Scott City, Kansas

For millennia, the Great Plains of North America were inhabited by nomadic Native Americans. From the 16th to 18th centuries, the Kingdom of France claimed ownership of large parts of North America. In 1762, after the French and Indian War, France secretly ceded New France to Spain, by the Treaty of Fontainebleau.

In 1802, Spain returned most of the land to France, keeping title to about 7,500 square miles. In 1803, most of the land for modern day Kansas was acquired by the United States from France as part of the 828,000 square mile Louisiana Purchase. In 1854, the Kansas Territory was organized under the provisions of the Kansas–Nebraska Act, then in 1861 Kansas became the 34th U.S. state. In 1873, Scott County was established, which included the land for modern day Scott City.

Scott City was founded in 1885.[6][7] Like Scott County, the city is named in recognition of a United States General, Winfield Scott.[8] In October 1884, two women from Chicago, Illinois claimed the land that Scott City is on and built a cabin. The following February, two men from Chicago came to the cabin and settled. Soon after, many people started arriving in the county and Scott City was then founded in 1885. Before being founded, Mrs. M.E. De Geer, one of the women that came from Chicago, started a newspaper called the Western Times in March 1885. The county then started to fill rapidly.

Scott County was legally instituted in 1873 by an act of legislature. At this time it was named in honor of General Winfield Scott. Since it was such a small town with a small population, there was no need for a local government. Therefore, it was connected to Ford County for judicial matters.[9]

According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Scott City has a semi-arid climate, abbreviated "BSk" on climate maps.[11] The average temperature is 52.4 °F (11.34 °C) and has an average rain fall of 20.16 inches a year. The average snow fall for a year is 23 in. (.58 m).

As of the census[3] of 2010, there were 3,816 people, 1,583 households, and 1,029 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,451.0 inhabitants per square mile (560.2/km²). There were 1,710 housing units at an average density of 650.2 per square mile (251.0/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 89.4% White, 0.4% African American, 0.5% Native American, 0.5% Asian, 7.8% from other races, and 1.4% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 17.3% of the population.

There were 1,583 households, of which 29.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.0% were married couples living together, 6.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.7% had a male householder with no wife present, and 35.0% were non-families. 30.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.34 and the average family size was 2.93.

The median age in the city was 42 years. 24% of residents were under the age of 18; 7% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 22.4% were from 25 to 44; 27% were from 45 to 64; and 19.7% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 49.8% male and 50.2% female.

As of the census of 2000,[12] there were 3,855 people, 1,595 households, and 1,060 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,780.7 people per square mile (689.1/km²). There were 1,761 housing units at an average density of 813.5 per square mile (314.8/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 95.18% White, 0.13% African American, 0.49% Native American, 0.16% Asian, 2.88% from other races, and 1.17% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 7.26% of the population.

There were 1,595 households, out of which 31.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.6% were married couples living together, 7.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.5% were non-families. 30.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.4% 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 2.96.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 26.0% under the age of 18, 6.5% from 18 to 24, 25.1% from 25 to 44, 23.8% from 45 to 64, and 18.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.5 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $36,047 and the median income for a family was $48,750. Males had a median income of $32,287 versus $19,900 for females. The per capita income for the city was $19,227. About 2.8% of families and 6.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.5% of those under age 18 and 9.8% of those age 65 or over.

K-96 and US-83 highways intersect the city.

The Scott City Airport is a rapidly growing mode of transportation in Scott County. In 2009, the runway was repaved and now measures 75 ft x 5002 ft. The airport is publicly owned and located on the SE side of Scott City.[24]