Emporia, Kansas | |
|---|---|
City andCounty seat | |
 Downtown Emporia (2012) | |
 Logo for City of Emporia | |
 Location of Emporia withinLyon County andKansas | |
 | |
| Coordinates:38°24′14″N96°11′34″W / 38.40389°N 96.19278°W /38.40389; -96.19278[1] | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Kansas |
| County | Lyon |
| Founded | 1857 |
| Incorporated | 1870[2] |
| Government | |
| • Type | Commission-Manager |
| • Mayor | Erren Harter[3] |
| • City Manager | Trey Cocking[4] |
| Area | |
• Total | 12.11 sq mi (31.37 km2) |
| • Land | 12.00 sq mi (31.07 km2) |
| • Water | 0.12 sq mi (0.30 km2) 0.6% |
| Elevation | 1,142 ft (348 m) |
| Population | |
• Total | 24,139 |
| • Density | 2,012/sq mi (776.9/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (CST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code | 66801[8] |
| Area code | 620 |
| FIPS code | 20-21275 |
| GNIS ID | 485571[1] |
| Website | emporiaks.gov |
Emporia is a city in and thecounty seat ofLyon County, Kansas, United States.[1] As of the2020 census, the population of the city was 24,139.[6][7] Emporia lies betweenTopeka andWichita at the intersection of highwaysK-99,U.S. Route 50, Interstates335 and35 (Kansas Turnpike). It is home toEmporia State University andFlint Hills Technical College, and two annual sporting events:Unbound Gravel (gravel bicycle race) and Dynamic Discs Open (disc golf tournament).
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Located on uplandprairie, Emporia was founded in 1857, drawing its name fromancient Carthage, a place known in history as a prosperous center of commerce.[9]
In 1864, the Union Pacific Railway, Southern Branch (later incorporated into theMissouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad) received land grants to build fromFort Riley to Emporia. The road eventually reached Emporia in 1869, becoming the first railroad to serve the burgeoning town.[10] In July 1870, a second railroad, theAtchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway reached Emporia, and in the years following theAmerican Civil War the city became a booming railroad hub.[11] In 1888, railroad executive and educatorJohn Byers Anderson donated his personal library to theCollege of Emporia to commemorate his 50th wedding anniversary, and his former menteeAndrew Carnegie donated additional funds to build a library in Anderson's honor (conditioned upon the new college paying off its mortgage).[12]
In 1953, Emporia was the site of the firstVeterans Day observance in the United States. At the urging of local cobbler Alvin J. King, U.S. RepresentativeEdward Rees introduced legislation in TheUnited States Congress to renameArmistice Day as Veterans Day. PresidentDwight D. Eisenhower signed the bill into law on October 8, 1954.[13]
On June 8, 1974, anF4tornado struck Emporia, killing 6 people, injuring 200, and causing $25 million in damages.[14]
On March 6, 1988, an armed gunman walked into the Calvary Baptist Church during services and opened fire. Cheunphon Ji, the 29-year-old gunman, had no particular target, killing one person and injuring four others.[15][16]
Emporia is located in east-central Kansas. It lies along the Kansas Turnpike at its intersection with Interstate 35 and U.S. Highway 50, 108 miles (174 km) southwest ofKansas City, 58 miles (93 km) southwest ofTopeka, and 87 miles (140 km) northeast ofWichita on the eastern edge of theFlint Hills. According to theUnited States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 11.94 square miles (30.92 km2), of which 11.83 square miles (30.64 km2) is land and 0.11 square miles (0.28 km2) is water.[17] TheNeosho River flows along the northern side of the city. TheCottonwood River, one of its tributaries, flows along the city's southern edge and of two large city parks, Peter Pan and Soden's Grove; the two rivers meet near the eastern boundary of Emporia and flow southeast to join theArkansas River in Oklahoma.
According to theKöppen Climate Classification system, Emporia has ahumid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps. The hottest temperature recorded in Emporia was 116 °F (46.7 °C) on July 15, 1934, and August 14, 1936, while the coldest temperature recorded was −24 °F (−31.1 °C) on January 4, 1947.[18]
| Climate data forEmporia Municipal Airport, Kansas, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1893–1954, 1979–present | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °F (°C) | 76 (24) | 84 (29) | 93 (34) | 95 (35) | 100 (38) | 112 (44) | 116 (47) | 116 (47) | 108 (42) | 96 (36) | 86 (30) | 77 (25) | 116 (47) |
| Mean maximum °F (°C) | 63.6 (17.6) | 68.6 (20.3) | 78.0 (25.6) | 85.0 (29.4) | 89.3 (31.8) | 94.2 (34.6) | 99.3 (37.4) | 99.4 (37.4) | 94.1 (34.5) | 86.5 (30.3) | 74.6 (23.7) | 65.4 (18.6) | 100.9 (38.3) |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 41.3 (5.2) | 46.5 (8.1) | 57.4 (14.1) | 67.3 (19.6) | 75.9 (24.4) | 85.0 (29.4) | 90.0 (32.2) | 89.2 (31.8) | 80.8 (27.1) | 69.2 (20.7) | 55.9 (13.3) | 44.3 (6.8) | 66.9 (19.4) |
| Daily mean °F (°C) | 31.0 (−0.6) | 35.4 (1.9) | 45.6 (7.6) | 55.5 (13.1) | 65.1 (18.4) | 74.2 (23.4) | 79.0 (26.1) | 77.5 (25.3) | 69.0 (20.6) | 57.2 (14.0) | 44.6 (7.0) | 34.3 (1.3) | 55.7 (13.2) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 20.7 (−6.3) | 24.2 (−4.3) | 33.7 (0.9) | 43.6 (6.4) | 54.2 (12.3) | 63.5 (17.5) | 68.0 (20.0) | 65.8 (18.8) | 57.2 (14.0) | 45.2 (7.3) | 33.3 (0.7) | 24.2 (−4.3) | 44.5 (6.9) |
| Mean minimum °F (°C) | 2.3 (−16.5) | 7.2 (−13.8) | 15.3 (−9.3) | 28.0 (−2.2) | 40.6 (4.8) | 52.8 (11.6) | 59.1 (15.1) | 56.9 (13.8) | 43.0 (6.1) | 30.0 (−1.1) | 17.4 (−8.1) | 8.3 (−13.2) | −1.1 (−18.4) |
| Record low °F (°C) | −24 (−31) | −23 (−31) | −7 (−22) | 8 (−13) | 25 (−4) | 41 (5) | 46 (8) | 44 (7) | 29 (−2) | 15 (−9) | −1 (−18) | −22 (−30) | −24 (−31) |
| Averageprecipitation inches (mm) | 0.78 (20) | 1.31 (33) | 2.12 (54) | 3.84 (98) | 5.01 (127) | 4.53 (115) | 3.90 (99) | 3.86 (98) | 3.25 (83) | 3.06 (78) | 1.85 (47) | 1.30 (33) | 34.81 (885) |
| Average precipitation days(≥ 0.01 in) | 4.8 | 6.0 | 8.5 | 10.1 | 13.1 | 10.7 | 9.3 | 9.4 | 8.7 | 8.7 | 5.9 | 5.3 | 100.5 |
| Source 1: NOAA[19] | |||||||||||||
| Source 2: National Weather Service[18] | |||||||||||||
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1860 | 843 | — | |
| 1870 | 2,168 | 157.2% | |
| 1880 | 4,631 | 113.6% | |
| 1890 | 7,551 | 63.1% | |
| 1900 | 8,223 | 8.9% | |
| 1910 | 9,058 | 10.2% | |
| 1920 | 11,273 | 24.5% | |
| 1930 | 14,067 | 24.8% | |
| 1940 | 13,188 | −6.2% | |
| 1950 | 15,669 | 18.8% | |
| 1960 | 18,190 | 16.1% | |
| 1970 | 23,327 | 28.2% | |
| 1980 | 25,287 | 8.4% | |
| 1990 | 25,512 | 0.9% | |
| 2000 | 26,760 | 4.9% | |
| 2010 | 24,916 | −6.9% | |
| 2020 | 24,139 | −3.1% | |
| 2023 (est.) | 24,105 | [20] | −0.1% |
| U.S. Decennial Census 2010-2020[7] | |||
Emporia is the principal city of the EmporiaMicropolitan Statistical Area, which includes all of Lyon andChase counties.
The2020 United States census counted 24,139 people, 9,876 households, and 5,468 families in Emporia.[21][22] The population density was 1,989.7 per square mile (768.2/km2). There were 11,232 housing units at an average density of 925.8 per square mile (357.5/km2).[22][23] The racial makeup was 67.91% (16,392)white orEuropean American (61.96%non-Hispanic white), 2.61% (630)black orAfrican-American, 0.94% (226)Native American orAlaska Native, 2.26% (546)Asian, 0.07% (16)Pacific Islander orNative Hawaiian, 15.01% (3,624) fromother races, and 11.21% (2,705) fromtwo or more races.[24]Hispanic orLatino of any race was 28.29% (6,828) of the population.[25]
Of the 9,876 households, 28.1% had children under the age of 18; 38.2% were married couples living together; 30.1% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. 34.6% of households consisted of individuals and 11.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[22] The average household size was 2.3 and the average family size was 3.1.[26] The percent of those with a bachelor's degree or higher was estimated to be 17.3% of the population.[27]
22.1% of the population was under the age of 18, 17.8% from 18 to 24, 24.8% from 25 to 44, 20.7% from 45 to 64, and 14.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32.3 years. For every 100 females, there were 106.5 males.[22] For every 100 females ages 18 and older, there were 109.1 males.[22]
The 2016-2020 5-yearAmerican Community Survey estimates show that the median household income was $43,481 (with a margin of error of +/- $3,474) and the median family income was $65,264 (+/- $3,358).[28] Males had a median income of $30,077 (+/- $2,136) versus $16,980 (+/- $1,362) for females. The median income for those above 16 years old was $22,911 (+/- $2,542).[29] Approximately, 8.3% of families and 19.6% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 16.7% of those under the age of 18 and 6.1% of those ages 65 or over.[30][31]
As of the2010 census, there were 24,916 people, 9,812 households, and 5,571 families residing in the city.[32] The population density was 2,491.6 inhabitants per square mile (962.0/km2). There were 11,352 housing units at an average density of 1,135.2 per square mile (438.3/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 84%White, 3.2%African American, 3.1%Asian, 0.8%American Indian, 10.5% from some other race, and 3.1% from two or more races. 14.4% of the population wasHispanic orLatino of any race.[32]
There were 9,812 households, of which 31.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.0% were married couples living together, 5.3% had a male householder with no wife present, 11.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 43.2% were non-families. 32.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.39, and the average family size was 3.08.[32]
In the city, the population was spread out, with 23.5% under the age of 18, 19.7% from 18 to 24, 24.5% from 25 to 44, 20.9% from 45 to 64, and 11.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 29.0 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.8 males age 18 and over.[32]
The median income for a household in the city was $34,443, and the median income for a family was $47,500. Males had a median income of $32,873 versus $25,821 for females. Theper capita income for the city was $17,485. About 12.0% of families and 22.2% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 22.9% of those under age 18 and 11.9% of those age 65 or over.[32]
In addition toEmporia State University and other large public-sector employers such as the city and county governments, the public schools, and the county hospital, Emporia has several large private-sector employers.[33] Previously, aTyson Foods beef-packing plant employed more than 2,400 workers.[33]Hostess Brands has a bakery in Emporia. Hopkins Manufacturing Corporation, founded in Emporia in 1953, by E.L. "Bud" Hopkins, and recognized in 2003 as the city's Large Employer of the Year,[34] makes products for the automotive aftermarket. TheBraum dairy store chain, based in Oklahoma City, originated in Emporia in 1952 under the namePeter Pan.[35]Simmons Pet Food operates a multi-acre plant in Emporia that manufactures wet dog food.[36]
On January 25, 2008, Tyson unexpectedly announced the layoff of 1,500 workers (more than 60 percent) by March 25, 2008.[37] The company said it needed to move its slaughter operations closer to where the cattle are raised in western Kansas.[38] As the city's largest employer for 37 years, the Tyson plant creates almost 10 percent of the local economy.[39] In December 2024, Tyson announced to the 809 remaining employees that the plant in Emporia would be permanently ceasing operations on February 14, 2025.[40] The company plans to continue their optimization strategy of consolidating operations in western Kansas.
Emporia is home toEmporia State University andFlint Hills Technical College. From 1882 to 1974, the privateCollege of Emporia previously existed, and since the city had two colleges during its early years, it was sometimes called the "Athens of Kansas".
The community is served byEmporia USD 253 public school district, which has one high school (Emporia High School), one middle school, and six elementary schools, as well as an early childhood center.
The community is also served by two private schools: Emporia Christian School (preschool-8th grade) and Sacred Heart Catholic School (preschool-5th grade).
The Emporia Public Library has been in operation since 1869 and is the oldest in the state of Kansas to remain in operation.[41]
The city is served by theEmporia Municipal Airport.
Bus service within the city is provided by LCAT, or Lyon County Area Transportation. The agency provides demand and deviated fixed-route bus services within the city of Emporia.Lyon County. The buses are a service of Lyon County, with significant support coming from the Kansas Department of Transportation.[42]
Emporia is served by the following highways:
I-35,
I-335,
Kansas Turnpike,
US-50,
K-99.
The formerSouthern Transcon main line ofBNSF Railway (ex-Santa Fe) passes east–west through Emporia. Ayard is located in Emporia.
The city was served by Santa Fe passenger trains until the creation ofAmtrak in 1971. The dailySouthwest Chief served the city from 1971 to 1997. Service toEmporia station was eliminated in 1997, two years before a fire destroyed the 1884-built station. In 2014, local efforts were started to bring back the station. As of 2018,[update] the future of revitalized service and a new station is still uncertain.[43]
TheEmporia Gazette is the city's main newspaper, published six days a week.[44] TheGazette also publishes aSpanish language monthly paper,La Voz.[45] Emporia State University publishes a bi-weekly student newspaper, theEmporia State University Bulletin.[46]
Emporia is a center of broadcast media for east-central Kansas.[47] OneAM radio station and tenFM radio stations arelicensed to and/or broadcast from the city.[47] Emporia is in theTopeka, Kansas television market, and one television station, a translator of theFox affiliate in Topeka, broadcasts from the city.[48][49]
Emporia has 14 structures on theNational Register of Historic Places. They are the Old Emporia Public Library, the Finney (Warren Wesley) House, theGranada Theater (also known as the Fox Theater), the Harris-Borman House, the Howe (Richard) House, the Keebler-Stone House, the Kress Building, the Mason (Walt) House, the Anderson Carnegie Memorial Library, the Plumb (Mrs. Preston B.) House, the Soden's Grove Bridge, the Soden (Hallie B.) House, theWilliam Allen White House (also known as Red Rocks), and the Col. Harrison C. and Susan Cross House.[50]There is also an authentic one-room school house located on the Emporia State University campus (near Merchant Street) that is available for tours through theESU Teachers College and TheNational Teachers Hall of Fame.
At the Emporia service area of theKansas Turnpike is a Kansas Historical Marker namedEmporia - Home of William Allen White.[51]
The 1987CBS miniseriesMurder Ordained was filmed in Emporia.[56] It dramatized an actual event in Emporia involving the 1983 death of Sandra Bird.
Notable individuals who were born in and/or have lived in Emporia include actorR. Lee Ermey,[57] journalistWilliam Allen White,[58] college basketball coachDean Smith,[59]and circus performer/tattoo artistMaud Wagner.[60]
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Municipalities and communities ofLyon County, Kansas,United States | ||
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| Unincorporated communities | ||
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| National | |
| Geographic | |
| Other | |
