Editing Schoenchen, Kansas

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

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

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

<!-- Location -->
|coordinates_footnotes    = <ref name="GNIS"/>
|coordinates              = {{coord|38|42|46|N|99|19|56|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        = [[Ellis County, Kansas|Ellis]]
|subdivision_type3        = [[List of townships in Kansas|Township]]
|subdivision_name3        =

<!-- Established -->
|established_title        = Founded
|established_date         = 1877
|established_title1       = [[Platted]]
|established_date1        =
|established_title2       = [[Municipal corporation|Incorporated]]
|established_date2        = 1935
|named_for                = Schoenchen, Russia

<!-- 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         = 0.12
|area_land_sq_mi          = 0.12
|area_water_sq_mi         = 0.00
|area_total_km2           = 0.32
|area_land_km2            = 0.32
|area_water_km2           = 0.00
|unit_pref                = Imperial

<!-- Elevation -->
|elevation_footnotes      = <ref name="GNIS"/>
|elevation_ft             = 1923

<!-- Population -->
|population_footnotes     = <ref name="Census-2020-Profile"/>
|population_as_of         = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
|population_total         = 170
|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              = 67667
|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               = 20-63425 
|blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS|GNIS ID]]
|blank1_info              = 2396555<ref name="GNIS">{{GNIS|2396555}}</ref>
|website                  =
}}

'''Schoenchen''' is a city in [[Ellis County, Kansas|Ellis County]], [[Kansas]], United States.<ref name="GNIS"/>  As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], the population of the city was 170.<ref name="Census-2020-Profile">{{cite web |title=Profile of Schoenchen, Kansas in 2020 |url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/profile?g=1600000US2063425 |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=December 6, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211206173752/https://data.census.gov/cedsci/profile?g=1600000US2063425 |archive-date=December 6, 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref>

==History==
Following a dispute over the proposed relocation of nearby [[Liebenthal, Kansas|Liebenthal]],<ref>{{cite news|title=The Merchants of Hays Salute the Community of Liebenthal |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/1457591/liebenthal_kansas/|newspaper=The Hays Daily News|date=September 27, 1963|page=6|via = [[Newspapers.com]]|access-date = December 23, 2014 }} {{Open access}}</ref> [[Volga German]] settlers founded Schoenchen in April 1877. They originally named the community '''San Antonio''', but then renamed it '''Schoenchen''' after one of the villages they immigrated from in [[Russia]]. The settlers built their first church in 1880, replacing it in 1901 with a permanent structure, St. Anthony Catholic Church, which still stands.<ref>{{cite web | title = Homesteading in Ellis County - Schoenchen | work = Kansas Heritage Project | publisher = [[Fort Hays State University]] | url = http://www.fhsu.edu/library/ksheritage/Schoenchen/ | access-date = 2010-08-28}}</ref> The community's first post office opened in 1902.<ref>{{cite web | last = Weiser | first = Kathy | title = Towns & Places in Ellis County, Kansas | work = Legends of Kansas | url = http://www.legendsofkansas.com/elliscountytowns.html | access-date = 2014-09-22}}</ref>

==Geography==
Schoenchen is located one-half mile west of [[U.S. Route 183 in Kansas|U.S. Route 183]] and  is roughly {{convert|11|mi|km}} south of [[Hays, Kansas|Hays]], the [[county seat]], {{convert|137|mi|km}} northwest of [[Wichita, Kansas|Wichita]], and {{convert|264|mi|km}} west of [[Kansas City, Missouri|Kansas City]].<ref name=KDOT/><ref>{{cite web | title = City Distance Tool | publisher = [[Geobytes]] | url = http://www.geobytes.com/citydistancetool.htm | access-date = 2010-08-28}}</ref><ref name=CountyMap/>

Schoenchen lies on the south bank of the [[Smoky Hill River]] in the [[Smoky Hills]] region of the [[Great Plains]].<ref name=KDOT>{{cite web | title = 2003-2004 Official Transportation Map | publisher = [[Kansas Department of Transportation]] | year = 2003 | url = http://www.ksdot.org/burtransplan/maps/HistoricStateMaps/2003-04Mapside.pdf | access-date = 2010-12-18}}</ref> The confluence of the river and one of its tributaries, Lookout Hollow, is immediately northwest of the community.<ref name=CountyMap>{{cite web | title = General Highway Map - Ellis County, Kansas | publisher = [[Kansas Department of Transportation]] | date = 2010-06-01 | url = http://www.ksdot.org/burtransplan/maps/county-pdf/ellis.PDF | access-date = 2010-12-18}}</ref>

According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|0.11|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, all  land.<ref name="Gazetteer files">{{cite web|title=US Gazetteer files 2010|url=https://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=2012-07-06|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120125061959/http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt|archive-date=2012-01-25}}</ref>

===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, Schoenchen has a [[humid subtropical climate]], abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Schoenchen, Kansas Koppen Climate Classification |url=http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather-summary.php3?s=725341&cityname=Schoenchen,+Kansas,+United+States+of+America&units= |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210805145437/https://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather-summary.php3?s=725341&cityname=Schoenchen%2C+Kansas%2C+United+States+of+America&units= |archive-date=2021-08-05 |access-date=2023-10-28 |website=Weatherbase}}</ref>

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|align=
|1940= 259
|1950= 170
|1960= 188
|1970= 182
|1980= 209
|1990= 128
|2000= 214
|2010= 207
|2020= 170
|estyear=
|estimate=
|estref=
|align-fn=center
|footnote=[https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html U.S. Decennial Census]
}}

===2010 census===
As of the [[2010 United States Census|2010 census]], there were 207 people, 76 households, and 59 families residing in the city. The population density was {{convert|2,070|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 86 housing units at an average density of {{convert|860|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the city was 96.6% [[White American|White]], 1.9% [[Native Americans in the United States|American Indian]], 1.4% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]]. [[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanics and Latinos]] of any race were 1.9% of the population.<ref name=Census2010>{{cite web | title = U.S. Census website | publisher = [[United States Census Bureau]] | url = https://www.census.gov | access-date = 2011-09-11}}</ref>

There were 76 households, of which 36.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.2% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 1.3% had a male householder with no wife present, 9.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.4% were non-families. 18.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 3.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.72, and the average family size was 3.10.<ref name=Census2010/>

In the city, the population was spread out, with 25.6% under the age of 18, 12.6% from 18 to 24, 23.2% from 25 to 44, 25.6% from 45 to 64, and 13.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35.2 years. For every 100 females, there were 107 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 102.6 males age 18 and over.<ref name=Census2010/>

The median income for a household in the city was $48,021, and the median income for a family was $48,854. Males had a median income of $34,688 versus $21,250 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $19,241. 5.7% of families and 11.3% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 15.8% of those under age 18 and 18.8% of those age 65 or over.<ref name=Census2010/>

==Economy==
As of 2012, 80.0% of the population over the age of 16 was in the labor force. 0.0% was in the armed forces, and 80.0% was in the civilian labor force with 80.0% being employed and 0.0% unemployed. The composition, by occupation, of the employed civilian labor force was:  29.7% in management, business, science, and arts; 22.7% in production, transportation, and material moving; 22.7% in sales and office occupations; 19.5% in service occupations; and 5.5% in natural resources, construction, and maintenance. The three industries employing the largest percentages of the working civilian labor force were:  educational services, and health care and social assistance (22.7%); manufacturing (14.8%); and retail trade (12.5%).<ref name=Census2010/>

The cost of living in Schoenchen is relatively low; compared to a U.S. average of 100, the cost of living index for the community is 82.8.<ref name=CityData>{{cite web | title = Schoenchen, Kansas | publisher = [[City-Data|City-Data.com]] | url = http://www.city-data.com/city/Schoenchen-Kansas.html | access-date = 2014-09-22}}</ref> As of 2012, the median home value in the city was $85,000, and the median selected monthly owner cost was $919 for housing units with a mortgage and $525 for those without.<ref name=Census2010/>

==Government==
Schoenchen is a [[Kansas#Important cities and towns|city of the third class]] with a [[mayor-council government|mayor-council]] form of government. The [[city council]] consists of five members, and it meets on the first Monday after the 10th of each month.<ref name=lkm>{{cite web | title = Schoenchen | work = Directory of Kansas Public Officials | publisher = The League of Kansas Municipalities | url = http://www.lkm.org/directory/cities.php?ID=582 | access-date = 2011-09-11}}</ref>

Schoenchen lies within [[Kansas's 1st congressional district|Kansas's 1st U.S. Congressional District]]. For the purposes of representation in the [[Kansas Legislature]], the city is located in the 40th district of the [[Kansas Senate]] and the 110th district of the [[Kansas House of Representatives]].<ref name=lkm/>

==Education==
The community is served by [[Hays USD 489]] public school district.<ref>{{cite web | title = City of Hays / Ellis County Geospatial Data Portal | publisher = City of Hays / Ellis County - GIS Division | url = http://www.geodataportal.net/webmapping.html | access-date = 2011-09-11}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title = USD 489 | publisher = USD 489 | url = http://www.hays489.k12.ks.us/ | access-date = 2011-09-11}}</ref>

Schoenchen High School closed in 1966 due to school unification. The Schoenchen High School mascot was Schoenchen Bluejays.<ref>"Basketball Squad of 21 Reports at Schoenchen", The Hays Daily News, 25 October 1960, p.6.</ref>

Schoenchen Elementary School operated for several years after the high school closure. The mascot was the Cardinals.

==Infrastructure==

===Transportation===
[[U.S. Route 183]] runs north–south {{convert|0.5|mi|km}} east of the city. Schoenchen Road, a paved county road, runs east–west through the city.<ref name=CountyMap/>

===Utilities===
Local residents primarily use stored gas for heating fuel.<ref name=CityData/>

==Media==
Schoenchen is in the [[Media in Wichita, Kansas#Television|Wichita-Hutchinson, Kansas television market]].<ref>{{cite web | title = Kansas | work = TV Market Maps | publisher = EchoStar Knowledge Base | url = http://dishuser.org/TVMarkets/Maps/kansas.gif | access-date = 2014-09-22 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110726000406/http://dishuser.org/TVMarkets/Maps/kansas.gif | archive-date = 2011-07-26 }}</ref>

==Culture==

===Points of interest===
The Schoenchen Community Center, housed in a former bar and grill, is the community's polling place and event venue, hosting Schoenchen's annual German Feast.<ref>{{cite web | title = Schoenchen Community Center | publisher = Kansas Sampler Foundation | url = http://getruralkansas.org/Schoenchen/225Explore/1537.shtml | access-date = 2014-09-22}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title = Schoenchen Explorations - Customs | publisher = Kansas Sampler Foundation | url = http://getruralkansas.org/Schoenchen/225Explorations/typerce_cust.shtml | access-date = 2014-09-22}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

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

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* [https://www.lkm.org/members/?id=41261023 Schoenchen - Directory of Public Officials]
* [https://www.ksdot.org/Assets/wwwksdotorg/bureaus/burTransPlan/maps/city-pdf/schoenchen.pdf Schoenchen city map], KDOT

{{Ellis County, Kansas}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Cities in Kansas]]
[[Category:Cities in Ellis County, Kansas]]