Independence, Kansas

Independence is a city in and the county seat of Montgomery County, Kansas, United States.[4] In 2020, the 8,548 people lived there.[3] It was named after the Declaration of Independence.[5]

Memorial Hall, Independence, KS.jpg
Location within Montgomery County and Kansas
Location within Montgomery County and Kansas
KDOT map of Montgomery County (legend)
Coordinates: 37°13′32″N 95°43′10″W / 37.22556°N 95.71944°W / 37.22556; -95.71944Coordinates: 37°13′32″N 95°43′10″W / 37.22556°N 95.71944°W / 37.22556; -95.71944[1]
CountryUnited States
StateKansas
CountyMontgomery
Founded1869 (Colfax)
Incorporated1870
Named forUnited States Declaration of Independence
Government
 • TypeCommission/City Manager
Area
 • Total7.67 sq mi (19.88 km2)
 • Land7.67 sq mi (19.86 km2)
 • Water0.01 sq mi (0.01 km2)
Elevation778 ft (237 m)
Population
 • Total8,548
 • Density1,114.5/sq mi (429.98/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (CST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
ZIP Code
67301
FIPS code20-33875
GNIS ID485598[1]
Websiteindependenceks.gov

Geography

Independence is along the Verdigris River. It is just south of its confluence with the Elk River. The United States Census Bureau says that the city has a total area of 7.67 square miles (19.87 km2). Of that, 7.67 square miles (19.87 km2) is land and 0.01 square miles (0.03 km2) is water.[2]

Climate

Independence has a humid subtropical climate (Köppen Cfa). It has hot and humid summers, and it has cold winters.

Climate data for Independence, Kansas
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °F (°C) 78
(25.6)
88
(31.1)
98
(36.7)
101
(38.3)
102
(38.9)
109
(42.8)
115
(46.1)
116
(46.7)
111
(43.9)
99
(37.2)
88
(31.1)
78
(25.6)
116
(-17.8)
Average high °F (°C) 45
(7.2)
50
(10)
60
(15.6)
70
(21.1)
77
(25)
85
(29.4)
91
(32.8)
91
(32.8)
83
(28.3)
72
(22.2)
59
(15)
46
(7.8)
69.1
(20.6)
Average low °F (°C) 22
(-5.6)
26
(-3.3)
35
(1.7)
45
(7.2)
56
(13.3)
65
(18.3)
69
(20.6)
68
(20)
59
(15)
47
(8.3)
35
(1.7)
25
(-3.9)
46
(7.78)
Record low °F (°C) -19
(-28.3)
-23
(-30.6)
-5
(-20.6)
15
(-9.4)
28
(-2.2)
42
(5.6)
46
(7.8)
43
(6.1)
29
(-1.7)
16
(-8.9)
5
(-15)
-16
(-26.7)
-23
(-17.8)
Precipitation inches (mm) 1.52
(38.6)
1.94
(49.3)
3.47
(88.1)
4.15
(105.4)
6.51
(165.4)
6.34
(161)
3.77
(95.8)
3.63
(92.2)
4.47
(113.5)
4.31
(109.5)
2.58
(65.5)
2.44
(62)
45.13
(1,146.3)
Source: weather.com[6]

People

Historical populations
Census Pop.
1870435
18802,915570.1%
18903,1277.3%
19004,85155.1%
191010,480116.0%
192011,92013.7%
193012,7827.2%
194011,565−9.5%
195011,335−2.0%
196011,222−1.0%
197010,347−7.8%
198010,5982.4%
19909,942−6.2%
20009,846−1.0%
20109,483−3.7%
U.S. Decennial Census[7]
2010-2020[3]

2020 census

The 2020 census says that there were 8,548 people, 3,627 households, and 2,088 families living in Independence. Of the households, 61.6% owned their home and 38.4% rented their home.

The median age was 38.9 years. Of the people, 79.1% were White, 5.5% were Black, 1.7% were Native American, 0.9% were Asian, 2.6% were from some other race, and 10.2% were two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 8.2% of the people.[8][9]

2010 census

The 2010 census[10] says that there were 9,483 people, 3,950 households, and 2,430 families living in Independence.

Education

 
Independence Public Library, funded by Andrew Carnegie

Primary and secondary education

  • Independence High School, grades 9–12
  • Independence Middle School, grades 6–8
  • Jefferson Elementary School, grades 3–5
  • Eisenhower Elementary School, grades Pre-K–2
  • Zion Lutheran School, grades Pre-K–8
  • St. Andrews School, grades Pre-K–8
  • Independence Bible School, grades Pre-K–12
  • Tri-County Education Co-operative, special education, all grades

Community college

The Independence Community College (ICC) main campus is two miles south of Independence. ICC West Campus is one mile west of downtown. Each semester, over 1000 students go to ICC.[11]

Independence, Kansas Media

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Independence, Kansas
  2. 2.0 2.1 "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 30, 2023.
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 "QuickFacts: Independence city, Kansas". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 30, 2023.
  4. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
  5. Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Govt. Print. Off. p. 165.
  6. "Monthly Averages for Independence, Kansas". Weather.com. The Weather Channel. Retrieved August 15, 2013.
  7. United States Census Bureau. "Census of Population and Housing". Retrieved November 29, 2014.
  8. "DP1: PROFILE OF GENERAL POPULATION AND HOUSING CHARACTERISTICS". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 30, 2023.
  9. "P16: HOUSEHOLD TYPE". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 31, 2023.
  10. "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2012-07-06.
  11. "Kansas Higher Education Statistics". Retrieved 2019-05-16.

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