Gem, Kansas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Gem, Kansas
|
|
|---|---|
Location within Thomas County and Kansas
|
|
|
|
| Country | United States |
| State | Kansas |
| County | Thomas |
| Founded | 1880s |
| Incorporated | 1926 |
| Named for | Gem Ranch |
| Area | |
| • Total | 0.33 sq mi (0.86 km2) |
| • Land | 0.33 sq mi (0.86 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 3,091 ft (942 m) |
| Population
(2020)
|
|
| • Total | 98 |
| • Density | 297/sq mi (114.0/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (CST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
67734
|
| Area code | 785 |
| FIPS code | 20-26050 |
| GNIS ID | 2394870 |
Gem is a small city located in Thomas County, Kansas, in the United States. It is a quiet place with a history tied to the railroads. As of the 2020 census, about 98 people lived there.
Contents
History of Gem
Gem started as a busy spot for shipping goods by train. It was an important stop on the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad line. The city got its name from a large farm nearby called the Gem Ranch.
The first post office in Gem opened its doors in 1885. It served the community for many years. The post office finally closed in March 2014.
Gem's Geography
Gem is a small city in terms of its land area. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city covers about 0.33 square miles (0.86 square kilometers). All of this area is land, with no water.
Population and People
The number of people living in Gem has changed over the years. In 1930, there were 200 residents. The population has gone up and down since then.
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1930 | 200 | — | |
| 1940 | 125 | −37.5% | |
| 1950 | 118 | −5.6% | |
| 1960 | 116 | −1.7% | |
| 1970 | 80 | −31.0% | |
| 1980 | 101 | 26.3% | |
| 1990 | 104 | 3.0% | |
| 2000 | 96 | −7.7% | |
| 2010 | 88 | −8.3% | |
| 2020 | 98 | 11.4% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
Life in Gem (2020 Census)
In 2020, the 2020 United States census counted 98 people living in Gem. There were 37 households, which are groups of people living together. Most of the people living in Gem were white. A small number of people were from other racial backgrounds. About 5% of the population identified as Hispanic or Latino.
Many households (about 40%) had children under 18 years old. Most households were married couples living together. The average household had about 2.7 people. The average family had about 3.1 people.
The median age in Gem was 34 years old. This means half the people were younger than 34, and half were older. About 28% of the population was under 18. About 16% of the people were 65 years old or older.
Gem Cemetery
On the west side of Gem, you can find the Gem Cemetery. In the middle of the cemetery, there is a special fenced-in area. This area holds the headstones of the Houston family. They were a very important and wealthy family when Gem was a larger town. Even their old house is no longer in the city.
Education in Gem
The public schools that serve the community of Gem are part of the Colby USD 315 school district. Students in Gem attend schools within this district.
See also
In Spanish: Gem (Kansas) para niños
