Junction City, Kansas

Junction City, Kansas
City and County seat
Geary County Courthouse (1979)
Location within Geary County and Kansas
KDOT map of Geary County (legend)
Coordinates: 39°1′39″N96°50′25″W / 39.02750°N 96.84028°W / 39.02750; -96.84028 [1]
Country	United States
State	Kansas
County	Geary
Area [2]
• Total	11.21 sq mi (29.02 km2)
• Land	11.11 sq mi (28.77 km2)
• Water	0.10 sq mi (0.25 km2)
Elevation [1]	1,106 ft (337 m)
Population  (2020) [3] [4]
• Total	22,932
• Density	2,000/sq mi (790/km2)
Time zone	UTC-6 (CST)
• Summer (DST)	UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP codes	66441-66442
Area code	785
FIPS code	20-35750 [1]
GNIS ID	476555 [1]
Website	junctioncity-ks.gov

Junction City is a city in and the county seat of Geary County, Kansas, United States. ^[1] As of the 2020 census, the population of the city was 22,932. ^{[3] [4]} Fort Riley, a major U.S. Army post, is nearby.

History

Aerial view of Junction City, 1943

Junction City is so named from its position at the confluence of the Smoky Hill and Republican rivers, which forms the Kansas River. ^{[5] [6]}

In 1854, Andrew J. Mead of New York of the Cincinnati-Manhattan Company, Free Staters connected to the Massachusetts Emigrant Aid Company planned a community there called Manhattan (there was also a discussion to call it New Cincinnati). ^[7] When the steamship Hartford delivering the immigrants could not reach the community because of low water on the Kansas River, the Free Staters settled 20 miles east in what today is Manhattan, Kansas. The community was renamed Millard City for Captain Millard of the Hartford on October 3, 1855. It was renamed briefly Humboldt in 1857 by local farmers and renamed again later that year to Junction City. ^[8] It was formally incorporated in 1859. ^[7]

In 1923, John R. Brinkley established radio station KFKB (which adopted the slogan Kansas First, Kansas Best) in nearby Milford, Kansas, using a 1 kW transmitter. It was one of the first radio stations in Kansas. Brinkley used the station to espouse his belief that goat testicles could be implanted in men to enhance their virility. ^[9]

Among Junction City's residents is film director Kevin Wilmott, whose movies, including Ninth Street, are set in Junction City. Ninth Street specifically refers to a bawdy area of the community that was frequented by Fort Riley soldiers in the 1960s. ^[10] In the 1980s a major initiative was undertaken to clean up the Ninth St. area.^{[ citation needed ]}

Timothy McVeigh rented the Ryder truck he used in the Oklahoma City bombing from an auto body shop in Junction City.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 12.22 square miles (31.65 km²), of which 12.15 square miles (31.47 km²) is land and 0.07 square miles (0.18 km²) is water. ^[11]

Climate

The maximum temperature reaches 90 °F (32 °C) an average of 45.9 days per year and reaches 100 °F (38 °C) an average of 6.4 days per year. The minimum temperature falls below the freezing point 32 °F (0 °C) an average of 121.8 days per year. ^[12]

Climate data for Junction City, Kansas (Milford Dam) (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1944–present)
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Record high °F (°C)	76 (24)	79 (26)	90 (32)	96 (36)	100 (38)	108 (42)	110 (43)	112 (44)	109 (43)	94 (34)	84 (29)	75 (24)	112 (44)
Mean maximum °F (°C)	62.8 (17.1)	68.6 (20.3)	78.9 (26.1)	86.1 (30.1)	90.3 (32.4)	96.0 (35.6)	101.4 (38.6)	100.3 (37.9)	94.7 (34.8)	87.6 (30.9)	74.4 (23.6)	64.8 (18.2)	103.0 (39.4)
Mean daily maximum °F (°C)	39.2 (4.0)	43.8 (6.6)	55.1 (12.8)	65.1 (18.4)	74.3 (23.5)	84.2 (29.0)	89.2 (31.8)	87.6 (30.9)	80.1 (26.7)	68.1 (20.1)	54.0 (12.2)	42.4 (5.8)	65.3 (18.5)
Daily mean °F (°C)	29.2 (−1.6)	33.1 (0.6)	43.9 (6.6)	53.6 (12.0)	64.1 (17.8)	74.2 (23.4)	79.0 (26.1)	77.0 (25.0)	69.0 (20.6)	56.6 (13.7)	43.4 (6.3)	32.8 (0.4)	54.7 (12.6)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C)	19.3 (−7.1)	22.5 (−5.3)	32.7 (0.4)	42.1 (5.6)	53.8 (12.1)	64.1 (17.8)	68.9 (20.5)	66.5 (19.2)	58.0 (14.4)	45.2 (7.3)	32.7 (0.4)	23.1 (−4.9)	44.1 (6.7)
Mean minimum °F (°C)	−0.1 (−17.8)	4.6 (−15.2)	13.1 (−10.5)	27.1 (−2.7)	38.7 (3.7)	52.3 (11.3)	59.4 (15.2)	56.6 (13.7)	42.5 (5.8)	28.2 (−2.1)	16.7 (−8.5)	7.0 (−13.9)	−3.3 (−19.6)
Record low °F (°C)	−17 (−27)	−18 (−28)	−9 (−23)	8 (−13)	29 (−2)	41 (5)	47 (8)	46 (8)	28 (−2)	15 (−9)	−1 (−18)	−21 (−29)	−21 (−29)
Average precipitation inches (mm)	0.66 (17)	1.09 (28)	1.95 (50)	3.13 (80)	5.16 (131)	4.80 (122)	4.15 (105)	4.19 (106)	2.84 (72)	2.27 (58)	1.40 (36)	1.26 (32)	32.90 (836)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in)	3.7	4.2	6.3	8.7	11.1	9.3	9.3	9.3	7.9	6.9	4.3	3.9	85.2
Source: NOAA [13] [12] [14]

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1860	217		—
1870	2,778		1,180.2%
1880	2,684		−3.4%
1890	4,502		67.7%
1900	4,695		4.3%
1910	5,598		19.2%
1920	7,533		34.6%
1930	7,407		−1.7%
1940	8,507		14.9%
1950	13,462		58.2%
1960	18,700		38.9%
1970	19,018		1.7%
1980	19,305		1.5%
1990	20,604		6.7%
2000	20,671		0.3%
2010	23,353		13.0%
2020	22,932		−1.8%
U.S. Decennial Census [15] 2010-2020 [4]

2020 census

The 2020 United States census counted 22,932 people, 9,104 households, and 5,851 families in Junction City. ^{[16] [17]} The population density was 1,986.3 per square mile (766.9/km²). There were 10,920 housing units at an average density of 945.9 per square mile (365.2/km²). ^{[17] [18]} The racial makeup was 54.91% (12,593) white or European American (50.07% non-Hispanic white), 20.25% (4,643) black or African-American, 0.92% (211) Native American or Alaska Native, 3.8% (872) Asian, 1.19% (274) Pacific Islander or Native Hawaiian, 5.07% (1,162) from other races, and 13.85% (3,177) from two or more races. ^[19] Hispanic or Latino of any race was 15.76% (3,615) of the population. ^[20]

Of the 9,104 households, 34.8% had children under the age of 18; 45.5% were married couples living together; 27.3% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. 29.2% of households consisted of individuals and 8.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. ^[17] The average household size was 2.4 and the average family size was 2.9. ^[21] The percent of those with a bachelor’s degree or higher was estimated to be 12.8% of the population. ^[22]

26.5% of the population was under the age of 18, 11.8% from 18 to 24, 31.0% from 25 to 44, 20.2% from 45 to 64, and 10.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31.0 years. For every 100 females, there were 101.1 males. ^[17] For every 100 females ages 18 and older, there were 105.3 males. ^[17]

The 2016-2020 5-year American Community Survey estimates show that the median household income was $52,159 (with a margin of error of +/- $4,413) and the median family income was $60,134 (+/- $4,847). ^[23] Males had a median income of $37,361 (+/- $3,548) versus $23,329 (+/- $2,488) for females. The median income for those above 16 years old was $30,514 (+/- $2,011). ^[24] Approximately, 15.4% of families and 14.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.5% of those under the age of 18 and 9.9% of those ages 65 or over. ^{[25] [26]}

2010 census

As of the census ^[27] of 2010, there were 23,353 people, 9,134 households, and 6,109 families living in the city. ^[28] The population density was 1,922.1 inhabitants per square mile (742.1/km²). There were 10,480 housing units at an average density of 862.6 per square mile (333.1/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 60.7% White, 22.3% Black, 0.9% Native American, 3.9% Asian, 0.9% Pacific Islander, 4.0% from other races, and 7.3% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 13.0% of the population.

There were 9,134 households, of which 39.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.9% were married couples living together, 16.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.6% had a male householder with no wife present, and 33.1% were non-families. 27.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.53 and the average family size was 3.07.

The median age in the city was 28.8 years. 29% of residents were under the age of 18; 13% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 30.3% were from 25 to 44; 19.3% were from 45 to 64; and 8.4% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.9% male and 51.1% female.

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 18,886 people, 7,492 households, and 5,079 families living in the city. The population density was 2,500.8 inhabitants per square mile (965.6/km²). There were 8,740 housing units at an average density of 1,157.3 per square mile (446.8/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 58.38% White, 26.69% African American, 0.82% Native American, 3.83% Asian, 0.39% Pacific Islander, 4.01% from other races, and 5.88% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 8.31% of the population.

There were 7,492 households, out of which 35.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.8% were married couples living together, 14.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.2% were non-families. 26.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 3.00.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 28.2% under the age of 18, 13.4% from 18 to 24, 28.8% from 25 to 44, 18.5% from 45 to 64, and 11.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 30 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.5 males.

As of 2000 the median income for a household in the city was $30,084, and the median income for a family was $35,093. Males had a median income of $25,695 versus $20,846 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,581. About 11.2% of families and 14.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.4% of those under age 18 and 12.2% of those age 65 or over.

Government

Junction City has a Commission form of government. The City Manager is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the City and serves at the discretion of the Commission. The City Commission consists of five members who are elected by the registered voters of the City. Each Commissioner serves for either two or four years, depending on the number of votes they received. The mayor is a Commissioner that is "elected" by the other members of the Commission and serves for a minimum two-year term.

Education

The community is served by Geary County USD 475 public school district. There is one public high school in the city, Junction City High School.

There were over 678 new students in the 2009–2010 school year, ^[29] breaking all records for enrollment in the school district.

Media

Church near Junction City (1943)

The Junction City Daily Union is the local newspaper, published five days a week. ^[30]

Three radio stations are licensed to and broadcast from Junction City. KJCK (AM) broadcasts on 1420 AM, playing a News/Talk format; its sister station, KJCK-FM, broadcasts on 97.5 FM, playing a Top 40 format. ^{[31] [32] [33]} K222AX is a translator station that rebroadcasts the signal of KJIL, a Christian Contemporary station in Meade, Kansas, on 92.3 FM. ^{[33] [34]}

Junction City is in the Topeka, Kansas television market. ^[35]

Transportation

Greyhound Lines has a bus stop in Junction City. ^[36] Local transit services are provided by ATA Bus. ^[37]

Fiction

In Sidney Sheldon's New York Times bestseller Windmills of the Gods , the heroine of the novel is from Junction City. In both the stage and film version of Hedwig and the Angry Inch , the character of Hedwig moves to Junction City after leaving East Germany.

The 13th mission of the video game Fallout Tactics: Brotherhood of Steel takes place in a location based on Junction City.

Notable people

Main article: List of people from Junction City, Kansas

Notable individuals who were born in and/or have lived in Junction City include U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Adna R. Chaffee, Jr., ^[38] inventor Amanda Jones, ^[39] playwright Velina Hasu Houston, and wrestler Bobby Lashley.

See also

• Kansas portal

• St. Xavier High School
• Operation Junction City
• Milford Lake
• Missouri–Kansas–Texas Railroad

References

1. "Junction City, Kansas", Geographic Names Information System , United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior
2. "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 24, 2020.
3. "Profile of Junction City, Kansas in 2020". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on November 15, 2021. Retrieved November 15, 2021.
4. "QuickFacts; Junction City, Kansas; Population, Census, 2020 & 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on August 24, 2021. Retrieved August 24, 2021.
5. Blackmar, Frank Wilson (1912). Kansas: A Cyclopedia of State History. Standard Publishing Company. pp.  42.
6. Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Govt. Print. Off. pp.  171.
7. "Junction City, Kansas History". www.kansastowns.us. Retrieved April 7, 2018.
8. GEARY COUNTY LEGENDS - jcks.com - Retrieved March 9, 2009 Archived February 12, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
9. Hutchens, John K. (June 7, 1942). "Notes on the Late Dr. John R. Brinkley, Whom Radio Raised to a Certain Fame". New York Times . Retrieved May 7, 2009. Although other men have put the air-waves to more dangerous uses than did the late Dr. John Romulus Brinkley, the recent demise of that celebrated quack not only recalled a gaudy career but may have reminded you of a truth so obvious that it goes half-forgotten -- i.e., how mighty a force is radio for evil as well as good, even in a democracy.
10. Kevin Wilmott, Assistant Professor - ku.edu - Retrieved March 9, 2009 Archived September 6, 2006, at the Wayback Machine
11. "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on July 2, 2012. Retrieved July 6, 2012.
12. "Summary of Monthly Normals 1991–2020". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved November 24, 2023.
13. "NOWData – NOAA Online Weather Data". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved November 24, 2023.
14. "xmACIS2". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved November 26, 2023.
15. United States Census Bureau. "Census of Population and Housing" . Retrieved October 24, 2013.
16. "US Census Bureau, Table P16: HOUSEHOLD TYPE". data.census.gov. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
17. "US Census Bureau, Table DP1: PROFILE OF GENERAL POPULATION AND HOUSING CHARACTERISTICS". data.census.gov. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
18. "Gazetteer Files". Census.gov. Retrieved December 30, 2023.
19. "US Census Bureau, Table P1: RACE". data.census.gov. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
20. "US Census Bureau, Table P2: HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE". data.census.gov. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
21. "US Census Bureau, Table S1101: HOUSEHOLDS AND FAMILIES". data.census.gov. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
22. "US Census Bureau, Table S1501: EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT". data.census.gov. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
23. "US Census Bureau, Table S1903: MEDIAN INCOME IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS (IN 2020 INFLATION-ADJUSTED DOLLARS)". data.census.gov. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
24. "US Census Bureau, Table S2001: EARNINGS IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS (IN 2020 INFLATION-ADJUSTED DOLLARS)". data.census.gov. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
25. "US Census Bureau, Table S1701: POVERTY STATUS IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS". data.census.gov. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
26. "US Census Bureau, Table S1702: POVERTY STATUS IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS OF FAMILIES". data.census.gov. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
27. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved July 6, 2012.
28. "2010 City Population and Housing Occupancy Status". U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved August 14, 2021.^{[ dead link ]}
29. "USD 475 – USD 475 – Preparing today's students for tomorrow's world". www.usd475.org. Retrieved April 7, 2018.
30. "Record Details - Junction City Daily Union". Kansas Press Association. Retrieved August 15, 2013.
31. "AMQ AM Radio Database Query". Federal Communications Commission. Archived from the original on August 25, 2009. Retrieved August 15, 2013.
32. "FMQ FM Radio Database Query". Federal Communications Commission. Archived from the original on August 25, 2009. Retrieved August 15, 2013.
33. "Radio Stations in Junction City, Kansas". Radio-Locator. Retrieved August 15, 2013.
34. "Listen Almost Anywhere!". KJIL . Retrieved August 15, 2013.
35. "TV Market Maps - Topeka, Kansas". EchoStar Knowledge Base. Archived from the original on February 1, 2015. Retrieved August 15, 2013.
36. "Junction City Bus Stop". Greyhound. Greyhound. Retrieved August 3, 2018.
37. "Junction City Public Transit" (PDF). Retrieved July 21, 2023.
38. "Adna Romanza Chaffee, Jr". Hall of Valor. Military Times. Retrieved April 5, 2016.
39. "Amanda Theodosia Jones". America Comes Alive. Retrieved April 5, 2016.

Further reading

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

See also: List of books about Geary County, Kansas

External links

• City of Junction City
• Junction City - Directory of Public Officials
• Junction City map, KDOT