McCracken, Kansas

McCracken, Kansas
City
Location within Rush County and Kansas
KDOT map of Rush County (legend)
Coordinates: 38°34′56″N99°34′06″W / 38.58222°N 99.56833°W / 38.58222; -99.56833 [1]
Country	United States
State	Kansas
County	Rush
Founded	1886
Incorporated	1887
Named for	J.K. McCracken
Area [2]
• Total	1.00 sq mi (2.58 km2)
• Land	1.00 sq mi (2.58 km2)
• Water	0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation [1]	2,139 ft (652 m)
Population  (2020) [3]
• Total	152
• Density	150/sq mi (59/km2)
Time zone	UTC-6 (CST)
• Summer (DST)	UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code	67556
Area code	785
FIPS code	20-43700
GNIS ID	2395062 [1]

McCracken is a city in Rush County, Kansas, United States. ^[1] As of the 2020 census, the population of the city was 152. ^[3]

History

McCracken was founded in 1886 when the railroad was extended to that point. ^[4] It was named for J.K. McCracken, a railroad employee. ^{[4] [5] [6]}

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 0.95 square miles (2.46 km²), all of it land. ^[7]

Climate

The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, McCracken has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps. ^[8]

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1890	281		—
1900	312		11.0%
1910	371		18.9%
1920	491		32.3%
1930	594		21.0%
1940	534		−10.1%
1950	553		3.6%
1960	406		−26.6%
1970	333		−18.0%
1980	292		−12.3%
1990	231		−20.9%
2000	211		−8.7%
2010	190		−10.0%
2020	152		−20.0%
U.S. Decennial Census

2010 census

As of the census ^[9] of 2010, there were 190 people, 96 households, and 50 families residing in the city. The population density was 200.0 inhabitants per square mile (77.2/km²). There were 130 housing units at an average density of 136.8 per square mile (52.8/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 93.7% White, 0.5% African American, 2.1% Native American, and 3.7% from two or more races.

There were 96 households, of which 16.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.7% were married couples living together, 6.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.1% had a male householder with no wife present, and 47.9% were non-families. 43.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 23.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.98 and the average family size was 2.76.

The median age in the city was 53 years. 19.5% of residents were under the age of 18; 4.7% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 15.4% were from 25 to 44; 31.6% were from 45 to 64; and 28.9% 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 ^[10] of 2000, there were 211 people, 106 households, and 57 families residing in the city. The population density was 220.8 inhabitants per square mile (85.3/km²). There were 139 housing units at an average density of 145.5 per square mile (56.2/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 98.10% White, 0.47% Native American, and 1.42% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.47% of the population.

There were 106 households, out of which 24.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.4% were married couples living together, 8.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 45.3% were non-families. 44.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 28.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.99 and the average family size was 2.74.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 23.7% under the age of 18, 2.4% from 18 to 24, 19.4% from 25 to 44, 26.1% from 45 to 64, and 28.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 47 years. For every 100 females, there were 85.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.1 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $29,750, and the median income for a family was $34,750. Males had a median income of $31,250 versus $25,250 for females. The per capita income for the city was $13,957. About 12.3% of families and 13.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.5% of those under the age of eighteen and 9.9% of those 65 or over.

Education

The community is served by La Crosse USD 395 public school district. The LaCrosse High School mascot is LaCrosse Leopards. ^[11]

McCracken High School was closed through school unification. The McCracken Mustangs ^[12] won the Kansas State High School boys class 1A basketball championship in 1972. ^[13]

Media

Part of the 1973 film Paper Moon was shot in the McCracken area. All of the major building “filming locations”, including the hotel and cafe, are gone, and today are empty lots.

References

1. U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: McCracken, Kansas
2. "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 24, 2020.
3. "Profile of McCracken, Kansas in 2020". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on December 5, 2021. Retrieved December 5, 2021.
4. "History of Rush County". Rush County Economic Development. Archived from the original on March 22, 2012. Retrieved June 22, 2014.
5. Kansas State Historical Society (1916). Biennial Report of the Board of Directors of the Kansas State Historical Society. Kansas State Printing Plant. pp.  278.
6. "Profile for McCracken, Kansas". ePodunk . Retrieved June 22, 2014.
7. "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on January 12, 2012. Retrieved July 6, 2012.
8. Climate Summary for McCracken, Kansas
9. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved July 6, 2012.
10. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved January 31, 2008.
11. "LaCrosse Public Schools". USD 395. Retrieved January 4, 2017.
12. "McCracken Mustangs", Hays Daily News, 11 September 1975, p.18.
13. "Basketball". KSHSAA. Retrieved January 3, 2017.

Further reading

See also: List of books about Rush County, Kansas

External links

• McCracken - Directory of Public Officials
• History of Cities in Rush County
• McCracken Info, Legends of Kansas
• Rush County maps: Current, Historic, KDOT