Downs, Kansas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Downs, Kansas
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Downs Carnegie Library (2014)
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Location within Osborne County and Kansas
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| Country | United States |
| State | Kansas |
| County | Osborne |
| Founded | 1879 |
| Incorporated | 1879 |
| Named for | William Downs |
| Area | |
| • Total | 1.12 sq mi (2.90 km2) |
| • Land | 1.12 sq mi (2.90 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 1,483 ft (452 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 800 |
| • Density | 710/sq mi (276/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (CST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
67437
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| Area code | 785 |
| FIPS code | 20-18500 |
| GNIS ID | 2394559 |
Downs is a city in Osborne County, Kansas, United States. It is a small community with a rich history. As of the 2020 census, about 800 people live there.
Contents
History of Downs, Kansas
Downs began in 1879 when the Central Branch Railroad reached this area. The city was named after William F. Downs, who was a railroad official. Downs officially became a town in December of the same year.
By 1910, the city had grown to a population of 1,427 people. It was a busy place with two newspapers, a public library, and businesses like flour mills and grain elevators. There was even an opera house for entertainment.
Geography and Location
Downs is located in the state of Kansas. The city covers a total area of about 1.12 square miles (2.90 square kilometers). All of this area is land, meaning there are no large lakes or rivers within the city limits.
Population and People
The population of Downs has changed over the years. Here's a look at how many people have lived in Downs during different census years:
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1880 | 465 | — | |
| 1890 | 938 | 101.7% | |
| 1900 | 938 | 0.0% | |
| 1910 | 1,427 | 52.1% | |
| 1920 | 1,508 | 5.7% | |
| 1930 | 1,383 | −8.3% | |
| 1940 | 1,219 | −11.9% | |
| 1950 | 1,221 | 0.2% | |
| 1960 | 1,206 | −1.2% | |
| 1970 | 1,268 | 5.1% | |
| 1980 | 1,324 | 4.4% | |
| 1990 | 1,119 | −15.5% | |
| 2000 | 1,038 | −7.2% | |
| 2010 | 900 | −13.3% | |
| 2020 | 800 | −11.1% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
2020 Census Information
In 2020, the census counted 800 people living in Downs. There were 384 households and 202 families. The city had about 714 people per square mile.
Most of the people living in Downs were White or European American. A small number of people were Native American, Asian, or from two or more races. About 2.4% of the population identified as Hispanic or Latino.
About 18.4% of the population was under 18 years old. About 33.1% of the population was 65 years or older. The average age in Downs was 54.7 years.
2010 Census Information
In 2010, there were 900 people living in Downs. There were 424 households. The population density was about 900 people per square mile.
About 97.6% of the people were White. A small number of people were African American, Native American, Asian, or from two or more races. About 0.9% of the population was Hispanic or Latino.
The average age in the city was 49.5 years. About 20.2% of residents were under 18 years old. About 26% were 65 years of age or older.
Education in Downs
The public schools in Downs are part of the Waconda USD 272 school district. Younger students attend Lakeside Elementary School, which is located in Cawker City.
Older students go to Lakeside High School, which is in Downs. The school mascot for Lakeside High School is the Knights.
Before 2003, Downs had its own high school called Downs High School. Its mascot was the Dragons. The Downs Dragons won several state championships in sports:
- In 1938, they won the Boys Basketball Class B championship.
- In 1950, they won the Boys Basketball Class B championship again.
- In 1988, they won the Boys Cross Country Class 2-1A championship.
After 2003, Downs High School combined with Waconda East schools to form USD 272. The combined high school became Lakeside Jr./Sr. High School.
Notable People from Downs
- Francis Schmidt - He was a well-known coach for both football and basketball.
See also
In Spanish: Downs (Kansas) para niños
