Hutchinson, Kansas | |
|---|---|
 Skyline (2023) | |
 Flag  Seal | |
| Nicknames: "Salt City",[1] "Hutch" | |
 Location withinReno County andKansas | |
 | |
| Coordinates:38°04′02″N97°54′29″W / 38.06722°N 97.90806°W /38.06722; -97.90806[2] | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Kansas |
| County | Reno |
| Founded | 1871 |
| Incorporated | 1872 |
| Named after | C.C. Hutchinson |
| Government | |
| • Type | Mayor–Council |
| • Mayor | Stacy Goss[3] |
| Area | |
• Total | 24.63 sq mi (63.80 km2) |
| • Land | 24.58 sq mi (63.66 km2) |
| • Water | 0.054 sq mi (0.14 km2) |
| Elevation | 1,526 ft (465 m) |
| Population | |
• Total | 40,006 |
| • Density | 1,628/sq mi (628.4/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (CST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code | 67501-67502 |
| Area code | 620 |
| FIPS code | 20-33625 |
| GNIS ID | 485597[2] |
| Website | hutchgov.com |
Hutchinson is the largest city in and thecounty seat ofReno County,Kansas, United States,[2] and located along theArkansas River. As of the2020 census, the population of the city was 40,006.[5][6] It has been home tosalt mines since 1887, thus its nickname of "Salt City".[1] Each year, Hutchinson hosts theKansas State Fair, andNational Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Men's Basketball Tournament.[7] It is the home of theHutchinson Community College, theCosmosphere aerospace museum, andStrataca underground salt museum.
The city of Hutchinson was founded in 1871 when frontiersman Clinton "C.C." Hutchinson contracted with theSanta Fe Railway to make a town at the railroad's crossing over theArkansas River. The town actually sprang up about one-half mile north, on the banks ofCow Creek, where a few houses already existed. Hutchinson later founded the Reno County Bank in 1873, and by 1878 had erected the state's first water mill at Hutchinson.[8] The community earned the nickname "Temperance City" due to the prohibition of alcohol set by its founder who placed a deed restriction on every lot prohibiting the sale or gifting of any alcoholic beverage which, if violated, would result in forfeiture of the lot, improvements, and payments associated with its sale and purchase.[9] Hutchinson was incorporated as a third-class city in August 1872.[10]
In 1887, theChicago, Kansas and Nebraska Railway built a main line fromHerington through Hutchinson toPratt.[11] In 1888, this line was extended toLiberal. Later, it was extended toTucumcari, New Mexico andEl Paso, Texas. It foreclosed in 1891 and was taken over byChicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railway, which shut down in 1980 and reorganized asOklahoma, Kansas and Texas Railroad, merged in 1988 withMissouri Pacific Railroad, merged in 1997 withUnion Pacific Railroad. Most locals still refer to this railroad as the "Rock Island".
Also in 1887, local salt deposits were discovered for the first time, when Ben Blanchard, a land speculator who foundedSouth Hutchinson, drilled for oil in the area.Salt mining would become a major industry in Hutchinson, with the city eventually earning the nickname "Salt City".[1]
Hutchinson had been holding county fairs since 1873. By 1900, many referred to the Hutchinson Fair as the Kansas State Fair, even though there was no state-supported Kansas State Fair yet. In 1913, after lobbying in the Kansas Legislature, Hutchinson gifted the State of Kansas the land that became the Kansas State Fairgrounds. The official Kansas State Fair has been held in Hutchinson ever since.[12]
In 1943, German and Italian prisoners ofWorld War II were used in Kansas and other Midwest states as a means of solving thelabor shortage caused by American men serving in the war effort. Largeprisoner-of-war camps were established in Kansas:Camp Concordia,Camp Funston (atFort Riley), Camp Phillips (atSalina underFort Riley).Fort Riley established 12 smaller branch camps, including Hutchinson.[13][14]
On January 17, 2001, 143 million cubic feet (4,000,000 m3) ofcompressed natural gas leaked from the nearby Yaggy storage field.[15] It sank underground, then rose to the surface through oldbrine or salt wells, making around 15 gas blowholes. An explosion in the downtown area at 10:45 am destroyed two businesses and damaged 26 others. An explosion the next day in a mobile home park killed two people. TheKansas National Guard was called in to help evacuate parts of the city because of the gas leaks, and a team of specialists checked the city for leaks after the event. These events were televised on news stations across the country.[16][17][18]
On June 21, 2013, following a grassroots campaign in an effort to promote Smallville Con, acomic-book convention hosted at the Kansas State Fair, the mayor of Hutchinson decreed the city's name would be changed to "Smallville" for one day in honor ofSuperman's fictional Kansas hometown of the same name. The tradition has continued annually, coinciding with the convention for two days every June.[19]
Hutchinson is located in south-central Kansas at the intersection ofUS 50 andK-96, Hutchinson is 39 miles (63 km) northwest ofWichita, 200 mi (320 km) west-southwest ofKansas City, and 395 miles (636 km) east-southeast ofDenver.[20][21]
The city lies on the northeast bank of theArkansas River in the Great Bend Sand Prairie region of theGreat Plains.[22] Cow Creek, a tributary of the Arkansas, runs southeast through the city.[23]
According to theUnited States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 22.75 square miles (58.92 km2), of which 22.69 square miles (58.77 km2) is land and 0.06 square miles (0.16 km2) is water.[24]
Hutchinson has ahumid subtropical climate (Köppen:Cfa), with hot, humid summers and cold, dry winters. Temperatures exceed 90 °F (32.2 °C) an average of 63.4 afternoons each year and drop below 32 °F (0 °C) an average of 119.5 mornings each year. Snowfall averages 6.9 inches (18 cm) per year.[25] Total precipitation averages 32.93 inches (836 mm) per year. On average, January is the coolest month, July is the warmest month, and May is the wettest month. The hottest temperature recorded in Hutchinson was 113 °F (45 °C) on July 27, 2011; the coldest temperature recorded was −19 °F (−28.3 °C) on February 16, 2021.[26]
| Climate data for Hutchinson, Kansas (Hutchinson Municipal Airport), 1991–2020 normals; extremes 1948–present | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °F (°C) | 77 (25) | 86 (30) | 91 (33) | 98 (37) | 102 (39) | 109 (43) | 113 (45) | 112 (44) | 107 (42) | 97 (36) | 88 (31) | 82 (28) | 113 (45) |
| Mean maximum °F (°C) | 67.7 (19.8) | 71.7 (22.1) | 81.3 (27.4) | 88.2 (31.2) | 94.2 (34.6) | 99.6 (37.6) | 104.1 (40.1) | 103.0 (39.4) | 98.0 (36.7) | 88.6 (31.4) | 76.9 (24.9) | 65.7 (18.7) | 105.5 (40.8) |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 45.1 (7.3) | 49.9 (9.9) | 60.1 (15.6) | 69.8 (21.0) | 78.6 (25.9) | 89.0 (31.7) | 93.6 (34.2) | 91.8 (33.2) | 84.2 (29.0) | 72.3 (22.4) | 58.4 (14.7) | 46.5 (8.1) | 69.9 (21.1) |
| Daily mean °F (°C) | 32.1 (0.1) | 36.3 (2.4) | 45.9 (7.7) | 55.5 (13.1) | 65.7 (18.7) | 76.0 (24.4) | 80.7 (27.1) | 78.7 (25.9) | 70.7 (21.5) | 58.1 (14.5) | 44.9 (7.2) | 34.5 (1.4) | 56.6 (13.7) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 19.2 (−7.1) | 22.6 (−5.2) | 31.6 (−0.2) | 41.2 (5.1) | 52.8 (11.6) | 62.9 (17.2) | 67.7 (19.8) | 65.6 (18.7) | 57.3 (14.1) | 44.0 (6.7) | 31.3 (−0.4) | 22.5 (−5.3) | 43.2 (6.3) |
| Mean minimum °F (°C) | 0.9 (−17.3) | 4.0 (−15.6) | 13.1 (−10.5) | 24.7 (−4.1) | 36.3 (2.4) | 49.5 (9.7) | 56.5 (13.6) | 53.8 (12.1) | 40.4 (4.7) | 25.5 (−3.6) | 13.4 (−10.3) | 4.2 (−15.4) | −4.4 (−20.2) |
| Record low °F (°C) | −14 (−26) | −19 (−28) | −9 (−23) | 15 (−9) | 28 (−2) | 39 (4) | 48 (9) | 47 (8) | 31 (−1) | 13 (−11) | 2 (−17) | −13 (−25) | −19 (−28) |
| Averageprecipitation inches (mm) | 0.84 (21) | 1.25 (32) | 2.34 (59) | 2.65 (67) | 5.52 (140) | 4.46 (113) | 4.03 (102) | 4.11 (104) | 2.39 (61) | 2.50 (64) | 1.46 (37) | 1.38 (35) | 32.93 (835) |
| Average snowfall inches (cm) | 1.4 (3.6) | 2.4 (6.1) | 0.9 (2.3) | 0.3 (0.76) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.1 (0.25) | 0.6 (1.5) | 1.2 (3.0) | 6.9 (17.51) |
| Average precipitation days(≥ 0.01 in) | 4.5 | 5.2 | 6.9 | 9.0 | 9.6 | 8.5 | 7.9 | 8.2 | 6.9 | 6.9 | 4.6 | 4.2 | 82.4 |
| Average snowy days(≥ 0.1 in) | 1.6 | 1.7 | 0.7 | 0.6 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.2 | 0.8 | 1.3 | 6.9 |
| Source 1: NOAA[25] | |||||||||||||
| Source 2: National Weather Service[26] | |||||||||||||
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1880 | 1,540 | — | |
| 1890 | 8,682 | 463.8% | |
| 1900 | 9,379 | 8.0% | |
| 1910 | 16,364 | 74.5% | |
| 1920 | 23,298 | 42.4% | |
| 1930 | 27,085 | 16.3% | |
| 1940 | 30,013 | 10.8% | |
| 1950 | 33,575 | 11.9% | |
| 1960 | 37,574 | 11.9% | |
| 1970 | 36,885 | −1.8% | |
| 1980 | 40,284 | 9.2% | |
| 1990 | 39,308 | −2.4% | |
| 2000 | 40,787 | 3.8% | |
| 2010 | 42,080 | 3.2% | |
| 2020 | 40,006 | −4.9% | |
| 2023 (est.) | 39,662 | [27] | −0.9% |
| U.S. Decennial Census[28] 2010-2020[6] | |||
The2020 United States census counted 40,006 people, 16,535 households, and 9,708 families in Hutchinson.[29][30] The population density was 1,627.7 per square mile (628.4/km2). There were 18,609 housing units at an average density of 757.1 per square mile (292.3/km2).[30][31] The racial makeup was 81.7% (32,686)white orEuropean American (76.42%non-Hispanic white), 4.26% (1,703)black orAfrican-American, 0.97% (388)Native American orAlaska Native, 0.7% (280)Asian, 0.07% (29)Pacific Islander orNative Hawaiian, 3.76% (1,505) fromother races, and 8.54% (3,415) fromtwo or more races.[32]Hispanic orLatino of any race was 12.93% (5,172) of the population.[33]
Of the 16,535 households, 26.3% had children under the age of 18; 41.2% were married couples living together; 30.1% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. 34.8% of households consisted of individuals and 15.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[30] The average household size was 2.4 and the average family size was 3.0.[34] The percent of those with a bachelor's degree or higher was estimated to be 14.4% of the population.[35]
21.1% of the population was under the age of 18, 9.5% from 18 to 24, 25.6% from 25 to 44, 24.3% from 45 to 64, and 19.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39.8 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.0 males.[30] For every 100 females ages 18 and older, there were 97.0 males.[30]
The 2016-2020 5-yearAmerican Community Survey estimates show that the median household income was $48,889 (with a margin of error of +/- $2,113) and the median family income was $62,975 (+/- $4,685).[36] Males had a median income of $32,099 (+/- $2,156) versus $25,329 (+/- $1,028) for females. The median income for those above 16 years old was $27,346 (+/- $1,108).[37] Approximately, 8.4% of families and 14.0% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 18.0% of those under the age of 18 and 8.9% of those ages 65 or over.[38][39]
As of the2010 United States census, there were 42,080 people, 16,981 households, and 10,352 families residing in the city.[40] Thepopulation density was 1,854.6 inhabitants per square mile (716.1/km2). There were 18,580 housing units at an average density of 818.9 per square mile (316.2/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 87.9%White, 4.3%African American, 0.7%American Indian, 0.6%Asian, 3.4% from other races, and 3.2% from two or more races.Hispanics and Latinos of any race were 10.6% of the population.[41]
There were 16,981 households, of which 29.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.1% weremarried couples living together, 12.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.5% had a male householder with no wife present, and 39.0% were non-families. 33.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.31 and the average family size was 2.93.[41]
The median age in the city was 37.8 years. 23.1% of residents were under the age of 18; 10.5% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 24.4% were from 25 to 44; 25.4% were from 45 to 64; and 16.6% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 50.3% male and 49.7% female.[41]
The median income for a household was $38,880, and the median income for a family was $47,336. Males had a median income of $39,442 versus $26,600 for females. Theper capita income for the city was $21,050. About 12.9% of families and 15.7% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 26.0% of those under age 18 and 6.9% of those age 65 or over.[41]
As of thecensus[42] of 2000, there were 40,787 people, 16,335 households, and 10,340 families residing in the city. Thepopulation density was 1,932.6 inhabitants per square mile (746.2/km2). There were 17,693 housing units at an average density of 838.3 per square mile (323.7/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 88.57%White, 4.28%African American, 0.65%Native American, 0.59%Asian, 0.04%Pacific Islander, 3.65% fromother races, and 2.21% from two or more races.Hispanic orLatino people of any race were 7.67% of the population.
There were 16,335 households, out of which 28.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.3% weremarried couples living together, 10.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.7% were non-families. 31.7% 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 2.31 and the average family size was 2.91.
In the city, the population was spread out, with 23.2% under the age of 18, 11.0% from 18 to 24, 27.8% from 25 to 44, 21.2% from 45 to 64, and 16.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 101.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.5 males.
As of 2000, the median income for a household in the city was $32,645, and the median income for a family was $40,094. Males had a median income of $30,994 versus $21,190 for females. Theper capita income for the city was $17,964. About 9.8% of families and 12.7% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 16.5% of those under age 18 and 9.7% of those age 65 or over.
Salt was discovered in Reno County by Benjamin Blanchard on September 26, 1887.[43] This gave rise to the first salt-processing plants west of theMississippi River. Salt was originally extracted using the evaporation method by pumping water intobrine wells. In 1923, the Carey Salt Company[44] opened the onlysalt mine in Hutchinson, which then producedrock salt. That mine is still in use today and is now operated by Hutchinson Salt Company.Cargill andMorton Salt also have evaporative salt plants in Hutchinson.
Excavated portions of the mine are used for archival storage of movie and television masters, data tapes, and permanent business records. Underground Vaults & Storage[45] currently houses the masters forThe Wizard of Oz (1939),Gone with the Wind (1939), andStar Wars (1977), among many others.[46]
The world's longestgrain elevator was built in Hutchinson in 1961.[citation needed]
Dillon's grocery stores was established in Hutchinson by J.S. Dillon in the 1920s (originated inSterling, Kansas). Dillon's merged withThe Kroger Co. in 1983. The company still operates a distribution center and headquarters for Dillons andKwik Shop in town.
TheEaton Corporation operates ahydraulics plant in Hutchinson. On August 22, 2006, Eaton announced it would keep the Hutchinson plant open because of a $1 million economic incentive from the City of Hutchinson and a $2 million incentive from the State of Kansas. 155 assembly jobs were moved to theReynosa, Mexico plant in June 2007.[47]
On September 2, 2008, the Hutchinson Hospital changed its name to Promise Regional Medical Center. In 2012, it changed its name again to Hutchinson Regional Medical Center.[48]
Lowen Corporation,[49] founded in 1950 in a converted garage behind C.W. "Mike" Lowen's house, is a provider of graphic solutions. Lowen Sign Company, Lowen Color Graphics, and Lowen Certified are located in Hutchinson.
Collins Bus Corporation resides just outside Hutchinson and is the leading[citation needed] small school bus manufacturer in North America.
StraightLine HDD, a leadingdirectional drill tooling manufacturer, has a 70,000 sq ft (6,500 m2). manufacturing plant in Hutchinson.
In May 2009,Siemens announced it would open its Americanwind turbinenacelle assembly facility in Hutchinson. The facility was expected to begin producing in 2010 and to create 400 jobs in Hutchinson.[50]
Kuhn-Krause operates a huge manufacturing plant in Hutchinson, manufacturing agricultural equipment and housing one of two Kuhn factories in North America.[citation needed]
Hutchinson is acity of the first class with acouncil-manager form of government.[51] Thecity council consists of five members. For purposes of representation in the council, the city is divided into four districts with one council member elected to a four-year term from each district. The fifth council member is electedat-large to a two-year term. Every year, the council selects one member to serve asmayor and another asvice-mayor. Council members areterm limited and may not serve for more than one partial term plus two consecutive four-year terms. The council sets policy for the city and oversees thecity manager who executes those policies. Hired by the council, the city manager serves as the city's chief administrative officer, administers the city budget, and conducts daily city business. Council meetings occur on the first and third Tuesday of each month, broadcast live on localcablechannel 7.[52]
As thecounty seat, Hutchinson is the administrative center of Reno County. Thecounty courthouse is located downtown, and all departments of the county government base their operations in the city.[53]
Hutchinson lies withinKansas's 1st U.S. Congressional District. For the purposes of representation in theKansas Legislature, the city is located in the 34th district of theKansas Senate and the 102nd, 104th, and 114th districts of theKansas House of Representatives.[51]
The main campus ofHutchinson Community College, atwo-year public college, is located in the city.[54]
Three public school districts provide education for students in and around Hutchinson: USD 308, US$309, and US$313.
Hutchinson USD 308 school district operates twelve schools in the city:[55]
TheHutchinson High School football team (the Salthawks) has had seven straight appearances, including six straight wins, in the 6A & 5A State Championship Game.
Buhler USD 313 school district operates three schools in and around Hutchinson:[56]
Nickerson–South Hutchinson USD 309 school district operates one school near Hutchinson:[57]
There are also threeprivate schools in Hutchinson:[59]
US 50 runs east–west south of the city.K-96 approaches Hutchinson from the south, bypasses it to the west, and then turns northwest. Coming from the west,K-61 runsconcurrently with US 50, turns north and runs through the eastern part of the city, and then exits to the northeast.
Reno County Area Transit provides localpublic transport bus service. The agency operates three bus routes colored Red, Blue, and Yellow.[60]Greyhound Lines offers long-distance bus service on its route through Hutchinson fromWichita toPueblo. Bus service is provided daily towardsWichita andSalina by BeeLine Express (subcontractor ofGreyhound Lines).[61][62]
Hutchinson Municipal Airport is located on the eastern side of the city. The airport is primarily utilized forgeneral aviation. Therefore, residents typically useWichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport in Wichita for commercial travel.
Three railroads serve Hutchinson. One is theLa Junta Subdivision of theBNSF Railway which runs east–west through the city.[63]Amtrak uses the La Junta Subdivision to provide passenger rail service.Hutchinson is a stop on theSouthwest Chief,which provides daily train service between Chicago and Los Angeles. Another railroad serving Hutchinson is the Tucumcari Line of theUnion Pacific Railroad, which runs northeast–southwest through the city.[64] Lastly, Hutchinson is the terminus of two lines of theKansas and Oklahoma Railroad: the Hutchinson Subdivision, which enters the city from the south, and the Great Bend Subdivision, which enters the city from the northwest.
There are two hospitals in Hutchinson.[65] The larger of the two, Hutchinson Regional Medical Center, is anot-for-profit general medical and surgical facility that offers a range of services including emergency care.[66] The other hospital is Summit Surgical, a specialized corporate surgical facility.[67]
The Hutchinson News is the city's primary newspaper, published daily.[68]
Hutchinson is a center of broadcast media for south-central Kansas. One AM (KWBW 1450) and 12 FM radio stations arelicensed to broadcast from the city.[69]
Hutchinson is also the second principal city of theWichita-Hutchinson, Kansas television market.[70] The market's primary affiliates ofCBS (KWCH-DT) andDabl (KMTW), as well asPBS member stationKPTS are licensed to the city, but all three stations broadcast from Wichita.[71][72][73]
Hutchinson is home to thePrairie Dunes Country Club, a golf course frequently ranked among the best golf courses in the U.S. and has hosted severalUnited States Golf Association national championship tournaments. The club was founded by Emerson Carey and his four sons in the mid-1930s. The course was designed byPerry Maxwell and the first nine holes opened on September 13, 1937. Twenty years later, in 1957, nine more holes were opened, designed by J. Press Maxwell (Perry's son). Prairie Dunes was the host of the 2002U.S. Women's Open and 2006U.S. Senior Opengolf championships.
Located on the north eastern edge of Hutchinson is theSand Hills State Park.[74]
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