kids encyclopedia robot

Centralia, Kansas facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Quick facts for kids
Centralia, Kansas
Location within Nemaha County and Kansas
Location within Nemaha County and Kansas
KDOT map of Nemaha County (legend)
Country United States
State Kansas
County Nemaha
Founded 1859
Incorporated 1882
Area
 • Total 0.45 sq mi (1.17 km2)
 • Land 0.45 sq mi (1.17 km2)
 • Water 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation
1,296 ft (395 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 485
 • Density 1,078/sq mi (414.5/km2)
Time zone UTC-6 (CST)
 • Summer (DST) UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code
66415
Area code 785
FIPS code 20-12425
GNIS ID 2393790

Centralia is a small city located in Nemaha County, Kansas, in the United States. As of the 2020 census, about 485 people lived there. It's a quiet place with a rich history.

History of Centralia

Centralia was first started in 1859. It was located about one mile north of where it is today. In 1867, a railroad was built through the area. Because of the railroad, the town moved to its current spot. Centralia officially became a city in 1882.

One important person who lived in Centralia early on was Floyd Perry Baker. He was a politician and newspaper editor from Kansas. He moved to Centralia with his family around 1860.

In the early 1900s, Centralia had a rule called a "sundown town" policy. This meant that African Americans were not allowed to live in the town.

Geography and Climate

Centralia is a small city. According to the United States Census Bureau, it covers about 0.47 square miles (1.17 square kilometers). All of this area is land.

Centralia's Climate

The weather in Centralia changes a lot between seasons. Summers are usually warm to hot and can be humid. Winters are cold, and sometimes very cold. Centralia has what is called a humid continental climate. This means it gets all four seasons with distinct temperature changes.

Climate data for Centralia, Kansas
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 3
(37)
6
(43)
12
(54)
19
(66)
24
(75)
29
(85)
32
(90)
32
(89)
27
(81)
21
(69)
12
(53)
4
(40)
18
(65)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) −9
(16)
−7
(20)
−1
(30)
5
(41)
11
(51)
16
(61)
19
(66)
18
(64)
13
(56)
7
(44)
−1
(31)
−7
(20)
6
(42)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 23
(0.9)
28
(1.1)
51
(2)
74
(2.9)
110
(4.4)
130
(5.1)
100
(4)
100
(4)
99
(3.9)
64
(2.5)
43
(1.7)
25
(1)
850
(33.5)
Source: Weatherbase

Population and People

The number of people living in Centralia has changed over the years. Here's a look at the population from past censuses:

Historical population
Census Pop.
1880 289
1890 534 84.8%
1900 655 22.7%
1910 665 1.5%
1920 619 −6.9%
1930 682 10.2%
1940 607 −11.0%
1950 574 −5.4%
1960 527 −8.2%
1970 511 −3.0%
1980 486 −4.9%
1990 452 −7.0%
2000 534 18.1%
2010 512 −4.1%
2020 485 −5.3%
U.S. Decennial Census

2020 Census Details

In 2020, the 2020 United States census counted 485 people in Centralia. There were 193 households, which are groups of people living together. Most of the people (about 92%) were white. A small number of people were Native American or from two or more races. About 4% of the population was Hispanic or Latino.

Many households (about 31.6%) had children under 18. Most households were married couples living together. The average age of people in Centralia was about 37.7 years old.

2010 Census Details

The census in 2010 showed that 512 people lived in Centralia. The city had 201 households. Most people were white (94.5%). There were also small numbers of African American, Native American, and Asian residents. About 2.5% of the population was Hispanic or Latino.

About 30.8% of households had children under 18. The average age in the city was 40.1 years.

Education

Students in Centralia and the nearby countryside go to schools in the Vermillion USD 380 public school district.

Notable People

Centralia has been home to some interesting people:

  • Floyd Perry Baker – A Kansas politician, lawyer, and newspaper editor.
  • John Riggins – A famous American football player who was a running back in the NFL.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Centralia (Kansas) para niños

kids search engine
Centralia, Kansas Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.