Eskridge, Kansas

Eskridge, Kansas
Fourth of July parade (1886)
Fourth of July parade (1886)
Motto: 
"Gateway to the Flint Hills"
Location within Wabaunsee County and Kansas
Location within Wabaunsee County and Kansas
KDOT map of Wabaunsee County (legend)
Coordinates: 38°51′34″N 96°06′18″W / 38.85944°N 96.10500°W / 38.85944; -96.10500[1]
CountryUnited States
StateKansas
CountyWabaunsee
Platted1868
Incorporated1887 [2]
Named forCharles Eskridge
Government
 • TypeMayor–Council
Area
 • Total0.52 sq mi (1.34 km2)
 • Land0.52 sq mi (1.34 km2)
 • Water0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation1,408 ft (429 m)
Population
 • Total439
 • Density840/sq mi (330/km2)
Time zoneUTC-6 (CST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code
66423
Area code785
FIPS code20-21650
GNIS ID2394701[1]
Websiteeskridgeks.org

Eskridge is a city in Wabaunsee County, Kansas, United States.[1] As of the 2020 census, the population of the city was 439.[4]

History

Eskridge was laid out in 1868.[5] The town experienced growth in 1880 when the railroad was built through it.[6]

Eskridge is named for Charles V. Eskridge, an Emporia, Kansas journalist and politician. Colonel Ephraim Sanford, the founder of the town company allowed Eskridge to buy the first lot and have the town named after him. Eskridge served in both houses of the legislature and was elected as lieutenant governor under Governor James M. Harvey in 1869.[7][8]

In 1943, German and Italian prisoners of World War II were brought to Kansas and other Midwest states as a means of solving the labor shortage caused by American men serving in the war effort. Large internment camps were established in Kansas: Camp Concordia, Camp Funston (at Fort Riley), Camp Phillips (at Salina under Fort Riley). Fort Riley established 12 smaller branch camps, including one west of Eskridge at Lake Wabaunsee.[9]

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 0.52 square miles (1.35 km2), all of it land.[10]

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, Eskridge has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.[11]

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note
1890548
190061211.7%
191079730.2%
1920759−4.8%
1930726−4.3%
1940648−10.7%
1950601−7.3%
1960519−13.6%
197058913.5%
19806032.4%
1990518−14.1%
200058913.7%
2010534−9.3%
2020439−17.8%
U.S. Decennial Census

Eskridge is part of the Topeka, Kansas Metropolitan Statistical Area.

2010 census

As of the census[12] of 2010, there were 534 people, 187 households, and 124 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,026.9 inhabitants per square mile (396.5/km2). There were 233 housing units at an average density of 448.1 per square mile (173.0/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 96.6% White, 1.1% African American, 0.2% Asian, 0.4% from other races, and 1.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.7% of the population.

There were 187 households, of which 32.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.3% were married couples living together, 11.8% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.2% had a male householder with no wife present, and 33.7% were non-families. 26.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.53 and the average family size was 3.08.

The median age in the city was 42.7 years. 24% of residents were under the age of 18; 6.8% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 21.6% were from 25 to 44; 31.3% were from 45 to 64; and 16.1% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.1% male and 51.9% female.

2000 census

As of the census[13] of 2000, there were 589 people, 212 households, and 146 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,145.2 inhabitants per square mile (442.2/km2). There were 238 housing units at an average density of 462.7 per square mile (178.6/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 97.28% White, 1.02% African American, 0.68% Native American, 0.34% Asian, 0.34% from other races, and 0.34% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.36% of the population.

There were 212 households, out of which 31.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.8% were married couples living together, 9.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.1% were non-families. 27.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 3.01.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 23.3% under the age of 18, 7.8% from 18 to 24, 24.6% from 25 to 44, 24.8% from 45 to 64, and 19.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.5 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $37,917, and the median income for a family was $43,125. Males had a median income of $29,688 versus $18,125 for females. The per capita income for the city was $12,629. About 7.7% of families and 13.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.4% of those under age 18 and 23.4% of those age 65 or over.

Education

The community is served by Mission Valley USD 330 public school district, which was created by school unification when Eskridge / Harveyville / Dover schools consolidated. Mission Valley High School is located approximately 6 miles northeast of Eskridge, and its mascot is Mission Valley Vikings.[14]

Eskridge High School was closed through school unification. Its last class graduated in 1971. The Eskridge High School mascot was Eskridge Dragons.[15]

References

  1. ^ a b c d U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Eskridge, Kansas
  2. ^ a b "City of Eskridge". The League of Kansas Municipalities. May 26, 2019.
  3. ^ "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 24, 2020.
  4. ^ a b "Profile of Eskridge, Kansas in 2020". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on May 14, 2022. Retrieved May 14, 2022.
  5. ^ Kansas State Historical Society (1916). Biennial Report of the Board of Directors of the Kansas State Historical Society. Kansas State Printing Plant. pp. 310.
  6. ^ Blackmar, Frank Wilson (1912). Kansas: A Cyclopedia of State History, Embracing Events, Institutions, Industries, Counties, Cities, Towns, Prominent Persons, Etc. Standard Publishing Company. pp. 597.
  7. ^ Rydjord, John (1972). Kansas Place-Names. University of Oklahoma Press, Norman, Oklahoma. p. 328. ISBN 0-8061-0994-7.
  8. ^ Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Government Printing Office. pp. 121.
  9. ^ List of Prisoner Of War (POW) Camps in Kansas
  10. ^ "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on January 25, 2012. Retrieved July 6, 2012.
  11. ^ Climate Summary for Eskridge, Kansas
  12. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 6, 2012.
  13. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  14. ^ "Mission Valley USD 330". USD 330. Retrieved January 4, 2017.
  15. ^ "Paxico Edges by Eskridge Dragons", The Manhattan Mercury, 21 January 1962, p.9.

Further reading

External links