Editing Dighton, Kansas

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

<!-- Images -->
|image_skyline            =
|image_caption            =
|image_flag               =
|image_seal               =

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

<!-- Location -->
|coordinates_footnotes    = <ref name=gnis/>
|coordinates              = {{coord|38|28|52|N|100|27|59|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        = [[Lane County, Kansas|Lane]]
|subdivision_type3        = [[List of townships in Kansas|Township]]
|subdivision_name3        =

<!-- Established -->
|established_title        = Founded
|established_date         = 1879
|established_title1       = [[Platted]]
|established_date1        =
|established_title2       = [[Municipal corporation|Incorporated]]
|established_date2        = 1887
|named_for                = Dick Dighton<ref name="named"/>

<!-- 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         = 0.87
|area_land_sq_mi          = 0.87
|area_water_sq_mi         = 0.00
|area_total_km2           = 2.25
|area_land_km2            = 2.25
|area_water_km2           = 0.00
|unit_pref                = Imperial

<!-- Elevation -->
|elevation_footnotes      = <ref name=gnis/>
|elevation_ft             = 2769

<!-- Population -->
|population_footnotes     = <ref name="Census-2020-Profile"/>
|population_as_of         = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
|population_total         = 960
|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              = 67839
|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               = 20-18050 
|blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS ID]]
|blank1_info              = 2394534<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|2394534}}</ref>
|website                  = {{URL|https://www.dightonkansas.com/|dightonkansas.com}}
}}

'''Dighton''' is a city in and the [[county seat]] of [[Lane County, Kansas|Lane County]], [[Kansas]], United States.<ref name=gnis/>  As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], the population of the city was 960.<ref name="Census-2020-Profile">{{cite web |title=Profile of Dighton, Kansas in 2020 |url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/profile?g=1600000US2018050 |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=November 22, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211122225703/https://data.census.gov/cedsci/profile?g=1600000US2018050 |archive-date=November 22, 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref>  Dighton is named for Dick Dighton, a surveyor.<ref name="named">{{cite book | url=https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_9V1IAAAAMAAJ | title=The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States | publisher=Govt. Print. Off. | author=Gannett, Henry | year=1905 | pages=[https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_9V1IAAAAMAAJ/page/n105 106]}}</ref>

==History==

===19th century===
The [[Homestead Act]] of 1862 offered {{convert|160|acre|km2}} of land in the [[American West]], previously owned by railroads, to homesteaders who could live on the land for five years. Drawn west by the promise of free, fertile land, pioneer settlers arrived in Kansas starting in 1869. In 1879, W.A. Watson arrived at the town site, and a post office was established. In 1885, there were three houses and seven voters in town. Lane County became a county in 1886, with Dighton as its county seat. By 1900, the population was 194, and by 1910 it had grown to 370, and the town had banks; a flour mill; a grain elevator; two newspapers; public schools; a hotel; merchants; Baptist, Catholic, and Methodist churches; telegraph service; a band and telephones.<ref>[http://skyways.lib.ks.us/genweb/archives/1912/d/dighton.html Dighton - KS-Cyclopedia - 1912<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070823201113/http://skyways.lib.ks.us/genweb/archives/1912/d/dighton.html |date=2007-08-23 }}</ref>

Life was difficult for the early pioneers, who built houses made of sod and found that the land was quite dry, and not as fertile as they had been led to believe. A song written by Frank Baker, the ''Lane County Bachelor'', became a popular folk song throughout the western United States.<ref>{{cite book|first=C. Robert|last=Haywood|title=Tough Dasies|isbn=9780700607327|publisher=University Press of Kansas|year=1995}}</ref>

===20th century===
On May 23, 1928, the [[Fleagle Gang]] arrived in Dighton after robbing the First National Bank of [[Lamar, Colorado]]. Needing medical attention, they kidnapped local doctor W.W. Wineinger, and later shot him and dumped his body into a ravine.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Nash|first1=Jay Robert|title=Jay Robert Nash's Crime Chronology: A Worldwide Record 1900-1983|date=1984|publisher=[[Rowman & Littlefield]]|isbn=9781461747710|page=75}}</ref>

The courtroom mural, "The First House of Lane County," by Mary Alice Bosley, was featured in ''Kansas Murals: A Traveler's Guide'', by Jost and Loewenstein.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kansaspress.ku.edu/joskan.html |title=Kansas Murals |website=www.kansaspress.ku.edu |access-date=5 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070804183007/http://www.kansaspress.ku.edu/joskan.html |archive-date=4 August 2007 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Geography==
Dighton is located at the intersection of [[K-96 (Kansas highway)|K-96]] and [[K-23 (Kansas highway)|K-23]]. 

According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|0.88|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]] |accessdate=2012-07-06 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120702145235/http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt |archivedate=2012-07-02 }}</ref>

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|align=left
|1890= 304
|1900= 194
|1910= 370
|1920= 503
|1930= 803
|1940= 974
|1950= 1246
|1960= 1526
|1970= 1540
|1980= 1390
|1990= 1361
|2000= 1261
|2010= 1038
|2020= 960
|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 960 people, 461 households, and 244 families in Dighton.<ref>{{Cite web |title=US Census Bureau, Table P16: HOUSEHOLD TYPE |url=https://data.census.gov/table?q=Dighton%20city,%20Kansas%20p16&y=2020 |access-date=2024-01-02 |website=data.census.gov}}</ref><ref name=:0 /> The population density was 1,107.3 per square mile (427.5/km{{sup|2}}). There were 550 housing units at an average density of 634.4 per square mile (244.9/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=Dighton%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 88.44% (849) [[White (U.S. Census)|white]] or [[European American]] (85.62% [[Non-Hispanic White|non-Hispanic white]]), 0.0% (0) [[African American (U.S. Census)|black]] or [[African American|African-American]], 0.42% (4) [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]] or [[Alaska Native]], 0.0% (0) [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.21% (2) [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]] or [[Native Hawaiian]], 4.38% (42) from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 6.56% (63) 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=Dighton%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 11.25% (108) 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=Dighton%20city,%20Kansas%20p2&y=2020 |access-date=2024-01-02 |website=data.census.gov}}</ref>

Of the 461 households, 25.2% had children under the age of 18; 42.7% were married couples living together; 28.4% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. 44.7% of households consisted of individuals and 21.7% 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 3.0.<ref>{{Cite web |title=US Census Bureau, Table S1101: HOUSEHOLDS AND FAMILIES |url=https://data.census.gov/table/ACSST5Y2020.S1101?q=Dighton%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 14.1% of the population.<ref>{{Cite web |title=US Census Bureau, Table S1501: EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT |url=https://data.census.gov/table/ACSST5Y2020.S1501?q=Dighton%20city,%20Kansas%20s1501%20&y=2020 |access-date=2024-01-02 |website=data.census.gov}}</ref>

20.7% of the population was under the age of 18, 4.8% from 18 to 24, 20.6% from 25 to 44, 29.8% from 45 to 64, and 24.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 48.5 years. For every 100 females, there were 104.7 males.<ref name=:0 /> For every 100 females ages 18 and older, there were 106.2 males.<ref name=:0 />

The 2016-2020 5-year [[American Community Survey]] estimates show that the median household income was $40,962 (with a margin of error of +/- $28,238) and the median family income was $80,368 (+/- $7,386).<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=Dighton%20city,%20Kansas%20s1903%20&y=2020 |access-date=2024-01-02 |website=data.census.gov}}</ref> Males had a median income of $34,917 (+/- $5,124) versus $24,464 (+/- $10,724) for females. The median income for those above 16 years old was $31,920 (+/- $6,548).<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=Dighton%20city,%20Kansas%20s2001%20&y=2020 |access-date=2024-01-02 |website=data.census.gov}}</ref> Approximately, 8.2% of families and 10.4% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 14.9% of those under the age of 18 and 3.0% 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=Dighton%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=Dighton%20city,%20Kansas%20s1702&y=2020 |access-date=2024-01-02 |website=data.census.gov}}</ref>

===2010 census===
[[File:Dighton, Kansas.jpg|thumb|Long Street in Dighton, circa 1900-1906]]
[[File:Lane County HS main entrance from W 1.JPG|thumb|right|[[Dighton High School]] (2015)]]

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 1,038 people, 506 households, and 282 families residing in the city. The [[population density]] was {{convert|1179.5|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 615 housing units at an average density of {{convert|698.9|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the city was 95.6% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.6% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.9% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.3% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.3% from [[Race (U.S. Census)|other races]], and 2.4% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 3.1% of the population.

There were 506 households, of which 22.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.0% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 5.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.2% had a male householder with no wife present, and 44.3% were non-families. 41.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 20.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.05 and the average family size was 2.78.

The median age in the city was 46.2 years. 20.8% of residents were under the age of 18; 6.1% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 22.1% were from 25 to 44; 28.8% were from 45 to 64; and 22.2% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.4% male and 51.6% 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 1,261 people, 563 households, and 342 families residing in the city. The population density was {{convert|1,438.9|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 653 housing units at an average density of {{convert|745.1|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the city was 97.07% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.16% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.63% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 2.14% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 1.90% of the population.

There were 563 households, out of which 27.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.3% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 6.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.1% were non-families. 36.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 21.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.20 and the average family size was 2.88.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 24.3% under the age of 18, 5.1% from 18 to 24, 25.0% from 25 to 44, 21.8% from 45 to 64, and 23.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.5 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $33,500, and the median income for a family was $40,987. Males had a median income of $30,417 versus $19,464 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $19,232. About 6.5% of families and 8.5% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 8.8% of those under age 18 and 9.0% of those age 65 or over.

==Education==
The community is served by [[Dighton USD 482]] public school district, which operates two schools in Dighton, the [[Dighton Jr/Sr High School]] and the Dighton Elementary School.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.usd482.org/page/9003 | title=Schools | publisher=USD 482 Dighton Public Schools | accessdate=12 June 2014}}</ref>

The Lane County Library is based in Dighton.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.lanecolibrary.info | title=Homepage | publisher=Lane County Library | accessdate=12 June 2014}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

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

==External links==
{{Commons category|Dighton, Kansas}}
* [https://www.dightonkansas.com/ City of Dighton]
* [https://www.lkm.org/members/?id=41260650 Dighton - Directory of Public Officials]
* [http://specialcollections.wichita.edu/collections/ms/92-27/kp-Dighton.html Early Dighton photos from Wichita State University Libraries Special Collections] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071101082336/http://specialcollections.wichita.edu/collections/ms/92-27/kp-Dighton.html |date=2007-11-01 }}
* [https://www.ksdot.org/Assets/wwwksdotorg/bureaus/burTransPlan/maps/city-pdf/dighton.pdf Dighton city map], KDOT

{{Lane County, Kansas}}
{{Kansas}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Cities in Kansas]]
[[Category:County seats in Kansas]]
[[Category:Cities in Lane County, Kansas]]