Editing Ottawa, Kansas

{{Short description|City in Franklin County, Kansas}}
{{Distinguish|Ottawa County, Kansas}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2024}}
{{Infobox settlement
|name                     = Ottawa, Kansas
|settlement_type          = [[City]] and [[County seat]]

<!-- Images -->
|image_skyline            = Downtown Ottawa, Kansas historic district.jpg
|image_caption            = Ottawa Historic District (2018)
|image_flag               =
|image_seal               =

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

<!-- Location -->
|coordinates_footnotes    = <ref name=gnis/>
|coordinates              = {{coord|38|37|22|N|95|14|07|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        = [[Franklin County, Kansas|Franklin]]
|subdivision_type3        = [[List of townships in Kansas|Township]]
|subdivision_name3        =

<!-- Established -->
|established_title        = Founded
|established_date         = 1865
|established_title1       = [[Platted]]
|established_date1        =
|established_title2       = [[Municipal corporation|Incorporated]]
|established_date2        = 1866
|named_for                = [[Ottawa Tribe of Oklahoma|Ottawa Tribe]]

<!-- Government -->
|government_type          = [[Council-Manager]]
|leader_title             = [[Mayor]]
|leader_name              = Emily Allen <ref name="Ottawa-Commission">{{cite web |title=City Commission |url=https://www.ottawaks.gov/city-commission |website=City of Ottawa |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220326000025/https://www.ottawaks.gov/city-commission |archive-date=March 26, 2022 |date=March 25, 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref>
|leader_title1            = City Manager
|leader_name1             = Richard Nienstedt <ref name="Ottawa-Manager">{{cite web |title=City Manager |url=https://www.ottawaks.gov/city-manager |website=City of Ottawa |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220326000032/https://www.ottawaks.gov/city-manager |archive-date=March 26, 2022 |date=March 25, 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref>

<!-- 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         = 10.40
|area_land_sq_mi          = 10.31
|area_water_sq_mi         = 0.09
|area_total_km2           = 26.94
|area_land_km2            = 26.72
|area_water_km2           = 0.23
|area_water_percent       = 1.06
|unit_pref                = Imperial

<!-- Elevation -->
|elevation_footnotes      = <ref name=gnis/>
|elevation_ft             = 925

<!-- Population -->
|population_footnotes     = <ref name="Census-2020-Profile"/><ref name="Census-2020-QF"/>
|population_as_of         = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
|population_total         = 12625
|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              = 66067
|area_code_type           = [[North American Numbering Plan|Area code]]
|area_code                = [[Area code 785|785]]
|blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
|blank_info               = 20-53550
|blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS ID]]
|blank1_info              = 485638<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|485638}}</ref>
|website                  = {{URL|https://www.ottawaks.gov/|ottawaks.gov}}
}}

'''Ottawa''' (pronounced {{IPAc-en|ˈ|ɒ|t|ə|w|ɑː}}) <!--to differentiate it from the [[Ottawa|city in Canada with the same name]]--> is a city in, and the [[county seat]] of, [[Franklin County, Kansas|Franklin County]], [[Kansas]], United States.<ref name=gnis/>  It is located on both banks of the [[Marais des Cygnes River]] near the center of Franklin County.  As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], the population of the city was 12,625.<ref name="Census-2020-Profile">{{cite web |title=Profile of Ottawa, Kansas in 2020 |url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/profile?g=1600000US2053550 |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=June 25, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220625162410/https://data.census.gov/cedsci/profile?g=1600000US2053550 |archive-date=June 25, 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Census-2020-QF">{{cite web |title=QuickFacts; Ottawa, Kansas; Population, Census, 2020 & 2010 |url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/ottawacitykansas/POP010220 |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=August 25, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210825102759/https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/ottawacitykansas/POP010220 |archive-date=August 25, 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref>  It is the home of [[Ottawa University]].

==History==
[[File:Ottawa, Kansas (circa 1865-1900).jpg|thumb|left|Main Street, circa 1865–1900]]

===19th century===
The name derives from the [[Ottawa Tribe of Oklahoma|Ottawa tribe of Native Americans]], on whose reservation the city was laid out. In the spring of 1864, title to the land was obtained from the tribe through treaty connected to the founding of [[Ottawa University]], the Ottawa having donated 20,000 acres of land to establish and fund a school for the education of Indians and non-Indians alike. The word Ottawa itself means "to trade".  In 1867, the Ottawa tribe sold their remaining land in Kansas and moved to Indian Territory in Oklahoma.<ref name="toto">Dixon, Rhonda. [http://www.ottawatribe.org/history.htm "The Ottawa Tribe of Oklahoma."] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080704180226/http://ottawatribe.org/history.htm |date=July 4, 2008 }} ''Ottawa Tribe of Oklahoma.'' (Feb 16, 2009).</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=JroyAAAAIBAJ&sjid=hegFAAAAIBAJ&pg=6612%2C4399216 |title=What's in a name? Key elements of area history |work=Lawrence Journal-World |date=November 28, 1997 |access-date=April 28, 2015 |author=Carpenter, Tim |pages=3B}}</ref>

[[File:Bird's-eye view of Ottawa, the largest city of its age in Kansas, 1872 - looking south-west LOC 99443775.tif|thumb|left|[[Panoramic map]] of Ottawa from 1872 including inset images of Union School, the Ludington House, C.W Hamblins Block, and [[Ottawa University]] building]]
On the last day of March 1864, J.C. Richmond built the first non-Indian settlement in the new town, at the corner of Walnut and First streets.<ref>{{cite book |url=http://www.kancoll.org/books/cutler/franklin/franklin-co-p5.html#OTTAWA_P1 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030116034106/http://www.kancoll.org/books/cutler/franklin/franklin-co-p5.html#OTTAWA_P1 |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 16, 2003 |title=William G. Cutler's History of the State of Kansas |publisher=A. T. Andreas, Chicago, Illinois |author=Cutler, William G. |year=1883 |pages=Franklin County, part 5, Ottawa, part 1}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_Qi9cXyTWt9EC |title=Kansas: A Cyclopedia of State History, Volume 2 |publisher=Standard Publishing Company |author=Blackmar, Frank Wilson |year=1912 |pages=[https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_Qi9cXyTWt9EC/page/n413 423]}}</ref>

[[File:Old Depot Museum (2).JPG|thumb|right|[[Old Depot Museum]] built in 1888 (photo from 2008)]]

===Flooding===
Ottawa has a history of [[flood]]ing because of its location straddling the Marais Des Cygnes river. The area's first recorded flood was the [[Great Flood of 1844]].  In 1928, a flood crested at 38.65&nbsp;feet and killed six people. Other flood years include 1904, when water crested at 36 feet and ran to a man's shoulders in the Santa Fe depot;<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.franklincokshistory.org/themes/events/disasters/floods/1904-flood/ |title=1904 Flood {{pipe}} Franklin County Kansas History Portal |access-date=March 29, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170616221654/http://www.franklincokshistory.org/themes/events/disasters/floods/1904-flood/ |archive-date=June 16, 2017 |url-status=dead}}</ref> 1909, cresting at {{Convert|36.3|ft|m}}; 1915, cresting at {{Convert|31|ft|m}}, and 1944, cresting at {{Convert|36.5|ft|m}}.{{citation needed|date=March 2010}}

However, it is the [[Great Flood of 1951]] which is the most famous. It was about five inches higher than the 1928 flood. The flood of 1951 affected much of Missouri and Kansas and 41 people died. One-third of Ottawa was covered because of this flood.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Perry |first1=Charlie Perry, C.A. |title=USGS - Kansas Big Water |url=https://ks.water.usgs.gov/pubs/presentations/flood.1951.html |work=ks.water.usgs.gov |language=en}}</ref>

It is unlikely Ottawa will suffer major damage due to a flood again thanks to a series of levees and pumping stations built by the [[U.S. Army Corps of Engineers]] in the 1960s, which is part of a larger system of flood systems to regulate the Marais Des Cygnes River to the [[Missouri River]]. The levees built along the river are inspected on an annual basis to insure their quality.{{citation needed|date=March 2010}}

===20th century===
In 1943, German and Italian prisoners of [[World War II]] were brought to Kansas and other Midwest states to help solve the labor shortage caused by American men serving in the war. Large [[internment]] camps were established in Kansas: [[Camp Concordia]], Camp Funston (at [[Fort Riley]]), Camp Phillips (at [[Salina, Kansas|Salina]] under [[Fort Riley]]). [[Fort Riley]] established 12 smaller branch camps, including Ottawa.<ref>[http://www.gentracer.org/powcampsKS.html List of Prisoner Of War (POW) Camps in Kansas]</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.kansastravel.org/campconcordia.htm |title=POW Camp Concordia - Concordia, Kansas}}</ref>

==Geography==
Ottawa straddles the [[Marais des Cygnes River]] and is located {{convert|58|mi|km}} southwest of [[Kansas City, Kansas|Kansas City]] at the junction of [[U.S. Route 59 in Kansas|U.S. Route 59]] and [[K-68 (Kansas highway)|K-68]]. [[U.S. Route 50 in Kansas|U.S. Route 50]] and [[Interstate 35 in Kansas|Interstate 35]] bypass Ottawa to the south and east, while [[Business route|business]] US-50 passes through the city.

According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|9.42|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, of which {{convert|9.32|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is land and {{convert|0.10|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=July 6, 2012 |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>

===Climate===
The maximum temperature reaches {{Convert|90|°F|°C|abbr=on}} an average of 46.6 days per year and reaches {{Convert|100|°F|°C|abbr=on}} an average of 4.9 days per year.  The minimum temperature falls below the freezing point (32&nbsp;°F) an average of 111 days per year.<ref name = NCEI/>
{{Weather box
 | width       = auto
 | single line = yes
 | location    = Ottawa, Kansas (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1895–present)
 | Jan record high F  = 76
 | Feb record high F  = 84
 | Mar record high F  = 93
 | Apr record high F  = 96
 | May record high F  = 101
 | Jun record high F  = 108
 | Jul record high F  = 118
 | Aug record high F  = 113
 | Sep record high F  = 111
 | Oct record high F  = 98
 | Nov record high F  = 86
 | Dec record high F  = 75
 | year record high F =

|Jan avg record high F = 64.2
|Feb avg record high F = 69.9
|Mar avg record high F = 78.2
|Apr avg record high F = 84.2
|May avg record high F = 89.5
|Jun avg record high F = 93.9
|Jul avg record high F = 99.1
|Aug avg record high F = 99.0
|Sep avg record high F = 93.9
|Oct avg record high F = 86.3
|Nov avg record high F = 74.2
|Dec avg record high F = 65.3
|year avg record high F = 100.7

 | Jan high F = 39.9
 | Feb high F = 45.5
 | Mar high F = 56.0
 | Apr high F = 65.9
 | May high F = 75.2
 | Jun high F = 84.4
 | Jul high F = 89.3
 | Aug high F = 88.2
 | Sep high F = 80.3
 | Oct high F = 68.7
 | Nov high F = 54.8
 | Dec high F = 43.4
 | year high F = 66.0
 | Jan mean F = 29.0
 | Feb mean F = 33.8
 | Mar mean F = 43.7
 | Apr mean F = 53.7
 | May mean F = 64.3
 | Jun mean F = 73.8
 | Jul mean F = 78.4
 | Aug mean F = 76.6
 | Sep mean F = 68.2
 | Oct mean F = 56.3
 | Nov mean F = 43.2
 | Dec mean F = 32.9
 | year mean F = 54.5
 | Jan low F = 18.2
 | Feb low F = 22.0
 | Mar low F = 31.5
 | Apr low F = 41.6
 | May low F = 53.3
 | Jun low F = 63.2
 | Jul low F = 67.6
 | Aug low F = 65.0
 | Sep low F = 56.0
 | Oct low F = 43.8
 | Nov low F = 31.7
 | Dec low F = 22.4
 | year low F = 43.0

|Jan avg record low F = -0.2
|Feb avg record low F = 5.9
|Mar avg record low F = 15.4
|Apr avg record low F = 27.8
|May avg record low F = 38.5
|Jun avg record low F = 51.9
|Jul avg record low F = 58.2
|Aug avg record low F = 55.3
|Sep avg record low F = 41.0
|Oct avg record low F = 28.2
|Nov avg record low F = 17.6
|Dec avg record low F = 6.1
|year avg record low F = -4.3

 | Jan record low F  = -20
 | Feb record low F  = -28
 | Mar record low F  = -9
 | Apr record low F  = 11
 | May record low F  = 21
 | Jun record low F  = 40
 | Jul record low F  = 47
 | Aug record low F  = 42
 | Sep record low F  = 27
 | Oct record low F  = 16
 | Nov record low F  = 1
 | Dec record low F  = -22
 | year record low F =
 | precipitation colour   = green
 | Jan precipitation inch = 1.22
 | Feb precipitation inch = 1.57
 | Mar precipitation inch = 2.29
 | Apr precipitation inch = 3.79
 | May precipitation inch = 5.82
 | Jun precipitation inch = 5.55
 | Jul precipitation inch = 3.75
 | Aug precipitation inch = 4.63
 | Sep precipitation inch = 4.05
 | Oct precipitation inch = 3.08
 | Nov precipitation inch = 2.39
 | Dec precipitation inch = 1.71
 | year precipitation inch = 39.85
 | unit precipitation days = 0.01 in
 | Jan precipitation days  = 6.5
 | Feb precipitation days  = 6.4
 | Mar precipitation days  = 8.1
 | Apr precipitation days  = 10.2
 | May precipitation days  = 12.6
 | Jun precipitation days  = 10.3
 | Jul precipitation days  = 8.8
 | Aug precipitation days  = 9.3
 | Sep precipitation days  = 8.2
 | Oct precipitation days  = 8.7
 | Nov precipitation days  = 6.5
 | Dec precipitation days  = 6.2
 | year precipitation days = 101.8
 | Jan snow inch = 3.2
 | Feb snow inch = 2.1
 | Mar snow inch = 0.7
 | 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 = 0.1
 | Nov snow inch = 0.5
 | Dec snow inch = 2.6
 | year snow inch = 9.2
 | unit snow days = 0.1 in
 | Jan snow days  = 2.8
 | Feb snow days  = 1.7
 | Mar snow days  = 0.6
 | 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  = 0.1
 | Nov snow days  = 0.5
 | Dec snow days  = 1.9
 | year snow days = 7.6
 | source = [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration|NOAA]]<ref name="NOWData">{{cite web |url=https://www.weather.gov/wrh/climate?wfo=top |title=NOWData – NOAA Online Weather Data |publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration |access-date=November 24, 2023}}</ref><ref name="NCEI">{{cite web |url=https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&stations=USC00146128&format=pdf&dataTypes=MLY-TMAX-NORMAL,MLY-TMIN-NORMAL,MLY-TAVG-NORMAL,MLY-PRCP-NORMAL,MLY-SNOW-NORMAL |title=Summary of Monthly Normals 1991–2020 |publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration |access-date=November 24, 2023}}</ref>
}}

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
| align = right
| 1870 = 2941
| 1880 = 4032
| 1890 = 6248
| 1900 = 6934
| 1910 = 7650
| 1920 = 9018
| 1930 = 9563
| 1940 = 10193
| 1950 = 10081
| 1960 = 10673
| 1970 = 11036
| 1980 = 11016
| 1990 = 10667
| 2000 = 11921
| 2010 = 12649
| 2020 = 12625
| estyear = 2023
| estimate = 12686
| 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]<br />2010-2020<ref name="Census-2020-QF"/>
}}

===2020 census===
The [[2020 United States census]] counted 12,625 people, 5,095 households, and 3,095 families in Ottawa.<ref>{{Cite web |title=US Census Bureau, Table P16: HOUSEHOLD TYPE |url=https://data.census.gov/table?q=Ottawa%20city,%20Kansas%20p16&y=2020 |access-date=January 3, 2024 |website=data.census.gov}}</ref><ref name=:0 /> The population density was 1,223.2 per square mile (472.3/km{{sup|2}}). There were 5,558 housing units at an average density of 538.5 per square mile (207.9/km{{sup|2}}).<ref name=:0>{{Cite web |title=US Census Bureau, Table DP1: PROFILE OF GENERAL POPULATION AND HOUSING CHARACTERISTICS |url=https://data.census.gov/table/DECENNIALDP2020.DP1?q=Ottawa%20city,%20Kansas%20dp1 |access-date=January 3, 2024 |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=December 30, 2023 |website=Census.gov}}</ref> The racial makeup was 86.53% (10,924) [[White (U.S. Census)|white]] or [[European American]] (84.67% [[Non-Hispanic White|non-Hispanic white]]), 2.0% (252) [[African American (U.S. Census)|black]] or [[African American|African-American]], 1.01% (127) [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]] or [[Alaska Native]], 0.42% (53) [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.05% (6) [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]] or [[Native Hawaiian]], 2.24% (283) from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 7.76% (980) 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=Ottawa%20city,%20Kansas%20p1&y=2020 |access-date=January 3, 2024 |website=data.census.gov}}</ref> [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race was 6.03% (761) 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=Ottawa%20city,%20Kansas%20p2&y=2020 |access-date=January 3, 2024 |website=data.census.gov}}</ref>

Of the 5,095 households, 30.4% had children under the age of 18; 41.8% were married couples living together; 29.5% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. 32.6% of households consisted of individuals and 14.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.<ref name=:0 /> The average household size was 2.4 and the average family size was 3.0.<ref>{{Cite web |title=US Census Bureau, Table S1101: HOUSEHOLDS AND FAMILIES |url=https://data.census.gov/table/ACSST5Y2020.S1101?q=Ottawa%20city,%20Kansas%20s1101%20&y=2020 |access-date=January 3, 2024 |website=data.census.gov}}</ref> The percent of those with a bachelor's degree or higher was estimated to be 14.8% of the population.<ref>{{Cite web |title=US Census Bureau, Table S1501: EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT |url=https://data.census.gov/table/ACSST5Y2020.S1501?q=Ottawa%20city,%20Kansas%20s1501%20&y=2020 |access-date=January 3, 2024 |website=data.census.gov}}</ref>

23.5% of the population was under the age of 18, 11.6% from 18 to 24, 25.4% from 25 to 44, 23.0% from 45 to 64, and 16.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36.1 years. For every 100 females, there were 102.6 males.<ref name=:0 /> For every 100 females ages 18 and older, there were 103.0 males.<ref name=:0 />

The 2016-2020 5-year [[American Community Survey]] estimates show that the median household income was $47,233 (with a margin of error of +/- $4,697) and the median family income was $62,633 (+/- $8,998).<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=Ottawa%20city,%20Kansas%20s1903%20&y=2020 |access-date=January 3, 2024 |website=data.census.gov}}</ref> Males had a median income of $40,405 (+/- $4,108) versus $28,600 (+/- $4,719) for females. The median income for those above 16 years old was $32,282 (+/- $2,999).<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=Ottawa%20city,%20Kansas%20s2001%20&y=2020 |access-date=January 3, 2024 |website=data.census.gov}}</ref> Approximately, 9.5% of families and 14.9% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 18.4% of those under the age of 18 and 18.8% 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=Ottawa%20city,%20Kansas%20s1701%20&y=2020 |access-date=January 3, 2024 |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=Ottawa%20city,%20Kansas%20s1702&y=2020 |access-date=January 3, 2024 |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=July 6, 2012}}</ref> of 2010, there were 12,649 people, 4,998 households, and 3,127 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|1357.2|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 5,518 housing units at an average density of {{convert|592.1|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the city was 91.0% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 2.2% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.9% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.4% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 1.6% from [[Race (U.S. Census)|other races]], and 3.9% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 5.0% of the population.

There were 4,998 households, of which 34.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.6% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 12.8% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.1% had a male householder with no wife present, and 37.4% were non-families. 31.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 3.08.

The median age in the city was 33.2 years. 27% of residents were under the age of 18; 11.5% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 25.5% were from 25 to 44; 22.9% were from 45 to 64; and 13.2% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.5% male and 51.5% female.

===2000 census===
As of the [[United States Census, 2000|U.S. Census in 2000]],<ref name="GR2">{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=January 31, 2008 |title=U.S. Census website}}</ref> there were 11,921 people, 4,697 households, and 3,034 families living in the city. The population density was {{convert|1,781.0|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 5,080 housing units at an average density of {{convert|759.0|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The [[Race (United States Census)|racial]] makeup of the city was 92.77% [[White (people)|White]], 2.31% [[Black (people)|Black]] or [[African American]], 1.22% [[Indigenous peoples of the Americas|Native American]] or [[Alaska Native]], 0.53% [[Asian people|Asian]], 0.01% [[Pacific Islander American|Pacific Islander]], 1.31% from other races, and 1.86% from [[Multiracial|two or more races]]. [[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]] of any race were 4.16% of the population.

There were 4,697 households, out of which 33.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.1% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 10.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.4% were non-families. 30.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 3.00.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 26.6% under the age of 18, 11.5% from 18 to 24, 27.7% from 25 to 44, 18.3% from 45 to 64, and 15.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.0 males.

The [[Median household income|median income for a household]] in the city was $34,071, and the median income for a family was $41,710. Males had a median income of $30,050 versus $22,891 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $16,840. About 6.8% of families and 9.0% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 10.0% of those under age 18 and 8.1% of those age 65 or over.

==Economy==
Ottawa's two major employers are [[Walmart]] and [[American Eagle Outfitters]], who both maintain [[distribution centers]] in the city.  Ottawa has freight rail service from [[BNSF]] railway.  There is also a [[grain elevator]] operated by the Ottawa Co-Op. The city operates the [[Ottawa Municipal Airport]], a small [[General Aviation]] airport four miles south of the city.

==Government==
[[File:Franklin County Courthouse.JPG|thumb|right|Franklin County Courthouse (2009)]]
Ottawa was governed by a Mayor-Council system until 1913 when the City became a Commission form of government. In 1970 voters established the City Manager form of government with a five-member Commission that annually selects a Mayor from its ranks.<ref name="Ottawa-Commission"/><ref name="Ottawa-Manager"/> The citizens of Ottawa elect commissioners at-large. Three seats on the Commission are open every odd numbered year. Two Commissioners are elected to four-year terms and one is elected to a two-year term.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.ottawaks.gov |title=Government {{pipe}} United States}}</ref>

==Education==
[[File:Ottawa, KS former public library building funded by Andrew Carnegie..jpg|thumb|right|Former [[Ottawa Library (Kansas)|Ottawa Carnegie Library]], now Carnegie Cultural Center (2013)]]

===Colleges and universities===
The private four year university, [[Ottawa University]], is within Ottawa, and Ottawa is also home to a branch campus of [[Neosho County Community College]].

===Primary and secondary===
The community is served by [[Ottawa USD 290]] public school district, which has five schools:
* [[Ottawa High School (Kansas)|Ottawa High School]]
* Ottawa Middle School
* Garfield Elementary School
* Lincoln Elementary School
* Sunflower Elementary school

Ottawa has several private schools.
* Sacred Heart Catholic Elementary School
* Pilgrim Bible Academy
* Ottawa Christian Academy

==Media==
[[File:Aerial view of Ottawa Kansas 9-4-2013.JPG|thumb|right|Aerial view of Ottawa (2013)]]

===Newspapers===
There is one publication which serves the city of Ottawa, the ''[[Ottawa Herald]]'', which  was founded in 1869. It is owned by [[GateHouse Media]].<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.ottawaherald.com/news/local/new-owner-a-great-fit-for-herald/article_f77c4907-6a20-5889-ad2b-66d912a1e605.html |title=New owner a 'great fit' for Herald |last=Staff |first=The Herald |newspaper=The Ottawa Herald |language=en |access-date=January 28, 2017}}</ref>
A monthly publication for seniors also serves Ottawa:
* [http://www.seniormonthly.net/ Kaw Valley Senior Monthly]

===Radio===
Ottawa has four radio stations, one AM and three FM. [[KOFO]] broadcasts on 1220 with the tagline ''Your News source for [[East-Central Kansas]]''. KOFO airs country music from across the decades, and specializes in local news. [[KCHZ]] 95.7 FM is licensed to Ottawa (and was, at one time, owned by KOFO); its studios are in [[Mission, Kansas]]. 88.9 is home to the [[Ottawa University]] student station, [[KTJO-FM]]. 90.5FM features the Ottawa-based KRBW's Christian programming.

==Entertainment==
Downtown Ottawa is home to [[the Plaza Grill and Cinema]] (formerly the Crystal Plaza and Bijou Theater) which, in 2013, was discovered to be the oldest operating cinema in America. Plans for an exhibit are in the works.<ref name="Plaza Grill">[http://ottawaherald.com/news/092813cinemagic The Plaza Grill and Cinema] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140219025601/http://ottawaherald.com/news/092813cinemagic |date=February 19, 2014 }}</ref>

==Notable people==
<!--- Please list only people who have spent a significant amount of time in Ottawa. If the individual's tie is ''only'' as a college student, they should be listed in the college article. --->
{{See also|Ottawa_University#Notable_alumni|l1=List of Ottawa University people}}
* [[Steve Grogan]], former [[New England Patriots]] quarterback, led Ottawa to a runner-up place in state football and to a state championship in basketball.
* [[Don Harrison]], news anchor, one of the original anchors of [[CNN Headline News]]
* [[Gary Hart]], former Democratic U. S. Senator from Colorado and Presidential Candidate in 1984 and 1988
* [[Steven Hawley]], American astronaut (considers Salina as his hometown)
* [[Isaac Smith Kalloch]], signatory of Ottawa's original town company charter, later became [[Mayor of San Francisco]]
* [[Semi Ojeleye]], forward for the [[Milwaukee Bucks]] selected 37th overall in the 2nd round of the [[2017 NBA draft]], led Ottawa to a state championship in basketball.
* [[Stanley Sheldon]], bassist and vocalist for [[Peter Frampton]], most notably on Frampton's ''[[Frampton Comes Alive!]]'' album.
* [[John G. Thompson]], a prominent mathematician.
* [[Jerry Voorhis]], U. S. Representative for [[California's 12th congressional district]] from 1937–1947

==See also==
* [[Ottawa Municipal Airport]]
* [[Great Flood of 1951]]
* [[Old Depot Museum]]
* [[Extreme Makeover: Home Edition (season 9)]]
* [[Franklin Savings Association]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

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

==External links==
{{Commons category|Ottawa, Kansas}}
{{Wikivoyage|Ottawa (Kansas)}}
* [https://www.ottawaks.gov/ City of Ottawa]
* [https://www.lkm.org/members/Default.asp?id=41260949 Ottawa - Directory of Public Officials]
* [https://ottawakansas.org/ Ottawa Area Chamber of Commerce]
* [https://www.ksdot.org/Assets/wwwksdotorg/bureaus/burTransPlan/maps/city-pdf/ottawa.pdf Ottawa city map], KDOT

{{Franklin County, Kansas}}
{{Kansas}}
{{Kansas City MSA}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Ottawa, Kansas| ]]
[[Category:Cities in Kansas]]
[[Category:County seats in Kansas]]
[[Category:Cities in Franklin County, Kansas]]