La Crosse, Kansas

La Crosse, Kansas
City and County seat
Welcome Sign (2010)
Location within Rush County and Kansas
KDOT map of Rush County (legend)
Coordinates: 38°31′55″N99°18′34″W / 38.53194°N 99.30944°W / 38.53194; -99.30944 [1]
Country	United States
State	Kansas
County	Rush
Founded	1876
Incorporated	1886
Named for	La Crosse, Wisconsin
Area [2]
• Total	1.04 sq mi (2.68 km2)
• Land	1.04 sq mi (2.68 km2)
• Water	0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation [1]	2,057 ft (627 m)
Population  (2020) [3]
• Total	1,266
• Density	1,200/sq mi (470/km2)
Time zone	UTC-6 (CST)
• Summer (DST)	UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP codes	67548, 67553
Area code	785
FIPS code	20-37500
GNIS ID	2395563 [1]
Website	cityoflacrosseks.com

La Crosse is a city in and the county seat of Rush County, Kansas, United States. ^[1] As of the 2020 census, the population of the city was 1,266. ^[3] La Crosse proclaims itself the "Barbed Wire capital of the world. ^[4]

History

La Crosse was founded in 1876, was named after the city of La Crosse, Wisconsin. ^[5] La Crosse subsequently became the intended county seat, and county records were transferred there from the temporary county seat, nearby Rush Center. A county seat war ensued between the two communities, lasting until La Crosse was declared the permanent county seat and the construction of the county courthouse in 1888. ^[6]

In the 1960s, La Crosse became a regional center of barbed wire collecting, leading to the establishment of the Kansas Barbed Wire Museum and the nicknaming of the city as "The Barbed Wire Capital of the World". ^[7]

Tornado of 2012

On May 25, 2012, an EF-1 tornado caused about four blocks of significant damage, and two businesses were destroyed. A third of the businesses sustained major damage. No injuries were reported. ^[8]

Geography

La Crosse lies in the Smoky Hills region of the Great Plains, approximately 12 miles (19 km) south of the Smoky Hill River and 5 miles (8.0 km) north of Walnut Creek, a tributary of the Arkansas River. ^{[9] [10]} Sand Creek, a tributary of Walnut Creek, flows southeast around the southwestern and southern portions of the city. Mule Creek, a small tributary of Sand Creek, flows southeast through the city. ^[10] Located in west-central Kansas at the intersection of U.S. Route 183 and K-4, La Crosse is 125 miles (201 km) northwest of Wichita, 261 miles (420 km) west-southwest of Kansas City, and 314 miles (505 km) east-southeast of Denver. ^{[9] [11]}

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.05 square miles (2.72 km²), all land. ^[12]

Climate

On average in La Crosse, July is the hottest month, January is the coldest month, and May is the wettest month. The hottest temperature recorded in La Crosse was 115 °F (46 °C) in 1954; the coldest temperature recorded was -24 °F (-31 °C) in 1989. ^[13]

Climate data for La Crosse, Kansas
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Record high °F (°C)	81 (27)	86 (30)	95 (35)	103 (39)	107 (42)	112 (44)	115 (46)	114 (46)	112 (44)	100 (38)	89 (32)	83 (28)	115 (46)
Mean daily maximum °F (°C)	41 (5)	47 (8)	57 (14)	67 (19)	76 (24)	87 (31)	94 (34)	92 (33)	83 (28)	72 (22)	55 (13)	44 (7)	68 (20)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C)	15 (−9)	19 (−7)	28 (−2)	38 (3)	50 (10)	60 (16)	65 (18)	63 (17)	54 (12)	41 (5)	27 (−3)	19 (−7)	40 (4)
Record low °F (°C)	−23 (−31)	−17 (−27)	−23 (−31)	9 (−13)	21 (−6)	36 (2)	43 (6)	42 (6)	23 (−5)	14 (−10)	−8 (−22)	−24 (−31)	−24 (−31)
Average precipitation inches (mm)	0.66 (17)	0.83 (21)	2.09 (53)	2.27 (58)	3.65 (93)	3.35 (85)	3.40 (86)	2.55 (65)	1.88 (48)	1.42 (36)	1.22 (31)	0.76 (19)	24.08 (612)
Source: The Weather Channel [13]

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1890	513		—
1900	536		4.5%
1910	806		50.4%
1920	808		0.2%
1930	1,355		67.7%
1940	1,407		3.8%
1950	1,769		25.7%
1960	1,767		−0.1%
1970	1,583		−10.4%
1980	1,618		2.2%
1990	1,427		−11.8%
2000	1,376		−3.6%
2010	1,342		−2.5%
2020	1,266		−5.7%
U.S. Decennial Census

2020 census

The 2020 United States census counted 1,266 people, 547 households, and 318 families in La Crosse. ^{[14] [15]} The population density was 1,222.0 per square mile (471.8/km²). There were 642 housing units at an average density of 619.7 per square mile (239.3/km²). ^{[15] [16]} The racial makeup was 94.79% (1,200) white or European American (92.65% non-Hispanic white), 0.32% (4) black or African-American, 0.08% (1) Native American or Alaska Native, 0.32% (4) Asian, 0.0% (0) Pacific Islander or Native Hawaiian, 0.71% (9) from other races, and 3.79% (48) from two or more races. ^[17] Hispanic or Latino of any race was 4.66% (59) of the population. ^[18]

Of the 547 households, 25.6% had children under the age of 18; 45.9% were married couples living together; 28.3% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. 34.2% of households consisted of individuals and 18.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. ^[15] The average household size was 2.0 and the average family size was 3.0. ^[19] The percent of those with a bachelor’s degree or higher was estimated to be 19.0% of the population. ^[20]

22.1% of the population was under the age of 18, 4.9% from 18 to 24, 21.7% from 25 to 44, 26.0% from 45 to 64, and 25.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 45.6 years. For every 100 females, there were 104.9 males. ^[15] For every 100 females ages 18 and older, there were 113.0 males. ^[15]

The 2016-2020 5-year American Community Survey estimates show that the median household income was $40,069 (with a margin of error of +/- $8,803) and the median family income was $66,750 (+/- $12,066). ^[21] Males had a median income of $32,692 (+/- $11,813) versus $19,567 (+/- $3,871) for females. The median income for those above 16 years old was $21,816 (+/- $2,726). ^[22] Approximately, 2.6% of families and 5.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.1% of those under the age of 18 and 3.4% of those ages 65 or over. ^{[23] [24]}

2010 census

As of the census ^[25] of 2010, there were 1,342 people, 606 households, and 350 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,278.1 inhabitants per square mile (493.5/km²). There were 722 housing units at an average density of 687.6 per square mile (265.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 98.5% White, 0.2% African American, 0.4% Native American, 0.2% Asian, and 0.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.8% of the population.

There were 606 households, of which 24.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.2% were married couples living together, 8.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.8% had a male householder with no wife present, and 42.2% were non-families. 36.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 18.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.10 and the average family size was 2.72.

The median age in the city was 47.7 years. 19.9% of residents were under the age of 18; 4.9% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 21.3% were from 25 to 44; 27% were from 45 to 64; and 26.9% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.3% male and 52.7% female.

2000 census

As of the census ^[26] of 2000, there were 1,376 people, 585 households, and 367 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,351.8 inhabitants per square mile (521.9/km²). There were 720 housing units at an average density of 707.4 per square mile (273.1/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 98.33% White, 0.22% African American, 0.44% Native American, 0.15% Asian, 0.22% from other races, and 0.65% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.38% of the population.

There were 585 households, out of which 26.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.0% were married couples living together, 6.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.1% were non-families. 33.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 18.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.20 and the average family size was 2.81.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 21.5% under the age of 18, 6.1% from 18 to 24, 21.8% from 25 to 44, 23.3% from 45 to 64, and 27.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 45 years. For every 100 females, there were 84.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 78.2 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $31,435, and the median income for a family was $39,118. Males had a median income of $26,118 versus $20,600 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,264. About 7.1% of families and 9.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.1% of those under age 18 and 11.6% of those age 65 or over.

Government

La Crosse is a city of the third class, according to state statute, with a commission-manager form of government. ^[27] The city commission consists of the mayor and two commissioners, and it meets on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month. ^[28]

Education

The community is served by La Crosse USD 395 public school district, and operates three schools in the city: ^{[29] [30]}

• La Crosse High School (9-12)
• La Crosse Middle School (7-8)
• La Crosse Elementary School (K-6)

Transportation

U.S. Route 183 runs north-south through La Crosse, intersecting Kansas Highway 4 (K-4) which runs east-west along the northern edge of the city. ^[9]

Rush County Airport is located northeast of the city on the north side of K-4. ^[10] Publicly owned, it has one asphalt runway and is used for general aviation. ^[31]

A line of the Kansas and Oklahoma Railroad runs southeast-northwest through La Crosse. ^[10]

Media

Print

One newspaper, The Rush County News, is published weekly in La Crosse. ^[32]

Radio

The following radio stations are licensed to and/or broadcast from La Crosse:

FM

Frequency	Callsign [33]	Format [34]	City of License	Notes
93.5	KKDT	Adult Hits	Burdett, Kansas	"Dave FM"; Broadcasts from La Crosse [35]
104.7	KXNC	Top 40	Ness City, Kansas	Broadcasts from La Crosse [36]

Television

La Crosse is in the Wichita-Hutchinson, Kansas television market. ^[37]

Culture

Events

• Rush County Fair

Points of interest

• Kansas Barbed Wire Museum
• Post Rock Museum
• Historical Museum
• Nekoma Bank Museum
• Pleasant Point One-Room School Museum

See also

• Kansas portal

• List of United States tornadoes in May 2012

References

1. U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: La Crosse, Kansas
2. "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 24, 2020.
3. "Profile of La Crosse, Kansas in 2020". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on December 5, 2021. Retrieved December 5, 2021.
4. Griffin, Pete (May 26, 2011). "What's In a Name? Slogans Can Make or Break a City, Experts Say". Fox News. Retrieved March 19, 2014.
5. "Profile for La Crosse, Kansas". ePodunk. Archived from the original on July 14, 2014. Retrieved June 22, 2014.
6. "Welcome to Rush County, Kansas..." Rush County, Kansas . Retrieved June 24, 2011.
7. "The History of the Kansas Barbed Wire Museum". Kansas Barbed Wire Museum . Retrieved June 24, 2011.
8. "La Crosse residents continue to clean up after twister ; KWCH; May 27, 2012". Archived from the original on May 27, 2012. Retrieved May 28, 2012.
9. "2003-2004 Official Transportation Map" (PDF). Kansas Department of Transportation. 2003. Retrieved June 22, 2011.
10. "General Highway Map - Rush County, Kansas" (PDF). Kansas Department of Transportation. October 1, 2010. Retrieved June 22, 2011.
11. "City Distance Tool". Geobytes. Archived from the original on October 5, 2010. Retrieved June 22, 2011.
12. "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on January 25, 2012. Retrieved July 6, 2012.
13. "Average weather for La Crosse, KS". The Weather Channel . Retrieved June 22, 2011.
14. "US Census Bureau, Table P16: HOUSEHOLD TYPE". data.census.gov. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
15. "US Census Bureau, Table DP1: PROFILE OF GENERAL POPULATION AND HOUSING CHARACTERISTICS". data.census.gov. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
16. Bureau, US Census. "Gazetteer Files". Census.gov. Retrieved December 30, 2023.{{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
17. "US Census Bureau, Table P1: RACE". data.census.gov. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
18. "US Census Bureau, Table P2: HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE". data.census.gov. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
19. "US Census Bureau, Table S1101: HOUSEHOLDS AND FAMILIES". data.census.gov. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
20. "US Census Bureau, Table S1501: EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT". data.census.gov. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
21. "US Census Bureau, Table S1903: MEDIAN INCOME IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS (IN 2020 INFLATION-ADJUSTED DOLLARS)". data.census.gov. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
22. "US Census Bureau, Table S2001: EARNINGS IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS (IN 2020 INFLATION-ADJUSTED DOLLARS)". data.census.gov. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
23. "US Census Bureau, Table S1701: POVERTY STATUS IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS". data.census.gov. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
24. "US Census Bureau, Table S1702: POVERTY STATUS IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS OF FAMILIES". data.census.gov. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
25. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved July 6, 2012.
26. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved January 31, 2008.
27. "La Crosse". Directory of Kansas Public Officials. The League of Kansas Municipalities. Archived from the original on May 5, 2011. Retrieved June 22, 2011.
28. "City Departments". City of La Crosse. Retrieved June 22, 2011.
29. "La Crosse Public Schools". La Crosse USD 395. Retrieved June 24, 2011.
30. "La Crosse, Kansas". City-Data . Retrieved June 24, 2011.
31. "K94 - Rush County Airport". AirNav.com. Retrieved June 22, 2011.
32. "About this Newspaper: The Rush County news". Chronicling America. Library of Congress . Retrieved June 24, 2011.
33. "FMQ FM Radio Database Query". Federal Communications Commission. Archived from the original on August 25, 2009. Retrieved June 22, 2011.
34. "Station Information Profile". Arbitron . Retrieved June 22, 2011.
35. "Contact Us". KKDT FM. Archived from the original on August 30, 2013. Retrieved June 18, 2013.
36. "KISS 104.7". KXNC . Retrieved June 22, 2011.
37. "Kansas TV Markets". EchoStar Knowledge Base. Archived from the original on July 26, 2011. Retrieved June 24, 2011.

Further reading

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

See also: List of books about Rush County, Kansas

External links

• City of La Crosse
• La Crosse - Directory of Public Officials
• History of Cities in Rush County
• La Crosse Info, Legends of Kansas
• La Crosse city map, KDOT