Editing Palco, Kansas

{{Short description|City in Rooks County, Kansas}}
{{Redirect|Palco|the company|Pacific Lumber Company|other uses}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Infobox settlement
|name                     = Palco, Kansas
|settlement_type          = [[City]]

<!-- Images -->
|image_skyline            = Palco Kansas Township Hall.jpg
|image_caption            = Township Hall (2016)
|image_flag               =
|image_seal               =

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

<!-- Location -->
|coordinates_footnotes    = <ref name="GNIS"/>
|coordinates              = {{coord|39|15|10|N|99|33|49|W|region:US-KS_type:city|display=inline,title}}
|subdivision_type         = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
|subdivision_name         = United States
|subdivision_type1        = [[U.S. state|State]]
|subdivision_name1        = [[Kansas]]
|subdivision_type2        = [[List of counties in Kansas|County]]
|subdivision_name2        = [[Rooks County, Kansas|Rooks]]
|subdivision_type3        = [[List of townships in Kansas|Township]]
|subdivision_name3        =

<!-- Established -->
|established_title        = Founded
|established_date         = 1888
|established_title1       = [[Platted]]
|established_date1        =
|established_title2       = [[Municipal corporation|Incorporated]]
|established_date2        = 1903
|named_for                = Palmer and Cole

<!-- 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|accessdate=July 24, 2020}}</ref>
|area_total_sq_mi         = 0.27
|area_land_sq_mi          = 0.27
|area_water_sq_mi         = 0.00
|area_total_km2           = 0.69
|area_land_km2            = 0.69
|area_water_km2           = 0.00
|unit_pref                = Imperial

<!-- Elevation -->
|elevation_footnotes      = <ref name="GNIS"/>
|elevation_ft             = 2277

<!-- Population -->
|population_footnotes     = <ref name="Census-2020-Profile"/>
|population_as_of         = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
|population_total         = 208
|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              = 67657
|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               = 20-54125
|blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS ID]]
|blank1_info              = 2396127<ref name="GNIS">{{GNIS|2396127}}</ref>
|website                  = {{URL|https://lovesmalltownamerica.com/palcoks.php|City website}}
}}

'''Palco''' is a city in [[Rooks County, Kansas|Rooks County]], [[Kansas]], United States.<ref name="GNIS"/>  As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], the population of the city was 208.<ref name="Census-2020-Profile">{{cite web |title=Profile of Palco, Kansas in 2020 |url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/profile?g=1600000US2054125 |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=March 15, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220315125257/https://data.census.gov/cedsci/profile?g=1600000US2054125 |archive-date=March 15, 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref>

==History==
Palco was established in 1888 by [[Union Pacific Railroad]] as a [[train depot]] on a newly formed line. The town was given the name Palco as a portmanteau for railroad officials Palmer and Cole.

The [[US Post Office|post office]] was moved from the nearby town of [[Cresson, Kansas|Cresson]].<ref name=Rydjord>{{cite book|last=Rydjord|first=John|title=Kansas Place-Names|year=1972|publisher=University of Oklahoma Press, Norman|page=452|isbn=0-8061-0994-7}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title = Kansas Post Offices, 1828-1961 | publisher = Kansas Historical Society | url = https://www.kshs.org/geog/geog_postoffices/search/placename:Cresson| accessdate = 20 December 2016}}</ref> Cresson (named for [[Cresson, Pennsylvania]]) was granted a [[US Post Office|post office]] in 1879. In 1887, rumors circulated that the railroad would lay track 1-1/2 miles to the south of Cresson. Many citizens and businesses abandoned Cresson to form the community of New Cresson along the expected railroad route. When the railroad track was laid it curved to the north missing New Cresson. The town was soon abandoned. An ironic twist is that the northern route of the track passed near the original town of Cresson.<ref>Palco Kansas Centennial September 1988, 1988, p.19.</ref>

In 1893, Palco was nearly wiped out by a prairie fire. The fire originated in [[Graham County, Kansas|Graham County]] and consumed thousands of acres along with [[farmsteads]] and [[livestock]] in Graham, Rooks, Ellis and Russell Counties before being extinguished. Seven people lost their lives in the blaze.<ref>"Prairie Fires", The Plainville Times, 16 March 1893, p.1.</ref>

Palco filed for [[Incorporation (municipal government)|incorporation]] as a third class city in 1906 and elected Robert Kirkendall as [[mayor]].<ref>"Palco to Celebrate 100 Years of Exciting History this Weekend", Plainville Times, 1 September 1988, p.6 .</ref>

Fire again struck Palco in 1923, destroying many businesses along Main Street including the hotel, post office, real estate office and a doctor's office.<ref>"Big Fire at Palco", Plainville Times, 15 February 1923, p.1 .</ref>

==Geography==
According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|0.27|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, all  land.<ref name="Gazetteer files">{{cite web|title=US Gazetteer files 2010|url=https://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|accessdate=2012-07-06|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120125061959/http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt|archivedate=2012-01-25}}</ref>

===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, Palco has a [[humid subtropical climate]], abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.<ref>[http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather-summary.php3?s=291641&cityname=Palco%2C+Kansas%2C+United+States+of+America&units= Climate Summary for Palco, Kansas]</ref>

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|align=left
|1910= 279
|1920= 281
|1930= 290
|1940= 276
|1950= 405
|1960= 575
|1970= 398
|1980= 329
|1990= 295
|2000= 248
|2010= 277
|2020= 208
|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 208 people, 96 households, and 51 families in Palco.<ref>{{Cite web |title=US Census Bureau, Table P16: HOUSEHOLD TYPE |url=https://data.census.gov/table?q=Palco%20city,%20Kansas%20p16&y=2020 |access-date=2024-01-03 |website=data.census.gov}}</ref><ref name=:0 /> The population density was 776.1 per square mile (299.7/km{{sup|2}}). There were 134 housing units at an average density of 500.0 per square mile (193.1/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=Palco%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 90.38% (188) [[White (U.S. Census)|white]] or [[European American]] (90.38% [[Non-Hispanic White|non-Hispanic white]]), 0.96% (2) [[African American (U.S. Census)|black]] or [[African American|African-American]], 0.48% (1) [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]] or [[Alaska Native]], 0.0% (0) [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.48% (1) [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]] or [[Native Hawaiian]], 0.0% (0) from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 7.69% (16) 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=Palco%20city,%20Kansas%20p1&y=2020 |access-date=2024-01-03 |website=data.census.gov}}</ref> [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race was 3.37% (7) 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=Palco%20city,%20Kansas%20p2&y=2020 |access-date=2024-01-03 |website=data.census.gov}}</ref>

Of the 96 households, 21.9% had children under the age of 18; 44.8% were married couples living together; 21.9% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. 39.6% of households consisted of individuals and 19.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.<ref name=:0 /> The average household size was 1.8 and the average family size was 2.7.<ref>{{Cite web |title=US Census Bureau, Table S1101: HOUSEHOLDS AND FAMILIES |url=https://data.census.gov/table/ACSST5Y2020.S1101?q=Palco%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 12.5% of the population.<ref>{{Cite web |title=US Census Bureau, Table S1501: EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT |url=https://data.census.gov/table/ACSST5Y2020.S1501?q=Palco%20city,%20Kansas%20s1501%20&y=2020 |access-date=2024-01-03 |website=data.census.gov}}</ref>

24.0% of the population was under the age of 18, 2.9% from 18 to 24, 18.3% from 25 to 44, 28.4% from 45 to 64, and 26.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 49.5 years. For every 100 females, there were 103.9 males.<ref name=:0 /> For every 100 females ages 18 and older, there were 90.4 males.<ref name=:0 />

The 2016-2020 5-year [[American Community Survey]] estimates show that the median household income was $33,438 (with a margin of error of +/- $12,759) and the median family income was $41,250 (+/- $28,777).<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=Palco%20city,%20Kansas%20s1903%20&y=2020 |access-date=2024-01-03 |website=data.census.gov}}</ref> Females had a median income of $16,250 (+/- $6,367). The median income for those above 16 years old was $19,583 (+/- $14,327).<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=Palco%20city,%20Kansas%20s2001%20&y=2020 |access-date=2024-01-03 |website=data.census.gov}}</ref> Approximately, 15.6% of families and 18.0% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 36.0% of those under the age of 18 and 3.8% 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=Palco%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=Palco%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]]|accessdate=2012-07-06}}</ref> of 2010, there were 277 people, 112 households, and 71 families residing in the city. The [[population density]] was {{convert|1025.9|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 153 housing units at an average density of {{convert|566.7|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the city was 94.2% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 3.2% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.4% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.4% [[Race (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 0.4% from [[Race (U.S. Census)|other races]], and 1.4% 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 112 households, of which 34.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.9% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 15.2% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.4% had a male householder with no wife present, and 36.6% were non-families. 33.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.47 and the average family size was 3.11.

The median age in the city was 32.7 years. 30.7% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.2% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 20.6% were from 25 to 44; 22.7% were from 45 to 64; and 18.8% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 46.9% male and 53.1% female.

===2000 census===
As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|accessdate=2008-01-31|title=U.S. Census website}}</ref> of 2000, there were 248 people, 126 households, and 72 families residing in the city. The population density was {{convert|930.0|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 152 housing units at an average density of {{convert|570.0|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the city was 96.37% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 1.21% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 1.61% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], and 0.81% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 0.40% of the population.

There were 126 households, out of which 23.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.6% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 7.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 42.1% were non-families. 41.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 20.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.97 and the average family size was 2.60. 90% of residents of Palco are related to each other.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 19.0% under the age of 18, 6.9% from 18 to 24, 23.0% from 25 to 44, 25.4% from 45 to 64, and 25.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 46 years. For every 100 females, there were 86.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.9 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $28,036, and the median income for a family was $33,500. Males had a median income of $25,500 versus $17,500 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $18,519. About 5.7% of families and 14.4% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 19.1% of those under the age of eighteen and 11.3% of those 65 or over.

[[File:Palco Kansas High School Sign.jpg|thumb|right|Limestone sign at Palco High School (2016)]]

==Education==
The community is served by [[Palco USD 269]] public school district.  It has two schools: Damar Elementary School is located in [[Damar, Kansas|Damar]], [[Palco Jr-Sr High School]] is located in Palco.<ref>{{cite web |title=Palco USD 269 |url=https://www.usd269.net/ |accessdate=2021-09-02}}</ref>

The Palco Roosters won the [[Kansas State High School Activities Association|Kansas State High School]] boys class B Indoor Track & Field championship in 1962.<ref>{{cite web | title = Track & Field | publisher = KSHSAA | url = http://www.kshsaa.org/Public/Track/HistoryBoys.cfm | accessdate = 6 January 2017}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

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

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* [https://www.lkm.org/members/?id=41260955 Palco - Directory of Public Officials], League of Kansas Municipalities
* [http://specialcollections.wichita.edu/kw/towns.asp?town=Palco&county=Rooks Historic Images], Wichita State University Library
* [https://www.ksdot.org/Assets/wwwksdotorg/bureaus/burTransPlan/maps/city-pdf/palco.PDF Palco city map], KDOT

{{Rooks County, Kansas}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Cities in Rooks County, Kansas]]
[[Category:Cities in Kansas]]
[[Category:1888 establishments in Kansas]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1888]]