Junction City, Kansas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Junction City, Kansas
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City and County seat
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Geary County Courthouse (1979)
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Location within Geary County and Kansas
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| Country | United States |
| State | Kansas |
| County | Geary |
| Area | |
| • Total | 11.21 sq mi (29.02 km2) |
| • Land | 11.11 sq mi (28.77 km2) |
| • Water | 0.10 sq mi (0.25 km2) |
| Elevation | 1,106 ft (337 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 22,932 |
| • Density | 2,045.7/sq mi (790.21/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (CST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP codes |
66441-66442
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| Area code | 785 |
| FIPS code | 20-35750 |
| GNIS ID | 476555 |
Junction City is a city in Geary County, Kansas, in the United States. It is also the county seat, which means it's where the main government offices for the county are located.
In 2020, about 22,932 people lived in Junction City. A very important place nearby is Fort Riley, a large base for the U.S. Army.
Contents
Exploring Junction City's Past
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Junction City got its name because of its special location. It sits right where two rivers, the Smoky Hill and the Republican, meet to form the Kansas River. This meeting point is like a "junction."
In 1854, a group from New York wanted to start a town here. They were called the Cincinnati-Manhattan Company. They were Free Staters, meaning they were against slavery in Kansas. They first thought about naming the town Manhattan or New Cincinnati.
However, the steamboat carrying the settlers couldn't reach the spot because the Kansas River was too shallow. So, the Free Staters settled about 20 miles east, where Manhattan, Kansas is today.
The community that became Junction City was briefly called Millard City in 1855, named after Captain Millard of the steamboat. Later, in 1857, it was called Humboldt for a short time by local farmers. Finally, it was renamed Junction City later that same year. The city officially became a town in 1859.
A film director named Kevin Wilmott grew up in Junction City. Some of his movies, like Ninth Street, are set in the city.
Understanding Junction City's Geography
Junction City covers an area of about 12.22 square miles (31.65 square kilometers). Most of this area is land, with a small part being water.
What is the Climate Like in Junction City?
Junction City has a climate with warm summers and cold winters.
- On average, the temperature reaches 90°F (32°C) about 46 days each year.
- It gets even hotter, reaching 100°F (38°C), about 6 days a year.
- In winter, the temperature drops below freezing (32°F or 0°C) for about 122 days a year.
Who Lives in Junction City?
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1860 | 217 | — | |
| 1870 | 2,778 | 1,180.2% | |
| 1880 | 2,684 | −3.4% | |
| 1890 | 4,502 | 67.7% | |
| 1900 | 4,695 | 4.3% | |
| 1910 | 5,598 | 19.2% | |
| 1920 | 7,533 | 34.6% | |
| 1930 | 7,407 | −1.7% | |
| 1940 | 8,507 | 14.9% | |
| 1950 | 13,462 | 58.2% | |
| 1960 | 18,700 | 38.9% | |
| 1970 | 19,018 | 1.7% | |
| 1980 | 19,305 | 1.5% | |
| 1990 | 20,604 | 6.7% | |
| 2000 | 20,671 | 0.3% | |
| 2010 | 23,353 | 13.0% | |
| 2020 | 22,932 | −1.8% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census 2010-2020 |
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Population Changes in Junction City
The population of Junction City has changed quite a bit over the years. You can see how the number of people living there has grown from just 217 in 1860 to over 22,000 today.
A Look at the 2020 Census Data
In 2020, there were 22,932 people living in Junction City. The city is home to many different groups of people, making it a diverse place.
- About 55% of the people were white.
- Around 20% were black.
- Smaller groups included Native American, Asian, and Pacific Islander residents.
- About 14% of the population identified as being of two or more races.
- People of Hispanic or Latino background made up about 16% of the population.
Many households in Junction City have children under 18. The average age of people living in the city was about 31 years old.
Learning and Schools in Junction City
The public schools in Junction City are part of the Geary County USD 475 school district.
There is one public high school in the city, called Junction City High School. The school district has seen its student numbers grow, with many new students joining each year.
Media and News in Junction City
The local newspaper for Junction City is called Junction City Daily Union. It is published five days a week, keeping residents up-to-date on local news.
There are also several radio stations that broadcast from Junction City:
- KJCK (AM) plays news and talk shows.
- KJCK-FM plays popular music.
- K222AX broadcasts Christian music from a station in Meade, Kansas.
Junction City is also part of the Topeka, Kansas television market, meaning people can watch TV channels from Topeka.
Getting Around Junction City
For people who need to travel by bus, Greyhound Lines has a stop in Junction City. For getting around locally, ATA Bus provides public transportation services.
Junction City in Stories and Games
Junction City has appeared in different forms of entertainment:
- In Sidney Sheldon's popular book Windmills of the Gods, the main character is from Junction City.
- The musical and movie Hedwig and the Angry Inch features a character who moves to Junction City.
- The video game Fallout Tactics: Brotherhood of Steel has a mission that takes place in a location inspired by Junction City.
Famous People from Junction City
Many interesting people have lived in or were born in Junction City. Some of them include:
- Adna R. Chaffee, Jr., a U.S. Army Major General.
- Amanda Jones, an inventor.
- Velina Hasu Houston, a playwright.
- Bobby Lashley, a professional wrestler.
See also
In Spanish: Junction City (Kansas) para niños
