Bird City, Kansas
Encyclopedia
Bird City is a city in Cheyenne County
, Kansas
, United States
. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 447.
In the 1880s cattlemen formed large cattle companies and used the land for grazing large herds. One of the largest cattle companies was the Northwestern Land Cattle Company. Partners of the Northwestern Land Cattle Company, realizing the need for a town, formed the Northwestern Town Site Company and purchased 160 acre (0.6474976 km²) of land in the center of Section 36.
Since Benjamin Bird was the president of the newly formed company and a well-respected person in the community, the town Bird City was named. Although the community was named after him, Benjamin Bird was not born, did not die, and never resided here. Several avenues in the town were named honoring other members of the Northwestern Town Site Company, including Ketcham, Pen, Demick, Cave, Rich and Burr.
, the city has a total area of 2.2 square miles (5.7 km²), all of it land.
of 2000, there were 482 people, 232 households, and 128 families residing in the city. The population density
was 216.1 people per square mile (83.5/km²). There were 285 housing units at an average density of 127.8 per square mile (49.3/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 99.17% White, 0.21% Native American, 0.21% from other races
, and 0.41% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.90% of the population.
There were 232 households out of which 22.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.1% were married couples
living together, 4.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 44.4% were non-families. 43.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 28.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.08 and the average family size was 2.88.
In the city the population was spread out with 23.9% under the age of 18, 3.7% from 18 to 24, 19.7% from 25 to 44, 19.1% from 45 to 64, and 33.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 48 years. For every 100 females there were 87.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 79.0 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $25,714, and the median income for a family was $32,589. Males had a median income of $24,531 versus $17,500 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $16,680. About 15.0% of families and 17.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.9% of those under age 18 and 9.2% of those age 65 or over.
Schools
Maps
Cheyenne County, Kansas
Cheyenne County is a county located in Northwest Kansas, in the Central United States. As of the 2010 census, the county population was 2,726. Its county seat and most populous city is St...
, Kansas
Kansas
Kansas is a US state located in the Midwestern United States. It is named after the Kansas River which flows through it, which in turn was named after the Kansa Native American tribe, which inhabited the area. The tribe's name is often said to mean "people of the wind" or "people of the south...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 447.
History
The fertile land of northwest Kansas was once covered with buffalo grass, which was ideal grazing ground for large herds of bison.In the 1880s cattlemen formed large cattle companies and used the land for grazing large herds. One of the largest cattle companies was the Northwestern Land Cattle Company. Partners of the Northwestern Land Cattle Company, realizing the need for a town, formed the Northwestern Town Site Company and purchased 160 acre (0.6474976 km²) of land in the center of Section 36.
Since Benjamin Bird was the president of the newly formed company and a well-respected person in the community, the town Bird City was named. Although the community was named after him, Benjamin Bird was not born, did not die, and never resided here. Several avenues in the town were named honoring other members of the Northwestern Town Site Company, including Ketcham, Pen, Demick, Cave, Rich and Burr.
Geography
Bird City is located at 39°45′3"N 101°32′1"W (39.750950, -101.533480). According to the United States Census BureauUnited States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 2.2 square miles (5.7 km²), all of it land.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 482 people, 232 households, and 128 families residing in the city. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 216.1 people per square mile (83.5/km²). There were 285 housing units at an average density of 127.8 per square mile (49.3/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 99.17% White, 0.21% Native American, 0.21% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 0.41% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.90% of the population.
There were 232 households out of which 22.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.1% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 4.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 44.4% were non-families. 43.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 28.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.08 and the average family size was 2.88.
In the city the population was spread out with 23.9% under the age of 18, 3.7% from 18 to 24, 19.7% from 25 to 44, 19.1% from 45 to 64, and 33.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 48 years. For every 100 females there were 87.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 79.0 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $25,714, and the median income for a family was $32,589. Males had a median income of $24,531 versus $17,500 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the city was $16,680. About 15.0% of families and 17.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.9% of those under age 18 and 9.2% of those age 65 or over.
External links
CitySchools
- USD 103, local school district
Maps
- Bird City Map, KDOT
- Cheyenne County Map, KDOT