Dexter, Kansas

Dexter is a city in Cowley County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 278.[6]

Dexter, Kansas
City
Location within Cowley County and Kansas
KDOT map of Cowley County (legend)
Coordinates: 37°10′46″N 96°42′58″W
CountryUnited States
StateKansas
CountyCowley
Founded1870
Platted1875
Incorporated1884
Area
 • Total0.28 sq mi (0.72 km2)
 • Land0.28 sq mi (0.72 km2)
 • Water0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation
1,211 ft (369 m)
Population
 • Total278
 • Estimate 
(2019)[3]
274
 • Density989.17/sq mi (381.30/km2)
Time zoneUTC-6 (CST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code
67038
Area code620
FIPS code20-17925 [4]
GNIS ID0469581 [5]

History

The first post office at Dexter was established in July, 1870.[7]

Dexter was platted in 1875.[8] Dexter is named for a trotting horse belonging to Robert Bonner of New York.[9]

Early in the 20th century Dexter became the focus of research that would confirm the existence of an abundance of naturally occurring and readily available helium. In May 1903, a newly drilled natural gas well was found to contain a nonflammable gas. Researchers at the University of Kansas found the “Dexter gas” contained only 15 percent methane and 72 percent nitrogen, causing the gas to be nonflammable. In addition they discovered helium within an “inert residue” in the gas and, after expanding their research to other wells throughout Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma, published a paper in 1907 saying that helium could be extracted from natural gas. Helium did not have any practical applications at the time, but by 1917 the federal government was sponsoring extensive research into the possibility of using helium in airships.

Geography

Dexter is located at 37°10′46″N 96°42′58″W (37.179373, -96.715987).[10] According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 0.29 square miles (0.75 km2), all of it land.[11]

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, Dexter has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.[12]

Area events

Area attractions
  • The "Oh Henry!" Candy Bar was invented by a man named Tom Henry of Arkansas City, whose family now runs a candy factory on route K-15 in Dexter, Kansas called "Henry's Candies". The factory sells "Momma Henry" bars, which are near identical to the original "Oh Henry!" candy bar.
  • Cowley Lake Waterfall

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
1880146—
1890371154.1%
19003802.4%
191051234.7%
1920497−2.9%
1930484−2.6%
1940424−12.4%
1950354−16.5%
1960291−17.8%
1970286−1.7%
198036628.0%
1990320−12.6%
200036413.8%
2010278−23.6%
2019 (est.)274[3]−1.4%
U.S. Decennial Census

2010 census

As of the census[2] of 2010, there were 278 people, 105 households, and 77 families residing in the city. The population density was 958.6 inhabitants per square mile (370.1/km2). There were 128 housing units at an average density of 441.4 per square mile (170.4/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 95.3% White, 3.6% Native American, 0.4% Pacific Islander, and 0.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.7% of the population.

There were 105 households, of which 32.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.1% were married couples living together, 9.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.7% had a male householder with no wife present, and 26.7% were non-families. 23.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.36 and the average family size was 2.78.

The median age in the city was 47.4 years. 20.5% of residents were under the age of 18; 6.8% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 19.8% were from 25 to 44; 27.1% were from 45 to 64; and 25.9% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.8% male and 52.2% female.

2000 census

According to the census[4] of 2000, there were 364 people, 119 households, and 81 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,309.4 people per square mile (501.9/km2). There were 133 housing units at an average density of 478.4 per square mile (183.4/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 92.03% White, 0.27% African American, 5.22% Native American, 0.82% from other races, and 1.65% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.10% of the population.

There were 119 households, out of which 38.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.7% were married couples living together, 5.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.1% were non-families. 25.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.73 and the average family size was 3.43.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 28.0% under the age of 18, 6.3% from 18 to 24, 26.6% from 25 to 44, 20.6% from 45 to 64, and 18.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 87.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.2 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $32,656, and the median income for a family was $39,286. Males had a median income of $25,536 versus $18,125 for females. The per capita income for the city was $12,615. About 14.1% of families and 16.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 23.4% of those under age 18 and 6.9% of those age 65 or over.

Education

The community is served by Dexter USD 471 public school district.

See also

References
  1. "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 24, 2020.
  2. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2012-07-06.
  3. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". United States Census Bureau. May 24, 2020. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
  4. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  5. "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  6. "2010 City Population and Housing Occupancy Status". U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved March 6, 2011.
  7. "Kansas Post Offices, 1828-1961 (archived)". Kansas Historical Society. Archived from the original on October 9, 2013. Retrieved 6 June 2014.
  8. Blackmar, Frank Wilson (1912). Kansas: A Cyclopedia of State History, Embracing Events, Institutions, Industries, Counties, Cities, Towns, Prominent Persons, Etc. Standard Publishing Company. pp. 517.
  9. Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Govt. Print. Off. pp. 105.
  10. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
  11. "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on 2012-07-02. Retrieved 2012-07-06.
  12. Climate Summary for Dexter, Kansas
  13. "Black Dog Trail - History". Archived from the original on 2010-08-06. Retrieved 2010-08-16.
  14. "DEXTER, "In The Flint Hills" KANSAS: BLACK DOG TRAIL..Photo of Chief Blackdog". Retrieved 2012-01-14.
  15. "Full text of "Wah Kon Tah The Osage And White Man S Road"". Retrieved 2012-01-14.
  16. Tillie Karns Newman (1957). HathiTrust Digital Library - The Black Dog Trail. Boston: Christopher Publishing House. Retrieved 2012-01-14.

Further reading
See also: List of books about Cowley County, Kansas
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