Editing Fort Scott, Kansas

{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Infobox settlement
|name                     = Fort Scott, Kansas
|settlement_type          = [[City]] and [[County seat]]

<!-- Images -->
|image_skyline            = Fort Scott, Kansas.jpg
|image_caption            = Downtown Fort Scott (2024)
|image_flag               =
|image_seal               =

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

<!-- Location -->
|coordinates_footnotes    = <ref name="GNIS"/>
|coordinates              = {{coord|37|49|42|N|94|42|14|W|region:US-KS_type:city|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        = [[Bourbon County, Kansas|Bourbon]]
|subdivision_type3        = [[List of townships in Kansas|Township]]
|subdivision_name3        =

<!-- Established -->
|established_title        = Founded
|established_date         = 1850s
|established_title1       = [[Platted]]
|established_date1        = 1857
|established_title2       = [[Municipal corporation|Incorporated]]
|established_date2        = 1860
|named_for                = Gen. [[Winfield Scott]]

<!-- 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         = 5.63
|area_land_sq_mi          = 5.59
|area_water_sq_mi         = 0.04
|area_total_km2           = 14.58
|area_land_km2            = 14.47
|area_water_km2           = 0.11
|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         = 7552
|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              = 66701
|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               = 20-24000
|blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS ID]]
|blank1_info              = 485575<ref name="GNIS">{{GNIS|485575}}</ref>
|website                  = {{URL|https://www.fscity.org/|fscity.org}}
}}

'''Fort Scott''' is a city in and the [[county seat]] of [[Bourbon County, Kansas|Bourbon County]], [[Kansas]], United States.<ref name="GNIS"/>  As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], the population of the city was 7,552.<ref name="Census-2020-Profile">{{cite web |title=Profile of Fort Scott, Kansas in 2020 |url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/profile/Fort_Scott_city,_Kansas?g=1600000US2024000 |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=November 8, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221108120004/https://data.census.gov/cedsci/profile/Fort_Scott_city,_Kansas?g=1600000US2024000 |archive-date=November 8, 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Census-2020-QF">{{cite web |title=QuickFacts; Fort Scott, Kansas; Population, Census, 2020 & 2010 |url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/fortscottcitykansas/POP010220 |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=August 27, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210827064600/https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/fortscottcitykansas/POP010220 |archive-date=August 27, 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref>  It is named for Gen. [[Winfield Scott]].<ref>{{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 | page=[https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_9V1IAAAAMAAJ/page/n128 129]}}</ref>  The city is located {{convert|88|mi|km}} south of [[Kansas City, Kansas|Kansas City]] on the [[Marmaton River]].  It is the home of the [[Fort Scott National Historic Site]] and the [[Fort Scott National Cemetery]].

==History==
{{See also|History of Kansas}}
{{More citations needed|section|date=July 2023}}
Established and garrisoned by the [[U.S. Army]] from 1842 to 1853, soldiers at military [[Fort Scott National Historic Site|Fort Scott]] assisted with the protection of the Permanent Indian Frontier. After the army abandoned the fort in 1853, the buildings were purchased by local settlers at a government auction in 1855. The community of Fort Scott was laid out in 1857,<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 | page=[https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_5zdAAQAAMAAJ/page/n254 147]}}</ref> and was chartered as a city in 1860.<ref>{{Cite EB1911|wstitle=Fort Scott|volume=10|page=726}}</ref>

Between 1855 and 1861, the citizens of Fort Scott experienced the violent unrest that preceded the [[American Civil War]] on the Kansas and Missouri border. Eastern newspapers described this violence as "[[Bleeding Kansas]]", a result of the national controversy concerning the extension of slavery into the new territories. On January 29, 1861, [[Kansas]] entered the union as a free state, but the turmoil of "[[Bleeding Kansas]]" continued throughout the Civil War.

During the Civil War, Fort Scott was a U.S. Army district Headquarters, quartermaster supply depot, training center, and recruitment station. It was strategically vital to the defense of Kansas and the Midwest. A battle over the fort occurred in August 1861 just across the Missouri line in the [[Battle of Dry Wood Creek]]. The battle was a pro-South victory for [[Sterling Price]] and his [[Missouri State Guard]].

Price did not hold the fort and instead continued a northern push into Missouri in an attempt to recapture the state. [[James H. Lane (Senator)|Senator James H. Lane]] was to launch a [[Jayhawker]] offensive behind Price from Fort Scott that led to the [[Sacking of Osceola]].  The ill will of these actions was to be the basis for the 1976 [[Clint Eastwood]] film ''[[The Outlaw Josey Wales]]''.

After the Civil War, Fort Scott was a premier city of the frontier, one of the largest cities in eastern Kansas. On three occasions, between 1870 and 1900, Fort Scott was in competition with [[Kansas City, Kansas|Kansas City]] to become the largest railroad center west of the Mississippi.<ref>Banwart, Donald B. "Rails, Rivalry and Romance." ({{ISBN|0960156836}})</ref>

During the first half of the 20th century, Fort Scott became an agricultural and small industrial center which it continues to be today.

===Downtown fire===
{{stack|[[File:Fort Scott Fire.JPG|thumb|right|Downtown Fort Scott Fire (2005)]]}}
On March 11, 2005, a fire destroyed several historic buildings in Fort Scott's downtown. The Victorian-era buildings were among many that are a symbol of the town.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.wibw.com/home/headlines/1359527.html|title=Fire destroys downtown Fort Scott buildings|access-date=November 9, 2011|archive-date=March 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304081739/http://www.wibw.com/home/headlines/1359527.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Geography==
Fort Scott lies on the [[Osage Plains]] on the south side of the [[Marmaton River]]. Located at the intersection of [[U.S. Route 54 in Kansas|U.S. Routes 54]] and [[U.S. Route 69 in Kansas|69]] in southeastern Kansas, Fort Scott is approximately {{convert|54|mi|km}} north of [[Joplin, Missouri|Joplin]], [[Missouri]], {{convert|92|mi|km}} south of [[Kansas City, Missouri|Kansas City]] and {{convert|143|mi|km}} east of [[Wichita, Kansas|Wichita]].<ref>{{cite web |title=City Distance Tool |publisher=[[Geobytes]] |url=http://www.geobytes.com/citydistancetool.htm |access-date=2010-06-13 |archive-date=October 5, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101005175701/http://geobytes.com/CityDistanceTool.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref>

According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|5.59|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, of which {{convert|5.55|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is land and {{convert|0.04|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/20120702145235/http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt |archive-date=2012-07-02 }}</ref>

===Climate===
Fort Scott has a [[humid subtropical climate|humid subtropical climate (Köppen ''Cfa'')]] with hot, humid summers and cool winters. The average temperature in Fort Scott is {{convert|57|°F|°C|1|disp=or}} with temperatures exceeding {{convert|90|°F|°C|1|disp=or}} on an average of 52.6 afternoons a year and dropping below {{convert|32|°F|°C|disp=or}} during an average of 100.6 mornings per year.<ref name=NCEI/> On average, Fort Scott experiences 83.3 days of precipitation a year.<ref name=NCEI/> Annual snowfall averages {{convert|8.4|in|m|2|disp=or}}.<ref name=NCEI/> Precipitation averages {{convert|44.49|in|mm|disp=or}} per year.<ref name=NCEI/> On average, January is the coolest month, July the hottest and June the wettest. The hottest temperature recorded in Fort Scott was {{convert|120|°F|°C|1}}; recorded twice on July 13, 1954, and July 14, 1954.<ref name=NOAA/> The coldest temperature recorded was {{convert|-24|°F|°C|1}} on February 13, 1905.<ref name=NOAA/>

{{Weather box
|location = Fort Scott, Kansas (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1896–present)
|width = auto
|single line = Y
| Jan record high F = 77
| Feb record high F = 84
| Mar record high F = 95
| Apr record high F = 97
| May record high F = 101
| Jun record high F = 107
| Jul record high F = 120
| Aug record high F = 113
| Sep record high F = 110
| Oct record high F = 99
| Nov record high F = 85
| Dec record high F = 75
| year record high F = 120

|Jan avg record high F = 65.3
|Feb avg record high F = 70.9
|Mar avg record high F = 79.9
|Apr avg record high F = 84.0
|May avg record high F = 89.3
|Jun avg record high F = 94.8
|Jul avg record high F = 99.0
|Aug avg record high F = 99.9
|Sep avg record high F = 94.9
|Oct avg record high F = 86.3
|Nov avg record high F = 75.1
|Dec avg record high F = 66.7
|year avg record high F = 101.0

| Jan high F = 42.0
| Feb high F = 47.6
| Mar high F = 57.8
| Apr high F = 67.7
| May high F = 76.5
| Jun high F = 85.9
| Jul high F = 90.7
| Aug high F = 89.8
| Sep high F = 81.6
| Oct high F = 69.9
| Nov high F = 56.6
| Dec high F = 45.7
| year high F = 67.7
| Jan mean F = 32.0
| Feb mean F = 37.0
| Mar mean F = 46.5
| Apr mean F = 56.5
| May mean F = 66.3
| Jun mean F = 75.6
| Jul mean F = 80.3
| Aug mean F = 78.9
| Sep mean F = 70.3
| Oct mean F = 58.3
| Nov mean F = 46.1
| Dec mean F = 36.1
| year mean F = 57.0
| Jan low F = 21.9
| Feb low F = 26.4
| Mar low F = 35.3
| Apr low F = 45.3
| May low F = 56.0
| Jun low F = 65.4
| Jul low F = 70.0
| Aug low F = 68.0
| Sep low F = 59.0
| Oct low F = 46.6
| Nov low F = 35.5
| Dec low F = 26.5
| year low F = 46.3

|Jan avg record low F = 5.1
|Feb avg record low F = 9.4
|Mar avg record low F = 17.6
|Apr avg record low F = 30.3
|May avg record low F = 40.2
|Jun avg record low F = 53.2
|Jul avg record low F = 58.3
|Aug avg record low F = 57.1
|Sep avg record low F = 43.6
|Oct avg record low F = 29.9
|Nov avg record low F = 19.8
|Dec avg record low F = 8.7
|year avg record low F = 0.6

| Jan record low F = −19
| Feb record low F = −24
| Mar record low F = −6
| Apr record low F = 16
| May record low F = 25
| Jun record low F = 41
| Jul record low F = 48
| Aug record low F = 42
| Sep record low F = 29
| Oct record low F = 17
| Nov record low F = 0
| Dec record low F = −18
| year record low F = −24
| precipitation colour= green
| Jan precipitation inch = 1.44
| Feb precipitation inch = 1.75
| Mar precipitation inch = 2.92
| Apr precipitation inch = 4.85
| May precipitation inch = 6.19
| Jun precipitation inch = 5.74
| Jul precipitation inch = 4.63
| Aug precipitation inch = 3.98
| Sep precipitation inch = 4.46
| Oct precipitation inch = 3.64
| Nov precipitation inch = 2.84
| Dec precipitation inch = 2.05
| year precipitation inch = 44.49
| Jan snow inch = 3.9
| Feb snow inch = 1.0
| Mar snow inch = 0.7
| Apr snow inch = 0.1
| 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 = 0.0
| Nov snow inch = 0.4
| Dec snow inch = 2.3
| year snow inch = 8.4
| unit precipitation days = 0.01 in
| Jan precipitation days = 5.9
| Feb precipitation days = 5.0
| Mar precipitation days = 6.8
| Apr precipitation days = 8.6
| May precipitation days = 10.2
| Jun precipitation days = 9.2
| Jul precipitation days = 7.2
| Aug precipitation days = 6.0
| Sep precipitation days = 6.2
| Oct precipitation days = 6.8
| Nov precipitation days = 6.1
| Dec precipitation days = 5.3
| year precipitation days = 83.3
| unit snow days = 0.1 in
| Jan snow days = 2.0
| Feb snow days = 0.6
| Mar snow days = 0.5
| Apr snow days = 0.0
| 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 = 0.0
| Nov snow days = 0.2
| Dec snow days = 1.0
| year snow days = 4.3
|source 1 = [[NOAA]]<ref name = NOAA >
{{cite web
| url = https://w2.weather.gov/climate/xmacis.php?wfo=sgf
| title = NowData – NOAA Online Weather Data
| publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
| access-date = August 2, 2021}}</ref><ref name=NCEI>
{{cite web
| url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&startDate=0001-01-01&endDate=9996-12-31&stations=USC00142835&format=pdf
| title = Station: FT Scott, KS
| work = U.S. Climate Normals 2020: U.S. Monthly Climate Normals (1991–2020)
| publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
| access-date = August 2, 2021}}</ref>
}}

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
| align = 
| 1860 = 262
| 1870 = 4174
| 1880 = 5372
| 1890 = 11946
| 1900 = 10322
| 1910 = 10463
| 1920 = 10693
| 1930 = 10763
| 1940 = 10557
| 1950 = 10335
| 1960 = 9410
| 1970 = 8967
| 1980 = 8893
| 1990 = 8362
| 2000 = 8297
| 2010 = 8087
| 2020 = 7552
| estyear = 2023
| estimate = 7565
| 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]
}}

===2020 census===
The [[2020 United States census]] counted 7,552 people, 3,080 households, and 1,811 families in Fort Scott.<ref>{{Cite web |title=US Census Bureau, Table P16: HOUSEHOLD TYPE |url=https://data.census.gov/table?q=Fort%20Scott%20city,%20Kansas%20p16&y=2020 |access-date=2024-01-03 |website=data.census.gov}}</ref><ref name=:0 /> The population density was 1,352.0 per square mile (522.0/km{{sup|2}}). There were 3,639 housing units at an average density of 651.5 per square mile (251.5/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=Fort%20Scott%20city,%20Kansas%20dp1 |access-date=2024-01-03 |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 84.39% (6,373) [[White (U.S. Census)|white]] or [[European American]] (83.24% [[Non-Hispanic White|non-Hispanic white]]), 5.47% (413) [[African American (U.S. Census)|black]] or [[African American|African-American]], 0.61% (46) [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]] or [[Alaska Native]], 0.94% (71) [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.03% (2) [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]] or [[Native Hawaiian]], 1.24% (94) from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 7.32% (553) 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=Fort%20Scott%20city,%20Kansas%20p1&y=2020 |access-date=2024-01-03 |website=data.census.gov}}</ref> [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race was 3.14% (237) 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=Fort%20Scott%20city,%20Kansas%20p2&y=2020 |access-date=2024-01-03 |website=data.census.gov}}</ref>

Of the 3,080 households, 29.8% had children under the age of 18; 38.7% were married couples living together; 33.5% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. 35.3% of households consisted of individuals and 16.9% 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 2.8.<ref>{{Cite web |title=US Census Bureau, Table S1101: HOUSEHOLDS AND FAMILIES |url=https://data.census.gov/table/ACSST5Y2020.S1101?q=Fort%20Scott%20city,%20Kansas%20s1101%20&y=2020 |access-date=2024-01-03 |website=data.census.gov}}</ref> The percent of those with a bachelor’s degree or higher was estimated to be 13.9% of the population.<ref>{{Cite web |title=US Census Bureau, Table S1501: EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT |url=https://data.census.gov/table/ACSST5Y2020.S1501?q=Fort%20Scott%20city,%20Kansas%20s1501%20&y=2020 |access-date=2024-01-03 |website=data.census.gov}}</ref>

24.2% of the population was under the age of 18, 11.7% from 18 to 24, 22.5% from 25 to 44, 21.9% from 45 to 64, and 19.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37.0 years. For every 100 females, there were 105.1 males.<ref name=:0 /> For every 100 females ages 18 and older, there were 110.2 males.<ref name=:0 />

The 2016-2020 5-year [[American Community Survey]] estimates show that the median household income was $37,279 (with a margin of error of +/- $6,086) and the median family income was $53,245 (+/- $5,079).<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=Fort%20Scott%20city,%20Kansas%20s1903%20&y=2020 |access-date=2024-01-03 |website=data.census.gov}}</ref> Males had a median income of $27,788 (+/- $4,795) versus $20,145 (+/- $4,501) for females. The median income for those above 16 years old was $23,424 (+/- $3,628).<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=Fort%20Scott%20city,%20Kansas%20s2001%20&y=2020 |access-date=2024-01-03 |website=data.census.gov}}</ref> Approximately, 12.1% of families and 18.2% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 21.1% of those under the age of 18 and 16.7% 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=Fort%20Scott%20city,%20Kansas%20s1701%20&y=2020 |access-date=2024-01-03 |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=Fort%20Scott%20city,%20Kansas%20s1702&y=2020 |access-date=2024-01-03 |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 8,087 people, 3,285 households, and 1,941 families living in the city.<ref name="Census2010">{{cite web|title=2010 City Population and Housing Occupancy Status |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?pid=DEC_10_PL_GCTPL2.ST13&prodType=table |publisher=U.S. Census Bureau |access-date=March 27, 2011 }}{{dead link|bot=medic|date=April 2020}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> The [[population density]] was {{convert|1457.1|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 3,819 housing units at an average density of {{convert|688.1|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the city was 90.3% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 4.7% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.8% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.6% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.1% [[Race (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 0.7% from [[Race (U.S. Census)|other races]], and 2.9% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 2.5% of the population.

There were 3,285 households, of which 31.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.8% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 13.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.7% had a male householder with no wife present, and 40.9% were non-families. 34.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.34 and the average family size was 3.02.

The median age in the city was 35.2 years. 25.5% of residents were under the age of 18; 12.3% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 21.6% were from 25 to 44; 22.5% were from 45 to 64; and 18.1% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.7% male and 52.3% female.

===2000 census===
As of the census of 2000, there were 8,297 people, 3,481 households, and 2,081 families living in the city. The population density was {{convert|1,529.4|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 3,914 housing units at an average density of 278.3 persons/km<sup>2</sup> (721.5 persons/sq&nbsp;mi). The racial makeup of the city was 91.53% White, 5.15% African American, 0.93% Native American, 0.53% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 0.40% from other races, and 1.41% from two or more races. 1.68% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 3,481 households, out of which 28.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.6% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 11.5% have a woman whose husband does not live with her, and 40.2% were non-families. 35.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 18.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.30 and the average family size was 2.97.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 24.9% under the age of 18, 11.3% from 18 to 24, 23.7% from 25 to 44, 19.0% from 45 to 64, and 21.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 85.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 80.2 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $26,871, and the median income for a family was $34,531. Males had a median income of $25,919 versus $20,583 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $14,997.  About 10.9% of families and 16.3% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 22.3% of those under age 18 and 12.9% of those age 65 or over.

==Education==
[[File:Ft. Scott, KS public library funded by Andrew Carnegie.jpg|thumb|right|Fort Scott Carnegie Library (2013)]]

===Colleges===
[[Fort Scott Community College]], founded in 1919, is the oldest community college in the state of Kansas.

===Primary and secondary===
The community is served by [[Fort Scott USD 234]] public school district, which includes two public elementary schools (Eugene Ware Elementary and Winfield Scott Elementary), one public middle school (Fort Scott Middle School) and one high school ([[Fort Scott High School]]).

There is a Catholic school for grades K–5, Fort Scott Christian Heights for K–12 and a few other small private schools for students from grades K–12. There is also a public preschool in the old middle school building.

== Points of interest ==
=== Gunn Park ===
[[File:Gunn Park, Fort Scott, United States Sep 19, 2020 09-08-37 AM.jpeg|thumb|220x124px | right | Shelter house 1 was one of the first structures built in the park.]]
Gunn Park is a 155-acre park that has seven shelter houses, two lakes for fishing and multiple playground areas. There are 14 camping sites available with electricity and water.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.fscity.org/182/Camping-Sites|title=Camping Sites &#124; Fort Scott, KS|website=www.fscity.org}}</ref>  In 1999, a nine-hole Frisbee golf course was added through a joint effort of the City of Fort Scott and the Kiwanis Club of Fort Scott.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://visitfortscott.com/see-and-do/gunn-park/|title=Gunn Park|website=Fort Scott, Kansas Tourism}}</ref> The Disc Golf Course was later expanded to 18 holes. There are two fishing lakes available at Gunn Park.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.fscity.org/184/Fishing|title=Fishing &#124; Fort Scott, KS|website=www.fscity.org}}</ref> From October 15 to April 15, Fern Lake is stocked with trout.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://ksoutdoors.com/Fishing/Where-to-Fish-in-Kansas/Fishing-Locations-Public-Waters/Southeast-Region/Fort-Scott-Gunn-Park-Lake-Fern|title=Fort Scott Gunn Park Lake Fern|first=Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and|last=Tourism|website=ksoutdoors.com}}</ref>  There are several playground areas located throughout the park with updated equipment. Approximately, 6.5 miles of single track, mountain bike trails have been added in the timber, and along the Marmaton River. These trails provide adventure and exercise for mountain bike riders, trail runners as well as hikers.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mtbproject.com/trail/7007468/gunn-park-trails|title=Gunn Park Trails Mountain Bike Trail, Fort Scott, Kansas|website=MTB Project}}</ref> Gunn Park has 7 shelter houses, 4 are enclosed shelters and 3 are open shelters. Shelters can be reserved at City Hall.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.fscity.org/187/Shelter-Houses|title=Shelter Houses &#124; Fort Scott, KS|website=www.fscity.org}}</ref>

The first shelter house of stone was built in 1910 on the first lake (Fern Lake). There was a large wood theater building on the other side of Fern Lake with a seating capacity of 800. During special events such as July 4, the street cars would take as many as 10,000 people to the park in one day.

In 1999, a nine-hole Frisbee golf course was added to Gunn Park through a joint effort of the City of Fort Scott and the Kiwanis Club of Fort Scott. It was recently made an 18-hole course.

==Media==
* ''[[Fort Scott Tribune]]'', twice-weekly newspaper, founded in 1884.
* [[KOMB]] 103.9 FM – Fort Scott Broadcasting. Classic and contemporary hits station, with talk shows throughout the week. Airs [[Kansas Jayhawks]], [[Kansas City Chiefs]], [[Kansas City Royals]], [[Fort Scott Greyhounds]] and Fort Scott High School sports. 
* [[KMDO]] 1600 AM, rebroadcast on an FM translator on 98.3. Plays a "Red dirt country" format.
* [[VCY America|KVCY]], 104.7 FM, a rebroadcaster for VCY America.

==Notable people==
<!--- Please list only people who have spent a significant amount of time in Fort Scott. If the individual's tie is ''only'' as a college student, they should be listed in the college article. --->
{{See also|Fort_Scott_Community_College#Notable_people|l1=List of Fort Scott Community College people}}
* [[Richard Christy]] – drummer, personality on ''[[The Howard Stern Show]]''
* [[Clark M. Clifford|Clark Clifford]] – former [[United States Secretary of Defense]]
* [[Jerry Elliott]] – jurist
* [[Charles Hatfield]] – "rain maker"
* [[Mark Hart]] – musician, songwriter, producer
* [[William D. Hawkins|William Hawkins]] – U.S. Marine awarded the [[Medal of Honor]] posthumously during [[World War II]]
* [[Stephen R. Johnson|Stephen Johnson]] – music video director
* [[Adam LaRoche]] – retired [[Major League Baseball]] first baseman
* [[Andy LaRoche]] – former major league third baseman for the [[Pittsburgh Pirates]].
* [[David Perley Lowe|David Lowe]] – Kansas judge
* [[Bob Marshall (Kansas politician)|Bob Marshall]] — Kansas state senator
* [[Elmer Verner McCollum|Elmer McCollum]] – biochemist, discoverer of [[vitamin A]]
* [[William C. McDonald (governor)|William McDonald]] – [[List of Governors of New Mexico|first Governor of]] the State of [[New Mexico]]; resident of Fort Scott.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nga.org/cms/home/governors/past-governors-bios/page_new_mexico/col2-content/main-content-list/title_mcdonald_william.html|title=New Mexico Governor William Calhoun McDonald|publisher=National Governors Association|access-date=October 8, 2012}}</ref>
* [[Gordon Parks]] – photographer, author, filmmaker, and composer
* [[Lon Ury]] – baseball player
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==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
{{Portal|Kansas}}
{{Kansas books}}
{{See also|Bourbon County, Kansas#Further reading|l1=List of books about Bourbon County, Kansas}}
* {{Citation |publisher = A. L. Logan & Co. |location = St. Louis, Mo. |title = Logan's Railway Business Directory from Saint Louis to Galveston |date = 1873 |chapter-url=https://archive.org/stream/logansrailwaybus00loga#page/38/mode/2up |chapter=Fort Scott, Kan. |ol = 23364875M }}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Fort Scott, Kansas}}
{{EB1911 poster|Fort Scott}}
* {{Official website|http://www.fscity.org/}}
* [https://www.lkm.org/members/?id=41260697 Fort Scott - Directory of Public Officials]
* [https://fortscott.com/ Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce]
* [http://kansastravel.org/fortscottnationalcemetery.htm Fort Scott National Cemetery photo tour]
* [https://www.ksdot.org/Assets/wwwksdotorg/bureaus/burTransPlan/maps/city-pdf/fort%20scott.pdf Fort Scott city map], KDOT

{{Bourbon County, Kansas}}
{{Kansas}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Cities in Kansas]]
[[Category:County seats in Kansas]]
[[Category:Cities in Bourbon County, Kansas]]
[[Category:1842 establishments in the United States]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1842]]
[[Category:Military installations established in 1842]]
[[Category:Military installations closed in 1853]]