Lindsborg, Kansas | |
|---|---|
 Intersection of Lincoln and Main streets (2016) | |
| Nickname: Little Sweden | |
 Location withinMcPherson County andKansas | |
 | |
| Coordinates:38°34′38″N97°40′26″W / 38.57722°N 97.67389°W /38.57722; -97.67389[1] | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Kansas |
| County | McPherson |
| Founded | 1869 |
| Incorporated | 1879 |
| Named after | Linden Castle |
| Area | |
• Total | 1.85 sq mi (4.78 km2) |
| • Land | 1.83 sq mi (4.74 km2) |
| • Water | 0.015 sq mi (0.04 km2) |
| Elevation | 1,332 ft (406 m) |
| Population | |
• Total | 3,776 |
| • Density | 2,060/sq mi (797/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (CST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code | 67456 |
| Area code | 785 |
| FIPS code | 20-41375 |
| GNIS ID | 485614[1] |
| Website | lindsborgcity.org |
Lindsborg is a city inMcPherson County, Kansas, United States.[1] As of the2020 census, its population was 3,776.[3] Lindsborg is known for its largeSwedish, otherNordic and Scandinavian heritages. It is home to the biennialSvensk Hyllningsfest.
For many millennia, theGreat Plains ofNorth America were inhabited by nomadicNative Americans. From the 16th to the 18th century, theKingdom of France claimed ownership of large parts of North America. In 1762, after theFrench and Indian War, France secretly cededNew France toSpain, per theTreaty of Fontainebleau. In 1802, Spain returned most of the land to France. In 1803, the land formodern day Kansas was acquired by the United States from France for 2.83 cents per acre as part of the 828,000 square-mileLouisiana Purchase.
In 1854, theKansas Territory was organized and in 1861Kansas became the 34thU.S. state.McPherson County, which included the land for the future Lindsborg, was established in 1867. Lindsborg was settled in the spring of 1869 by a group ofimmigrants from theVärmland province ofSweden led by PastorOlof Olsson. In 1879, the same year Lindsborg incorporated as a city, the first railroad came through.[4]
Lindsborg translates asLinden Castle from Swedish to English,[5] referring to a tree name known in Europe for a species oftilia (Swedish:lind). The community is named for four men whose surnames included "Lind", N. P. Linde, S. P. Lindgren, S. A. Lindell, and J. O. Lindh, who had held prominent positions in aChicago organization of Swedish farmers (Svenska Lantbrukskompaniet or First Swedish Agricultural Company) which was involved in the settling of Lindsborg until 1877.[6][7]
Thirty percent of the current residents are of Swedish descent. Because the town has retained so much of the heritage of its founders, it has become known as "Little Sweden".[8] The downtown features gift shops that specialize in Swedish souvenirs, including various sizes ofDala horses. Lindsborg has long been noted for theSvensk Hyllningsfest, a biennial celebration held in October of odd-numbered years since 1941, and other efforts to honor its heritage.[9]
Lindsborg is the home of theSwedish Pavilion, which was originally constructed as an international exposition building for the1904 St. Louis World's Fair. After the fair, it was purchased by W. W. Thomas, U.S. Minister to Sweden and Norway, and presented to Lindsborg'sBethany College as a memorial to his friendDr. Rev. Carl Aaron Swensson, the school's recently deceased founder. At Bethany, it was used by the art department as a classroom, library, and museum. It was moved to theLindsborg Old Mill & Swedish Heritage Museum, also in Lindsborg, in 1969.[10]
TheBirger Sandzén Memorial Gallery is located in Lindsborg. Dedicated on October 20, 1957, on the Bethany College campus, it showcases the works of the artistBirger Sandzén who lived in the city. The gallery houses the largest and most extensive collection of his paintings, prints, and drawings found anywhere in the world.[11]
Swedish KingCarl XVI Gustaf visited Lindsborg in April 1976 during hisroyal tour of the United States.[12]
In 2004, Lindsborg was namedChess City of the Year by theUnited States Chess Federation.[13]
According to theUnited States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.69 square miles (4.38 km2), of which 1.67 square miles (4.33 km2) is land and 0.02 square miles (0.05 km2) is water.[14]
The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to theKöppen Climate Classification system, Lindsborg has ahumid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.[15]
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1880 | 466 | — | |
| 1890 | 968 | 107.7% | |
| 1900 | 1,279 | 32.1% | |
| 1910 | 1,939 | 51.6% | |
| 1920 | 1,897 | −2.2% | |
| 1930 | 2,016 | 6.3% | |
| 1940 | 1,913 | −5.1% | |
| 1950 | 2,383 | 24.6% | |
| 1960 | 2,609 | 9.5% | |
| 1970 | 2,764 | 5.9% | |
| 1980 | 3,155 | 14.1% | |
| 1990 | 3,076 | −2.5% | |
| 2000 | 3,321 | 8.0% | |
| 2010 | 3,458 | 4.1% | |
| 2020 | 3,776 | 9.2% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
The2020 United States census counted 3,776 people, 1,346 households, and 838 families in Lindsborg.[16][17] The population density was 2,060.0 per square mile (795.4/km2). There were 1,469 housing units at an average density of 801.4 per square mile (309.4/km2).[17][18] The racial makeup was 87.76% (3,314)white orEuropean American (86.28%non-Hispanic white), 2.6% (98)Black orAfrican-American, 0.34% (13)Native American orAlaska Native, 0.48% (18)Asian, 0.03% (1)Pacific Islander orNative Hawaiian, 3.2% (121) fromother races, and 5.59% (211) fromtwo or more races.[19]Hispanic orLatino people of any race was 5.99% (226) of the population.[20]
Of the 1,346 households, 25.9% had children under the age of 18; 51.0% were married couples living together; 27.4% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. 32.0% of households consisted of individuals and 16.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[17] The average household size was 2.2 and the average family size was 3.0.[21] The percent of those with a bachelor’s degree or higher was estimated to be 23.1% of the population.[22]
17.5% of the population was under the age of 18, 21.0% from 18 to 24, 18.0% from 25 to 44, 20.3% from 45 to 64, and 23.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38.8 years. For every 100 females, there were 110.7 males.[17] For every 100 females ages 18 and older, there were 113.5 males.[17]
The 2016-2020 5-yearAmerican Community Survey estimates show that the median household income was $54,500 (with a margin of error of +/- $11,380) and the median family income was $76,055 (+/- $5,526).[23] Males had a median income of $36,912 (+/- $9,433) versus $24,500 (+/- $10,517) for females. The median income for those above 16 years old was $26,383 (+/- $2,680).[24] Approximately, 3.3% of families and 9.8% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 5.9% of those under the age of 18 and 7.7% of those ages 65 or over.[25][26]
As of thecensus[27] of 2010, there were 3,458 people, 1,303 households, and 829 families residing in the city. Thepopulation density was 2,070.7 inhabitants per square mile (799.5/km2). There were 1,414 housing units at an average density of 846.7 per square mile (326.9/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 94.8%White, 1.7%African American, 0.1%Native American, 0.5%Asian, 0.1%Pacific Islander, 0.8% fromother races, and 2.1% from two or more races.Hispanic orLatino people of any race were 3.5% of the population.
There were 1,303 households, of which 28.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.3% weremarried couples living together, 8.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 2.9% had a male householder with no wife present, and 36.4% were non-families. 31.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.7% 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 2.88.
The median age in the city was 37.8 years. 20.3% of residents were under the age of 18; 17.4% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 18.7% were from 25 to 44; 23.6% were from 45 to 64; and 19.9% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.5% male and 52.5% female.
As of thecensus[28] of 2000, there were 3,321 people, 1,227 households, and 775 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,155.5 inhabitants per square mile (832.2/km2). There were 1,331 housing units at an average density of 863.9 per square mile (333.6/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 97.05%White, 1.11%African American, 0.39%Native American, 0.30%Asian, 0.30% fromother races, and 0.84% from two or more races.Hispanic orLatino people of any race were 1.60% of the population. 36.0% were ofSwedish, 22.3%German, 8.4%American, 6.4%English and 5.7%Irish ancestry according toCensus 2000.[29][30]
There were 1,227 households, out of which 29.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.3% weremarried couples living together, 7.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.8% were non-families. 33.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.26 and the average family size was 2.89.
In the city, the population was spread out, with 20.5% under the age of 18, 18.7% from 18 to 24, 21.0% from 25 to 44, 19.0% from 45 to 64, and 20.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.0 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $37,500, and the median income for a family was $46,250. Males had a median income of $32,500 versus $25,145 for females. Theper capita income for the city was $17,415. About 4.9% of families and 8.2% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 7.0% of those under age 18 and 9.7% of those age 65 or over.
The community is served bySmoky Valley USD 400 public school district.[41][42] Lindsborg is the home of:
K-4 highway passes through Lindsborg. Bus service is provided daily towardsWichita andSalina by BeeLine Express (subcontractor ofGreyhound Lines).[45][46]
The railroad depot located in Heritage Square formerly served passenger and freight trains of theUnion Pacific Railroad along a route from Salina to McPherson. The depot was built in 1879 by theKansas Pacific Railway with the first train arriving on July 4, 1879.[47] The depot served multiple daily passenger trains until at least 1929.[48] Thereafter,mixed trains provided service until at least 1959.[49] The depot closed to freight service in 1972 and was relocated to the museum in 1974.[50]
An additional railroad depot servedMissouri Pacific trains between St. Louis and Pueblo. Passenger service on this line ended on April 2, 1966 and the depot was subsequently demolished.[51]
As of 2025, the nearest passenger rail station is located inNewton, whereAmtrak'sSouthwest Chief stops once daily on a route from Chicago to Los Angeles.[52]
Bikeshare opened in Lindsborg on June 30, 2023. KANcycle launched three locations in the city with bikes available through the Movatic app.[53]
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Municipalities and communities ofMcPherson County, Kansas,United States | ||
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