Wellington, Kansas

Wellington is a city in and the county seat of Sumner County, Kansas, United States.[5] As of the 2010 census, the city population was 8,172.[6]

Wellington, Kansas
City and County seat
Sign in Wellington (2006)
Nickname(s): 
"Wheat Capital of the World"
Location within Sumner County and Kansas
KDOT map of Sumner County (legend)
Coordinates: 37°16′2″N 97°24′0″W
CountryUnited States
StateKansas
CountySumner
Founded1870s
Platted1871
Incorporated1872
Named forDuke of Wellington
Government
 • MayorJim Valentine
Area
 • Total8.21 sq mi (21.27 km2)
 • Land7.32 sq mi (18.96 km2)
 • Water0.89 sq mi (2.31 km2)
Elevation
1,230 ft (370 m)
Population
 • Total8,172
 • Estimate 
(2019)[3]
7,662
 • Density1,046.72/sq mi (404.13/km2)
Time zoneUTC-6 (CST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code
67152
Area code620
FIPS code20-76475
GNIS ID0470147 [4]
Websitecityofwellington.net

History

19th century
1915 Railroad Map of Sumner County

Wellington was platted in 1871 and named for the Duke of Wellington.[7] It was designated as the Sumner County seat in 1872, winning out over Sumner City according to the Wellington library. Cattle herders coming up the Chisholm Trail helped to build the early town's economy.[8]

The first post office in Wellington was established in July 1871.[9]

In 1887, the Chicago, Kansas and Nebraska Railway built a north–south branch line from Herington through Wellington to Caldwell.[10] Creditors foreclosed on it 1891 and the railroad was taken over by Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad, which shut down in 1980 and reorganized as Oklahoma, Kansas and Texas Railroad, merged in 1988 with Missouri Pacific Railroad, merged in 1997 with Union Pacific Railroad. Most locals still refer to this railroad as the "Rock Island".

Geography

Wellington is located at 37°15′56.8″N 97°23′52.8″W (37.265777, -97.398001),[11] at an elevation of 1230 feet.[4] According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 8.19 square miles (21.21 km2), of which, 7.61 square miles (19.71 km2) is land and 0.58 square miles (1.50 km2) is water.[12]

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, Wellington has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.[13]

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
18802,094—
18904,391109.7%
19004,245−3.3%
19107,03465.7%
19207,0480.2%
19307,4055.1%
19407,246−2.1%
19507,7476.9%
19608,80913.7%
19708,072−8.4%
19808,2121.7%
19908,4112.4%
20008,6472.8%
20108,172−5.5%
2019 (est.)7,662[3]−6.2%
U.S. Decennial Census[14]

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States Census,[2] there were 8,172 people, 3,246 households, and 2,105 families living in the city. The population density was 1,073.9 inhabitants per square mile (414.6/km2). There were 3,736 housing units at an average density of 490.9 per square mile (189.5/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 91.0% White, 1.7% African American, 1.5% Native American, 0.3% Asian, 2.0% from other races, and 3.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 8.3% of the population.

There were 3,246 households, of which 33.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.0% were married couples living together, 12.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.7% had a male householder with no wife present, and 35.2% were non-families. 30.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 3.03.

The median age in the city was 37.7 years. 27.2% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.3% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 23.2% were from 25 to 44; 26.1% were from 45 to 64; and 16.1% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.7% male and 51.3% female.

2000 census

As of the 2000 United States Census, there were 8,647 people, 3,422 households, and 2,306 families living in the city. The population density was 1,529.6 people per square mile (590.9/km2). There were 3,795 housing units at an average density of 671.3 per square mile (259.3/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 92.36% White, 1.71% African American, 1.24% Native American, 0.29% Asian, 0.10% Pacific Islander, 2.58% from other races, and 1.72% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 7.26% of the population.

There were 3,422 households, out of which 32.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.1% were married couples living together, 9.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.6% were non-families. 29.4% 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 2.47 and the average family size was 3.05.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 27.6% under the age of 18, 9.0% from 18 to 24, 25.6% from 25 to 44, 20.9% 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 93.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.7 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $35,410, and the median income for a family was $43,493. Males had a median income of $34,368 versus $22,254 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,790. About 8.9% of families and 11.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.6% of those under age 18 and 7.3% of those age 65 or over.

Economy

The surrounding region produced large amounts of winter wheat which was the mainstay of the local economy as of 1997. Railroads, petroleum, and aircraft parts manufacturing are other important businesses.[8]

Arts and culture

Area events

Area attractions

Education

The community is served by Wellington USD 353 public school district.

Media

Wellington is also home to the Wellington Daily News.

Notable people
AT&SF Offices (1983)

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. "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  5. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
  6. "2010 City Population and Housing Occupancy Status". U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved March 6, 2011.
  7. Kansas State Historical Society (1916). Biennial Report of the Board of Directors of the Kansas State Historical Society. Kansas State Printing Plant. pp. 304.
  8. Wellington KS on Blue Skyways Archived 2004-09-07 at the Wayback Machine
  9. "Kansas Post Offices, 1828-1961, page 2". Kansas Historical Society. Retrieved 27 June 2014.
  10. Rock Island Rail History
  11. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
  12. "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on 2012-01-25. Retrieved 2012-07-06.
  13. Climate Summary for Wellington, Kansas
  14. United States Census Bureau. "Census of Population and Housing". Retrieved December 23, 2013.
  16. Petersen, Mike (November 1986). "A Brief Look at Walter P. Chrysler". chryslerclub.org. WPC News.
  17. http://www.sumnernewscow.com/1976-wellington-graduate-todd-diacon-named-13th-president-of-kent-state-university/. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  18. "Nixon, John Travis". Louisiana Historical Association. Archived from the original on May 12, 2015. Retrieved April 21, 2015.

Further reading
See also: List of books about State of Kansas (which includes historical information about its counties and cities too)
See also: List of books about Sumner County, Kansas
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