Windom, Kansas

Windom, Kansas
City
Windom in the early 20th century
Location within McPherson County and Kansas
KDOT map of McPherson County (legend)
Coordinates: 38°23′03″N97°54′37″W / 38.38417°N 97.91028°W / 38.38417; -97.91028 [1]
Country	United States
State	Kansas
County	McPherson
Incorporated	1885
Area [2]
• Total	0.20 sq mi (0.52 km2)
• Land	0.20 sq mi (0.52 km2)
• Water	0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation [1]	1,650 ft (500 m)
Population  (2020) [3]
• Total	85
• Density	430/sq mi (160/km2)
Time zone	UTC-6 (CST)
• Summer (DST)	UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code	67491
Area code	620
FIPS code	20-79850
GNIS ID	2397340 [1]
Website	City website

Windom is a city in McPherson County, Kansas, United States. ^[1] As of the 2020 census, the population of the city was 85. ^[3]

History

19th century

1915 Railroad Map of McPherson County

For millennia, the land now known as Kansas was inhabited by Native Americans. In 1803, most of modern Kansas was secured by the United States as part of the Louisiana Purchase. In 1854, the Kansas Territory was organized, then in 1861 Kansas became the 34th U.S. state. In 1867, McPherson County was founded.

In 1878, Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway and parties from Marion County and McPherson County chartered the Marion and McPherson Railway Company. ^[4] In 1879, a branch line was built from Florence to McPherson, in 1880 it was extended to Lyons, in 1881 it was extended to Ellinwood. ^[5] The line was leased and operated by the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway. The line from Florence to Marion, was abandoned in 1968. ^[6] In 1992, the line from Marion to McPherson was sold to Central Kansas Railway. In 1993, after heavy flood damage, the line from Marion to McPherson was abandoned. The original branch line connected Florence, Marion, Canada, Hillsboro, Lehigh, Canton, Galva, McPherson, Conway, Windom, Little River, Mitchell, Lyons, Chase, Ellinwood.

Some hold Windom was named in honor of William Windom, while others believe its namesake is Windham County, Connecticut. ^[7]

20th century

The National Old Trails Road, also known as the Ocean-to-Ocean Highway, was established in 1912, and was routed through Windom, Conway, McPherson.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 0.25 square miles (0.65 km²), all of it land. ^[8]

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, Windom has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps. ^[9]

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1890	165		—
1900	146		−11.5%
1910	176		20.5%
1920	248		40.9%
1930	197		−20.6%
1940	196		−0.5%
1950	193		−1.5%
1960	168		−13.0%
1970	183		8.9%
1980	160		−12.6%
1990	136		−15.0%
2000	137		0.7%
2010	130		−5.1%
2020	85		−34.6%
U.S. Decennial Census

2010 census

As of the census ^[10] of 2010, there were 130 people, 53 households, and 28 families residing in the city. The population density was 520.0 inhabitants per square mile (200.8/km²). There were 65 housing units at an average density of 260.0 per square mile (100.4/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 91.5% White, 0.8% African American, 0.8% Asian, 4.6% from other races, and 2.3% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.2% of the population.

There were 53 households, of which 30.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 39.6% were married couples living together, 5.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 7.5% had a male householder with no wife present, and 47.2% were non-families. 41.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 18.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 3.57.

The median age in the city was 41 years. 30% of residents were under the age of 18; 6.1% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 22.2% were from 25 to 44; 23.8% were from 45 to 64; and 17.7% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 49.2% male and 50.8% female.

2000 census

As of the census ^[11] of 2000, there were 137 people, 62 households, and 39 families residing in the city. The population density was 220.4/km² (562.8/sq. mi.). There were 74 housing units at an average density of 119.0/km² (304.0/sq. mi.). The racial makeup of the city was 95.62% White, 1.46% from other races, and 2.92% from two or more races. ^{[12] [13]}

There were 62 households, out of which 21.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.5% were married couples living together, 3.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.5% were non-families. 32.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.5% 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 2.78.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 21.9% under the age of 18, 5.8% from 18 to 24, 25.5% from 25 to 44, 27.7% from 45 to 64, and 19.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females, there were 85.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.1 males.

The median income for a household in the city was US$35,833, and the median income for a family was $38,125. Males had a median income of $31,875 versus $18,750 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,240. There were 7.1% of families and 11.1% of the population living below the poverty line, including 19.4% of under eighteens and none of those over 64.

Education

The community is served by Little River–Windom USD 444 public school district and Little River High School. ^{[14] [15]}

The Little River Redskins won the Kansas State High School 1A football championship in 1981. ^[16]

Windom High School was closed through school unification. The Windom High School mascot was Windom Tigers. ^[17]

See also

• List of people from McPherson County, Kansas
• National Register of Historic Places listings in McPherson County, Kansas

References

1. U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Windom, Kansas
2. "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 24, 2020.
3. "Profile of Windom, Kansas in 2020". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on November 12, 2021. Retrieved November 12, 2021.
4. Marion County Kansas : Past and Present; Sondra Van Meter; MB Publishing House; LCCN 72-92041; 344 pages; 1972.
5. Fourth Annual Report of the Board of Railroad Commissioners for the Year Ending December 1, 1886 in State of Kansas; Kansas Publishing House; 1886.
6. Railway Abandonment 1968
7. "Profile for Windom, Kansas". ePodunk . Retrieved June 14, 2014.
8. "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved July 6, 2012.
9. Climate Summary for Windom, 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. U.S. Census Bureau - 2000 Census, Population and Housing Unit Counts for Kansas
13. U.S. Census Bureau - 1990 Census, Population and Housing Unit Counts for Kansas
14. USD 444
15. Kansas School District Boundary Map
16. "Football" (PDF). KSHSAA. Retrieved March 18, 2020.
17. "Little River Outlasts Late Windom Rally", Great Bend Tribune, 16 December 1964, p.23.

Further reading

See also: List of books about McPherson County, Kansas

• Crossroads of the Windom Community; Windom Booster Club; Bell Books; 1997.

External links

• Windom - Official
• Windom - Directory of Public Officials, League of Kansas Municipalities
• Historic Images of Windom, Special Photo Collections at Wichita State University Library
• Windom city map, KDOT