Ottawa, Kansas | |
|---|---|
City andCounty seat | |
 Ottawa Historic District (2018) | |
 Location withinFranklin County andKansas | |
 | |
| Coordinates:38°37′22″N95°14′07″W / 38.62278°N 95.23528°W /38.62278; -95.23528[1] | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Kansas |
| County | Franklin |
| Founded | 1865 |
| Incorporated | 1866 |
| Named after | Ottawa Tribe |
| Government | |
| • Type | Council-Manager |
| • Mayor | Emily Allen[2] |
| • City Manager | Richard Nienstedt[3] |
| Area | |
• Total | 10.40 sq mi (26.94 km2) |
| • Land | 10.32 sq mi (26.72 km2) |
| • Water | 0.089 sq mi (0.23 km2) 1.06% |
| Elevation | 925 ft (282 m) |
| Population | |
• Total | 12,625 |
| • Density | 1,224/sq mi (472.5/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (CST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code | 66067 |
| Area code | 785 |
| FIPS code | 20-53550 |
| GNIS ID | 485638[1] |
| Website | ottawaks.gov |
Ottawa (pronounced/ˈɒtəwɑː/) is a city in and thecounty seat ofFranklin County,Kansas, United States.[1] It is located on both banks of theMarais des Cygnes River near the center of Franklin County. As of the2020 census, the population of the city was 12,625.[5][6] It is the home ofOttawa University.
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The name derives from theOttawa tribe of Native Americans, on whose reservation the city was laid out. In the spring of 1864, title to the land was obtained from the tribe through treaty connected to the founding ofOttawa University, the Ottawa having donated 20,000 acres of land to establish and fund a school for the education of Indians and non-Indians alike. The word Ottawa itself means "to trade". In 1867, the Ottawa tribe sold their remaining land in Kansas and moved to Indian Territory in Oklahoma.[7][8]
On the last day of March 1864, J.C. Richmond built the first non-Indian settlement in the new town, at the corner of Walnut and First streets.[9][10]
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Ottawa has a history offlooding because of its location straddling the Marais Des Cygnes river. The area's first recorded flood was theGreat Flood of 1844. In 1928, a flood crested at 38.65 feet and killed six people. Other flood years include 1904, when water crested at 36 feet and ran to a man's shoulders in the Santa Fe depot;[11] 1909, cresting at 36.3 feet (11.1 m); 1915, cresting at 31 feet (9.4 m), and 1944, cresting at 36.5 feet (11.1 m).[citation needed]
However, it is theGreat Flood of 1951 which is the most famous. It was about five inches higher than the 1928 flood. The flood of 1951 affected much of Missouri and Kansas and 41 people died. One-third of Ottawa was covered because of this flood.[12]
It is unlikely Ottawa will suffer major damage due to a flood again thanks to a series of levees and pumping stations built by theU.S. Army Corps of Engineers in the 1960s, which is part of a larger system of flood systems to regulate the Marais Des Cygnes River to theMissouri River. The levees built along the river are inspected on an annual basis to ensure their quality.[citation needed]
In 1943, German and Italian prisoners ofWorld War II were brought to Kansas and other Midwest states to help solve the labor shortage caused by American men serving in the war. Largeinternment camps were established in Kansas:Camp Concordia, Camp Funston (atFort Riley), Camp Phillips (atSalina underFort Riley).Fort Riley established 12 smaller branch camps, including Ottawa.[13][14]
Ottawa straddles theMarais des Cygnes River and is located 58 miles (93 km) southwest ofKansas City at the junction ofU.S. Route 59 andK-68.U.S. Route 50 andInterstate 35 bypass Ottawa to the south and east, whilebusiness US-50 passes through the city.
According to theUnited States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 9.42 square miles (24.40 km2), of which 9.32 square miles (24.14 km2) is land and 0.10 square miles (0.26 km2) is water.[15]
The maximum temperature reaches 90 °F (32 °C) an average of 46.6 days per year and reaches 100 °F (38 °C) an average of 4.9 days per year. The minimum temperature falls below the freezing point (32 °F) an average of 111 days per year.[16]
| Climate data for Ottawa, Kansas (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1895–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) | 96 (36) | 101 (38) | 108 (42) | 118 (48) | 113 (45) | 111 (44) | 98 (37) | 86 (30) | 75 (24) | 118 (48) |
| Mean maximum °F (°C) | 64.2 (17.9) | 69.9 (21.1) | 78.2 (25.7) | 84.2 (29.0) | 89.5 (31.9) | 93.9 (34.4) | 99.1 (37.3) | 99.0 (37.2) | 93.9 (34.4) | 86.3 (30.2) | 74.2 (23.4) | 65.3 (18.5) | 100.7 (38.2) |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 39.9 (4.4) | 45.5 (7.5) | 56.0 (13.3) | 65.9 (18.8) | 75.2 (24.0) | 84.4 (29.1) | 89.3 (31.8) | 88.2 (31.2) | 80.3 (26.8) | 68.7 (20.4) | 54.8 (12.7) | 43.4 (6.3) | 66.0 (18.9) |
| Daily mean °F (°C) | 29.0 (−1.7) | 33.8 (1.0) | 43.7 (6.5) | 53.7 (12.1) | 64.3 (17.9) | 73.8 (23.2) | 78.4 (25.8) | 76.6 (24.8) | 68.2 (20.1) | 56.3 (13.5) | 43.2 (6.2) | 32.9 (0.5) | 54.5 (12.5) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 18.2 (−7.7) | 22.0 (−5.6) | 31.5 (−0.3) | 41.6 (5.3) | 53.3 (11.8) | 63.2 (17.3) | 67.6 (19.8) | 65.0 (18.3) | 56.0 (13.3) | 43.8 (6.6) | 31.7 (−0.2) | 22.4 (−5.3) | 43.0 (6.1) |
| Mean minimum °F (°C) | −0.2 (−17.9) | 5.9 (−14.5) | 15.4 (−9.2) | 27.8 (−2.3) | 38.5 (3.6) | 51.9 (11.1) | 58.2 (14.6) | 55.3 (12.9) | 41.0 (5.0) | 28.2 (−2.1) | 17.6 (−8.0) | 6.1 (−14.4) | −4.3 (−20.2) |
| Record low °F (°C) | −20 (−29) | −28 (−33) | −9 (−23) | 11 (−12) | 21 (−6) | 40 (4) | 47 (8) | 42 (6) | 27 (−3) | 16 (−9) | 1 (−17) | −22 (−30) | −28 (−33) |
| Averageprecipitation inches (mm) | 1.22 (31) | 1.57 (40) | 2.29 (58) | 3.79 (96) | 5.82 (148) | 5.55 (141) | 3.75 (95) | 4.63 (118) | 4.05 (103) | 3.08 (78) | 2.39 (61) | 1.71 (43) | 39.85 (1,012) |
| Average snowfall inches (cm) | 3.2 (8.1) | 2.1 (5.3) | 0.7 (1.8) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.1 (0.25) | 0.5 (1.3) | 2.6 (6.6) | 9.2 (23) |
| Average precipitation days(≥ 0.01 in) | 6.5 | 6.4 | 8.1 | 10.2 | 12.6 | 10.3 | 8.8 | 9.3 | 8.2 | 8.7 | 6.5 | 6.2 | 101.8 |
| Average snowy days(≥ 0.1 in) | 2.8 | 1.7 | 0.6 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.1 | 0.5 | 1.9 | 7.6 |
| Source:NOAA[17][16] | |||||||||||||
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1870 | 2,941 | — | |
| 1880 | 4,032 | 37.1% | |
| 1890 | 6,248 | 55.0% | |
| 1900 | 6,934 | 11.0% | |
| 1910 | 7,650 | 10.3% | |
| 1920 | 9,018 | 17.9% | |
| 1930 | 9,563 | 6.0% | |
| 1940 | 10,193 | 6.6% | |
| 1950 | 10,081 | −1.1% | |
| 1960 | 10,673 | 5.9% | |
| 1970 | 11,036 | 3.4% | |
| 1980 | 11,016 | −0.2% | |
| 1990 | 10,667 | −3.2% | |
| 2000 | 11,921 | 11.8% | |
| 2010 | 12,649 | 6.1% | |
| 2020 | 12,625 | −0.2% | |
| 2023 (est.) | 12,686 | [18] | 0.5% |
| U.S. Decennial Census 2010-2020[6] | |||
The2020 United States census counted 12,625 people, 5,095 households, and 3,095 families in Ottawa.[19][20] The population density was 1,223.2 per square mile (472.3/km2). There were 5,558 housing units at an average density of 538.5 per square mile (207.9/km2).[20][21] The racial makeup was 86.53% (10,924)white orEuropean American (84.67%non-Hispanic white), 2.0% (252)black orAfrican-American, 1.01% (127)Native American orAlaska Native, 0.42% (53)Asian, 0.05% (6)Pacific Islander orNative Hawaiian, 2.24% (283) fromother races, and 7.76% (980) fromtwo or more races.[22]Hispanic orLatino of any race was 6.03% (761) of the population.[23]
Of the 5,095 households, 30.4% had children under the age of 18; 41.8% were married couples living together; 29.5% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. 32.6% of households consisted of individuals and 14.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[20] The average household size was 2.4 and the average family size was 3.0.[24] The percent of those with a bachelor's degree or higher was estimated to be 14.8% of the population.[25]
23.5% of the population was under the age of 18, 11.6% from 18 to 24, 25.4% from 25 to 44, 23.0% from 45 to 64, and 16.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36.1 years. For every 100 females, there were 102.6 males.[20] For every 100 females ages 18 and older, there were 103.0 males.[20]
The 2016-2020 5-yearAmerican Community Survey estimates show that the median household income was $47,233 (with a margin of error of +/- $4,697) and the median family income was $62,633 (+/- $8,998).[26] Males had a median income of $40,405 (+/- $4,108) versus $28,600 (+/- $4,719) for females. The median income for those above 16 years old was $32,282 (+/- $2,999).[27] Approximately, 9.5% of families and 14.9% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 18.4% of those under the age of 18 and 18.8% of those ages 65 or over.[28][29]
As of thecensus[30] of 2010, there were 12,649 people, 4,998 households, and 3,127 families living in the city.[31] Thepopulation density was 1,357.2 inhabitants per square mile (524.0/km2). There were 5,518 housing units at an average density of 592.1 per square mile (228.6/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 91.0%White, 2.2%African American, 0.9%Native American, 0.4%Asian, 1.6% fromother races, and 3.9% from two or more races.Hispanic orLatino of any race were 5.0% of the population.
There were 4,998 households, of which 34.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.6% weremarried couples living together, 12.8% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.1% had a male householder with no wife present, and 37.4% were non-families. 31.5% 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 2.45 and the average family size was 3.08.
The median age in the city was 33.2 years. 27% of residents were under the age of 18; 11.5% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 25.5% were from 25 to 44; 22.9% were from 45 to 64; and 13.2% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.5% male and 51.5% female.
As of theU.S. Census in 2000,[32] there were 11,921 people, 4,697 households, and 3,034 families living in the city. The population density was 1,781.0 inhabitants per square mile (687.6/km2). There were 5,080 housing units at an average density of 759.0 per square mile (293.1/km2). Theracial makeup of the city was 92.77%White, 2.31%Black orAfrican American, 1.22%Native American orAlaska Native, 0.53%Asian, 0.01%Pacific Islander, 1.31% from other races, and 1.86% fromtwo or more races.Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.16% of the population.
There were 4,697 households, out of which 33.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.1% weremarried couples living together, 10.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.4% were non-families. 30.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 3.00.
In the city, the population was spread out, with 26.6% under the age of 18, 11.5% from 18 to 24, 27.7% from 25 to 44, 18.3% from 45 to 64, and 15.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.0 males.
Themedian income for a household in the city was $34,071, and the median income for a family was $41,710. Males had a median income of $30,050 versus $22,891 for females. Theper capita income for the city was $16,840. About 6.8% of families and 9.0% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 10.0% of those under age 18 and 8.1% of those age 65 or over.
Ottawa's two major employers areWalmart andAmerican Eagle Outfitters, who both maintaindistribution centers in the city. Ottawa has freight rail service fromBNSF railway. There is also agrain elevator operated by the Ottawa Co-Op. The city operates theOttawa Municipal Airport, a smallGeneral Aviation airport four miles south of the city.
Ottawa was governed by a Mayor-Council system until 1913 when the City became a Commission form of government. In 1970 voters established the City Manager form of government with a five-member Commission that annually selects a Mayor from its ranks.[2][3] The citizens of Ottawa elect commissioners at-large. Three seats on the Commission are open every odd numbered year. Two Commissioners are elected to four-year terms and one is elected to a two-year term.[33]
The private four year university,Ottawa University, is within Ottawa, and Ottawa is also home to a branch campus ofNeosho County Community College.
The community is served byOttawa USD 290 public school district, which has five schools:
Ottawa has several private schools.
There is one publication which serves the city of Ottawa, theOttawa Herald, which was founded in 1869. It is owned byGateHouse Media.[34]A monthly publication for seniors also serves Ottawa:
Ottawa has four radio stations, one AM and three FM.KOFO broadcasts on 1220 with the taglineYour News source forEast-Central Kansas. KOFO airs country music from across the decades, and specializes in local news.KCHZ 95.7 FM is licensed to Ottawa (and was, at one time, owned by KOFO); its studios are inMission, Kansas.
Downtown Ottawa is home tothe Plaza Grill and Cinema (formerly the Crystal Plaza and Bijou Theater) which, in 2013, was discovered to be the oldest operating cinema in America. Plans for an exhibit are in the works.[35]
AdventHealth Ottawa is the only hospital.[36]
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
Municipalities and communities ofFranklin County, Kansas,United States | ||
|---|---|---|
| Cities |  | |
| CDP | ||
| Unincorporated communities | ||
| Ghost towns | ||
| Townships | ||
| Footnotes | †This community is designated aCensus-Designated Place (CDP) by theUnited States Census Bureau. | |
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Geographic | |
| Other | |
