Editing Holcomb, Kansas

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

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

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

<!-- Location -->
|coordinates_footnotes    = <ref name="GNIS"/>
|coordinates              = {{coord|37|59|10|N|100|59|37|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        = [[Finney County, Kansas|Finney]]
|subdivision_type3        = [[List of townships in Kansas|Township]]
|subdivision_name3        = [[Sherlock Township, Finney County, Kansas|Sherlock]]

<!-- Established -->
|established_title        = Founded
|established_date         = 1900s
|established_title1       = [[Platted]]
|established_date1        =
|established_title2       = [[Municipal corporation|Incorporated]]
|established_date2        = 1961
|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|access-date=July 24, 2020}}</ref>
|area_total_sq_mi         = 1.24
|area_land_sq_mi          = 1.24
|area_water_sq_mi         = 0.00
|area_total_km2           = 3.20
|area_land_km2            = 3.20
|area_water_km2           = 0.00
|unit_pref                = Imperial

<!-- Elevation -->
|elevation_footnotes      = <ref name="GNIS"/>
|elevation_ft             = 2887

<!-- Population -->
|population_footnotes     = <ref name="Census-2020-Profile"/>
|population_as_of         = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
|population_total         = 2245
|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              = 67851
|area_code                = [[Area code 620|620]]
|blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
|blank_info               = 20-32575
|blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS ID]]
|blank1_info              = 2394397<ref name="GNIS">{{GNIS|2394397}}</ref>
|website                  = {{URL|http://holcombks.com/|holcombks.com}}
}}

'''Holcomb''' is a city in [[Finney County, Kansas|Finney County]], [[Kansas]], United States.<ref name="GNIS"/>  As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], the population of the city was 2,245.<ref name="Census-2020-Profile">{{cite web |title=Profile of Holcomb, Kansas in 2020 |url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/profile?g=1600000US2032575 |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=November 29, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211129144801/https://data.census.gov/cedsci/profile?g=1600000US2032575 |archive-date=November 29, 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref>  It is located south of [[U.S. Route 50 in Kansas|Highway 50]].

==History==
Holcomb took its name from a local [[hog farmer]].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.epodunk.com/cgi-bin/genInfo.php?locIndex=4720 | title=Profile for Holcomb, Kansas | publisher=[[ePodunk]] | access-date=10 June 2014}}</ref>  The city was a station and shipping point on the [[Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway]].<ref name="Kansas_Cyclopedia">{{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/n858 862]}}</ref>  The first post office in Holcomb was established in December 1909.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kshs.org/geog/geog_postoffices/search/county:FI |title=Kansas Post Offices, 1828-1961 (archived) |publisher=Kansas Historical Society |access-date=10 June 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131009124908/http://www.kshs.org/geog/geog_postoffices/search/county%3AFI |archive-date=9 October 2013 }}</ref>

===1959 murders===
{{Main|Clutter family murders}}
The town of Holcomb was thrust into national and, eventually, international notoriety after November 15, 1959, when four members of the prominent Clutter family (father Herbert, 48; his wife Bonnie, 45; their youngest daughter, Nancy, 16; and son Kenyon, 15) were found bound and shot to death in various rooms of their home, on the family's River Valley Farm on the outskirts of Holcomb.

Two ex-convicts, [[Richard Hickock|Richard ("Dick") Hickock]] and [[Perry Edward Smith|Perry Smith]], were arrested, tried, and convicted of the killings. It started when both Hickock and Smith were released from prison and, acting on jailhouse information by a cellmate of Hickock's named Floyd Wells (who had worked for Mr. Clutter in 1948), made plans to rob the Clutter household under the mistaken belief that Mr. Clutter, according to Wells, kept thousands of dollars in cash in a safe at the residence. There was no Clutter safe, nor was there any substantial amount of cash in the home. Upon this discovery, and after killing the captive family to eliminate any witnesses, the pair fled with around $42 ({{Inflation|US|42|1959|fmt=eq|r=-1}}), a portable radio, and one pair of binoculars. They were arrested on December 30, 1959, in [[Las Vegas]], [[Nevada]], after possibly, although not likely,<ref>{{cite news |last1=Lush |first1=Tamara |title='In Cold Blood' killers' DNA not linked to Fla. quadruple murder |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/cold-blood-killers-dna-not-linked-fla-quadruple-murder-flna6c10911107 |access-date=March 15, 2024 |work=NBC News |agency=NBC |publisher=NBC |date=Aug 13, 2013}}</ref> having [[Walker family murders|murdered another family]] in Florida. Following their convictions and several appeals, Hickock and Smith were hanged for first-degree murder on April 14, 1965.

The murders, arrests and convictions of Hickock and Smith were the basis for author [[Truman Capote]]'s book ''[[In Cold Blood (book)|In Cold Blood]]'', which was serialized in ''[[The New Yorker]]'' magazine in 1965 and first published in book form in 1966. Capote actually began work on the book several days after he read a news article in a New York paper in 1959 about the murders.

The best-selling book, in turn, spawned several filmed versions of the story: director [[Richard Brooks]]' theatrical feature film ''[[In Cold Blood (film)|In Cold Blood]]'' in 1967 starring [[Robert Blake (actor)|Robert Blake]], [[Scott Wilson (actor)|Scott Wilson]] and [[John Forsythe]], and a two-part [[In Cold Blood (miniseries)|1996 TV miniseries adaptation]] starring [[Eric Roberts]], [[Anthony Edwards (actor)|Anthony Edwards]] and [[Sam Neill]] that aired on network TV in 1996. Portions of the 1967 theatrical film were shot on location in and around Holcomb and nearby [[Garden City, Kansas|Garden City]], including the actual house where the crimes took place.

The 2005 movie ''[[Capote (film)|Capote]]'', directed by Bennett Miller, is also about the author Capote, and the crimes in Holcomb. The 2006 film ''[[Infamous (2006 film)|Infamous]]'', starring [[Toby Jones]] as Capote, covers much of the same material.

==Geography==
According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|1.35|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, all land.<ref name="Gazetteer files">{{cite web |title=US Gazetteer files 2010 |url=https://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=2012-07-06 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120125061959/http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt |archive-date=2012-01-25 }}</ref><ref name="GR1">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/geographies/reference-files/time-series/geo/gazetteer-files.html|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=2011-04-23|date=2011-02-12|title=US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990}}</ref>

===Climate===
According to the [[Köppen Climate Classification]] system, Holcomb has a [[semi-arid climate]], abbreviated "BSk" on climate maps.<ref>[http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather-summary.php3?s=89241&cityname=Holcomb%2C+Kansas%2C+United+States+of+America&units= Climate Summary for Holcomb, Kansas]</ref>

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|align=left
|1910= 75
|1970= 272
|1980= 816
|1990= 1400
|2000= 2026
|2010= 2094
|2020= 2245
|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 2,245 people, 687 households, and 576 families in Holcomb.<ref>{{Cite web |title=US Census Bureau, Table P16: HOUSEHOLD TYPE |url=https://data.census.gov/table?q=Holcomb%20city,%20Kansas%20p16&y=2020 |access-date=2024-01-03 |website=data.census.gov}}</ref><ref name=:0 /> The population density was 1,814.9 per square mile (700.7/km{{sup|2}}). There were 722 housing units at an average density of 583.7 per square mile (225.4/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=Holcomb%20city,%20Kansas%20dp1 |access-date=2024-01-03 |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 70.02% (1,572) [[White (U.S. Census)|white]] or [[European American]] (56.48% [[Non-Hispanic White|non-Hispanic white]]), 0.98% (22) [[African American (U.S. Census)|black]] or [[African American|African-American]], 1.25% (28) [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]] or [[Alaska Native]], 0.49% (11) [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.0% (0) [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]] or [[Native Hawaiian]], 10.6% (238) from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 16.66% (374) 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=Holcomb%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 36.75% (825) 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=Holcomb%20city,%20Kansas%20p2&y=2020 |access-date=2024-01-03 |website=data.census.gov}}</ref>

Of the 687 households, 55.0% had children under the age of 18; 60.8% were married couples living together; 18.0% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. 12.2% of households consisted of individuals and 3.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.<ref name=:0 /> The average household size was 3.2 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=Holcomb%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 11.4% of the population.<ref>{{Cite web |title=US Census Bureau, Table S1501: EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT |url=https://data.census.gov/table/ACSST5Y2020.S1501?q=Holcomb%20city,%20Kansas%20s1501%20&y=2020 |access-date=2024-01-03 |website=data.census.gov}}</ref>

34.8% of the population was under the age of 18, 10.0% from 18 to 24, 27.5% from 25 to 44, 20.8% from 45 to 64, and 6.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 29.5 years. For every 100 females, there were 101.2 males.<ref name=:0 /> For every 100 females ages 18 and older, there were 98.2 males.<ref name=:0 />

The 2016-2020 5-year [[American Community Survey]] estimates show that the median household income was $70,179 (with a margin of error of +/- $8,682) and the median family income was $71,633 (+/- $9,033).<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=Holcomb%20city,%20Kansas%20s1903%20&y=2020 |access-date=2024-01-03 |website=data.census.gov}}</ref> Males had a median income of $48,934 (+/- $6,176) versus $26,033 (+/- $8,025) for females. The median income for those above 16 years old was $37,031 (+/- $6,990).<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=Holcomb%20city,%20Kansas%20s2001%20&y=2020 |access-date=2024-01-03 |website=data.census.gov}}</ref> Approximately, 7.1% of families and 8.2% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 11.0% of those under the age of 18 and 4.8% 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=Holcomb%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=Holcomb%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 2,094 people, 654 households, and 521 families living in the city. The [[population density]] was {{convert|1551.1|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 680 housing units at an average density of {{convert|503.7|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the city was 86.6% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.3% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.4% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.2% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 9.2% from [[Race (U.S. Census)|other races]], and 3.2% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 0.5% of the population.

There were 654 households, of which 56.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.8% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 12.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.8% had a male householder with no wife present, and 20.3% were non-families. 16.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 4.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.20 and the average family size was 3.62.

The median age in the city was 28.9 years. 37.8% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.2% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 28.9% were from 25 to 44; 21% were from 45 to 64; and 4.1% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 50.0% male and 50.0% female.

===2000 census===
As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=2008-01-31|title=U.S. Census website}}</ref> of 2000, there were 2,026 people, 592 households, and 515 families living in the city. The population density was {{convert|1,730.1|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 608 housing units at an average density of {{convert|519.2|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the city was 80.80% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 1.09% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.89% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.30% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 13.28% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 3.65% from mixed race.

There were 592 households, out of which 65.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 64.9% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 17.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 13.0% were non-families. 10.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 2.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.42 and the average family size was 3.62.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 41.7% under the age of 18, 8.5% from 18 to 24, 32.7% from 25 to 44, 14.8% from 45 to 64, and 2.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 25 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.5 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $47,115, and the median income for a family was $48,587. Males had a median income of $31,250 versus $22,652 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $14,264. About 7.6% of families and 10.1% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 11.4% of those under age 18 and 26.5% of those age 65 or over.

== Education ==
The community is served by [[Holcomb USD 363]] public school district.  Residents are zoned to Holcomb Elementary School (grades 3–5), Wiley Elementary School (Preschool-2), Holcomb Middle School (grades 6–8), or [[Holcomb High School]] (grades 9–12).

==Notable person==
*[[Charles Plymell]], Beat poet, publisher

==See also==
{{Portal|Kansas}}
* [[Holcomb High School]]
* [[Santa Fe Trail]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
{{See also|Finney County, Kansas#Further reading|l1=List of books about Finney County, Kansas}}
* [https://books.google.com/books?id=ktjQcNFI3mIC&pg=PA7 Story of the Marking of the Santa Fe Trail by the Daughters of the American Revolution in Kansas and the State of Kansas'']; Almira Cordry; Crane Co; 164 pages; 1915.

==External links==
* [http://holcombks.com/ City of Holcomb]
* [https://www.lkm.org/members/?id=41260767 Holcomb - Directory of Public Officials]
* [https://www.ksdot.org/Assets/wwwksdotorg/bureaus/burTransPlan/maps/city-pdf/holcomb.pdf Holcomb city map], KDOT

{{Finney County, Kansas}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Cities in Kansas]]
[[Category:Cities in Finney County, Kansas]]
[[Category:Kansas populated places on the Arkansas River]]