Americus, Kansas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Americus, Kansas
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Location within Lyon County and Kansas
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| Country | United States |
| State | Kansas |
| County | Lyon |
| Platted | 1857 |
| Incorporated | 1884 |
| Named for | Amerigo Vespucci |
| Government | |
| • Type | Mayor–Council |
| Area | |
| • Total | 1.09 sq mi (2.84 km2) |
| • Land | 1.08 sq mi (2.80 km2) |
| • Water | 0.01 sq mi (0.03 km2) |
| Elevation | 1,158 ft (353 m) |
| Population
(2010)
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| • Total | 894 |
| • Estimate
(2019)
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879 |
| • Density | 811.63/sq mi (313.39/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (CST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
66835
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| Area code | 620 |
| FIPS code | 20-01675 |
| GNIS ID | 477176 |
Americus is a city in Lyon County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 896. It is located northwest of the city of Emporia. Americus is often a waypoint in some Unbound Gravel bike races.
History
Americus was laid out in the fall of 1857. It was named for Amerigo Vespucci.
Americus was a station and shipping point on the Missouri–Kansas–Texas Railroad.
Geography
Americus is located at 38°30′23″N 96°15′35″W / 38.50639°N 96.25972°W (38.506448, -96.259598). According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.13 square miles (2.93 km2), of which, 1.12 square miles (2.90 km2) is land and 0.01 square miles (0.03 km2) is water.
Demographics
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1880 | 431 | — | |
| 1890 | 393 | −8.8% | |
| 1900 | 332 | −15.5% | |
| 1910 | 451 | 35.8% | |
| 1920 | 493 | 9.3% | |
| 1930 | 430 | −12.8% | |
| 1940 | 406 | −5.6% | |
| 1950 | 339 | −16.5% | |
| 1960 | 300 | −11.5% | |
| 1970 | 441 | 47.0% | |
| 1980 | 915 | 107.5% | |
| 1990 | 891 | −2.6% | |
| 2000 | 938 | 5.3% | |
| 2010 | 894 | −4.7% | |
| 2019 (est.) | 879 | −1.7% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
Americus is part of the Emporia Micropolitan Statistical Area.
2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 894 people, 354 households, and 251 families residing in the city. The population density was 798.2 inhabitants per square mile (308.2/km2). There were 386 housing units at an average density of 344.6 per square mile (133.1/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 96.2% White, 0.2% Native American, 0.1% Asian, 0.6% from other races, and 2.9% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.1% of the population.
There were 354 households, of which 36.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.0% were married couples living together, 11.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.9% had a male householder with no wife present, and 29.1% were non-families. 24.0% 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 2.96.
The median age in the city was 38 years. 27.4% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.3% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 23.8% were from 25 to 44; 28.4% were from 45 to 64; and 12.2% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.9% male and 52.1% female.
Education
The community is served by North Lyon County USD 251 public school district. The Northern Heights High School mascot is Wildcats.
Americus High School closed in school unification. The Americus Indians achieved a record of 26-0 to win the Kansas State High School boys Class B basketball championship in 1961.
Transportation
The closest Kansas Turnpike exit is located approximately 6 miles (9.7 km) south of Americus along U.S. Route 50 in Emporia.
Notable people
- Ross Grimsley, Major League Baseball pitcher in the 1950s
- Chuck Norris, member of the Oregon House of Representatives
- Grant Timmerman, U.S. Marine posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor during World War II
