Colby, Kansas

Colby, Kansas
City and County seat
Thomas County Courthouse (2014)
Location within Thomas County and Kansas
KDOT map of Thomas County (legend)
Coordinates: 39°23′05″N101°02′43″W / 39.38472°N 101.04528°W / 39.38472; -101.04528 [1]
Country	United States
State	Kansas
County	Thomas
Founded	1885
Incorporated	1886
Named for	J.R. Colby
Area [2]
• Total	3.58 sq mi (9.27 km2)
• Land	3.58 sq mi (9.27 km2)
• Water	0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation [1]	3,166 ft (965 m)
Population  (2020) [3] [4]
• Total	5,570
• Density	1,600/sq mi (600/km2)
Time zone	UTC-6 (CST)
• Summer (DST)	UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code	67701
Area code	785
FIPS code	20-14650
GNIS ID	485557 [1]
Website	cityofcolby.com

Colby is a city in and the county seat of Thomas County, Kansas, United States. ^[1] As of the 2020 census, the population of the city was 5,570. ^{[3] [4]}

History

In 1882, a post office was established near the center of Thomas County. Area homesteaders lived under harsh conditions in sod houses, creating demand for a town to provide lumber and other provisions to incoming settlers. J.R. Colby, a local land assessor and preacher, obtained a patent to establish the town in April 1884, and land was acquired for the town site three miles north of the post office in March 1885. The following month, the Kansas Secretary of State issued the Town Charter. Kansas Gov. John Martin named Colby the county seat in 1885, and the city was incorporated in 1886. The Union Pacific Railroad reached the city in 1887, and the Rock Island Railroad followed the next year. ^[5]

In 1941 the St. Thomas Hospital was built as part of the Works Progress Administration plan to build hospitals. This was one of 130 new hospitals to be built with these funds, it was one of two built in Kansas alone. Within the last couple of years, it was renovated to apartments under the name St. Thomas Historic Residences. ^[6]

Interstate 70 reached Colby in 1965, stimulating the growth of a local hospitality industry. ^[7]

Geography

Colby lies on the south side of Prairie Dog Creek, a tributary of the Republican River, in the High Plains region of the Great Plains. ^[8] A small tributary of the creek flows northeast through the town. ^[9] Located at the interchange of Interstate 70 and K-25 in northwestern Kansas, Colby is 212 mi (341 km) east-southeast of Denver, 232 mi (373 km) northwest of Wichita, and 347 mi (558 km) west of Kansas City. ^{[8] [10]}

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 3.38 square miles (8.75 km²), all land. ^[11]

Climate

Colby has a transitional climate between a humid continental climate (Köppen Dfa) and a semiarid climate (Köppen BSk) with hot summers and cold, dry winters. The hottest temperature recorded in Colby was 113 °F (45.0 °C) on July 25, 1940, and 28 June 2012, while the coldest temperature recorded was −32 °F (−35.6 °C) on December 22, 1989. ^[12]

Climate data for Colby, Kansas, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1893–present
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Record high °F (°C)	83 (28)	85 (29)	94 (34)	98 (37)	103 (39)	113 (45)	113 (45)	110 (43)	108 (42)	97 (36)	91 (33)	83 (28)	113 (45)
Mean maximum °F (°C)	67.0 (19.4)	71.4 (21.9)	81.8 (27.7)	87.7 (30.9)	94.2 (34.6)	101.4 (38.6)	102.8 (39.3)	100.6 (38.1)	97.3 (36.3)	91.1 (32.8)	77.6 (25.3)	67.7 (19.8)	104.4 (40.2)
Mean daily maximum °F (°C)	43.0 (6.1)	45.7 (7.6)	56.2 (13.4)	64.7 (18.2)	74.3 (23.5)	86.4 (30.2)	91.0 (32.8)	88.4 (31.3)	81.3 (27.4)	68.3 (20.2)	54.3 (12.4)	44.1 (6.7)	66.5 (19.2)
Daily mean °F (°C)	29.0 (−1.7)	31.6 (−0.2)	40.8 (4.9)	49.5 (9.7)	60.1 (15.6)	71.8 (22.1)	76.7 (24.8)	74.1 (23.4)	65.8 (18.8)	52.2 (11.2)	39.5 (4.2)	30.2 (−1.0)	51.8 (11.0)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C)	15.1 (−9.4)	17.4 (−8.1)	25.5 (−3.6)	34.4 (1.3)	45.9 (7.7)	57.2 (14.0)	62.3 (16.8)	59.8 (15.4)	50.3 (10.2)	36.2 (2.3)	24.7 (−4.1)	16.4 (−8.7)	37.1 (2.8)
Mean minimum °F (°C)	−3.8 (−19.9)	−0.7 (−18.2)	6.8 (−14.0)	18.5 (−7.5)	30.3 (−0.9)	43.5 (6.4)	51.8 (11.0)	49.6 (9.8)	35.4 (1.9)	19.7 (−6.8)	7.7 (−13.5)	−2.3 (−19.1)	−9.4 (−23.0)
Record low °F (°C)	−28 (−33)	−31 (−35)	−22 (−30)	−1 (−18)	17 (−8)	33 (1)	38 (3)	39 (4)	21 (−6)	1 (−17)	−11 (−24)	−32 (−36)	−32 (−36)
Average precipitation inches (mm)	0.41 (10)	0.56 (14)	0.92 (23)	1.97 (50)	2.92 (74)	2.62 (67)	3.81 (97)	3.04 (77)	1.44 (37)	1.56 (40)	0.63 (16)	0.51 (13)	20.39 (518)
Average snowfall inches (cm)	5.1 (13)	5.8 (15)	4.2 (11)	2.2 (5.6)	0.7 (1.8)	0.0 (0.0)	0.0 (0.0)	0.0 (0.0)	0.2 (0.51)	1.6 (4.1)	3.5 (8.9)	3.9 (9.9)	27.2 (69.81)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in)	3.0	4.1	4.9	6.8	10.3	8.6	9.3	8.3	5.5	5.8	3.7	3.2	73.5
Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 in)	2.7	3.3	2.1	1.2	0.1	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.7	1.9	2.6	14.6
Source: NOAA [13] [12] [14]

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1890	516		—
1900	641		24.2%
1910	1,130		76.3%
1920	1,114		−1.4%
1930	2,153		93.3%
1940	2,458		14.2%
1950	3,859		57.0%
1960	4,210		9.1%
1970	4,658		10.6%
1980	5,544		19.0%
1990	5,396		−2.7%
2000	5,450		1.0%
2010	5,387		−1.2%
2020	5,570		3.4%
U.S. Decennial Census 2010-2020 [4]

2020 census

The 2020 United States census counted 5,570 people, 2,199 households, and 1,331 families in Colby. ^{[15] [16]} The population density was 1,555.4 per square mile (600.6/km²). There were 2,496 housing units at an average density of 697.0 per square mile (269.1/km²). ^{[16] [17]} The racial makeup was 88.73% (4,942) white or European American (86.32% non-Hispanic white), 1.76% (98) black or African-American, 0.79% (44) Native American or Alaska Native, 0.61% (34) Asian, 0.0% (0) Pacific Islander or Native Hawaiian, 2.39% (133) from other races, and 5.73% (319) from two or more races. ^[18] Hispanic or Latino of any race was 8.11% (452) of the population. ^[19]

Of the 2,199 households, 29.7% had children under the age of 18; 45.5% were married couples living together; 27.8% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. 32.9% of households consisted of individuals and 12.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. ^[16] The average household size was 2.2 and the average family size was 2.7. ^[20] The percent of those with a bachelor’s degree or higher was estimated to be 14.2% of the population. ^[21]

23.4% of the population was under the age of 18, 13.8% from 18 to 24, 24.4% from 25 to 44, 21.7% from 45 to 64, and 16.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34.6 years. For every 100 females, there were 108.5 males. ^[16] For every 100 females ages 18 and older, there were 113.4 males. ^[16]

The 2016-2020 5-year American Community Survey estimates show that the median household income was $62,001 (with a margin of error of +/- $7,250) and the median family income was $74,980 (+/- $13,070). ^[22] Males had a median income of $45,696 (+/- $10,972) versus $28,368 (+/- $5,092) for females. The median income for those above 16 years old was $32,780 (+/- $3,641). ^[23] Approximately, 6.3% of families and 7.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.4% of those under the age of 18 and 10.3% of those ages 65 or over. ^{[24] [25]}

2010 census

As of the census ^[26] of 2010, there were 5,387 people, 2,211 households, and 1,320 families residing in the city. ^[27] The population density was 1,593.8 inhabitants per square mile (615.4/km²). There were 2,423 housing units at an average density of 716.9 per square mile (276.8/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 95.7% White, 0.7% African American, 0.4% Native American, 0.6% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 1.3% from other races, and 1.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.0% of the population.

There were 2,211 households, of which 28.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.0% were married couples living together, 9.2% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.5% had a male householder with no wife present, and 40.3% were non-families. 33.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.28 and the average family size was 2.89.

The median age in the city was 34.5 years. 22.2% of residents were under the age of 18; 16.3% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 21.5% were from 25 to 44; 24.2% were from 45 to 64; and 15.7% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.0% male and 52.0% female.

2000 census

As of the census ^[28] of 2000, there were 5,450 people, 2,223 households, and 1,367 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,632.8 inhabitants per square mile (630.4/km²). There were 2,405 housing units at an average density of 720.5 per square mile (278.2/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 96.73% White, 0.64% African American, 0.39% Native American, 0.39% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 1.01% from other races, and 0.83% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.98% of the population.

There were 2,223 households, out of which 30.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.3% were married couples living together, 8.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.5% were non-families. 31.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.33 and the average family size was 2.96.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 24.1% under the age of 18, 16.4% from 18 to 24, 24.3% from 25 to 44, 19.7% from 45 to 64, and 15.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 88.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.6 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $34,615, and the median income for a family was $45,127. Males had a median income of $34,097 versus $21,706 for females. The per capita income for the city was $18,872. About 8.1% of families and 12.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.3% of those under age 18 and 9.2% of those age 65 or over.

Government

Colby has a mayor-council form of government. Elected at-large, the mayor presides over the city council and has final approval over ordinances the council passes. The mayor shares responsibility for setting policy and approving the city budget with the council. With the council's consent, the mayor appoints all members of the city boards and, if necessary, serves as the tie-breaking vote on council business. The city council consists of eight members elected by ward every four years. The city manager is hired by the council and is responsible for preparing the budget, administering day-to-day operations, and managing city government personnel. ^[29]

Education

Colleges and universities

• Colby Community College

Primary and secondary education

The community is served by Colby USD 315 public school district, and operates four public schools in the city: ^[30]

• Colby High School (9-12).
• Colby Middle School (5-8).
• Colby Grade School (Grades K-4).
• Thomas County Academy (5-9), charter school.

There are also two private schools in Colby:

• Sacred Heart Catholic School (Pre-K-5). ^[31]
• Heartland Christian School (K-12). ^[32]

Transportation

Interstate 70 runs east–west immediately south of Colby. U.S. Route 24 runs east–west through the city, intersecting K-25 which runs north–south.

Colby Municipal Airport is located on K-25 approximately 2 miles (3 km) north of the city.

Kyle Railroad operates rail via the former Rock Island Railroad which runs east–west through Colby. A Union Pacific Railroad branch line ends in Colby, entering the city from the southeast.

Media

Main article: Media in Colby, Kansas

The Colby Free Press is Colby's local newspaper, published four days a week. ^[33] In addition, Colby Community College publishes a bi-weekly student newspaper, the Trojan Express. ^[34]

Colby is a center of broadcast media for northwestern Kansas. One AM and four FM stations are licensed to and/or broadcast from the city. ^[35] Colby is in the Wichita-Hutchinson television market, ^[36] and two television stations broadcast from the city: KLBY, a satellite of the ABC affiliate in Wichita, ^[37] and KWKS, a satellite of Smoky Hills Public Television in Bunker Hill, Kansas. ^[38]

Points of interest

The Prairie Museum of Art and History, 1905 S. Franklin St., serves as a cultural center. The museum is a private, nonprofit museum governed by the Thomas County Historical Society. The Society was founded in 1959 to preserve the history of Thomas County, Kansas. The museum occupies a 24-acre (97,000 m²) site just north of Interstate 70, between exits 53 and 54. ^[39] The Cooper Barn located at the museum complex is known as the "Largest Barn in Kansas." ^[40]

Thomas County Courthouse which was constructed in 1907 by local firms Holland, JC & Squires, Frank, Crosby, and L. & Son. It is currently listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is at 300 N. Court in Colby. ^[41] Other city buildings joining the courthouse on the National Register of Historic Places include the Colby Community High School at 750 West 3rd St. (which is now used as an elementary/junior high school), and the art-deco sand-colored Colby City Hall, which was built in the 1920s by the architecture firm Suite & Blanchard. Throughout its 80-year history, the city hall has served as a correctional facility, fire station, library and meeting hall. ^[41]

Another feature of Colby is Villa High Lake. The city-made reservoir is situated on the South Side of Villa High Park, which was created in the 1960s by the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks. The park has playground equipment, picnic shelters, disc golf, and fishing. ^[42]

Fike Park is located just north of City Hall at the intersection of Franklin Avenue and Eighth Street. The park area was formerly known as Carp Lake. The park has gazebos, a volleyball area, horseshoe pitching pits, and tennis courts. In 1998 and 1999, over $100,000 was raised by civic groups and parents, with assistance from the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks and the City of Colby, for new playground equipment. In 2000, the tennis courts in this area were replaced and are used by Colby Community College and Unified School District #315. Colby Swimming Pool was located just south of the park, but has since been converted into a parking lot.^{[ citation needed ]}

Pioneer Memorial Library is at 375 W. 4th St., named in honor of the pioneers who built the community. ^[43]

Colby Aquatic Park was opened in 2012 at 1610 S. Franklin, featuring a lazy river, lap pool, water slides and curly slides. ^[44]

The Colby Event Center opened in July 2021. The facility features two gyms, meeting room space and indoor playground. The Event Center is home to all Colby High School and Colby Community College basketball and volleyball games. ^[45]

Notable people

See also: List of Colby Community College notable people

Notable individuals who were born in and/or have lived in Colby include:

Mary Brooks (1907-2002), Director of the U.S. Mint [46] John Connelly (1870-1940), U.S. Representative from Kansas [47] Sheila Frahm (1945- ), U.S. Senator from Kansas, Lieutenant Governor of Kansas [48] Mike Hayden (1944- ), 41st Governor of Kansas [49] Zelma Henderson (1920-2008), school desegregation activist [50]

Wayne Munn (1896-1931), professional wrestler [51] Samuel Ramey (1942- ), opera singer [52] Mark Schultz (1970- ), Contemporary Christian singer/songwriter [53] Ken Summers (1953- ), Colorado state legislator [54] John Thomas (1874-1945), U.S. Senator from Idaho [55] Carol Voisin (1947- ), Oregon politician [56]

References

1. U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Colby, Kansas
2. "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 24, 2020.
3. "Profile of Colby, Kansas in 2020". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on December 8, 2021. Retrieved December 8, 2021.
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5. "History". City of Colby, Kansas. Archived from the original on July 4, 2014. Retrieved June 27, 2014.
6. "National and State Registers of Historic Places - Kansas Historical Society" . Retrieved December 28, 2016.
7. "Thomas County - History & Overview (County Info)". Colby Chamber of Commerce. Archived from the original on July 4, 2014. Retrieved November 19, 2009.
8. "2003-2004 Official Transportation Map" (PDF). Kansas Department of Transportation. 2003. Retrieved June 30, 2011.
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10. "City Distance Tool". Geobytes. Archived from the original on October 5, 2010. Retrieved May 22, 2010.
11. "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on July 2, 2012. Retrieved July 6, 2012.
12. "NOAA Online Weather Data – NWS Goodland". National Weather Service. Retrieved November 27, 2023.
13. "U.S. Climate Normals Quick Access – Station: Colby 1SW, kS". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved November 27, 2023.
14. "xmACIS2". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved November 27, 2023.
15. "US Census Bureau, Table P16: HOUSEHOLD TYPE". data.census.gov. Retrieved January 2, 2024.
16. "US Census Bureau, Table DP1: PROFILE OF GENERAL POPULATION AND HOUSING CHARACTERISTICS". data.census.gov. Retrieved January 2, 2024.
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26. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved July 6, 2012.
27. "2010 City Population and Housing Occupancy Status". U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved March 27, 2011.^{[ dead link ]}
28. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved January 31, 2008.
29. "Administration & Governing Body". Colby, KS - Official Website. City of Colby. Retrieved February 5, 2010.
30. "Colby Public Schools". Colby Public Schools. Retrieved December 12, 2009.
31. "Sacred Heart Catholic School". Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Retrieved July 10, 2015.
32. "Heartland Christian School History". Heartland Christian School. Retrieved July 10, 2015.
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34. "Record Details - Trojan Express". Kansas Press Association. Retrieved August 9, 2013.
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36. "TV Market Maps". EchoStar Knowledge Base. Archived from the original on August 20, 2008. Retrieved May 28, 2011.
37. "Contact Us". KAKE. Archived from the original on August 17, 2011. Retrieved May 27, 2011.
38. "History". Smoky Hills Public Television. Archived from the original on March 20, 2012. Retrieved May 27, 2011.
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40. Colby Convention and Visitor's Bureau "Colby | Thomas County - Attractions & Recreation". Archived from the original on April 4, 2016. Retrieved September 6, 2016.
41. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places . National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
42. "Parks Department | Colby, KS - Official Website". www.cityofcolby.com. Retrieved March 9, 2021.
43. "Letters of the Young Pioneers who took rest in the Artek Young Pioneer Camp". doi:10.1163/9789004192744-048.{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
44. "Colby | Thomas County - Attractions & Recreation". Archived from the original on April 4, 2016. Retrieved September 6, 2016.
45. https://www.cityofcolby.com/299/Colby-Event-Center Colby Event Center; City of Colby.
46. "Former U.S. Mint Director Mary Brooks Dies". American Numismatic Association. February 16, 2002. Archived from the original on June 14, 2011. Retrieved June 29, 2011.
47. "Connelly, John Robert, (1870 - 1940)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress . Retrieved June 29, 2011.
48. "Frahm, Sheila, (1945 - )". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress . Retrieved June 29, 2011.
49. Beatty, Bob (2009). Kansas History: A Journal of the Central Plains. Topeka, KS. p. 47.
50. Fox, Margalit (May 22, 2008). "Zelma Henderson, Who Aided Desegregation, Dies at 88". The New York Times . Retrieved June 29, 2011.
51. "Wrestler Profiles - Wayne Munn". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved June 29, 2011.
52. "Biography". SamuelRamey.com. Archived from the original on July 9, 2011. Retrieved June 29, 2011.
53. "Bio". Mark Schultz . Retrieved June 29, 2011.
54. "Kenneth Guy Summers - Colorado - State House District 22 candidate". RockyMountainNews.com. Retrieved January 30, 2008.^{[ permanent dead link ]}
55. "Thomas, John, (1874-1945)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress . Retrieved June 29, 2011.
56. Hallmark, Allen (September 2006). "Carol Voisin: Candidate with a Conscience Seeking a Voice in Congress" (PDF). Jackson County Democrat. Democratic Party of Jackson County, Oregon. p. 9. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 9, 2007.

Further reading

• Kansas portal

See also: List of books about Kansas, including historical information about its counties and cities

See also: List of books about Thomas County, Kansas

External links

• City of Colby
• Colby - Directory of Public Officials
• Colby Chamber of Commerce
• Colby city map, KDOT