Lebanon, Kansas

Lebanon is a city in Smith County, Kansas, United States, in the north central part of the state. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 218.[6]

Lebanon, Kansas
City
Welcome sign (2013)
Location within Smith County and Kansas
KDOT map of Smith County (legend)
Coordinates: 39°48′38″N 98°33′22″W
CountryUnited States
StateKansas
CountySmith
Founded1876
Incorporated1889
Named forLebanon, Kentucky
Government
 • TypeMayor–Council
Area
 • Total0.32 sq mi (0.84 km2)
 • Land0.32 sq mi (0.84 km2)
 • Water0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation
1,844 ft (562 m)
Population
 • Total218
 • Estimate 
(2019)[3]
198
 • Density614.91/sq mi (237.09/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (CST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
ZIP Code
66952
Area code785
FIPS code20-39100[4]
GNIS ID0471973[5]

In 1918, a scientific survey established the geographic center of the 48 contiguous US states about 2.6 miles (4.2 km) northwest of Lebanon, and a monument was subsequently erected at the site.[7] The geographic center of all 50 of the US states is located near Belle Fourche, South Dakota.

History

Lebanon was founded in 1876 at a site about 4 miles (6.4 km) distant from its present site. It was moved to the new site in about 1887–1888. Lebanon is named after Lebanon, Kentucky.[8]

Geography

Lebanon is located at 39°48′38″N 98°33′22″W (39.810492, -98.556061).[9] According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 0.316 square miles (0.818 km2), all land.[10]

Area attractions

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
1890301—
190059096.0%
191073123.9%
192082212.4%
1930723−12.0%
1940652−9.8%
1950610−6.4%
1960583−4.4%
1970517−11.3%
1980440−14.9%
1990364−17.3%
2000303−16.8%
2010218−28.1%
Est. 2019198[3]−9.2%
U.S. Decennial Census
Plaque on Monument near Lebanon (2007)

2010 census

As of the census[2] of 2010, there were 218 people, 118 households, and 60 families residing in the city. The population density was 681.3 inhabitants per square mile (263.1/km2). There were 183 housing units at an average density of 571.9 per square mile (220.8/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 95.9% White, 0.5% Native American, 0.5% Asian, and 3.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.2% of the population.

There were 118 households of which 16.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.4% were married couples living together, 4.2% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.2% had a male householder with no wife present, and 49.2% were non-families. 46.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 22.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.85 and the average family size was 2.62.

The median age in the city was 51.3 years. 17.4% of residents were under the age of 18; 2.8% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 14.8% were from 25 to 44; 40.8% were from 45 to 64; and 24.3% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.2% male and 51.8% female.

2000 census

As of the census[4] of 2000, there were 303 people, 151 households, and 91 families residing in the city. The population density was 955.5 people per square mile (365.6/km2). There were 204 housing units at an average density of 643.3 per square mile (246.1/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 99.01% White, 0.33% Native American, and 0.66% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.32% of the population.

There were 151 households out of which 15.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.3% were married couples living together, 3.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.1% were non-families. 35.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 19.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.01 and the average family size was 2.57.

In the city, the population was spread out with 15.8% under the age of 18, 6.3% from 18 to 24, 21.5% from 25 to 44, 22.8% from 45 to 64, and 33.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 52 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 102.4 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $23,056, and the median income for a family was $28,846. Males had a median income of $22,750 versus $13,250 for females. The per capita income for the city was $12,245. About 13.2% of families and 22.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 33.3% of those under the age of eighteen and 5.5% of those sixty five or over.

Rural flight
Tornado damage in 2013

On October 2, 2006, Lebanon was the focus of a study of rural flight, as local farmer Randall Warner was featured in a New York Times story about the problems faced by communities such as Lebanon.[12]

Government

The Lebanon government consists of a mayor and five council members. The council meets the second Monday of each month at 7 p.m., at City Hall, 404 Main St.[13]

Education

The community is served by Smith Center USD 237 public school district.[14]

Lebanon schools were closed through school unification. The Lebanon Bronchos (or Broncos)[15] won the Kansas State High School boys 1A basketball championship in 1977.[16]

Film

Lebanon's status as the geographic center of the contiguous United States was a plot point in 1969 film The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes as the final question in a television quiz show.

Television

Lebanon is featured in the American television series Supernatural as the location of the former base of a secret society known as the Men of Letters. From season 8 onwards, it has become the home base for the main characters, Sam and Dean Winchester.

In the TV series Salvation a Russian nuclear warhead explodes near Lebanon.

Lebanon was featured in TV series American Gods, as a point for the Old Gods and the New Gods to parlay.

In TV series House of Cards, during the sixth season's seventh episode, President Claire Underwood gives a speech in Lebanon.

Books

The geographic center of the contiguous United States north of Lebanon plays a reasonably important role in the book American Gods by Neil Gaiman as one of many "places of power".

gollark: I'm making free beacons for my augmented reality thing available on-demand.
gollark: That sounds like an excellent and nonhorrible idea.
gollark: I'm fairly sure the font isn't monospaced.
gollark: Anyone know how to right-align text on overlay glasses?
gollark: So was my esolang, and you shouldn't use that.

References
  1. "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 24, 2020.
  2. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2012-07-06.
  3. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". United States Census Bureau. May 24, 2020. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
  4. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  5. "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  6. "2010 City Population and Housing Occupancy Status". U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved April 6, 2011.
  7. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2006-08-25. Retrieved 2006-06-01.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  8. Kansas State Historical Society (1916). Biennial Report of the Board of Directors of the Kansas State Historical Society. Kansas State Printing Plant. pp. 301.
  9. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
  10. "Places - Kansas". 2015 U.S. Gazetteer Files. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2016-03-08.
  11. Kansas Historical Marker - The Geographic Center
  12. A Farmer Fears His Way of Life Has Dwindled Down to a Final Generation, The New York Times, 2006-10-02. Accessed 2006-10-02.
  13. Lebanon - Directory of Public Officials Archived 2010-10-22 at the Wayback Machine
  14. "Smith Center USD 237". USD 237. Retrieved 7 January 2017.
  15. "Lebanon Overtime Win Over Sylvan", The Belleville Telescope, 7 December 1978, p.6.
  16. "Basketball". KSHSAA. Retrieved 3 January 2017.

Further reading
See also: List of books about Smith County, Kansas
City
Schools
Geographical Center
Maps
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.