kids encyclopedia robot

Fontana, Kansas facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Quick facts for kids
Fontana, Kansas
Fontana City Hall (2008)
Fontana City Hall (2008)
Location within Miami County and Kansas
Location within Miami County and Kansas
KDOT map of Miami County (legend)
Country United States
State Kansas
County Miami
Incorporated 1889
Area
 • Total 0.84 sq mi (2.17 km2)
 • Land 0.84 sq mi (2.17 km2)
 • Water 0.00 sq mi (0.01 km2)
Elevation
899 ft (274 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 210
 • Density 250/sq mi (96.8/km2)
Time zone UTC-6 (CST)
 • Summer (DST) UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code
66026
Area code 913
FIPS code 20-23650
GNIS ID 2394782

Fontana is a small city in south central Miami County, Kansas, United States. It is part of the larger Kansas City metropolitan area. In 2020, about 210 people lived there. The name Fontana comes from the French word fontaine, which means "fountain" or "spring." It was named after a natural spring found near the town site.

History of Fontana

Captain David Martin, who fought in the War of 1812, received a land grant for 160 acres (about 0.65 square kilometers) in what was then Lykins County, Kansas. This happened because of a special law passed in 1855. Later, in 1869, J.B. Grinnell bought 120 acres of this land. He planned the town of Fontana right in the middle of it, close to a railroad line. Fontana officially became a city in 1889.

Geography of Fontana

Fontana covers a total area of about 0.84 square miles (2.17 square kilometers). All of this area is land, meaning there are no large lakes or rivers within the city limits.

Population and People

Historical population
Census Pop.
1880 174
1890 256 47.1%
1900 237 −7.4%
1910 246 3.8%
1920 206 −16.3%
1930 187 −9.2%
1940 174 −7.0%
1950 168 −3.4%
1960 138 −17.9%
1970 160 15.9%
1980 173 8.1%
1990 131 −24.3%
2000 149 13.7%
2010 224 50.3%
2020 210 −6.2%
U.S. Decennial Census

Fontana's Population in 2020

The 2020 United States census counted 210 people living in Fontana. There were 71 households and 49 families. Most of the people, about 92%, were white. About 3% of the population was Hispanic or Latino.

In terms of age, about 24% of the population was under 18 years old. About 13% of the people were 65 years or older. The average age in Fontana was about 35.6 years.

Fontana's Population in 2010

The census from 2010 showed that 224 people lived in Fontana. There were 72 households and 55 families. Most residents, about 93%, were White. About 7% of the population was Hispanic or Latino.

About 32% of the people were under 18 years old. About 8% were 65 years or older. The average age in the city was 32.2 years.

Economy and Jobs

Fontana City Hall 2011
Newly renovated city hall (2011)

Fontana's economy is mostly based on farming. The Fontana Co-Op is very important for the farmers in the area. It helps them with their farming needs.

Education in Fontana

The local public schools are part of the Prairie View USD 362 school district. Students in grades 6 through 12 attend Prairie View Middle School or Prairie View High School. These schools are located in La Cygne, Kansas.

Fontana used to have its own elementary school, Fontana Elementary. It taught students from kindergarten to 5th grade, with about 100 students. Around 2011, the school board decided to expand Parker Elementary, another school in the district, instead of building a new school in Fontana. Fontana Elementary closed in May 2014, and its students moved to Parker Elementary. The old school building has since been sold.

See also

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

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