Wellington, Kansas

Wellington is a city in and the county seat of Sumner County, Kansas, United States.[5] As of the 2010 census, the city population was 8,172.[6]

Wellington, Kansas
City and County seat
Sign in Wellington (2006)
Nickname(s): 
"Wheat Capital of the World"
Location within Sumner County and Kansas
KDOT map of Sumner County (legend)
Coordinates: 37°16′2″N 97°24′0″W
CountryUnited States
StateKansas
CountySumner
Founded1870s
Platted1871
Incorporated1872
Named forDuke of Wellington
Government
 • MayorJim Valentine
Area
 • Total8.21 sq mi (21.27 km2)
 • Land7.32 sq mi (18.96 km2)
 • Water0.89 sq mi (2.31 km2)
Elevation
1,230 ft (370 m)
Population
 • Total8,172
 • Estimate 
(2019)[3]
7,662
 • Density1,046.72/sq mi (404.13/km2)
Time zoneUTC-6 (CST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code
67152
Area code620
FIPS code20-76475
GNIS ID0470147 [4]
Websitecityofwellington.net

History

19th century
1915 Railroad Map of Sumner County

Wellington was platted in 1871 and named for the Duke of Wellington.[7] It was designated as the Sumner County seat in 1872, winning out over Sumner City according to the Wellington library. Cattle herders coming up the Chisholm Trail helped to build the early town's economy.[8]

The first post office in Wellington was established in July 1871.[9]

In 1887, the Chicago, Kansas and Nebraska Railway built a north–south branch line from Herington through Wellington to Caldwell.[10] Creditors foreclosed on it 1891 and the railroad was taken over by Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad, which shut down in 1980 and reorganized as Oklahoma, Kansas and Texas Railroad, merged in 1988 with Missouri Pacific Railroad, merged in 1997 with Union Pacific Railroad. Most locals still refer to this railroad as the "Rock Island".

Geography

Wellington is located at 37°16′2″N 97°24′0″W (37.267289, -97.400061),[11] at an elevation of 1230 feet.[4] According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 8.19 square miles (21.21 km2), of which, 7.61 square miles (19.71 km2) is land and 0.58 square miles (1.50 km2) is water.[12]

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, Wellington has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.[13]

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
18802,094—
18904,391109.7%
19004,245−3.3%
19107,03465.7%
19207,0480.2%
19307,4055.1%
19407,246−2.1%
19507,7476.9%
19608,80913.7%
19708,072−8.4%
19808,2121.7%
19908,4112.4%
20008,6472.8%
20108,172−5.5%
Est. 20197,662[3]−6.2%
U.S. Decennial Census[14]

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States Census,[2] there were 8,172 people, 3,246 households, and 2,105 families living in the city. The population density was 1,073.9 inhabitants per square mile (414.6/km2). There were 3,736 housing units at an average density of 490.9 per square mile (189.5/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 91.0% White, 1.7% African American, 1.5% Native American, 0.3% Asian, 2.0% from other races, and 3.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 8.3% of the population.

There were 3,246 households of which 33.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.0% were married couples living together, 12.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.7% had a male householder with no wife present, and 35.2% were non-families. 30.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 14% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 3.03.

The median age in the city was 37.7 years. 27.2% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.3% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 23.2% were from 25 to 44; 26.1% were from 45 to 64; and 16.1% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.7% male and 51.3% female.

2000 census

As of the 2000 United States Census, there were 8,647 people, 3,422 households, and 2,306 families living in the city. The population density was 1,529.6 people per square mile (590.9/km2). There were 3,795 housing units at an average density of 671.3 per square mile (259.3/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 92.36% White, 1.71% African American, 1.24% Native American, 0.29% Asian, 0.10% Pacific Islander, 2.58% from other races, and 1.72% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 7.26% of the population.

There were 3,422 households out of which 32.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.1% were married couples living together, 9.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.6% were non-families. 29.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.47 and the average family size was 3.05.

In the city, the population was spread out with 27.6% under the age of 18, 9.0% from 18 to 24, 25.6% from 25 to 44, 20.9% from 45 to 64, and 16.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.7 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $35,410, and the median income for a family was $43,493. Males had a median income of $34,368 versus $22,254 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,790. About 8.9% of families and 11.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.6% of those under age 18 and 7.3% of those age 65 or over.

Economy

The surrounding region produced large amounts of winter wheat which was the mainstay of the local economy as of 1997. Railroads, petroleum, and aircraft parts manufacturing are other important businesses.[8]

Arts and culture

Area events

Area attractions

Education

The community is served by Wellington USD 353 public school district.

Media

Wellington is also home to the Wellington Daily News.

Notable people
AT&SF Offices (1983)
  • Ernie Barrett, Professional basketball player for the Boston Celtics (first round 7th pick in 1951 NBA draft). Also nicknamed "Mr. K-State" for his love of Kansas State and his performance as a player at Kansas State. He has a statue standing outside of Bramlage Coliseum, as well as his jersey retired. Barrett was the point guard for Wellington during their only basketball state championship in 1947.
  • Ryleigh Buck, softball player on the United States women's national baseball team at the 2015 Pan American games in Toronto, Canada they won gold. Buck currently plays softball at Wichita State University. She graduated from Wellington in 2016.[15]
  • David Carradine, American actor and film director lived in Wellington for around a year in the early 1980s while filming his movie, Americana (film) in Drury, Kansas. While in Wellington, Carradine lived with his brother Robert Carradine and Dan Haggerty, also known as Grizzly Adams. Haggerty appeared in the film
  • Arthur S. Champeny, United States Army officer
  • Mardie Cornejo, major league baseball player for the New York Mets.
  • Walter Chrysler, founder of the Chrysler Corporation. Chrysler briefly moved to Wellington in 1897 to join the railroad. Nearly thirty years before starting the Chrysler Corporation.
  • Nate Cornejo, major league baseball player for the Detroit Tigers. First round draft pick.
  • Todd Diacon, president of Kent State University.[16]
  • Maurice Elder, 26th pick in the 1937 NFL Draft by the Boston Redskins, football coach at Colorado State University–Pueblo from 1946–1951. Maternal grandfather of pro football quarterback, Jeff Garcia.
  • Phil Ferguson, politician, US Representative from the state of Oklahoma from 1935 to 1941.
  • Neil Frank, meteorologist and former director of the National Hurricane Center
  • Betty Glamann, born in Wellington. She was a harpist, who played with the likes of Spike Jones and Duke Ellington.
  • Loren Hibbs, current Director of Baseball Operations at Wichita State University former head baseball coach for Charlotte baseball, in Charlotte, NC. Currently has over 800 career victories from 1993–2019.
  • Francis Heydt, Four time NCAA Champion swimmer and University it Michigan Hall of Honor class of 1988.
  • Pawnee Bill, named Gordon William Lillie, a showman who specialized in Wild West shows and is most known for his partnership with Buffalo Bill. Pawnee Bill moved to Wellington when he was young from Illinois and was raised here.
  • Joseph E. Maddy, pioneering music educator and founder of the Interlochen Arts Camp
  • Chuck Miller, pop and jazz musician
  • Kate Pelham Newcomb, physician
  • John Travis Nixon, newspaper publisher in Monroe and Crowley, Louisiana; formerly resided in Wellington in early 1880s[17]
  • David L. Payne, American soldier and pioneer
  • Montie Rissell, serial killer, born in Wellington, lived there until he was seven years old. Murdered five people and raped 12 more in Virginia from 1976 to 1977
  • Vince Wetta, American politician, Kansas House of Representatives. Wetta has resided in Wellington since 1966.
  • Tyler Ybarra, Baseball player for the Toronto Blue Jays and Colorado Rockies. Ybarra graduated from Wellington High School in 2008 and currently resides there.

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. "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  5. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
  6. "2010 City Population and Housing Occupancy Status". U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved March 6, 2011.
  7. Kansas State Historical Society (1916). Biennial Report of the Board of Directors of the Kansas State Historical Society. Kansas State Printing Plant. pp. 304.
  8. Wellington KS on Blue Skyways Archived 2004-09-07 at the Wayback Machine
  9. "Kansas Post Offices, 1828-1961, page 2". Kansas Historical Society. Retrieved 27 June 2014.
  10. Rock Island Rail History
  11. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
  12. "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on 2012-01-25. Retrieved 2012-07-06.
  13. Climate Summary for Wellington, Kansas
  14. United States Census Bureau. "Census of Population and Housing". Retrieved December 23, 2013.
  16. http://www.sumnernewscow.com/1976-wellington-graduate-todd-diacon-named-13th-president-of-kent-state-university/. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  17. "Nixon, John Travis". Louisiana Historical Association. Archived from the original on May 12, 2015. Retrieved April 21, 2015.

Further reading
See also: List of books about State of Kansas (which includes historical information about its counties and cities too)
See also: List of books about Sumner County, Kansas
City
Maps
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