}</ref>

23.8% of the population was under the age of 18, 9.5% from 18 to 24, 23.7% from 25 to 44, 25.7% from 45 to 64, and 17.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38.8 years. For every 100 females, there were 101.9 males.<ref name=:0 /> For every 100 females ages 18 and older, there were 102.9 males.<ref name=:0 />

The 2016-2020 5-year [[American Community Survey]] estimates show that the median household income was $37,926 (with a margin of error of +/- $8,483) and the median family income was $54,219 (+/- $13,154).<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=Baxter%20Springs%20city,%20Kansas%20s1903%20&y=2020 |access-date=2024-01-02 |website=data.census.gov}}</ref> Males had a median income of $31,010 (+/- $2,470) versus $27,361 (+/- $9,774) for females. The median income for those above 16 years old was $30,629 (+/- $3,847).<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=Baxter%20Springs%20city,%20Kansas%20s2001%20&y=2020 |access-date=2024-01-02 |website=data.census.gov}}</ref> Approximately, 9.6% of families and 10.8% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 9.2% of those under the age of 18 and 9.0% 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=Baxter%20Springs%20city,%20Kansas%20s1701%20&y=2020 |access-date=2024-01-02 |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=Baxter%20Springs%20city,%20Kansas%20s1702&y=2020 |access-date=2024-01-02 |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]]|access-date=2012-07-06}}</ref> of 2010, there were 4,238 people, 1,754 households, and 1,151 families residing in the city. The [[population density]] was {{convert|1362.7|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 2,053 housing units at an average density of {{convert|660.1|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the city was 85.2% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.8% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 6.2% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.4% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 1.4% [[Race (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 0.4% from [[Race (U.S. Census)|other races]], and 5.7% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 1.7% of the population.

There were 1,754 households, of which 33.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.9% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 12.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.0% had a male householder with no wife present, and 34.4% were non-families. 30.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.41 and the average family size was 2.99.

The median age in the city was 38 years. 26.1% of residents were under the age of 18; 8% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 25.1% were from 25 to 44; 25% were from 45 to 64; and 15.9% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.6% male and 51.4% female.

===2000 census===
As of the [[2000 United States Census|2000 census]], there were 4,602 people, 1,860 households, and 1,246 families residing in the city. The population density was {{convert|1,469.1|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 2,106 housing units at an average density of {{convert|672.3|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the city was 88.03% [[Race and ethnicity in the United States Census|White]], 0.98% [[Race and ethnicity in the United States Census|Black]] or [[Race and ethnicity in the United States Census|African American]], 5.04% [[Race and ethnicity in the United States Census|Native American]], 0.20% [[Race and ethnicity in the United States Census|Asian]], 0.17% [[Race and ethnicity in the United States Census|Pacific Islander]], 0.48% from [[Race and ethnicity in the United States Census|other races]], and 5.11% from [[Multiracial|two or more races]]. [[Race and ethnicity in the United States Census|Hispanic]] or [[Race and ethnicity in the United States Census|Latino]] of any race were 1.30% of the population.

There were 1,860 [[household]]s, out of which 32.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.6% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 10.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.0% were non-families. 29.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 3.02.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 26.5% under the age of 18, 9.2% from 18 to 24, 26.7% from 25 to 44, 20.8% from 45 to 64, and 16.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 89.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.4 males.

The [[Median household income|median income for a household]] in the city was $28,876, and the median income for a family was $33,933. Males had a median income of $27,005 versus $19,038 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $13,789. About 9.3% of families and 10.2% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 13.5% of those under age 18 and 12.4% of those age 65 or over.

==Education==
The community is served by [[Baxter Springs USD 508]] public school district.

==Notable people==
* [[Waylande Gregory]] (1905–1971), artist
* [[Richard Hilderbrand]], member of the [[Kansas Senate]]
* [[Hale Irwin]], (b. 1945), [[Professional Golfers' Association of America|PGA]] golfer
* [[Max McCoy]] (b. 1958), journalist and author (''[[Indiana Jones]]'', ''[[Elevations]]'')
* [[Charles Fox Parham|Charles Parham]] (1873–1929), [[Pentecostal]] leader
* [[Joe Don Rooney|Joe Rooney]], (b. 1975), lead guitarist for country pop trio [[Rascal Flatts]]
* [[Lee Scott (businessman)|H. Lee Scott, Jr.]], (b. 1949), former President and CEO of [[Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.|Wal-Mart]].
* [[Tim Shallenburger]] (b. 1954), former Kansas State Treasurer and Speaker of the Kansas House
* [[Byron Stewart]] (b. 1956), actor (''[[The White Shadow (TV series)|The White Shadow]]'', ''[[St. Elsewhere]]'')
* [[Glad Robinson Youse|Glad Youse]] (1898 – 1985), composer

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==Gallery==
* [http://specialcollections.wichita.edu/kw/towns.asp?town=Baxter%20Springs&county=Cherokee Historic Images of Baxter Springs], Special Photo Collections at [[Wichita State University]] Library
<gallery widths="200px" heights="150px">
Image:Baxter Springs Soda Fountain.jpg|Route 66 Soda Fountain, 2008
Image:Baxter Springs Independent Oil and Gas Service Station.jpg|Route 66 Welcome Center, 2010
Image:Johnston Library.jpg|Johnston Public Library, 2010
</gallery>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
{{See also|Cherokee County, Kansas#Further reading|l1=List of books about Cherokee County, Kansas}}
* ''Baxter Springs Centennial - The Baxter Springs Story - 100 Years, 1858-1958.''; 1958.

==External links==
{{Commons category|Baxter Springs, Kansas}}
{{wikivoyage|Baxter Springs}}
* [https://www.facebook.com/BaxterSpringsCityHall/ City of Baxter Springs]
* [https://www.lkm.org/members/?id=41260547 Baxter Springs - Directory of Public Officials]
* [https://www.usd508.org/ USD 508], local school district
* [https://www.ksdot.org/Assets/wwwksdotorg/bureaus/burTransPlan/maps/city-pdf/baxter%20springs.pdf Baxter Springs city map], KDOT

{{Cherokee County, Kansas}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Cities in Kansas]]
[[Category:Cities in Cherokee County, Kansas]]
[[Category:1868 establishments in Kansas]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1868]]