Otis, Kansas

Otis, Kansas
City
Location within Rush County and Kansas
KDOT map of Rush County (legend)
Coordinates: 38°32′05″N99°03′13″W / 38.53472°N 99.05361°W / 38.53472; -99.05361 [1]
Country	United States
State	Kansas
County	Rush
Founded	1886
Incorporated	1911
Named for	Otis Modderwell
Area [2]
• Total	0.31 sq mi (0.81 km2)
• Land	0.31 sq mi (0.81 km2)
• Water	0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation [1]	2,038 ft (621 m)
Population  (2020) [3]
• Total	296
• Density	950/sq mi (370/km2)
Time zone	UTC-6 (CST)
• Summer (DST)	UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code	67565
Area code	785
FIPS code	20-53525
GNIS ID	2396103 [1]

Otis is a city in Rush County, Kansas, United States. ^[1] As of the 2020 census, the population of the city was 296. ^[3]

History

Helium plant in Otis, 1945

Otis was founded in 1886, and named for the founder's son, Otis Modderwell. ^{[4] [5]}

The first post office in Otis was established in August 1887. ^[6]

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 0.30 square miles (0.78 km²), all of it land. ^[7]

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1920	505		—
1930	407		−19.4%
1940	413		1.5%
1950	410		−0.7%
1960	362		−11.7%
1970	387		6.9%
1980	410		5.9%
1990	385		−6.1%
2000	325		−15.6%
2010	282		−13.2%
2020	296		5.0%
U.S. Decennial Census

2020 census

The 2020 United States census counted 296 people, 118 households, and 66 families in Otis. ^{[8] [9]} The population density was 945.7 per square mile (365.1/km²). There were 162 housing units at an average density of 517.6 per square mile (199.8/km²). ^{[9] [10]} The racial makeup was 91.22% (270) white or European American (88.85% non-Hispanic white), 0.34% (1) black or African-American, 1.01% (3) Native American or Alaska Native, 0.0% (0) Asian, 0.0% (0) Pacific Islander or Native Hawaiian, 0.68% (2) from other races, and 6.76% (20) from two or more races. ^[11] Hispanic or Latino of any race was 6.42% (19) of the population. ^[12]

Of the 118 households, 21.2% had children under the age of 18; 49.2% were married couples living together; 16.9% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. 35.6% of households consisted of individuals and 19.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. ^[9] The average household size was 2.9 and the average family size was 4.2. ^[13] The percent of those with a bachelor’s degree or higher was estimated to be 6.4% of the population. ^[14]

21.3% of the population was under the age of 18, 9.1% from 18 to 24, 24.7% from 25 to 44, 24.3% from 45 to 64, and 20.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42.0 years. For every 100 females, there were 87.3 males. ^[9] For every 100 females ages 18 and older, there were 84.9 males. ^[9]

The 2016-2020 5-year American Community Survey estimates show that the median household income was $38,750 (with a margin of error of +/- $24,369) and the median family income was $55,781 (+/- $11,218). ^[15] Males had a median income of $30,250 (+/- $18,809) versus $25,972 (+/- $19,542) for females. The median income for those above 16 years old was $26,591 (+/- $13,376). ^[16] Approximately, 8.2% of families and 10.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.9% of those under the age of 18 and 0.0% of those ages 65 or over. ^{[17] [18]}

2010 census

As of the census ^[19] of 2010, there were 282 people, 146 households, and 84 families residing in the city. The population density was 940.0 inhabitants per square mile (362.9/km²). There were 169 housing units at an average density of 563.3 per square mile (217.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 96.1% White, 0.4% African American, 0.7% Native American, 0.4% Asian, 0.7% from other races, and 1.8% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.5% of the population.

There were 146 households, of which 15.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.6% were married couples living together, 6.2% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.8% had a male householder with no wife present, and 42.5% were non-families. 40.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 19.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.93 and the average family size was 2.56.

The median age in the city was 52.7 years. 16% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.1% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 14.2% were from 25 to 44; 37.2% were from 45 to 64; and 24.5% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 51.4% male and 48.6% female.

2000 census

As of the census ^[20] of 2000, there were 325 people, 148 households, and 92 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,080.3 inhabitants per square mile (417.1/km²). There were 170 housing units at an average density of 565.1 per square mile (218.2/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 98.77% White, 0.31% Native American, 0.31% Asian, and 0.62% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.85% of the population.

There were 148 households, out of which 30.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.0% were married couples living together, 6.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.8% were non-families. 35.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 22.3% 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 2.82.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 22.2% under the age of 18, 10.2% from 18 to 24, 21.8% from 25 to 44, 24.6% from 45 to 64, and 21.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.6 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $27,109, and the median income for a family was $35,625. Males had a median income of $26,875 versus $18,929 for females. The per capita income for the city was $14,290. About 4.5% of families and 6.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.3% of those under age 18 and 15.3% of those age 65 or over.

Industry

The Linde Group, based in Munich, Germany, operates the world's second largest helium production facility in Otis, producing nearly one-sixth of the global supply of the gas. ^[21] The Otis facility supplies helium to the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, sending nearly 400,000 cubic feet (11,000 m³) in 2008 alone. ^[22]

Education

The community is served by Otis–Bison USD 403 public school district. School unification consolidated Otis and Bison schools forming USD 403. The Otis-Bison High School mascot is Cougars. ^[23]

Otis schools were closed through school unification. The Otis High School mascot was Eagles. ^[24]

References

1. U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Otis, Kansas
2. "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 24, 2020.
3. "Profile of Otis, 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. "Kansas Post Offices, 1828-1961". Kansas Historical Society. Archived from the original on May 29, 2014. Retrieved June 22, 2014.
7. "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on January 25, 2012. Retrieved July 6, 2012.
8. "US Census Bureau, Table P16: HOUSEHOLD TYPE". data.census.gov. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
9. "US Census Bureau, Table DP1: PROFILE OF GENERAL POPULATION AND HOUSING CHARACTERISTICS". data.census.gov. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
10. Bureau, US Census. "Gazetteer Files". Census.gov. Retrieved December 30, 2023.
11. "US Census Bureau, Table P1: RACE". data.census.gov. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
12. "US Census Bureau, Table P2: HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE". data.census.gov. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
13. "US Census Bureau, Table S1101: HOUSEHOLDS AND FAMILIES". data.census.gov. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
14. "US Census Bureau, Table S1501: EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT". data.census.gov. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
15. "US Census Bureau, Table S1903: MEDIAN INCOME IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS (IN 2020 INFLATION-ADJUSTED DOLLARS)". data.census.gov. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
16. "US Census Bureau, Table S2001: EARNINGS IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS (IN 2020 INFLATION-ADJUSTED DOLLARS)". data.census.gov. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
17. "US Census Bureau, Table S1701: POVERTY STATUS IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS". data.census.gov. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
18. "US Census Bureau, Table S1702: POVERTY STATUS IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS OF FAMILIES". data.census.gov. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
19. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved July 6, 2012.
20. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved January 31, 2008.
21. Peter Gavigan (2008). "The Linde Group - Fact Sheet" (PDF). KWCH. Retrieved November 27, 2008.^{[ permanent dead link ]}
22. Rick Montgomery (2008). "Kansas helps keep helium supply up". Kansas City Star. Retrieved November 27, 2008.^{[ dead link ]}
23. "USD 403". USD 403. Retrieved January 5, 2017.
24. "Otis Drops Bazine For Ninth Straight", The Hays Daily News, 7 January 1962, p.12.

Further reading

See also: List of books about Rush County, Kansas

External links

• Otis - Directory of Public Officials
• USD 403, local school district
• History of Cities in Rush County
• Otis Info, Legends of Kansas
• Rush County maps: Current, Historic, KDOT