Ness City, Kansas

Ness City, Kansas
City and county seat
Ness County Bank building (2013)
Location within Ness County and Kansas
KDOT map of Ness County (legend)
Coordinates: 38°27′15″N99°54′17″W / 38.45417°N 99.90472°W / 38.45417; -99.90472 [1]
Country	United States
State	Kansas
County	Ness
Founded	1878
Incorporated	1886
Named for	Corporal Noah Ness
Area [2]
• Total	1.46 sq mi (3.77 km2)
• Land	1.46 sq mi (3.77 km2)
• Water	0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation [1]	2,261 ft (689 m)
Population  (2020) [3]
• Total	1,329
• Density	910/sq mi (350/km2)
Time zone	UTC-6 (CST)
• Summer (DST)	UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code	67560
Area code	785
FIPS code	20-49925
GNIS ID	2395176 [1]
Website	City Website

Ness City is a city in and the county seat of Ness County, Kansas, United States. ^[1] As of the 2020 census, the population of the city was 1,329. ^[3] Ness City is famous for its four-story Old Ness County Bank Building located downtown, and nicknamed Skyscraper of the Plains.

History

Ness City was founded in 1878. ^[4] The town experienced growth with the arrival of the railroad in 1886. ^[5]

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.02 square miles (2.64 km²), all land. ^[6]

Climate

Ness City has a humid subtropical climate (Köppen Cwa), with hot, humid summers and cold, dry winters. On average, January is the coldest month, and July is both the hottest month and the wettest month. ^[7]

Climate data for Ness City, Kansas, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1893–2021
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Record high °F (°C)	83 (28)	91 (33)	95 (35)	103 (39)	105 (41)	114 (46)	113 (45)	111 (44)	109 (43)	100 (38)	92 (33)	83 (28)	114 (46)
Mean maximum °F (°C)	69.7 (20.9)	74.7 (23.7)	83.8 (28.8)	89.8 (32.1)	95.6 (35.3)	101.6 (38.7)	105.2 (40.7)	102.7 (39.3)	99.5 (37.5)	92.6 (33.7)	78.8 (26.0)	68.1 (20.1)	105.9 (41.1)
Mean daily maximum °F (°C)	44.3 (6.8)	47.9 (8.8)	58.5 (14.7)	67.5 (19.7)	77.2 (25.1)	88.2 (31.2)	93.2 (34.0)	90.9 (32.7)	83.6 (28.7)	70.5 (21.4)	56.8 (13.8)	45.5 (7.5)	68.7 (20.4)
Daily mean °F (°C)	30.0 (−1.1)	33.2 (0.7)	42.9 (6.1)	51.9 (11.1)	62.6 (17.0)	73.8 (23.2)	79.0 (26.1)	76.7 (24.8)	68.4 (20.2)	54.8 (12.7)	41.6 (5.3)	31.7 (−0.2)	53.9 (12.2)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C)	15.7 (−9.1)	18.5 (−7.5)	27.3 (−2.6)	36.3 (2.4)	47.9 (8.8)	59.3 (15.2)	64.8 (18.2)	62.6 (17.0)	53.3 (11.8)	39.0 (3.9)	26.3 (−3.2)	17.9 (−7.8)	39.1 (3.9)
Mean minimum °F (°C)	−0.1 (−17.8)	2.1 (−16.6)	9.1 (−12.7)	20.8 (−6.2)	33.7 (0.9)	46.9 (8.3)	54.5 (12.5)	53.1 (11.7)	38.5 (3.6)	22.1 (−5.5)	10.5 (−11.9)	1.9 (−16.7)	−6.6 (−21.4)
Record low °F (°C)	−19 (−28)	−24 (−31)	−21 (−29)	10 (−12)	20 (−7)	37 (3)	41 (5)	43 (6)	20 (−7)	10 (−12)	−4 (−20)	−25 (−32)	−25 (−32)
Average precipitation inches (mm)	0.56 (14)	0.74 (19)	1.40 (36)	1.93 (49)	2.99 (76)	2.83 (72)	3.83 (97)	3.07 (78)	1.84 (47)	1.76 (45)	0.76 (19)	0.88 (22)	22.59 (574)
Average snowfall inches (cm)	3.2 (8.1)	3.5 (8.9)	3.3 (8.4)	0.4 (1.0)	0.1 (0.25)	0.0 (0.0)	0.0 (0.0)	0.0 (0.0)	0.0 (0.0)	0.4 (1.0)	1.3 (3.3)	3.2 (8.1)	15.4 (39.05)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in)	2.6	3.2	4.7	6.4	7.9	7.5	6.8	6.5	4.7	4.4	2.9	2.9	60.5
Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 in)	1.8	1.8	1.2	0.3	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.1	0.4	1.5	7.1
Source 1: NOAA [8]
Source 2: National Weather Service [9]

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1880	31		—
1890	869		2,703.2%
1900	505		−41.9%
1910	712		41.0%
1920	905		27.1%
1930	1,509		66.7%
1940	1,355		−10.2%
1950	1,612		19.0%
1960	1,653		2.5%
1970	1,756		6.2%
1980	1,769		0.7%
1990	1,724		−2.5%
2000	1,534		−11.0%
2010	1,449		−5.5%
2020	1,329		−8.3%
U.S. Decennial Census

2020 census

The 2020 United States census counted 1,329 people, 595 households, and 340 families in Ness City. ^{[10] [11]} The population density was 913.4 per square mile (352.7/km²). There were 710 housing units at an average density of 488.0 per square mile (188.4/km²). ^{[11] [12]} The racial makeup was 86.08% (1,144) white or European American (83.45% non-Hispanic white), 0.08% (1) black or African-American, 0.6% (8) Native American or Alaska Native, 0.0% (0) Asian, 0.0% (0) Pacific Islander or Native Hawaiian, 8.2% (109) from other races, and 5.04% (67) from two or more races. ^[13] Hispanic or Latino of any race was 14.15% (188) of the population. ^[14]

Of the 595 households, 22.2% had children under the age of 18; 47.7% were married couples living together; 26.1% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. 37.3% of households consisted of individuals and 19.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. ^[11] The average household size was 2.3 and the average family size was 2.8. ^[15] The percent of those with a bachelor’s degree or higher was estimated to be 23.3% of the population. ^[16]

21.2% of the population was under the age of 18, 5.7% from 18 to 24, 19.8% from 25 to 44, 27.9% from 45 to 64, and 25.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 48.8 years. For every 100 females, there were 104.1 males. ^[11] For every 100 females ages 18 and older, there were 108.6 males. ^[11]

The 2016-2020 5-year American Community Survey estimates show that the median household income was $60,852 (with a margin of error of +/- $7,029) and the median family income was $76,250 (+/- $23,800). ^[17] Males had a median income of $56,583 (+/- $8,414) versus $19,750 (+/- $6,232) for females. The median income for those above 16 years old was $35,417 (+/- $10,302). ^[18] Approximately, 3.9% of families and 6.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.0% of those under the age of 18 and 8.4% of those ages 65 or over. ^{[19] [20]}

2010 census

As of the census ^[21] of 2010, there were 1,449 people, 635 households, and 392 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,420.6 inhabitants per square mile (548.5/km²). There were 739 housing units at an average density of 724.5 per square mile (279.7/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 97.0% White, 0.3% African American, 0.1% Native American, 0.2% Asian, 1.6% from other races, and 0.8% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 8.9% of the population.

There were 635 households, of which 26.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.9% were married couples living together, 5.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.3% had a male householder with no wife present, and 38.3% were non-families. 35.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.21 and the average family size was 2.85.

The median age in the city was 47.5 years. 23% of residents were under the age of 18; 4.8% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 19.2% were from 25 to 44; 27.7% were from 45 to 64; and 25.3% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 49.1% male and 50.9% female.

2000 census

As of the census ^[22] of 2000, there were 1,534 people, 684 households, and 424 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,495.7 inhabitants per square mile (577.5/km²). There were 800 housing units at an average density of 780.0 per square mile (301.2/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 97.72% White, 0.07% African American, 0.39% Native American, 0.07% Asian, 0.59% from other races, and 1.17% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.28% of the population.

There were 684 households, out of which 25.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.0% were married couples living together, 4.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.0% were non-families. 36.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 20.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.17 and the average family size was 2.83.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 22.4% under the age of 18, 5.0% from 18 to 24, 24.6% from 25 to 44, 22.2% from 45 to 64, and 25.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.9 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $33,068, and the median income for a family was $42,500. Males had a median income of $28,992 versus $18,553 for females. The per capita income for the city was $18,481. About 5.1% of families and 7.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.1% of those under age 18 and 6.8% of those age 65 or over.

Education

The community is served by Ness City USD 303 public school district.

References

1. U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Ness City, Kansas
2. "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 24, 2020.
3. "Profile of Ness City, Kansas in 2020". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on November 23, 2021. Retrieved November 22, 2021.
4. Kansas State Historical Society (1916). Biennial Report of the Board of Directors of the Kansas State Historical Society. Kansas State Printing Plant. pp.  253.
5. Blackmar, Frank Wilson (1912). Kansas: A Cyclopedia of State History, Volume 2. Standard Publishing Company. pp.  352.
6. "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on January 25, 2012. Retrieved July 6, 2012.
7. "Monthly Averages for Ness City, Kansas". Weather.com . The Weather Channel . Retrieved August 15, 2013.
8. "U.S. Climate Normals Quick Access – Station: Ness City, KS". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved November 26, 2023.
9. "NOAA Online Weather Data – NWS Dodge City". National Weather Service. Retrieved November 26, 2023.
10. "US Census Bureau, Table P16: HOUSEHOLD TYPE". data.census.gov. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
11. "US Census Bureau, Table DP1: PROFILE OF GENERAL POPULATION AND HOUSING CHARACTERISTICS". data.census.gov. Retrieved January 3, 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 3, 2024.
14. "US Census Bureau, Table P2: HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE". data.census.gov. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
15. "US Census Bureau, Table S1101: HOUSEHOLDS AND FAMILIES". data.census.gov. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
16. "US Census Bureau, Table S1501: EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT". data.census.gov. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
17. "US Census Bureau, Table S1903: MEDIAN INCOME IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS (IN 2020 INFLATION-ADJUSTED DOLLARS)". data.census.gov. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
18. "US Census Bureau, Table S2001: EARNINGS IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS (IN 2020 INFLATION-ADJUSTED DOLLARS)". data.census.gov. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
19. "US Census Bureau, Table S1701: POVERTY STATUS IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS". data.census.gov. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
20. "US Census Bureau, Table S1702: POVERTY STATUS IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS OF FAMILIES". data.census.gov. Retrieved January 3, 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.

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 NessCounty, Kansas

External links

• City of Ness City
• Ness City - Directory of Public Officials
• USD 303, local school district
• Sacred Heart Catholic School, local Catholic school, grades PreK-8
• Ness city map, KDOT