Editing Humboldt, Kansas

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

<!-- Images -->
|image_skyline            = City Square Park Bandstand NRHP 13001036 Allen County, KS.jpg
|image_caption            = [[City Square Park Bandstand]] and City Water Tower (2021)
|image_flag               =
|image_seal               =
|image_blank_emblem       = HumboldtKSlogo.png
|blank_emblem_type        = Logo
|blank_emblem_size        = 130px

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

<!-- Location -->
|coordinates_footnotes    = <ref name="GNIS"/>
|coordinates              = {{coord|37|48|45|N|95|26|11|W|region:US-KS_type:city_source:GNIS|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        = [[Allen County, Kansas|Allen]]
|subdivision_type3        = [[List of townships in Kansas|Township]]
|subdivision_name3        =

<!-- Established -->
|established_title        = Founded
|established_date         = 1857
|established_title1       = [[Platted]]
|established_date1        =
|established_title2       = [[Municipal corporation|Incorporated]]
|established_date2        = 1878
|named_for                = [[Alexander von Humboldt|Baron von Humboldt]]

<!-- 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         = 1.50
|area_land_sq_mi          = 1.49
|area_water_sq_mi         = 0.01
|area_total_km2           = 3.89
|area_land_km2            = 3.87
|area_water_km2           = 0.02
|area_water_percent       = 0.69
|unit_pref                = Imperial

<!-- Elevation -->
|elevation_footnotes      = <ref name="GNIS"/>
|elevation_ft             = 974

<!-- Population -->
|population_footnotes     = <ref name="Census-2020-Profile"/>
|population_as_of         = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
|population_total         = 1847
|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              = 66748
|area_code_type           = [[North American Numbering Plan|Area code]]
|area_code                = [[Area code 620|620]]
|blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standards|FIPS code]]
|blank_info               = 20-33450 
|blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS ID]]
|blank1_info              = 485596<ref name="GNIS">{{GNIS|485596}}</ref>
|website                = {{URL|https://www.humboldtkansas.com/|humboldtkansas.com}}
}}

'''Humboldt''' is a [[city]] in [[Allen County, Kansas|Allen County]], [[Kansas]], United States.<ref name="GNIS"/>  It is situated along the [[Neosho River]].  As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], the population of the city was 1,847.<ref name="Census-2020-Profile">{{cite web |title=Profile of Humboldt, Kansas in 2020 |url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/profile?g=1600000US2033450 |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=June 23, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220624011744/https://data.census.gov/cedsci/profile?g=1600000US2033450 |archive-date=June 24, 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref>

==History==
[[File:Humboldt, Kansas (circa 1865-1875).jpg|thumb|right|Humboldt, {{circa|1865}}–1875]]

===19th century===
Humboldt, originally an American settlement named after [[Alexander von Humboldt|Baron von Humboldt]], was founded in 1857.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.allencounty.org/humboldt1.html | title=Humboldt | publisher=Allen County | access-date=18 May 2014}}</ref>  Germans migrating from [[Hartford, Connecticut]], began organizing a colony during the winter of 1856–57.  They arrived in [[Lawrence, Kansas]], in March 1857, and at the townsite on May 10, 1857.  Orlin Thurston, a young attorney, moved to Humboldt during the summer of 1857 and put up a steam [[sawmill]]; he began sawing wood and building houses on the prairie side of town.  The first [[Framing (construction)|frame]] building was erected by J.A. Coffey; and in May 1858, W.C. O'Brien opened the first [[gristmill]] in the county.  The United Brethren Denomination erected the first [[church (building)|church]] in 1859.<ref>[http://www.humboldtks.com/chamber/history.htm "History of Humboldt, Kansas"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060816045613/http://www.humboldtks.com/chamber/history.htm |date=2006-08-16 }}, HumboldtKS.com</ref>

In 1861 Humboldt was attacked by a collection of border ruffians and Osages led by [[John Allen Mathews]] out of [[Oswego, Kansas]] who took several recently freed African-Americans back into captivity.  The Humboldt Home Guard joined with the Kansas 6th Cavalry under [[James G. Blunt]] to counter-attack.  In a battle on September. 18, 1861 Mathews was killed at [[Chetopa, Kansas]].

The city was organized as a village in 1866 and incorporated as a city of the second class by the act of February 28, 1870.  In October 1870 the Leavenworth, Lawrence & Galveston railway was run through Humboldt;<ref>Blackmar, Frank W., ed. [http://www.skyways.org/genweb/archives/1912/h/humboldt.html "Humboldt"]. ''Kansas: a cyclopedia of state history, embracing events, institutions, industries, counties, cities, towns, prominent persons, etc. ...''  Vol. I.  Standard Pub. Co. (Chicago: 1912) pp. 879–880.</ref> the railway was operated during the 20th century as part of the [[Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway]] and is currently operated by the [[South Kansas and Oklahoma Railroad]].

Humboldt was the Allen [[county seat]] for seven years, from 1858 until 1865, when [[Iola, Kansas|Iola]] became the seat. Humboldt won two contentious legislative elections to become the seat in 1858 and 1860, but another election in 1865 at the end of the [[American Civil War]] resulted in the re-location of the county seat to Iola. The legitimacy of this election was questioned by Humboldt residents due to low turnout arising from soldiers fighting the War. Some residents claim that the county seat was "stolen". Iola effectively secured the seat by donating 100 lots to the county to aid in the construction of public buildings and subsequently raising funds to build a courthouse.{{Citation needed|date=February 2011}}  However, Humboldt was also guilty of shady practices. Lieut. Col. Charles W. Blair, the commander of [[Fort Scott National Historic Site|Fort Scott]], temporarily replaced the commander of the post at Humboldt, Maj. Henry C. Haas, to keep the soldiers there from illegally voting in the county seat election. Blair claimed none of the troops were legal voters in Humboldt. The Humboldt newspaper, however, denied the troops had been involved in any wrongdoing. [[County seat war]]s of this sort were common in Kansas and the American West.<ref>Lieut. Col. Charles W. Blair, report to Capt. T. I. Hurd, ''The War of the Rebellion''(Washington: Government Printing Office, 1896), Series I, Vol. XLVIII, Part II, p. 337.</ref><ref>"Editor Humboldt Herald", ''The Humboldt Herald'', May 12, 1865, p. 2.</ref>

===Civil War fortifications===
Humboldt was very much involved in the [[American Civil War]]. The town was raided September 1, 1861, by Confederate raiders, who took much property and kidnapped eight free blacks, who may have been placed into slavery. Several persons may have been wounded by gunfire, but no one was killed. Many of the raiders were hunted down and one of the leaders, Col. [[John Allen Mathews]], was killed.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20021129181548/http://www.kancoll.org/articles/stewart/ws_section06.htm Watson Stewart, ''Personal Memoirs of Watson Stewart'' (Davenport, Iowa: February 25, 1904)]</ref>

Actions were taken to prevent Humboldt coming under further attack. Two home guard companies were organized in the Humboldt area. These militia units sought to protect the town and to scout as far south as the Kansas-[[Indian Territory]] border to prevent Confederates from coming too close to town. Some of the militia were involved with the pursuit of the September raiders. Two Humboldt area structures, O'Brien's Mill and W. W. Curdy dry goods store, were fortified.<ref>Stewart, ''Personal Memoirs.''</ref><ref>"The Humboldt Raid", ''Fort Scott Democrat'' (Fort Scott, Kans.), September 21, 1861, p. 3.</ref><ref>H. W. Signor, letter to George W. Martin, January 1, 1911, pp. 1-4 (in the Manuscript Div. of the Kansas State Historical Society, Topeka, Kans.)</ref>

Humboldt fell victim to another raid on October 14, 1861, {{frac|1|1|2}} months after the first raid. The second raid caught the town totally off guard and the 100 home guards surrendered when they discovered they could not protect the town from the 330 raiders. O'Brien's Mill and most of the town was burned. The W. W. Curdy store apparently was spared, but it played no further role in Humboldt's defenses. It was said the second raid was at least in part revenge for the killing of Mathews and for the actions of U.S. Senator [[James Henry Lane (Indiana and Kansas)|James H. Lane]] and his brigade's sacking and destruction of [[Osceola, Missouri]].<ref>Signor, pp. 1-4.</ref><ref>Nat Armel, "The Sacking and Burning of Humboldt", ''Humboldt Union'', September 5, 1965, p. 4</ref>

After the second raid the threats to Humboldt's safety were taken very seriously. At times the town had local militia units operating and most of the rest of the Civil War the town had Army troops stationed there. Sometimes the military post there was called Post Humboldt. A blockhouse was partially constructed at 514 S. 3rd Street. This was used by the local militia as its headquarters and as a recruiting office.<ref>Stewart, "Sketches of Early History!", ''Humboldt Union'', July 15, 1876, p. 4.</ref><ref>Armel, p. 6</ref>

Other points in town were used by the military. The German settlers in town built a church on Bridge Street, in the east part of town. This was used as the post's quartermaster store and was run by a sergeant. On the west side of town, a number of cabins were built on the east side of the [[Neosho River]]. This was sometimes called Log Town, but was more commonly known as Camp Hunter. When the ranks swelled beyond the capacity of the cabins, tents were pitched at the camp. Of the places used by the military, home guards and militia, today only the German church stands and it was converted into a private residence in the 1950s. The geographic coordinates of the various points are:
* O'Brien's Mill (approx. location) – {{coord|37.8290|-95.4605}}
* Camp Hunter – {{coord|37.8054|-95.4476}}
* German church – {{coord|37.8115|-95.4326}}
* W. W. Curdy dry goods store (approx. location) – {{coord|37.8112|-95.4376}}
* Blockhouse – {{coord|37.8061|-95.4407}}

In October 1864, the area was threatened by a huge raid through [[Missouri]] and eastern Kansas. The Confederate raiders were commanded by Maj. Gen. [[Sterling Price]] and most of the troops and militia went to meet the threat further east. Also, in the same time period Maj. Haas, in command of the troops, and Maj. Watson Stewart, in command of the militia had differences of opinion as to the extent of the jurisdiction of Haas. Haas wanted control of the militia and Stewart contested this. The militia maintained its independence, but not until Haas managed to arrest one of the militia's officers.<ref>Stewart, ''Personal Memoirs'', p. 41.</ref><ref>Genevieve and Harold Choguill, editors, ''A History of the Humboldt, Kansas, Community: 1855–1988'' (Newton, Kans.:  Mennonite Press, 1988), pp. 7-8</ref>

The post at Humboldt was manned by troops at least through June 1865. It probably lasted into July and very possibly into August. When troops abandoned the town, the use of the military buildings came to an end, as well.<ref>Humboldt, Kansas, website.</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://civilwar.ilgenweb.net/dyers/cav-017.html |title=Frederick H. Dyer, transcription by Susan Tortorelli, "17th Illinois Cavalry: Dyer's Regimental History," |access-date=2012-08-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111125193040/http://civilwar.ilgenweb.net/dyers/cav-017.html |archive-date=2011-11-25 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==Geography==
According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|1.45|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, of which {{convert|1.44|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is land and {{convert|0.01|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=July 2, 2012 }}</ref>

Humboldt is situated along the east bank of the [[Neosho River]], midway between [[Iola, Kansas|Iola]] (to the north) and [[Chanute, Kansas|Chanute]] (to the south, in [[Neosho County, Kansas|Neosho County]]) along Old 169 Highway.

===Climate===
The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters.  According to the [[Köppen climate classification]] system, Humboldt has a [[humid subtropical climate]], abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.<ref>[http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather-summary.php3?s=593538&cityname=Humboldt%2C+Kansas%2C+United+States+of+America&units= Climate Summary for Humboldt, Kansas]</ref>

{{Weather box   <!-- Infobox begins -->
| single line = Y
| location    = Humboldt, Kansas (1991–2020)
<!-- Average high temperatures -->
| Jan high F  =42.2
| Feb high F  =47.3
| Mar high F  =57.4
| Apr high F  =66.8
| May high F  =75.3
| Jun high F  =84.7
| Jul high F  =89.6
| Aug high F  =88.7
| Sep high F  =81.1
| Oct high F  =69.9
| Nov high F  =56.6
| Dec high F  =45.4
<!-- Mean daily temperature -->
| Jan mean F  =31.8
| Feb mean F  =36.3
| Mar mean F  =45.7
| Apr mean F  =55.1
| May mean F  =65.0
| Jun mean F  =74.7
| Jul mean F  =79.3
| Aug mean F  =77.7
| Sep mean F  =69.5
| Oct mean F  =57.9
| Nov mean F  =45.6
| Dec mean F  =35.3
<!-- Average low temperatures -->
| Jan low F  =21.4
| Feb low F  =25.3
| Mar low F  =34.0
| Apr low F  =43.4
| May low F  =54.7
| Jun low F  =64.6
| Jul low F  =69.1
| Aug low F  =66.7
| Sep low F  =57.9
| Oct low F  =46.0
| Nov low F  =34.6
| Dec low F  =25.2
<!-- Total precipitation, this should include rain and snow. -->
| precipitation colour    =  green
| Jan precipitation inch  =1.30
| Feb precipitation inch  =1.63
| Mar precipitation inch  =2.83
| Apr precipitation inch  =4.18
| May precipitation inch  =5.83
| Jun precipitation inch  =5.33
| Jul precipitation inch  =4.77
| Aug precipitation inch  =4.38
| Sep precipitation inch  =4.34
| Oct precipitation inch  =3.45
| Nov precipitation inch  =2.41
| Dec precipitation inch  =1.85
<!-- Snowfall -->
| Jan snow inch  =3.5
| Feb snow inch  =1.4
| Mar snow inch  =1.0
| Apr snow inch  =0.0
| 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  =3.0
<!-- Mandatory fields, source -->
| source = NOAA<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/us-climate-normals/#dataset=normals-monthly&timeframe=30&station=USC00143867 |title=NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals Quick Access |publisher=NOAA |access-date=2025-03-22 }}</ref>
}}<!-- Infobox ends -->

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|align=left
|1870= 1202
|1880= 1542
|1890= 1361
|1900= 1402
|1910= 2548
|1920= 2525
|1930= 2558
|1940= 2290
|1950= 2308
|1960= 2285
|1970= 2249
|1980= 2230
|1990= 2178
|2000= 1999
|2010= 1953
|2020= 1847
|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 1,847 people, 796 households, and 508 families in Humboldt.<ref>{{Cite web |title=US Census Bureau, Table P16: HOUSEHOLD TYPE |url=https://data.census.gov/table?q=Humboldt%20city,%20Kansas%20p16&y=2020 |access-date=2024-01-03 |website=data.census.gov}}</ref><ref name=:0 /> The population density was 1,209.6 per square mile (467.0/km{{sup|2}}). There were 903 housing units at an average density of 591.4 per square mile (228.3/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=Humboldt%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 88.36% (1,632) [[White (U.S. Census)|white]] or [[European American]] (86.25% [[Non-Hispanic White|non-Hispanic white]]), 1.62% (30) [[African American (U.S. Census)|black]] or [[African American|African-American]], 1.35% (25) [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]] or [[Alaska Native]], 0.11% (2) [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.0% (0) [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]] or [[Native Hawaiian]], 1.73% (32) from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 6.82% (126) 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=Humboldt%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 6.06% (112) 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=Humboldt%20city,%20Kansas%20p2&y=2020 |access-date=2024-01-03 |website=data.census.gov}}</ref>

Of the 796 households, 28.8% had children under the age of 18; 42.7% were married couples living together; 29.1% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. 30.7% of households consisted of individuals and 16.5% 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 3.2.<ref>{{Cite web |title=US Census Bureau, Table S1101: HOUSEHOLDS AND FAMILIES |url=https://data.census.gov/table/ACSST5Y2020.S1101?q=Humboldt%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 15.8% of the population.<ref>{{Cite web |title=US Census Bureau, Table S1501: EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT |url=https://data.census.gov/table/ACSST5Y2020.S1501?q=Humboldt%20city,%20Kansas%20s1501%20&y=2020 |access-date=2024-01-03 |website=data.census.gov}}</ref>

23.3% of the population was under the age of 18, 8.2% from 18 to 24, 22.1% from 25 to 44, 25.0% from 45 to 64, and 21.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41.9 years. For every 100 females, there were 111.8 males.<ref name=:0 /> For every 100 females ages 18 and older, there were 112.1 males.<ref name=:0 />

The 2016-2020 5-year [[American Community Survey]] estimates show that the median household income was $42,169 (with a margin of error of +/- $7,041) and the median family income was $54,514 (+/- $11,090).<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=Humboldt%20city,%20Kansas%20s1903%20&y=2020 |access-date=2024-01-03 |website=data.census.gov}}</ref> Males had a median income of $30,438 (+/- $5,565) versus $24,113 (+/- $1,303) for females. The median income for those above 16 years old was $24,681 (+/- $4,424).<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=Humboldt%20city,%20Kansas%20s2001%20&y=2020 |access-date=2024-01-03 |website=data.census.gov}}</ref> Approximately, 16.9% of families and 17.4% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 26.2% of those under the age of 18 and 14.6% 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=Humboldt%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=Humboldt%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 1,953 people, 829 households, and 511 families residing in the city. The population density was {{convert|1356.3|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 923 housing units at an average density of {{convert|641.0|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the city was 94.0% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 1.4% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.6% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.1% [[Race (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 2.0% from [[Race (U.S. Census)|other races]], and 2.0% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 5.1% of the population.

There were 829 households, of which 30.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.2% were married couples living together, 10.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.4% had a male householder with no wife present, and 38.4% were non-families. 34.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.33 and the average family size was 2.97.

The median age in the city was 40.7 years. 25.2% of residents were under the age of 18; 6.9% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 23.6% were from 25 to 44; 26.5% were from 45 to 64; and 18% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 46.8% male and 53.2% female.

===2000 census===
As of the [[2000 United States Census|U.S. Census in 2000]],<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> there were 1,999 people, 825 households, and 554 families residing in the city. The population density was {{convert|1,403.3|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 925 housing units at an average density of {{convert|649.4|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The [[Race (United States Census)|racial makeup]] of the city was 93.00% [[White American|White]], 1.75% Black or [[African American]], 0.45% [[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]], 0.10% [[Asian American|Asian]], 2.65% from other races, and 2.05% from [[Multiracial|two or more races]]. [[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]] of any race were 5.15% of the population.

There were 825 [[household]]s, out of which 27.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.4% were married couples living together, 8.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.8% were non-families. 29.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 2.92.

In the city, the age distribution of the population shows 23.6% under the age of 18, 8.9% from 18 to 24, 24.2% from 25 to 44, 22.9% from 45 to 64, and 20.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.8 males.

The [[Median household income|median income for a household]] in the city was $30,408, and the median income for a family was $39,750. Males had a median income of $28,512 versus $18,712 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $17,651. About 9.8% of families and 12.7% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 15.1% of those under age 18 and 10.8% of those age 65 or over.

==Events==
Humboldt is the location of the Biblesta parade. Local churches, businesses, and organizations create floats for the parade based on Bible stories. Other festivities during Biblesta generally include a music concert and bean feed.<ref>{{Cite web|title = Biblesta Parade Humboldt, Kansas |url = http://www.biblesta.com/|website = www.biblesta.com|access-date = 2016-01-18}}</ref>

==Education==
The community is served by [[Humboldt USD 258]] public school district, with three schools, serves 498 students.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.usd258.net/aboutus/aboutus.html |title=USD 258 Public Schools |access-date=2007-11-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080409151243/http://www.usd258.net/aboutus/aboutus.html |archive-date=2008-04-09 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

* [[Humboldt High School (Kansas)|Humboldt High School]], grades 9–12
* Humboldt Middle School, grades 6–8
* Humboldt Elementary School, grades K–5

==Infrastructure==
The old highway passes through the center of town, while the current [[U.S. Route 169]] passes by approximately one mile to the east.

Rail service to [[Tulsa, Oklahoma]] and other points is available in Humboldt; the [[South Kansas and Oklahoma Railroad]] line ends at Hawaii Road on the city's east side.

[[Allen County Airport]] is located only a few miles to the northeast.

==Notable people==
* [[Walter Johnson]], [[National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum|Hall of Fame]] pitcher who won 417 games for the [[Washington Senators (1901–60)|Washington Senators]]
* [[George Sweatt]], player with the [[Kansas City Monarchs]]

==See also==
* [[Great Flood of 1951]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

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

==External links==
{{Commons category|Humboldt, Kansas}}
* [https://www.humboldtkansas.com/ City of Humboldt]
* [https://www.lkm.org/members/?id=41260779 Humboldt - Directory of Public Officials]
* [https://www.usd258.net/ USD 258], local school district
* [https://www.ksdot.org/Assets/wwwksdotorg/bureaus/burTransPlan/maps/city-pdf/humboldt.PDF Humboldt city map], KDOT

{{Allen County, Kansas}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Cities in Kansas]]
[[Category:German-American culture in Kansas]]
[[Category:Cities in Allen County, Kansas]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1857]]
[[Category:1857 establishments in Kansas Territory]]