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Wichita, Kansas

"Wichita" redirects here. For other uses, see Wichita (disambiguation).

Wichita is the largest city in the U.S. State of Kansas. It is the county seat of Sedgwick County. It is the 51st most populous city in the United States.[5] In 2020, 397,532 people lived there.[6] Wichita is the main city of the Wichita metropolitan area; it had an estimated 652,939 people living there in 2023.[7] It is in Sedgwick County, which is in the south-central part of the state.

City and county seat
Wichita-ks.jpg
Sedgwick county kansas courthouse 2009.jpg
Eck Stadium Tyler Field.JPG
B. H. Campbell House.JPG
Clockwise from top: Downtown skyline, Eck Stadium, The Keeper of the Plains sculpture, Campbell Castle in Wichita's Riverside neighborhood, Old Sedgwick County Courthouse.
Flag of
Flag
 
Coordinates: 37°41′20″N 97°20′10″W / 37.68889°N 97.33611°W / 37.68889; -97.33611Coordinates: 37°41′20″N 97°20′10″W / 37.68889°N 97.33611°W / 37.68889; -97.33611[2]
CountryUnited States
StateKansas
CountySedgwick
Founded1868
Incorporated1870
Named forWichita people
Government
 • TypeCouncil-Manager
 • MayorLily Wu (L)
 • City ManagerRobert Layton
Area
[3]
 • Total166.52 sq mi (431.29 km2)
 • Land161.99 sq mi (419.55 km2)
 • Water4.53 sq mi (11.74 km2)
Elevation
[2]
1,302 ft (397 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total397,532
 • Density2,387.29/sq mi (921.728/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (CST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
ZIP Codes
67201–67221, 67223, 67226–67228, 67230, 67232, 67235, 67260, 67275–67278[4]
FIPS code20-79000[2]
GNIS ID473862[2]
Major airportWichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport
Interstate highwaysI-35 (KS).svgI-135.svg
Public transportationWichita Transit
Websitewichita.gov

Many parts of airplanes are made in Wichita. Wichita State University is in the city.

History

See also: History of Kansas

Archaeological evidence says that people have lived near the confluence of the Arkansas and Little Arkansas Rivers (where Wichita is) since 3000 B.C.[8] In 1541, a Spanish trip led by explorer Francisco Vázquez de Coronado found the area populated by the Quivira (or Wichita) people. Fighting with the Osage in the 1750s forced the Wichita people further south.[9] Before Americans came to live in the region, the area was part of the territory of the Kiowa people.[10] The area was part of France as part of Louisiana. It was later bought by the United States with the Louisiana Purchase in 1803. It became part of Kansas Territory in 1854. It became part of the state of Kansas in 1861.[11][12]

The Wichita came back in 1863. They came back because they were forced to leave their land in Indian Territory by Confederate forces in the American Civil War. The Wichita people created a settlement on the banks of the Little Arkansas River.[13][14][15]

In 1868, trader James R. Mead created another trading post in the area. Surveyor Darius Munger built a house to use as a hotel, community center, and post office.[16][17]

Geography

Downtown Wichita viewed from the west bank of the Arkansas River (2010)

Downtown Wichita is at 37°41′20″N 97°20′10″W / 37.68889°N 97.33611°W / 37.68889; -97.33611 (37.688888, −97.336111). It has an elevation of 1,299 feet (396 m).[2] Wichita is in south-central Kansas. It is at the junction of Interstate 35 and U.S. Route 54.[18] It is part of the Midwestern United States. It is 157 mi (253 km) north of Oklahoma City, 181 mi (291 km) southwest of Kansas City, and 439 mi (707 km) east-southeast of Denver.[19]

The city is on the Arkansas River. It is near the western edge of the Flint Hills. It is in the Wellington-McPherson Lowlands region of the Great Plains.[20]

The United States Census Bureau says that the city has a total area of 163.59 sq mi (423.70 km2). Of that, 159.29 sq mi (412.56 km2) is land and 4.30 sq mi (11.14 km2) is water.[21]

Climate

Downtown Wichita during a winter snowfall (2007)

Wichita is in North America's humid subtropical climate area (Köppen Cfa). Wichita usually has hot, humid summers and cold, dry winters.[22]

The average temperature in the city is 56.9 °F (13.8 °C).[23]

People

Historical populations
Census Pop. %±
1870689
—
18804,911612.8%
189023,853385.7%
190024,6713.4%
191052,450112.6%
192072,21737.7%
1930111,11053.9%
1940114,9663.5%
1950168,27946.4%
1960254,69851.4%
1970276,5548.6%
1980279,2721.0%
1990304,0118.9%
2000344,28413.2%
2010382,36811.1%
U.S. Decennial Census[27]

Wichita is the biggest city in Kansas, and it is the 51st largest city in the United States.[5] It is racially more similar to the rest of the United States than any other major city.[28]

2020 census

The 2020 census says that there were 397,532 people, 158,851 households, and 96,134 families living in Wichita. Of the households, 57.5% owned their home and 42.5% rented their home.

The median age was 35.7 years. Of the people, 63.4% were White, 11.0% were Black, 5.1% were Asian, 1.3% were Native American, 0.1% were Pacific Islanders, 7.4% were from some other race, and 11.7% were two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 18.3% of the people.[29][30]

2010 census

The 2010 census says that there were 382,368 people, 151,818 households, and 94,862 families living in Wichita.[31]

Metropolitan Area

Wichita is the main city of both the Wichita Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) and the Wichita-Arkansas City-Winfield Combined Statistical Area (CSA).[32] The Wichita MSA includes Sedgwick County, Butler County, Harvey County, and Sumner County. In 2023, 652,939 people lived there. This would make it the 90th largest metropolitan area in the United States.[7]

Economy

Boeing plant in Wichita (2010). Boeing was once the biggest employer in Wichita (as per a 2005 analysis), and aviation remains the city's largest industry.

Famous restaurants such as White Castle and Pizza Hut were created in Wichita.[33][34]

Wichita's biggest industrial sector is manufacturing. Manufacturing was 21.6 percent of the employment in 2003. Aircraft manufacturing has been the main part of the local economy for a long time. It is so important, that can influence the economic health of the entire region. Kansas gives tax breaks and other incentives to aircraft manufacturers.[35]

Healthcare is Wichita's second-biggest industry. It employs about 28,000 people in the area. Since healthcare needs remain fairly consistent regardless of the economy, this field was not subject to the same pressures that affected other industries in the early 2000s. The Kansas Spine Hospital opened in 2004. A critical care tower at Wesley Medical Center also opened in 2004.[36] In July 2010, Via Christi Health, which is the largest provider of healthcare services in Kansas, opened a hospital that will serve the northwest area of Wichita. Via Christi Hospital on St. Teresa is the system's fifth hospital to serve the Wichita community.[37]

Koch Industries and Cargill, the two largest privately held companies in the United States,[38] both have headquarters in Wichita.

Culture

Arts

Wichita is a cultural center for Kansas. It has several art museums and performing arts groups. The Wichita Art Museum is the biggest art museum in Kansas. It has over 7,000 works of art.[39] The Ulrich Museum of Art at Wichita State University is a modern and contemporary art museum. It has over 6,300 works of art.[40]

Music

Music Theatre Wichita, Wichita Grand Opera,[41] and the Wichita Symphony Orchestra perform often at the Century II Convention Hall. It is downtown. Concerts happen often by the schools of music at Wichita's two biggest universities.[41][42]

Sports

Wichita has several professional, semi-professional, non-professional, and collegiate sports teams. Professional teams include the Wichita Thunder ice hockey team, the Wichita Force indoor football team, and the Wichita Wind Surge Minor League Baseball team.[43] The city hosts the Air Capital Classic. It is a professional golf tournament of the Web.com Tour. It was first played in 1990.

Professional

Team League Sport
Wichita Thunder ECHL Ice hockey
Wichita Force CIF Indoor football
Wichita Wind Surge PCL Baseball

College

School School
Nickname		 Level # of
Teams
Wichita State University Shockers NCAA Division I 15
Newman University Jets NCAA Division II 16
Friends University Falcons NAIA 15

Government

Wichita City Hall (2018)

According to Kansas law, Wichita is a city of the first class.[44] Since 1917, it has had a council-manager form of government.[45]

Wichita is in Kansas's 4th U.S. Congressional District. For the Kansas Legislature, Wichita is in the 16th, 25th–32nd districts of the Kansas Senate. It is in the 81st, 83rd–101st, 103rd, and 105th districts of the Kansas House of Representatives.[44]

Education

Wichita High School East (2012)

Primary and secondary education

Wichita Public Schools (US$259) is the largest school district in Kansas. It has over 50,000 students.[46] It has more than 90 schools in Wichita. It includes 10 high schools, 16 middle schools, 61 elementary schools, and more than a dozen special schools and programs.[47]

There are more than 35 private schools in Wichita.[48]

Colleges and universities

Three universities are in Wichita. The biggest is Wichita State University (WSU). WSU has more than 14,000 students. It is the third-biggest university in Kansas.[49][50] WSU's main campus is in northeast Wichita. They have other campuses around the Wichita area.[51] Friends University is a private Christian university. It has its main campus in west Wichita. Newman University is a private Catholic university. It is also in west Wichita.[52][53]

Libraries

The Wichita Public Library is Wichita's library system. It has a main facility. It is called the Advanced Learning Library, and it is in Delano. It also has six locations in other neighborhoods around Wichita.[54] The library has several free programs for the public. It includes special events, technology training classes, and programs specifically for adults, children, and families.[55] In 2009, it had more than 1.3 million books and 2.2 million items total.[56]

Media

The Wichita Eagle is Wichita's major daily newspaper. It started in 1872.[57] The Wichita Business Journal is a weekly newspaper that covers local business events and developments.[58] Several other newspapers and magazines, many of which focus on something specific, are also published in Wichita.[59] These include: The Community Voice, a weekly African American community newspaper;[60] El Perico, a monthly Hispanic community newspaper;[61][62] The Liberty Press, monthly LGBT news;[63] Splurge!, a monthly local fashion and lifestyle magazine;[64] The Sunflower, the Wichita State University student newspaper.[65]

The Wichita radio market includes Sedgwick County, Butler County, and Harvey County.[66] Six AM radio stations and many FM radio stations are in Wichita.[67]

Wichita is the main city of the Wichita-Hutchinson, Kansas television market. That market covers the western two-thirds of Kansas.[68] All of the market's network affiliates broadcast from Wichita. The ABC, CBS, CW, FOX and NBC affiliates serve the wider market through networks of other stations.[69][70][71][72][73][74] The city also hosts a PBS member station, a Univision affiliate, and several low-power stations.[75][76]

Infrastructure

Flood control

Wichita has had bad floods of the Arkansas River in 1877, 1904, 1916, 1923, 1944, 1951 and 1955. In 1944, Wichita flooded 3 times in 11 days.[77] Because of the 1944 flood, Wichita built the Wichita-Valley Center Floodway in 1958. It makes the water go around Wichita.[78][79]

Utilities

Westar Energy gives electricity.[80] Cox Communications and Spectrum offer cable television. AT&T U-Verse offers IPTV.[81] Those three companies also offer home telephone and broadband internet service.[82] Kansas Gas Service provides natural gas.[83]

Transportation

Bus

Wichita Transit has 53 buses. There are 18 bus routes in Wichita. They say there are over 2 million trips per year (5,400 trips per day) on its routes. Wichita Transit also has a paratransit service. It has 320,800 passenger trips every year.[84]

Air

The Wichita Airport Authority manages the city's two main public airports. The airports are Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport and Colonel James Jabara Airport.[85] Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport is in western Wichita. It is the city's main airport. It is also the biggest airport in Kansas.[78][85]

Railroad

Two Class I railroads, BNSF Railway and Union Pacific Railroad (UP), operate freight rail lines through Wichita.[86] The closest Amtrak station is in Newton. It is 25 miles (40 km) north. Amtrak offers service on the Southwest Chief line between Los Angeles and Chicago.[86]

Wichita has not had passenger rail service since 1979.[87]

Sister cities

Wichita, Kansas Media

  • Darius Sales Munger House, built in 1868, is the oldest surviving building in Wichita (at Old Cowtown Museum).

  • A 1915 railroad map of Sedgwick County, showing many railroads that previously passed through Wichita

  • Boeing B-29 assembly line (1944)

  • The original Pizza Hut building, which was moved to the campus of Wichita State University (2004)

  • Monthly Climate Normals (1991-2020) - Wichita Area, KS(ThreadEx)

  • Downtown Wichita & Century II Convention Center along the Arkansas River

  • Beechcraft Starship were built in Wichita from 1983 to 1995.

Notes

  1. ↑ Mean monthly maxima and minima (i.e. the expected highest and lowest temperature readings at any point during the year or given month) calculated based on data at said location from 1981 to 2010.
  2. ↑ Official records for Wichita have been kept at various locations in and around the city from July 1888 to November 1953 and at the Mid-Continent Airport since December 1953. For more information, see Threadex

References

  1. ↑ Travel Translator: Your guide to the local language in Wichita (September 18, 2017)VisitWichita.com.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) details for Wichita, Kansas; United States Geological Survey (USGS); October 13, 1978.
  3. ↑ 2020 U.S. Gazetteer FilesUnited States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 21, 2024.
  4. ↑ United States Postal Service. USPS - Look Up a ZIP Code (2012). Retrieved February 15, 2012.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 City and Town Population Totals: 2020–2023United States Census Bureau, Population Division. Retrieved May 16, 2024.
  6. ↑ U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Wichita city, Kansas; KansasU.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved November 11, 2021.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Metropolitan and Micropolitan Statistical Areas Population Totals: 2020-2023 (March 14, 2024)United States Census Bureau, Population Division. Retrieved March 15, 2024.
  8. ↑ Grove Park Archaeological SiteHistoric Preservation Alliance of Wichita and Sedgwick County. Retrieved 2015-03-21.
  9. ↑ Brooks, Robert L.. WichitasUniversity of Nebraska–Lincoln. Retrieved 2014-03-21.
  10. ↑ Sturtevant, William C.. Early Indian Tribes, Culture Areas, and Linguistic Stocks [Map] (1967)Smithsonian Institution. Retrieved 2015-03-21.
  11. ↑ Louisiana Purchase. KansapediaKansas Historical Society. Retrieved 2015-03-21.
  12. ↑ Kansas Territory. KansapediaKansas Historical Society. Retrieved March 21, 2015.
  13. ↑ Days of Darkness: 1820-1934Wichita and Affiliated Tribes. Retrieved 2019-04-30.
  14. ↑ Sowers, Fred A.. Early History of Wichita. History of Wichita and Sedgwick County, Kansas (1910). Chicago: C.F. Cooper & Co.. Retrieved 2015-03-21.[dead link]
  15. ↑ Elam, Earl H.. Wichita Indians (June 15, 2010)Texas State Historical Association.
  16. ↑ History of WichitaWichita Metro Chamber of Commerce. Retrieved 2015-03-21.
  17. ↑ Midtown Neighborhood Plan (2004)Wichita-Sedgwick County Metropolitan Area Planning Department. Retrieved 2015-03-21.
  18. ↑ 2003-2004 Official Transportation Map (2003)Kansas Department of Transportation. Retrieved 2011-01-01.
  19. ↑ City Distance ToolGeobytes. Retrieved 2011-01-01.
  20. ↑ Ecoregions of Nebraska and Kansas (2001)Environmental Protection Agency. Retrieved 2011-01-01.[dead link]
  21. ↑ US Gazetteer files 2010United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2012-07-06.
  22. ↑ Peel, M. C.. Updated Köppen-Geiger climate classification map. Hydrology and Earth System Sciences (4) (March 1, 2007). p. 439–473. Retrieved 2012-01-25.
  23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 NOWData - NOAA Online Weather DataNational Weather Service Forecast Office - Wichita, KS. Retrieved 2018-09-06.
  24. ↑ WMO Climate Normals for WICHITA/MID-CONTINENT ARPT KS 1961–1990National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved March 11, 2014.
  25. ↑ Average weather for Wichita, KSThe Weather Channel. Retrieved 2012-01-25.
  26. ↑ Wichita, Kansas, USA - Monthly weather forecast and Climate dataWeather Atlas. Retrieved 3 July 2019.
  27. ↑ United States Census Bureau. Census of Population and Housing. Retrieved August 18, 2014.
  28. ↑ Race and Ethnicity in the United States - Statistical Atlas. statisticalatlas.com.
  29. ↑ DP1: PROFILE OF GENERAL POPULATION AND HOUSING CHARACTERISTICSUnited States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 8, 2023.
  30. ↑ P16: HOUSEHOLD TYPEUnited States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 2, 2024.
  31. ↑ American FactFinder 2United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 12, 2011.
  32. ↑ OMB Bulletin No. 23-01: Revised Delineations of Metropolitan Statistical Areas, Micropolitan Statistical Areas, and Combined Statistical Areas, and Guidance on Uses of the Delineations of These Areas. United States Office of Management and Budget (July 21, 2023). Retrieved July 26, 2023.
  33. ↑ The White Castle Story: The Birth of Fast Food & the Burger Revolution (14 July 2015).[dead link]
  34. ↑ The History of Pizza Hut « About Pizza Hut « Pizza Hut. Retrieved 2019-07-17.
  35. ↑ Hawker Beechcraft secures $40 million incentive package to remain in Wichita. Retrieved 2011-01-02.
  36. ↑ Wichita Chamber of CommerceWichitakansas.org. Retrieved 2013-07-15.
  37. ↑ "Hospital ready for visitors" Archived 2010-07-23 at the Wayback Machine, Wichita Eagle and Kansas.com, July 18, 2010.
  38. ↑ "Forbes article". Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/lists/2010/21/private-companies-10_rank.html. 
  39. ↑ Wichita Art Museum Visitor InformationWichitaartmuseum.org. Retrieved 2009-09-12.
  40. ↑ About UsUlrich Museum of Art at Wichita State University. Retrieved 2015-09-14.
  41. ↑ 41.0 41.1 Who knew Wichita was such a talent pipeline to Broadway?" March 29, 2017, Wichita Eagle. Retrieved April 3, 2017.
  42. ↑ Leiker, Amy Renee, "Opera singer Sam Ramey to coach vocal music at WSU," August 29, 2012, Wichita Eagle. Retrieved April 3, 2017.
  43. ↑ Spedden, Zach. New for 2020: Wichita Wind Surge. Ballpark Digest (November 14, 2019). Retrieved May 13, 2020.
  44. ↑ 44.0 44.1 Wichita. Directory of Kansas Public OfficialsThe League of Kansas Municipalities. Retrieved 2012-03-14.
  45. ↑ City ManagerCity of Wichita. Retrieved 2011-04-30.
  46. ↑ 2012-13 Demographic Snapshot (October 1, 2012)Wichita Public Schools. Retrieved 2013-06-12.
  47. ↑ Directory of BuildingsWichita Public Schools. Retrieved 2011-02-04.
  48. ↑ EducationWichita Metro Chamber of Commerce. Retrieved 2011-02-04.
  49. ↑ Wichita State UniversityCollege Portraits of Undergraduate Education. Retrieved 2011-02-05.
  50. ↑ "College Comparison Tool". U.S. News & World Report. http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/compare-colleges. Retrieved 2011-02-05. 
  51. ↑ Satellite CampusesWichita State University. Retrieved 2011-02-05.
  52. ↑ Friends Fact SheetFriends University. Retrieved 2011-02-05.
  53. ↑ 2010-11 Admission BrochureNewman University. p. 5. Retrieved 2011-02-05.
  54. ↑ Locations & HoursWichita Public Library. Retrieved 2018-07-24.
  55. ↑ Free programs (January 10, 2011)Wichita Public Library. Retrieved 2011-02-12.
  56. ↑ Wichita Public Library - 2009 Annual ReportWichita Public Library. p. 26. Retrieved 2011-02-12.
  57. ↑ Wichita Eagle. Mondo Times. Retrieved 2011-01-15.
  58. ↑ Wichita Business Journal. Mondo Times. Retrieved 2011-01-15.
  59. ↑ Wichita Kansas NewspapersMondo Newspapers. Retrieved 2014-10-24.
  60. ↑ Voice It Wichita.comTCV Publishing. Retrieved 2014-10-24.
  61. ↑ Horwath, Bryan in "Hispanic community could be sleeping giant for Wichita economy," March 09, 2016, Wichita Eagle
  62. ↑ Associated Press in "Communications firms cater to Wichita’s Hispanic market," May 25, 2003, Lawrence Journal-World
  63. ↑ Liberty Press. Mondo Times. Retrieved 2011-01-15.
  64. ↑ BackstorySplurgeMag. Retrieved 2014-10-24.
  65. ↑ About Us (October 13, 2008)The Sunflower. Retrieved 2011-01-15.
  66. ↑ 2009 Arbitron Radio Metro MapArbitron. Retrieved 2012-03-14.
  67. ↑ Radio Stations in Wichita, KansasRadio-Locator. Retrieved November 17, 2016.
  68. ↑ TV Market Maps - KansasEchoStar Knowledge Base. Retrieved 2013-07-28.
  69. ↑ Contact UsKAKE. Retrieved 2011-01-09.
  70. ↑ About UsKWCH. Retrieved 2011-01-09.
  71. ↑ About KSCWKSCW-DT. Retrieved 2011-01-09.
  72. ↑ Contact Us - Fox KansasKSAS. Retrieved 2011-01-09.
  73. ↑ Contact Us - myTVwichitaKMTW. Retrieved 2011-01-09.
  74. ↑ Contact Us - KSN TVKSN. Retrieved 2011-01-09.
  75. ↑ Contact UsKPTS. Retrieved 2011-01-09.
  76. ↑ Wichita-Hutchinson Television StationsStation Index. Retrieved 2011-01-09.
  77. ↑ Tanner, Beccy. Ad Astra: Idea for Big Ditch grew after Wichita had sustained series of major floods. kansas.com (August 11, 2013)The Wichita Eagle. Retrieved March 24, 2015.
  78. ↑ 78.0 78.1 City of Wichita (June 2010)Kansas Department of Transportation. Retrieved 2011-01-01.
  79. ↑ Storm Water ManagementCity of Wichita. Retrieved 2011-01-01.
  80. ↑ Service territory and mapWestar Energy. Retrieved 2018-08-13.
  81. ↑ Summary of Cable TV Providers in Wichita, KSCableTV.com. Retrieved 2018-08-13.
  82. ↑ Summary of Wichita Internet ProvidersHighSpeedInternet.com. Retrieved 2018-08-13.
  83. ↑ About UsKansas Gas Service. Retrieved 2018-08-13.
  84. ↑ Wichita TransitCity of Wichita. Retrieved 2011-01-08.
  85. ↑ 85.0 85.1 Mid-Continent Airport HistoryWichita Airport Authority. Retrieved 2011-01-09.
  86. ↑ 86.0 86.1 Getting Around the Metro AreaWichita Metro Chamber of Commerce. Retrieved 2010-01-09.
  87. ↑ Wistrom, Brent (January 11, 2010). Proposed Amtrak line would mean millions for Wichita. https://www.usatoday.com/travel/destinations/2010-01-11-amtrak-northern-flyer-wichita_N.htm. Retrieved 2011-01-09. 
  88. ↑ Wichita Sister CitiesCity of Wichita. Retrieved 25 July 2018.
  89. ↑ Wichita Sister CitiesCity of Wichita. Retrieved 11 August 2018.
  90. ↑ Jumelages et Relations Internationales - Avignon (in fr). Avignon.fr. Retrieved 2013-07-13.
  91. ↑ Atlas français de la coopération décentralisée et des autres actions extérieures (in fr). Ministère des affaires étrangères. Retrieved 2013-07-13.
  92. ↑ Interactive City DirectorySister Cities International. Retrieved December 14, 2018.

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