Dorrance, Kansas facts for kids

Dorrance, Kansas
City
Location within Russell County and Kansas
KDOT map of Russell County (legend)
Country	United States
State	Kansas
County	Russell
Incorporated	1910
Area
• Total	0.34 sq mi (0.88 km2)
• Land	0.34 sq mi (0.88 km2)
• Water	0 sq mi (0 km2)
Elevation	1,729 ft (527 m)
Population (2010)
• Total	185
• Estimate (2013)	181
• Density	544/sq mi (210.2/km2)
Time zone	Central (CST) (UTC-6)
• Summer (DST)	CDT (UTC-5)
ZIP code	67634
Area code	785
FIPS code	20-18325
GNIS feature ID	0475332

Dorrance is a city in Russell County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 185.

History

The Kansas Pacific Railway reached the site of Dorrance in June 1867. German, English, and Irish settlers followed shortly thereafter, forming a small community by 1870. In early 1872, they were joined by a colony of settlers from Pennsylvania. A prairie fire destroyed much of the community's business district in March 1879. The town of Dorrance was formally laid out in 1880, named for Oliver Dorrance, the railroad superintendent. The first post office opened in July 1883. Dorrance was incorporated in April 1910 and became a center of goods and services for eastern Russell County.

Geography

Dorrance is located at 38°50′49″N 98°35′18″W (38.846977, -98.588338) at an elevation of 1,729 feet (527 m). The city is located in north-central Kansas 102 miles (164 km) northwest of Wichita and 214 miles (344 km) west of Kansas City. Located 1/2 mile (0.8 km) south of Interstate 70, it is roughly 15 miles (24 km) east-southeast of Russell, the county seat.

Dorrance lies in the Smoky Hills region of the Great Plains approximately 3 miles (4.8 km) north of the Smoky Hill River and 6 miles (9.7 km) south of Wilson Lake.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 0.34 square miles (0.88 km²), all of it land.

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, Dorrance has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.

Demographics

Historical population
Census	Pop.		%±
1910	281		—
1920	299		6.4%
1930	325		8.7%
1940	414		27.4%
1950	385		−7.0%
1960	331		−14.0%
1970	234		−29.3%
1980	220		−6.0%
1990	195		−11.4%
2000	205		5.1%
2010	185		−9.8%
Est. 2015	188		1.6%
U.S. Decennial Census

2010 census

As of the 2010 census, there were 185 people, 85 households, and 51 families residing in the city. The population density was 616.7 people per square mile (238.1/km²). There were 113 housing units at an average density of 376.7 per square mile (125.6/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 96.8% White, 2.7% American Indian, and 0.5% Asian. Hispanics and Latinos of any race were 0.5% of the population.

There were 85 households of which 25.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.8% were married couples living together, 2.4% had a male householder with no wife present, 5.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 40.0% were non-families. 36.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.18, and the average family size was 2.84.

In the city, the population was spread out with 21.6% under the age of 18, 4.5% from 18 to 24, 22.6% from 25 to 44, 28.6% from 45 to 64, and 22.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 46.5 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.8 males age 18 and over.

The median income for a household in the city was $36,250, and the median income for a family was $36,000. Males had a median income of $43,438 versus $37,708 for females. The per capita income for the city was $18,126. 8.3% of families and 20.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 36.8% of those under the age 18 and 0.0% of those age 65 or over.

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 205 people, 94 households, and 56 families residing in the city. The population density was 611.1 people per square mile (232.8/km²). There were 118 housing units at an average density of 351.8 per square mile (134.0/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 99.51% White and 0.49% Asian. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.49% of the population.

There were 94 households out of which 22.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.0% were married couples living together, 7.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.4% were non-families. 35.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 20.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.18 and the average family size was 2.86.

In the city the population was spread out with 21.0% under the age of 18, 6.3% from 18 to 24, 24.4% from 25 to 44, 29.3% from 45 to 64, and 19.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females there were 89.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.1 males.

Culture

Points of interest

The Dorrance Historical Society Museum, located downtown, exhibits artifacts from the community's history.

In popular culture and the arts

Dorrance was among the filming locations for the 1973 film Paper Moon.

Toss Back, the company which invented and first produced the "Snap Back" rim used in NBA basketball, was located in Dorrance.

In the Action Comics #822 story titled 'Repo Man; part one', Dorrance is designated as the location of Smallville, Superman's childhood home.

City

Schools

Maps