Editing Independence, Kansas

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

<!-- Images -->
|image_skyline            = Memorial Hall, Independence, KS.jpg
|image_caption            = Memorial Hall (2017)
|image_flag               =
|image_seal               =

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

<!-- Location -->
|coordinates_footnotes    = <ref name="GNIS"/>
|coordinates              = {{coord|37|13|32|N|95|43|10|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        = [[Montgomery County, Kansas|Montgomery]]
|subdivision_type3        = [[List of townships in Kansas|Township]]
|subdivision_name3        =

<!-- Established -->
|established_title        = Founded
|established_date         = 1869 (Colfax)
|established_title1       = [[Platted]]
|established_date1        =
|established_title2       = [[Municipal corporation|Incorporated]]
|established_date2        = 1870
|named_for                = [[United States Declaration of Independence]]

<!-- Government -->
|government_footnotes     =
|government_type          = Commission/City Manager
|leader_title             = [[Mayor]]
|leader_name              = Louis Ysusi {{citation needed|date=September 2023}}
|leader_title1            = City Manager
|leader_name1             = Kelly Passauer {{citation needed|date=September 2023}}

<!-- 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         = 7.67
|area_land_sq_mi          = 7.67
|area_water_sq_mi         = 0.01
|area_total_km2           = 19.88
|area_land_km2            = 19.86
|area_water_km2           = 0.01
|unit_pref                = Imperial

<!-- Elevation -->
|elevation_footnotes      = <ref name="GNIS"/>
|elevation_ft             = 778

<!-- Population -->
|population_footnotes     = <ref name="Census-2020-Profile"/><ref name="Census-2020-QF"/>
|population_as_of         = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
|population_total         = 8548
|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              = 67301
|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               = 20-33875 
|blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS ID]]
|blank1_info              = 485598<ref name="GNIS">{{GNIS|485598}}</ref>
|website                  = {{URL|https://www.independenceks.gov/|independenceks.gov}}
}}

'''Independence''' is a city in and the [[county seat]] of [[Montgomery County, Kansas|Montgomery County]], [[Kansas]], United States.<ref name="GNIS"/>  As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], the population of the city was 8,548.<ref name="Census-2020-Profile">{{cite web |title=Profile of Independence, Kansas in 2020 |url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/profile?g=1600000US2033875 |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=May 31, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220531151645/https://data.census.gov/cedsci/profile?g=1600000US2033875 |archive-date=May 31, 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Census-2020-QF">{{cite web |title=QuickFacts; Independence, Kansas; Population, Census, 2020 & 2010 |url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/independencecitykansas/POP010220 |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=August 26, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210827014620/https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/independencecitykansas/POP010220 |archive-date=August 27, 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref>  It was named in commemoration of the [[United States Declaration of Independence|Declaration of Independence]].<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 | pages=[https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_9V1IAAAAMAAJ/page/n154 165]}}</ref>  It is "home" of [[Independence Community College]].

==History==
{{See also|History of Kansas}}
The Osage Indians had settled much of southeast Kansas over the course of the 1830s and 40s and sold land claims over the course of the 1860s to incoming American homesteaders and moved into [[Indian Territory]] (present-day Oklahoma) where they became settled farmers, selling their whole remaining claim to the United States government in 1870 for $1.25 an acre.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Tindle |first=Lela |title=Wilson County Kansas: People of the South Wind. |publisher=Curtis Media Corporation |year=1988 |isbn=0-88107-110-2 |location=Dallas, Texas |language=English}}</ref>

Independence was settled on land that was purchased from the [[Osage Nation]] in September 1869 by George A. Brown for the price of $50.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Duncan |first=L. Wallace |url=https://catalog.hathitrust.org/Record/008652623 |title=History of Montgomery county, Kansas |date=1903 |publisher=L. Wallace Duncan; Press of Iola Register |location=Iola, Kan. |pages=85–129}}</ref> Brown originally called the townsite '''Colfax''' after [[Schuyler Colfax]], vice president under President [[Ulysses S. Grant]].<ref>{{cite book|last=Rydjord|first=John|title=Kansas Place-Names|year=1972|publisher=University of Oklahoma Press, Norman, Oklahoma|page=349|isbn=0-8061-0994-7}}</ref> On August 21, 1869 a group of [[Oswego, Kansas]] men led by R. W. Wright settled there with the intent to make Independence the county seat.<ref>Sherwood, Leon (1970). ''Official Centennial History of Independence, KS'', p. 6. Independence Centennial Inc.</ref>  E. E. Wilson and F D. Irwin opened the first store in October 1869, naming it Wilson & Irwin Groceries.<ref>Sherwood, Leon (1970). ''Official Centennial History of Independence, KS'', p. 7. Independence Centennial Inc.</ref> Independence was designated county seat in 1870.<ref>{{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/n895 899]}}</ref>

On April 17, 1930 the city was the first to use a permanent lighting system for an exhibition baseball game: it was held between the [[Independence Producers]] and [[House of David (commune)#Baseball teams|House of David]] semi-professional baseball team of [[Benton Harbor, Michigan]]. The Independence team won with a score of 9 to 1 before a crowd of 1,700 spectators.<ref name="Bowman">{{cite web |last=Bowman |first=Larry G. |date=Winter 1995–1996 |title=I Think It Is Pretty Ritzy Myself: Kansas Minor League Teams and Night Baseball |url=https://www.kshs.org/publicat/history/1995winter_bowman.pdf |work=Kansas History |publisher=Kansas Historical Society |pages=248&ndash;257}}</ref>

Miss Able, a [[rhesus macaque|rhesus]] monkey, was born at Ralph Mitchell Zoo. Miss Able along with [[Miss Baker]], a [[squirrel monkey]], became the first monkeys that the United States used in its space program to fly in space; they returned alive on May 28, 1959.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.kansas.com/2010/03/22/1236075/kansan-among-first-to-go-to-space.html |title=Kansan among first to go to space &#124; Wichita Eagle |access-date=2013-02-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131015203456/http://www.kansas.com/2010/03/22/1236075/kansan-among-first-to-go-to-space.html |archive-date=2013-10-15 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==Geography==
Independence is located along the [[Verdigris River]] just south of its confluence with the [[Elk River (Kansas)|Elk River]]. According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|7.75|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, of which, {{convert|7.74|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/20120112090031/http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt |archive-date=January 12, 2012 }}</ref>

===Climate===
Independence has a [[humid subtropical climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification|Köppen]] ''Cfa'') characterized by hot, humid and unpleasant summers, and chilly though extremely variable winters. Precipitation is heavy in summer due to frequent incursions of very moist air from the Gulf of Mexico: as much as {{convert|7.69|in|mm|1}} fell on May 27, 1984 and a maximum daily fall of {{convert|3.49|in|mm|1|disp=or}} can be expected in an average calendar year. The wettest month has been June 2007 when {{convert|19.53|in|mm|1}} was reported, whereas July 1935 saw a mere {{convert|0.03|in|mm|1}}. The winters are drier and cold, although temperatures in winter are very erratic, ranging from an average of four afternoons in the three winter months above {{convert|70|F|C|1|disp=or}} to an average of three mornings below {{convert|0|F|C|1|disp=or}}. Winters are much drier than the summer, with November 1986 and October 1952 seeing not even a trace of precipitation.<ref name="NWS">[[National Weather Service]], Wichita, Kansas; [http://w2.weather.gov/climate/xmacis.php?wfo=ict NOW Data] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170713035158/http://w2.weather.gov/climate/xmacis.php?wfo=ict |date=July 13, 2017 }}</ref>

Overall the wettest calendar year has been 1908 with {{convert|60.29|in|mm|1}} – although the incomplete year of 2007 likely had more than this – and the driest 1952 with only {{convert|18.27|in|mm|1}}.<ref name="NWS"/> The hottest month has been July 1936 with an average of {{convert|88|F|C|1}} and a mean maximum of {{convert|104.8|F|C|1|disp=or}}, while the coldest has been January 1979 with an average of {{convert|18.8|F|C|1}}, a mean maximum of only {{convert|28.9|F|C|1}} and a mean minimum of {{convert|8.7|F|C|1|disp=or}}. The hottest monthly mean minimum was in July 2011 with a mean low as high as {{convert|74.3|F|C|1|disp=or}}.

{{Weather box
|location = Independence, Kansas, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1893–present
|single line = Yes

|Jan record high F = 78
|Feb record high F = 88
|Mar record high F = 98
|Apr record high F = 101
|May record high F = 102
|Jun record high F = 109
|Jul record high F = 115
|Aug record high F = 116
|Sep record high F = 111
|Oct record high F = 99
|Nov record high F = 88
|Dec record high F = 80

|Jan avg record high F = 68.5
|Feb avg record high F = 73.4
|Mar avg record high F = 81.2
|Apr avg record high F = 85.6
|May avg record high F = 89.3
|Jun avg record high F = 93.6
|Jul avg record high F = 100.0
|Aug avg record high F = 100.3
|Sep avg record high F = 95.4
|Oct avg record high F = 87.3
|Nov avg record high F = 77.4
|Dec avg record high F = 68.7
|year avg record high F = 101.7

|Jan high F = 44.9
|Feb high F = 50.0
|Mar high F = 59.8
|Apr high F = 69.1
|May high F = 77.0
|Jun high F = 85.6
|Jul high F = 90.7
|Aug high F = 90.3
|Sep high F = 82.6
|Oct high F = 71.6
|Nov high F = 58.7
|Dec high F = 47.5
|year high F =

|Jan mean F = 33.8
|Feb mean F = 38.0
|Mar mean F = 47.5
|Apr mean F = 57.0
|May mean F = 66.3
|Jun mean F = 75.4
|Jul mean F = 80.2
|Aug mean F = 79.0
|Sep mean F = 70.9
|Oct mean F = 59.2
|Nov mean F = 47.0
|Dec mean F = 36.9
|year mean F =

|Jan low F = 22.7
|Feb low F = 26.0
|Mar low F = 35.2
|Apr low F = 44.9
|May low F = 55.5
|Jun low F = 65.2
|Jul low F = 69.6
|Aug low F = 67.6
|Sep low F = 59.2
|Oct low F = 46.8
|Nov low F = 35.2
|Dec low F = 26.4
|year low F =

|Jan avg record low F = 6.4
|Feb avg record low F = 10.9
|Mar avg record low F = 19.4
|Apr avg record low F = 30.9
|May avg record low F = 42.0
|Jun avg record low F = 54.8
|Jul avg record low F = 61.5
|Aug avg record low F = 58.7
|Sep avg record low F = 45.4
|Oct avg record low F = 31.6
|Nov avg record low F = 20.8
|Dec avg record low F = 10.5
|year avg record low F = 2.4

|Jan record low F = -19
|Feb record low F = -23
|Mar record low F = -5
|Apr record low F = 15
|May record low F = 28
|Jun record low F = 42
|Jul record low F = 46
|Aug record low F = 43
|Sep record low F = 29
|Oct record low F = 16
|Nov record low F = 5
|Dec record low F = -16

|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation inch = 1.44
|Feb precipitation inch = 1.85
|Mar precipitation inch = 2.88
|Apr precipitation inch = 4.47
|May precipitation inch = 6.76
|Jun precipitation inch = 6.26
|Jul precipitation inch = 4.29
|Aug precipitation inch = 4.49
|Sep precipitation inch = 4.12
|Oct precipitation inch = 4.09
|Nov precipitation inch = 2.40
|Dec precipitation inch = 2.35
|year precipitation inch = 45.40

|unit precipitation days = 0.01 in
|Jan precipitation days = 5.8
|Feb precipitation days = 5.7
|Mar precipitation days = 8.3
|Apr precipitation days = 9.7
|May precipitation days = 11.7
|Jun precipitation days = 9.3
|Jul precipitation days = 8.0
|Aug precipitation days = 7.4
|Sep precipitation days = 7.1
|Oct precipitation days = 7.7
|Nov precipitation days = 6.3
|Dec precipitation days = 6.3

|Jan snow inch = 2.2
|Feb snow inch = 0.9
|Mar snow inch = 1.9
|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 = 0.3
|Dec snow inch = 2.1
|year snow inch =

|unit snow days = 0.1 in
|Jan snow days = 1.9
|Feb snow days = 0.8
|Mar snow days = 0.7
|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 = 0.3
|Dec snow days = 1.2

|source 1 = NOAA<ref name = NOAA>
{{cite web
|url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&stations=USC00143954&format=pdf&dataTypes=MLY-TMAX-NORMAL,MLY-TMIN-NORMAL,MLY-TAVG-NORMAL,MLY-PRCP-NORMAL,MLY-SNOW-NORMAL
|publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
|title = U.S. Climate Normals Quick Access – Station: Independence, KS
|access-date = May 2, 2023
}}
</ref>
|source 2 = National Weather Service<ref name = NOWData>
{{cite web
|url = https://www.weather.gov/wrh/climate?wfo=ict
|publisher = National Weather Service
|title = NOAA Online Weather Data – NWS Wichita
|access-date = May 2, 2023
}}
</ref>
}}

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
| 1870 = 435
| 1880 = 2915
| 1890 = 3127
| 1900 = 4851
| 1910 = 10480
| 1920 = 11920
| 1930 = 12782
| 1940 = 11565
| 1950 = 11335
| 1960 = 11222
| 1970 = 10347
| 1980 = 10598
| 1990 = 9942
| 2000 = 9846
| 2010 = 9483
| 2020 = 8548
| estyear = 2023
| estimate = 8315
| 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 = U.S. Decennial Census<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|author=United States Census Bureau|author-link=United States Census Bureau|access-date=November 29, 2014}}</ref><br/>2010-2020<ref name="Census-2020-QF"/>
}}

===2020 census===
The [[2020 United States census]] counted 8,548 people, 3,627 households, and 2,088 families in Independence.<ref>{{Cite web |title=US Census Bureau, Table P16: HOUSEHOLD TYPE |url=https://data.census.gov/table?q=Independence%20city,%20Kansas%20p16&y=2020 |access-date=2024-01-03 |website=data.census.gov}}</ref><ref name=:0 /> The population density was 1,114.6 per square mile (430.4/km{{sup|2}}). There were 4,380 housing units at an average density of 571.1 per square mile (220.5/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=Independence%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 79.12% (6,763) [[White (U.S. Census)|white]] or [[European American]] (76.13% [[Non-Hispanic White|non-Hispanic white]]), 5.5% (470) [[African American (U.S. Census)|black]] or [[African American|African-American]], 1.66% (142) [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]] or [[Alaska Native]], 0.88% (75) [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.05% (4) [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]] or [[Native Hawaiian]], 2.56% (219) from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 10.24% (875) 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=Independence%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 8.24% (704) 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=Independence%20city,%20Kansas%20p2&y=2020 |access-date=2024-01-03 |website=data.census.gov}}</ref>

Of the 3,627 households, 28.5% had children under the age of 18; 36.8% were married couples living together; 32.3% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. 36.0% of households consisted of individuals and 16.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.<ref name=:0 /> The average household size was 2.1 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=Independence%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=Independence%20city,%20Kansas%20s1501%20&y=2020 |access-date=2024-01-03 |website=data.census.gov}}</ref>

24.8% of the population was under the age of 18, 7.9% from 18 to 24, 23.8% from 25 to 44, 23.5% from 45 to 64, and 19.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38.9 years. For every 100 females, there were 109.2 males.<ref name=:0 /> For every 100 females ages 18 and older, there were 111.3 males.<ref name=:0 />

The 2016-2020 5-year [[American Community Survey]] estimates show that the median household income was $38,963 (with a margin of error of +/- $4,924) and the median family income was $50,299 (+/- $5,851).<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=Independence%20city,%20Kansas%20s1903%20&y=2020 |access-date=2024-01-03 |website=data.census.gov}}</ref> Males had a median income of $31,436 (+/- $4,208) versus $23,707 (+/- $4,084) for females. The median income for those above 16 years old was $27,652 (+/- $3,039).<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=Independence%20city,%20Kansas%20s2001%20&y=2020 |access-date=2024-01-03 |website=data.census.gov}}</ref> Approximately, 14.7% of families and 21.0% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 34.3% of those under the age of 18 and 12.0% 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=Independence%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=Independence%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 9,483 people, 3,950 households, and 2,430 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 6, 2011 }}{{dead link|bot=medic|date=April 2020}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>  The [[population density]] was {{convert|1225.2|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 4,528 housing units at an average density of {{convert|585.0|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the city was 84.2% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 6.5% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 1.6% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.9% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 2.3% from [[Race (U.S. Census)|other races]], and 4.5% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 6.5% of the population.

There were 3,950 households, of which 33.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.9% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 14.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.7% had a male householder with no wife present, and 38.5% were non-families. 33.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.35 and the average family size was 2.95.

The median age in the city was 36.9 years. 26% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.6% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 24.5% were from 25 to 44; 24.9% were from 45 to 64; and 15.9% 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]] |access-date=2008-01-31 |title=U.S. Census website }}</ref> of 2000, there were 9,846 people, 4,149 households, and 2,609 families living in the city. The population density was {{convert|1,979.4|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 4,747 housing units at an average density of {{convert|954.3|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the city was 87.00% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 7.17% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 1.16% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.62% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.01% [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 1.10% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 2.95% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 3.84% of the population.

There were 4,149 households, out of which 30.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.8% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 12.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.1% were non-families. 32.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.32, and the average family size was 2.93.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 25.7% under the age of 18, 8.9% from 18 to 24, 26.1% from 25 to 44, 21.3% from 45 to 64, and 18.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 89.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.9 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $29,574, and the median income for a family was $37,134. Males had a median income of $26,552 versus $20,017 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $15,496. About 11.4% of families and 13.1% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 18.7% of those under age 18 and 13.2% of those age 65 or over.

==Education==
[[Image:Independence, KS public library funded by Andrew Carnegie.jpg|thumb|right|[[Independence Public Library|Independence Carnegie Library]] (2013)]]

===Colleges===
The [[Independence Community College]] main campus is located two miles south of the city. ICC West Campus is located in the city one mile west of the downtown.  Each semester, over 1000 students are enrolled at ICC.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://submission.kansasregents.org|title=Kansas Higher Education Statistics|access-date=2019-05-16}}</ref>

===Primary and secondary education===
The community is served by [[Independence USD 446]] public school district.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Home|url=http://www.indyschools.com/|access-date=2021-12-31|website=www.indyschools.com}}</ref>
* Independence High School (9–12)
* Independence Middle School (6–8)
* Jefferson Elementary School (3–5)
* Eisenhower Elementary School (PreK–2)

===Private schools===
* Zion Lutheran School (PreK–8)
* St. Andrew School (PreK–8)
* Independence Bible School (PreK–12)

===Special education===
* Tri-County Education Co-operative, special education (all grades)

==Transportation==
===Highway transportation===
Independence is located at the intersection of [[U.S. Route 75 (Kansas)|US-75]] and [[U.S. Route 160 (Kansas)|US-160]].

===Railroad transportation===
Independence is served by two railroad companies:

* The Union Pacific Railroad is one of the largest class one railroads in the United States and operates on the former [[Missouri Pacific Railroad]] tracks. The headquarters for Union Pacific is located at [[Omaha, Nebraska]].<ref name=UP>Union Pacific Railroad https://www.up.com/index.htm</ref>
* The South Kansas and Oklahoma Railroad, which is a short line railroad owned by WATCO Companies based at [[Pittsburg, Kansas]] and operates on the former [[Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway]] tracks.<ref name=SKOL>South Kansas and Oklahoma Railroad https://www.watcocompanies.com/services/rail/skol/ {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170831214605/https://www.watcocompanies.com/services/rail/skol/ |date=August 31, 2017 }}</ref>

===Airports===
The [[Independence Municipal Airport (Kansas)|Independence Municipal Airport]] (IDP) is located {{convert|5|mi|km}} southwest of the center of the city.

==Area events==
* The Neewollah Festival takes place in late October.  Neewollah is "[[Halloween]]" spelled backwards.
[[File:Independence Kansas Oct 27 2022.jpg|thumb|Neewollah street vendors, October 2022]]

==Area attractions==
* [[Independence Community College]] is home to the William Inge Center for the Arts,<ref>{{Cite web|title=William Inge Center for the Arts – Home of the Official State Theater Festival of Kansas|url=https://ingecenter.org/|access-date=2021-12-31|language=en-US}}</ref> which maintains the archives of playwright and alumnus, [[William Inge]]. The center utilizes the writer's boyhood home for a playwrights-in-residence program, and sponsors the annual William Inge Festival. Each year during the festival a lifetime achievement award is bestowed on a nationally recognized American playwright.
* The State of Kansas designated the childhood home of [[Laura Ingalls Wilder]] and the Ingalls family near Independence as a historic site; it is open to visitors. It is the location where the Charles Ingalls family resided between 1869-1871 and is described in his daughter [[Laura Ingalls Wilder]]'s book ''[[Little House on the Prairie (novel)|Little House on the Prairie]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.littlehouseontheprairiemuseum.com/Little_House_on_the_Prairie_Museum/Little_House_on_the_Prairie_Museum.html |title=Little House on the Prairie Museum, Inc |access-date=2013-02-05 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130702165345/http://www.littlehouseontheprairiemuseum.com/Little_House_on_the_Prairie_Museum/Little_House_on_the_Prairie_Museum.html |archive-date=2013-07-02 }}</ref> It includes a cabin modeled after the original and a [[post office]] from nearby community of [[Wayside, Kansas|Wayside]]. The Sunnyside School, a one-room schoolhouse that was moved to the site, is also featured. Much of the surrounding countryside retains its open and undeveloped nature. Then located on the [[Osage Nation|Osage]] reservation, the property is now within the boundaries of the William Kurtis Ranch about 13 miles southwest of downtown Independence, east of the unincorporated community of [[Wayside, Kansas|Wayside]].<ref>[http://www.littlehouseontheprairie.com/ "Little House on the Prairie Website"]</ref>
* At the 1964 New York World's Fair, [[Sinclair Oil]] sponsored a dinosaur exhibit, featuring life-size replicas of nine different dinosaurs. On flatbed trucks, they toured the United States. Headquartered in Independence, Sinclair Pipeline Company, a division of Sinclair Oil, was acquired by [[Atlantic Richfield]] (ARCO). After the acquisition by ARCO, one of the nine dinosaurs, the [[Corythosaurus]], was donated to Riverside Park.
* [[Elk City Lake]] and [[Elk City State Park]] are located approximately five miles west of Independence. There are six hiking trails located at Elk City Lake, two of which are notable for receiving a [[National Trails]] designation. It is also in this area that the ruins of the [[Le Hunt, Kansas|Le Hunt]] cement plant are located, although the site on private property.
* Montgomery County State Lake is located approximately 4 miles (6.44&nbsp;km) south of the city on county road 3600. The lake offers boating and fishing opportunities to the area. 
* Riverside Park and Ralph Mitchell Zoo<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.independenceks.gov/199/Park-Zoo|title = Riverside Park and Ralph Mitchell Zoo &#124; Independence, KS}}</ref> is located on East Oak Street between Pennsylvania and Park Streets on the northeast side of the city. The park offers playground, 4-H, and meeting facilities, picnic areas, tennis courts, miniature golf, miniature train, and a merry go round. It is also the location of Emmot Field, the home field for sporting events for the Independence Middle School, Independence High School, and the Independence Community College. The Ralph Mitchell Zoo is the home for many species of mammals and reptiles, and was the homeplace of the rhesus macaque Miss Able, who was chosen by NASA alongside [[Miss Baker]] to test out space travel and become the first animals launched into space; she is commemorated with a sign.<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=Monkey Island, Home of America's First Space Monkey|url=https://www.roadsideamerica.com/story/11873|access-date=|website=Roadside America}}</ref> The park is also home to [[Shulthis Stadium Grandstand|Shulthis Stadium]] and Emmot Field, which is the site of the first night baseball game, and the home field where [[Mickey Mantle]] began his professional baseball career.

==Notable people==
<!--- Please list only people who have spent a significant amount of time in Independence. If the individual's tie is ''only'' as a college student, they should be listed in the college article. --->
{{See also|Independence_Community_College#Notable_alumni|l1=List of Independence Community College people}}
<!-- All people MUST meet [[Wikipedia:Notability]] requirements. If the person has a Wikipedia article, then wiki link the name (see [[Help:Links#Wikilinks]]). If the name appears in red or black, then you MUST add a good reference to prove notability (see [[Wikipedia:External links]] and [[Wikipedia:Verifiability]]). -->
* [[Taylor Armstrong]], born as Shana Hughes, former reality show celebrity on ''[[The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills]]''
* [[Tacy Atkinson]], Christian missionary
* [[Sheila Bair]], former chairwoman, [[Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation]]
* [[Gerry Bamman]], actor
* [[Benny Bartlett]], actor
* [[Elizabeth Broun]], art historian
* [[Donald Graham Burt]], [[Academy Award]] winning [[production designer]]<ref>Independence Daily Reporter, February 23, 2009, p. 1</ref>
* [[Jim Halsey]], artist manager, agent, and impresario
* [[Sherman Halsey]], music video producer and director, talent agent
* [[Scott Hastings (basketball)|Scott Hastings]], NBA basketball player
* [[William Wadsworth Hodkinson]], founded [[Paramount Pictures]] and ventured into commercial aviation
* [[Lyman U. Humphrey]], newspaper editor, banker, 7th [[Governor of Kansas]]
* [[William Inge]], [[Pulitzer Prize]]-winning playwright, [[Academy Award]]-winning screenwriter
* [[Bill Kurtis]], television journalist
* [[Alf Landon]], 1936 Republican presidential candidate, 26th [[Governor of Kansas]]
* [[Mary Howard de Liagre]], actress
* [[Dave McGinnis]], NFL coach
* [[John Morris (composer)|John Morris, composer]]
* [[Gareth Porter]], historian, author and international journalist
* [[Derek Schmidt]], former congressional aide, Kansas Senate Majority Leader and since 2011, [[Attorney General of Kansas]], U.S. Congressman 
* [[Jean Schodorf]], former Kansas Senate Majority Leader and congressional candidate
* [[Harry F. Sinclair]], founder of [[Sinclair Oil]]
* [[Charlie Tidwell]],  sprinter/hurdler active between 1958–60
* [[Vivian Vance]], actress 
* [[Ron Warner (American football)|Ron Warner]], NFL football player
<!-- All people MUST meet [[Wikipedia:Notability]] requirements. If the person has a Wikipedia article, then wiki link the name (see [[Help:Links#Wikilinks]]). If the name appears in red or black, then you MUST add a good reference to prove notability (see [[Wikipedia:External links]] and [[Wikipedia:Verifiability]]). -->

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
{{Portal|Kansas}}
{{Kansas books}}
{{See also|Montgomery County, Kansas#Further reading|l1=List of books about Montgomery County, Kansas}}
* ''A Guide to Historic Homes in Independence, Kansas''; Ken D. Brown; Independence Tribune; 1993.
* [https://www.kansasmemory.org/item/display.php?item_id=228734&f=00469118 ''Art Work on Eastern Kansas'' - part 10 of 12]; Western Photogravure Company; 1900. (contains photo of Independence High School)

==External links==
{{Commons category|Independence, Kansas}}
* {{Official website|https://www.independenceks.gov/}}
* [https://www.lkm.org/members/Default.asp?id=41260784 Independence - Directory of Public Officials]
* [https://indkschamber.org/ Independence Chamber of Commerce]
* [https://www.ksdot.org/Assets/wwwksdotorg/bureaus/burTransPlan/maps/city-pdf/independence.pdf Independence city map], KDOT

{{Montgomery County, Kansas}}
{{Kansas}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Independence, Kansas| ]]
[[Category:1869 establishments in Kansas]]
[[Category:Cities in Kansas]]
[[Category:Cities in Montgomery County, Kansas]]
[[Category:County seats in Kansas]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1869]]