Soldier, Kansas

Soldier, Kansas
City
Location within Jackson County and Kansas
KDOT map of Jackson County (legend)
Coordinates: 39°32′14″N95°57′56″W / 39.53722°N 95.96556°W / 39.53722; -95.96556 [1]
Country	United States
State	Kansas
County	Jackson
Founded	1877
Incorporated	1896
Named for	Soldier Creek
Area [2]
• Total	0.15 sq mi (0.38 km2)
• Land	0.15 sq mi (0.38 km2)
• Water	0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation [1]	1,227 ft (374 m)
Population  (2020) [3]
• Total	102
• Density	680/sq mi (270/km2)
Time zone	UTC-6 (CST)
• Summer (DST)	UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code	66540
Area code	785
FIPS code	20-66175
GNIS ID	2395907 [1]

Soldier is a city in Jackson County, Kansas, United States. ^[1] As of the 2020 census, the population of the city was 102. ^[3]

History

The first settlement was made at Soldier in 1877, and the town was laid out in the same year. ^[4] Soldier took its name from Soldier Creek. ^[5] The city was incorporated in 1896. ^[4]

A tornado in 1883 destroyed 18 buildings and killed 4 people. ^[6] Soldier was affected by the June 2008 tornado outbreak sequence: a man was found dead outside the city on the morning of June 11, 2008, killed by a tornado estimated at 1⁄2 mile (0.80 km) wide. ^[7]

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 0.15 square miles (0.39 km²), all of it land. ^[8]

Climate

The climate in this area is characterized by relatively high temperatures and evenly distributed precipitation throughout the year. According to the Köppen climate classification system, Soldier has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps. ^[9]

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1880	98		—
1890	193		96.9%
1900	302		56.5%
1910	358		18.5%
1920	346		−3.4%
1930	274		−20.8%
1940	247		−9.9%
1950	193		−21.9%
1960	171		−11.4%
1970	173		1.2%
1980	165		−4.6%
1990	135		−18.2%
2000	122		−9.6%
2010	136		11.5%
2020	102		−25.0%
U.S. Decennial Census

Soldier is part of the Topeka, Kansas Metropolitan Statistical Area.

2010 census

As of the census ^[10] of 2010, there were 136 people, 48 households, and 33 families living in the city. The population density was 906.7 inhabitants per square mile (350.1/km²). There were 56 housing units at an average density of 373.3 per square mile (144.1/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 93.4% White, 3.7% Native American, 0.7% from other races, and 2.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.2% of the population.

There were 48 households, of which 41.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.1% were married couples living together, 10.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 6.3% had a male householder with no wife present, and 31.3% were non-families. 29.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.83 and the average family size was 3.52.

The median age in the city was 33.5 years. 39% of residents were under the age of 18; 4.3% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 22.1% were from 25 to 44; 21.3% were from 45 to 64; and 13.2% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 55.1% male and 44.9% female.

2000 census

As of the census ^[11] of 2000, there were 122 people, 45 households, and 31 families living in the city. The population density was 800.6 inhabitants per square mile (309.1/km²). There were 58 housing units at an average density of 380.6 per square mile (147.0/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 81.15% White, 15.57% Native American, and 3.28% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.56% of the population.

There were 45 households, out of which 37.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.2% were married couples living together, 17.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.1% were non-families. 31.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.71 and the average family size was 3.35.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 32.0% under the age of 18, 10.7% from 18 to 24, 21.3% from 25 to 44, 18.9% from 45 to 64, and 17.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 30 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.0 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $18,750, and the median income for a family was $46,000. Males had a median income of $25,417 versus $23,750 for females. The per capita income for the city was $14,768. There were 11.5% of families and 21.2% of the population living below the poverty line, including 23.1% of under eighteens and 42.9% of those over 64.

Religion

One church is located in Soldier: Soldier Christian Church

Economy

Beside its post office, only one business is located in the city: the Soldier Grill, a restaurant. Another business, the Red Rock Ranch, lies 1.5 miles (2.4 km) outside of the city limits.

Education

The community is served by North Jackson USD 335 public school district.

Soldier High School won the Kansas State High School boys class BB Indoor Track & Field championship in 1964. ^[12]

References

1. U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Soldier, Kansas
2. "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 24, 2020.
3. "Profile of Soldier, Kansas in 2020". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 9, 2022. Retrieved June 8, 2022.
4. Blackmar, Frank Wilson (1912). Kansas: A Cyclopedia of State History, Volume 2. Standard Publishing Company. pp.  712.
5. "Profile for Soldier, Kansas". ePodunk . Retrieved June 11, 2014.
6. Barr, Elizabeth N. (1907). Business directory and history of Jackson County. p. 77.
7. "2 Killed In Kansas Storms, Tornadoes". KCTV. June 12, 2008. Retrieved June 12, 2008.
8. "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on July 2, 2012. Retrieved July 6, 2012.
9. Climate Summary for Soldier, Kansas
10. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved July 6, 2012.
11. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved January 31, 2008.
12. "Track & Field". KSHSAA. Retrieved January 6, 2017.

Further reading

See also: List of books about Jackson County, Kansas

• A History of Soldier, Kansas; Robert Markham; 85 pages; 1985; ASIN: B0006ELRJ8.

External links

• Soldier – Directory of Public Officials
• Soldier city map, KDOT