Richfield, Kansas

Richfield is a city in Morton County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, its population was 43.[6]

Richfield, Kansas
City
Location within Morton County and Kansas
KDOT map of Morton County (legend)
Coordinates: 37°15′57″N 101°47′1″W
Country	United States
State	Kansas
County	Morton
Founded	1880s
Platted	1885
Incorporated	1887
Named for	Rich soil
Area [1]
• Total	1.00 sq mi (2.60 km^2)
• Land	1.00 sq mi (2.60 km^2)
• Water	0.00 sq mi (0.00 km^2)
Elevation	3,389 ft (1,033 m)
Population  (2010)[2]
• Total	43
• Estimate  (2019)[3]	36
• Density	35.89/sq mi (13.85/km^2)
Time zone	UTC-6 (CST)
• Summer (DST)	UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code	67953
Area code	620
FIPS code	20-59200 [4]
GNIS ID	485068 [5]

History

19th century

See also: History of Kansas

Richfield was platted in 1885 and was named for the fertility of the land.[7] A town was built up quickly: in less than one year, Richfield had 600 inhabitants.[8] In 1886, Morton County was founded and Richfield was established as the county seat.[9]

20th century

By 1900, the population of Richfield had declined to 61.[8]

In the 1930s, the area was further affected by its location within the Dust Bowl. This catastrophe intensified the economic impact of the Great Depression in the region.

In 1961, the county seat was moved from Richfield to Elkhart.[9] Richfield has subsequently been the center for basic services for residents of the surrounding rural region: school, postal, fire and police, food and fuel.

Geography

Richfield is located at 37°15′57″N 101°47′1″W (37.265731, -101.783654).[10] According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.00 square mile (2.59 km²), all of it land.[11]

Climate

According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Richfield has a semi-arid climate, abbreviated "BSk" on climate maps.[12]

Demographics

Historical population
Census	Pop.		%±
1890	164		—
1900	61		−62.8%
1910	53		−13.1%
1920	62		17.0%
1930	106		71.0%
1940	96		−9.4%
1950	105		9.4%
1960	122		16.2%
1970	82		−32.8%
1980	81		−1.2%
1990	50		−38.3%
2000	48		−4.0%
2010	43		−10.4%
Est. 2019	36	[3]	−16.3%
U.S. Decennial Census

2010 census

As of the census[2] of 2010, there were 43 people, 20 households, and 15 families residing in the city. The population density was 43.0 inhabitants per square mile (16.6/km²). There were 25 housing units at an average density of 25.0 per square mile (9.7/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 100.0% White.

There were 20 households of which 25.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 70.0% were married couples living together, 5.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.0% were non-families. 25.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.15 and the average family size was 2.53.

The median age in the city was 50.5 years. 16.3% of residents were under the age of 18; 7% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 25.6% were from 25 to 44; 18.7% were from 45 to 64; and 32.6% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 44.2% male and 55.8% female.

2000 census

As of the census[4] of 2000, there were 48 people, 25 households, and 14 families residing in the city. The population density was 48.1 people per square mile (18.5/km²). There were 26 housing units at an average density of 26.1 per square mile (10.0/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 100.00% White.

There were 25 households out of which 20.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.0% were married couples living together, 4.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 44.0% were non-families. 40.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 28.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.92 and the average family size was 2.57.

In the city, the population was spread out with 16.7% under the age of 18, 4.2% from 18 to 24, 22.9% from 25 to 44, 33.3% from 45 to 64, and 22.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 52 years. For every 100 females, there were 84.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.8 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $37,813, and the median income for a family was $42,500. Males had a median income of $33,750 versus $12,083 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,974. There were no families and 10.3% of the population living below the poverty line, including no under eighteens and none of those over 64.

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 August 31, 2011.
7. Capace, Nancy (1 June 2000). Encyclopedia of Kansas. North American Book Dist LLC. p. 258. ISBN 978-0-403-09312-0.
8. Blackmar, Frank Wilson (1912). Kansas: A Cyclopedia of State History, Volume 2. Standard Publishing Company. pp. 582.
9. Morton County Facts; mtcoks.com
10. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
11. "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on January 12, 2012. Retrieved 2012-07-06.
12. Climate Summary for Richfield, Kansas

Further reading

See also: List of books about Morton County, Kansas

External links

City

• Richfield - Directory of Public Officials

Schools

• USD 217, local school district

Maps

• Richfield City Map, KDOT