Elwood, Kansas

Elwood, Kansas
City
Elwood on July 4, 2022, taken from the International Space Station
Location within Doniphan County and Kansas
KDOT map of Doniphan County (legend)
Coordinates: 39°45′13″N94°52′42″W / 39.75361°N 94.87833°W / 39.75361; -94.87833 [1]
Country	United States
State	Kansas
County	Doniphan
Founded	1856
Incorporated	1860
Named for	John Elwood
Area [2]
• Total	2.91 sq mi (7.54 km2)
• Land	2.91 sq mi (7.54 km2)
• Water	0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation [1]	817 ft (249 m)
Population  (2020) [3]
• Total	1,125
• Density	390/sq mi (150/km2)
Time zone	UTC-6 (CST)
• Summer (DST)	UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code	66024
Area code	913
FIPS code	20-20950
GNIS ID	2394681 [1]
Website	City website

Elwood is a city in Doniphan County, Kansas, United States, ^[1] located west across the Missouri River from Saint Joseph, Missouri. As of the 2020 census, the population of the city was 1,125. ^[3]

History

See also: History of Kansas

For millennia the Great Plains of North America were inhabited by nomadic Native Americans. In 1854, the Kansas Territory was organized under the provisions of the Kansas–Nebraska Act, then in 1861 Kansas became the 34th U.S. state. In 1855, Doniphan County was established.

A trading post was established at Elwood in 1852. ^[4] In 1856, the site was sold and the town was then laid out. The town was named for John B. Elwood, a pioneer settler. ^[5] Elwood was incorporated as a city in 1860. ^[4]

The first post office in Elwood was established in June, 1857. ^[6]

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 3.20 square miles (8.29 km²), all land. ^[7]

Climate

Climate data for Elwood, Kansas (Rosecrans Memorial Airport, Missouri) 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1908–present
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Record high °F (°C)	73 (23)	83 (28)	98 (37)	96 (36)	103 (39)	105 (41)	108 (42)	110 (43)	107 (42)	97 (36)	82 (28)	73 (23)	110 (43)
Mean maximum °F (°C)	62 (17)	65 (18)	79 (26)	87 (31)	92 (33)	95 (35)	97 (36)	97 (36)	92 (33)	88 (31)	75 (24)	64 (18)	99 (37)
Mean daily maximum °F (°C)	37.4 (3.0)	42.8 (6.0)	55.1 (12.8)	65.9 (18.8)	75.8 (24.3)	84.7 (29.3)	88.1 (31.2)	86.2 (30.1)	79.7 (26.5)	67.8 (19.9)	53.4 (11.9)	41.1 (5.1)	64.8 (18.2)
Daily mean °F (°C)	27.3 (−2.6)	32.0 (0.0)	43.3 (6.3)	53.8 (12.1)	64.8 (18.2)	74.2 (23.4)	77.7 (25.4)	75.3 (24.1)	67.0 (19.4)	55.3 (12.9)	42.0 (5.6)	31.1 (−0.5)	53.6 (12.0)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C)	17.1 (−8.3)	21.2 (−6.0)	31.5 (−0.3)	41.8 (5.4)	53.7 (12.1)	63.8 (17.7)	67.3 (19.6)	64.5 (18.1)	54.4 (12.4)	42.8 (6.0)	30.6 (−0.8)	21.1 (−6.1)	42.5 (5.8)
Mean minimum °F (°C)	−5 (−21)	3 (−16)	12 (−11)	25 (−4)	38 (3)	51 (11)	56 (13)	52 (11)	39 (4)	25 (−4)	14 (−10)	1 (−17)	−9 (−23)
Record low °F (°C)	−25 (−32)	−23 (−31)	−13 (−25)	2 (−17)	29 (−2)	41 (5)	41 (5)	41 (5)	30 (−1)	11 (−12)	−5 (−21)	−24 (−31)	−25 (−32)
Average precipitation inches (mm)	0.71 (18)	0.95 (24)	2.06 (52)	3.71 (94)	4.87 (124)	4.75 (121)	4.73 (120)	3.84 (98)	3.18 (81)	2.84 (72)	1.87 (47)	1.25 (32)	34.76 (883)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in)	4.7	5.6	7.7	10.6	12.3	11.8	9.3	9.4	8.4	8.3	5.6	5.6	99.3
Source: NOAA [8] [9]

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1880	323		—
1890	377		16.7%
1900	623		65.3%
1910	636		2.1%
1920	750		17.9%
1930	849		13.2%
1940	1,014		19.4%
1950	1,020		0.6%
1960	1,191		16.8%
1970	1,283		7.7%
1980	1,275		−0.6%
1990	1,079		−15.4%
2000	1,145		6.1%
2010	1,224		6.9%
2020	1,125		−8.1%
U.S. Decennial Census

Elwood is part of the St. Joseph, MO –KS Metropolitan Statistical Area.

2020 census

The 2020 United States census counted 1,125 people, 441 households, and 282 families in Elwood. ^{[10] [11]} The population density was 386.6 per square mile (149.3/km²). There were 494 housing units at an average density of 169.8 per square mile (65.5/km²). ^{[11] [12]} The racial makeup was 82.67% (930) white or European American (81.33% non-Hispanic white), 7.47% (84) black or African-American, 1.07% (12) Native American or Alaska Native, 0.27% (3) Asian, 0.18% (2) Pacific Islander or Native Hawaiian, 1.07% (12) from other races, and 7.29% (82) from two or more races. ^[13] Hispanic or Latino of any race was 3.73% (42) of the population. ^[14]

Of the 441 households, 32.0% had children under the age of 18; 44.2% were married couples living together; 26.5% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. 29.0% of households consisted of individuals and 13.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. ^[11] The average household size was 2.4 and the average family size was 2.8. ^[15] The percent of those with a bachelor’s degree or higher was estimated to be 1.2% of the population. ^[16]

25.8% of the population was under the age of 18, 9.1% from 18 to 24, 25.9% from 25 to 44, 25.0% from 45 to 64, and 14.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36.1 years. For every 100 females, there were 104.9 males. ^[11] For every 100 females ages 18 and older, there were 104.7 males. ^[11]

The 2016-2020 5-year American Community Survey estimates show that the median household income was $38,015 (with a margin of error of +/- $7,551) and the median family income was $46,667 (+/- $16,039). ^[17] Males had a median income of $36,250 (+/- $11,550) versus $22,778 (+/- $2,716) for females. The median income for those above 16 years old was $26,616 (+/- $4,457). ^[18] Approximately, 25.4% of families and 19.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 30.5% of those under the age of 18 and 4.7% of those ages 65 or over. ^{[19] [20]}

2010 census

As of the census ^[21] of 2010, there were 1,224 people, 498 households, and 331 families living in the city. The population density was 382.5 inhabitants per square mile (147.7/km²). There were 533 housing units at an average density of 166.6 per square mile (64.3/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 87.1% White, 6.7% African American, 0.9% Native American, 0.2% Asian, 1.0% from other races, and 4.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.4% of the population.

There were 498 households, of which 32.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.4% were married couples living together, 15.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.0% had a male householder with no wife present, and 33.5% were non-families. 28.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 3.00.

The median age in the city was 36.7 years. 25.1% of residents were under the age of 18; 10.3% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 24.6% were from 25 to 44; 27.2% were from 45 to 64; and 12.9% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 50.1% male and 49.9% female.

2000 census

As of the census ^[22] of 2000, there were 1,145 people, 446 households, and 313 families living in the city. The population density was 562.9 inhabitants per square mile (217.3/km²). There were 494 housing units at an average density of 242.9 per square mile (93.8/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 89.08% White, 6.64% African American, 0.26% Native American, 0.44% Asian, 0.35% from other races, and 3.23% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.48% of the population.

There were 446 households, out of which 37.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.3% were married couples living together, 15.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.8% were non-families. 25.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.57 and the average family size was 3.07.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 30.9% under the age of 18, 10.2% from 18 to 24, 27.0% from 25 to 44, 20.7% from 45 to 64, and 11.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.8 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $28,950, and the median income for a family was $31,136. Males had a median income of $26,103 versus $17,692 for females. The per capita income for the city was $12,601. About 16.3% of families and 17.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.1% of those under age 18 and 17.9% of those age 65 or over.

Education

The community is served by Riverside USD 114 public school district. School unification consolidated Elwood schools and Wathena schools forming USD 114. The Riverside High School mascot is Cyclones. ^[23]

Elwood High School closed through school unification. The Elwood High School mascot was Elwood Panthers.

References

1. U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Elwood, Kansas
2. "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 24, 2020.
3. "Profile of Elwood, Kansas in 2020". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 26, 2022. Retrieved June 26, 2022.
4. Blackmar, Frank Wilson (1912). Kansas: A Cyclopedia of State History, Embracing Events, Institutions, Industries, Counties, Cities, Towns, Prominent Persons, Etc. Standard Publishing Company. pp.  585.
5. "Profile for Elwood, Kansas". ePodunk. Archived from the original on June 19, 2017. Retrieved June 8, 2014.
6. "Kansas Post Offices, 1828-1961 (archived)". Kansas Historical Society. Archived from the original on October 9, 2013. Retrieved June 8, 2014.
7. "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on January 25, 2012. Retrieved July 6, 2012.
8. "NowData – NOAA Online Weather Data". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved August 2, 2021.
9. "Station: St Joseph Rosecrans AP, MO". U.S. Climate Normals 2020: U.S. Monthly Climate Normals (1991-2020). National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved August 2, 2021.
10. "US Census Bureau, Table P16: HOUSEHOLD TYPE". data.census.gov. Retrieved January 2, 2024.
11. "US Census Bureau, Table DP1: PROFILE OF GENERAL POPULATION AND HOUSING CHARACTERISTICS". data.census.gov. Retrieved January 2, 2024.
12. Bureau, US Census. "Gazetteer Files". Census.gov. Retrieved December 30, 2023.
13. "US Census Bureau, Table P1: RACE". data.census.gov. Retrieved January 2, 2024.
14. "US Census Bureau, Table P2: HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE". data.census.gov. Retrieved January 2, 2024.
15. "US Census Bureau, Table S1101: HOUSEHOLDS AND FAMILIES". data.census.gov. Retrieved January 2, 2024.
16. "US Census Bureau, Table S1501: EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT". data.census.gov. Retrieved January 2, 2024.
17. "US Census Bureau, Table S1903: MEDIAN INCOME IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS (IN 2020 INFLATION-ADJUSTED DOLLARS)". data.census.gov. Retrieved January 2, 2024.
18. "US Census Bureau, Table S2001: EARNINGS IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS (IN 2020 INFLATION-ADJUSTED DOLLARS)". data.census.gov. Retrieved January 2, 2024.
19. "US Census Bureau, Table S1701: POVERTY STATUS IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS". data.census.gov. Retrieved January 2, 2024.
20. "US Census Bureau, Table S1702: POVERTY STATUS IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS OF FAMILIES". data.census.gov. Retrieved January 2, 2024.
21. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved July 6, 2012.
22. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved January 31, 2008.
23. "Riverside High School". USD 114. Retrieved January 3, 2017.

Further reading

See also: List of books about Doniphan County, Kansas

External links

• Elwood - Directory of Public Officials
• Elwood city map, KDOT