Columbus, Kansas

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Columbus is the second largest city and county seat of Cherokee County, Kansas, United States.<ref name="GNIS"/> As of the 2020 census, the population of the city was 2,929.<ref name="Census-2020-Profile">Template:Cite web</ref> It is located approximately 15 miles south-southwest of Pittsburg.

History

The first settlement was made at Columbus in 1868.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> The first post office in Columbus was established in 1869.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Columbus was a railroad junction for the Saint Louis and San Francisco, and the Missouri, Kansas, and Texas railroads. It was named Columbus by A.L. Peters, one of the European-American founders, for his hometown of Columbus, Ohio; the name thus indirectly honors Christopher Columbus, the explorer.<ref>John Rydjord, Kansas Place-Names, University of Oklahoma Press, 1972, Template:ISBN</ref><ref>The Modern Light, Columbus, August 16, 1951</ref> Coal, lead and zinc were mined in the region. Columbus had a considerable trade in agricultural products, and its businesses included machine shops, grain elevators, flour mills, a cigar factory, bottle works (soft drinks), a canning factory, and an extensive brick-making plant.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

In 1875, Robert A. Long and Victor Bell formed the Long-Bell Lumber Company in Columbus. From one lumberyard, Long-Bell expanded operations and holdings to become one of the largest vertically integrated lumber companies in the United States. In 1956 it was purchased by International Paper.<ref>William E. Connelley, A Standard History of Kansas and Kansans,, Chicago: Lewis Publishing Company, 1918</ref>

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of Template:Convert, all land.<ref name="Gazetteer files">Template:Cite web</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, Columbus has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.<ref>Climate Summary for Columbus, Kansas</ref>

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Demographics

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2020 census

The 2020 United States census counted 2,929 people, 1,251 households, and 746 families in Columbus.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=:0 /> The population density was 1,203.9 per square mile (464.8/kmTemplate:Sup). There were 1,488 housing units at an average density of 611.6 per square mile (236.1/kmTemplate:Sup).<ref name=:0>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The racial makeup was 86.79% (2,542) white or European American (84.91% non-Hispanic white), 0.48% (14) black or African-American, 3.11% (91) Native American or Alaska Native, 0.2% (6) Asian, 0.0% (0) Pacific Islander or Native Hawaiian, 0.75% (22) from other races, and 8.67% (254) from two or more races.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Hispanic or Latino of any race was 3.41% (100) of the population.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Of the 1,251 households, 27.3% had children under the age of 18; 40.1% were married couples living together; 34.9% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. 35.2% of households consisted of individuals and 18.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.<ref name=:0 /> The average household size was 2.2 and the average family size was 2.8.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The percent of those with a bachelor's degree or higher was estimated to be 15.2% of the population.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

24.5% of the population was under the age of 18, 7.8% from 18 to 24, 22.8% from 25 to 44, 23.8% from 45 to 64, and 21.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39.8 years. For every 100 females, there were 114.1 males.<ref name=:0 /> For every 100 females ages 18 and older, there were 118.9 males.<ref name=:0 />

The 2016-2020 5-year American Community Survey estimates show that the median household income was $36,688 (with a margin of error of +/- $7,704) and the median family income was $50,726 (+/- $10,311).<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Males had a median income of $25,964 (+/- $11,039) versus $30,048 (+/- $11,578) for females. The median income for those above 16 years old was $26,806 (+/- $8,270).<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Approximately, 9.7% of families and 21.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.8% of those under the age of 18 and 22.4% of those ages 65 or over.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

2010 census

As of the census<ref name ="wwwcensusgov">Template:Cite web</ref> of 2010, there were 3,312 people, 1,424 households, and 850 families living in the city. The population density was Template:Convert. There were 1,633 housing units at an average density of Template:Convert. The racial makeup of the city was 92.9% White, 0.5% African American, 2.7% Native American, 0.3% Asian, 0.4% from other races, and 3.3% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.1% of the population.

There were 1,424 households, of which 30.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.1% were married couples living together, 13.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.1% had a male householder with no wife present, and 40.3% were non-families. 34.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 19.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.29 and the average family size was 2.94.

The median age in the city was 39.1 years. 25% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.9% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 22.6% were from 25 to 44; 23.8% were from 45 to 64; and 19.7% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 46.4% male and 53.6% female.

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 3,396 people, 1,412 households, and 885 families living in the city. The population density was Template:Convert. There were 1,610 housing units at an average density of Template:Convert. The racial makeup of the city was 94.70% White, 0.32% African American, 1.56% Native American, 0.41% Asian, 0.77% from other races, and 2.24% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.03% of the population.

There were 1,412 households, out of which 29.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.5% were married couples living together, 11.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.3% were non-families. 34.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 18.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.30 and the average family size was 2.94.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 26.3% under the age of 18, 8.4% from 18 to 24, 24.3% from 25 to 44, 20.7% from 45 to 64, and 20.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 82.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 78.1 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $27,530, and the median income for a family was $38,136. Males had a median income of $30,541 versus $17,069 for females. The per capita income for the city was $14,937. About 12.2% of families and 16.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 23.1% of those under age 18 and 8.3% of those age 65 or over.

Education

The community is served by Columbus USD 493 public school district.<ref>USD 493</ref>

Notable people

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Marcellus Boss, fifth Civilian Governor of Guam
Elizabeth W. Crandall, educator
Merle Evans, bandleader for Ringling Brothers, Barnum & Bailey Circus
James Reed Hallowell, politician
Robert A. Long, lumber baron, developer, investor, newspaper owner, and philanthropist
Doro Merande, film, stage and television actress
Kenneth A. Spencer, industrialist
Norma Terris, singer and actress
Leland Justin Webb, first Mayor of Columbus, lawyer, served in the Civil War
Thomas Daniel Winter, U.S. Representative from Kansas, 1939–1947