Alma, Kansas

Alma is a city in Wabaunsee County, Kansas, United States.[6] It is also the county seat of Wabaunsee County. In 2020, 802 people lived there.[5]

Brandt Hotel, 400 Missouri Street, Alma, Kansas.jpg
 
Location within Wabaunsee County and Kansas
Location within Wabaunsee County and Kansas
KDOT map of Wabaunsee County (legend)
Coordinates: 39°0′55″N 96°17′14″W / 39.01528°N 96.28722°W / 39.01528; -96.28722Coordinates: 39°0′55″N 96°17′14″W / 39.01528°N 96.28722°W / 39.01528; -96.28722[2]
CountryUnited States
StateKansas
CountyWabaunsee
Founded1867
Incorporated1869[3]
Government
 • TypeMayor–Council
Area
 • Total0.60 sq mi (1.55 km2)
 • Land0.58 sq mi (1.51 km2)
 • Water0.02 sq mi (0.04 km2)
Elevation1,096 ft (334 m)
Population
 • Total802
 • Density1,337/sq mi (517.4/km2)
Time zoneUTC-6 (CST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP codes
66401, 66501
FIPS code20-01350
GNIS ID2393926[2]
Websitecityofalma-kansas.com

History

19th century

 
Missouri Street in Alma (1901)

The first house in Alma was built in 1867.[7]

In 1887, the Chicago, Kansas and Nebraska Railway built a railroad from Topeka through Alma to Herington.[8] The Chicago, Kansas and Nebraska Railway closed in 1891. It was taken over by Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railway, which shut down in 1980. This railroad of the former Rock Island Railroad was sold to the Southern Pacific Railroad. The Southern Pacific Railroad later merged into the Union Pacific. Union Pacific operates and owns the railroad today. Most locals still call this railroad the "Rock Island".

The city was named after either the city of Alma, Germany, or for a stream in Ukraine.[9]

Geography

The United States Census Bureau says that the city has a total area of 0.60 square miles (1.55 km2). Of that, 0.58 square miles (1.51 km2) is land and 0.02 square miles (0.04 km2) is water.[4]

People

Historical populations
Census Pop.
1880362
18901,125210.8%
1900966−14.1%
19101,0104.6%
1920789−21.9%
19308112.8%
1940776−4.3%
1950716−7.7%
196083817.0%
19709058.0%
19809252.2%
1990871−5.8%
2000797−8.5%
20108324.4%
U.S. Decennial Census
 
1915 Railroad Map of Wabaunsee County

Alma is part of the Topeka, Kansas Metropolitan Statistical Area.

2020 census

The 2020 census says that there were 802 people, 324 households, and 199 families living in Alma. Of the households, 79.0% owned their home and 21.0% rented their home.

The median age was 42.4 years. Of the people, 90.6% were White, 0.5% were Asian, 0.2% were Native American, 0.1% were Black, 0.7% were some other race, and 7.7% were two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.2% of the people.[5][10]

2010 census

The 2010 census says that there were 832 people, 342 households, and 212 families living in Alma.[11]

References

  1. "City of Alma, Kansas". City of Alma, Kansas. Archived from the original on July 24, 2012. Retrieved August 17, 2012.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Alma, Kansas
  3. 3.0 3.1 "City of Alma". The League of Kansas Municipalities. May 26, 2019.
  4. 4.0 4.1 "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 12, 2023.
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 "DP1: PROFILE OF GENERAL POPULATION AND HOUSING CHARACTERISTICS". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 12, 2023.
  6. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on 2011-05-31. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
  7. Blackmar, Frank Wilson (1912). Kansas: A Cyclopedia of State History, Embracing Events, Institutions, Industries, Counties, Cities, Towns, Prominent Persons, Etc. Standard Publishing Company. p. 65. ISBN 9780722249055.
  8. "Rock Island Rail History". Archived from the original on 2011-06-19. Retrieved 2011-04-18.
  9. "Profile for Alma, Kansas, KS". ePodunk. Retrieved August 17, 2012.
  10. "P16: HOUSEHOLD TYPE". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 30, 2023.
  11. "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2012-07-06.

Other websites

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