Luray, Kansas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Luray, Kansas
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City
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Location within Russell County and Kansas
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| Country | United States |
| State | Kansas |
| County | Russell |
| Founded | 1870s |
| Incorporated | 1904 |
| 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 | 1,572 ft (479 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 166 |
| • Density | 503/sq mi (193.0/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (CST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
67649
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| Area code | 785 |
| FIPS code | 20-43250 |
| GNIS ID | 472534 |
Luray is a small city located in Russell County, Kansas, in the United States. In 2020, about 166 people lived there. It's a quiet place with a rich history and a close-knit community.
Contents
A Look Back in Time
Luray started as a community called Lura in the 1870s. In 1887, its name was changed to Luray. The town officially became a city in 1904.
Where is Luray Located?
Luray is in north-central Kansas. It's found where two main roads meet: U.S. Route 281 and Kansas Highway 18 (K-18).
- It is about 118 miles (190 km) northwest of Wichita.
- It is about 218 miles (351 km) west of Kansas City.
- It is about 18 miles (29 km) northeast of Russell, which is the main city of the county.
Luray is in a hilly area called the Smoky Hills. It sits on the north side of Wolf Creek, which flows into the Saline River. The city covers a total area of about 0.32 square miles (0.83 square kilometers), and all of it is land.
Luray's Climate
The weather in Luray usually has hot and humid summers. Winters are generally mild to cool. This type of weather is known as a humid subtropical climate.
Who Lives in Luray?
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1910 | 341 | — | |
| 1920 | 475 | 39.3% | |
| 1930 | 464 | −2.3% | |
| 1940 | 392 | −15.5% | |
| 1950 | 351 | −10.5% | |
| 1960 | 328 | −6.6% | |
| 1970 | 303 | −7.6% | |
| 1980 | 295 | −2.6% | |
| 1990 | 261 | −11.5% | |
| 2000 | 203 | −22.2% | |
| 2010 | 194 | −4.4% | |
| 2020 | 166 | −14.4% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
Population in 2020
The 2020 United States census counted 166 people living in Luray. There were 71 households and 45 families. Most of the people living in Luray were white. About 1.2% were of Asian background, and 3.01% were of two or more races. About 1.2% of the population was Hispanic or Latino.
- About 26.5% of the people were under 18 years old.
- About 25.9% were 65 years or older.
- The average age in Luray was 40 years old.
Population in 2010
In 2010, there were 194 people living in Luray. There were 94 households and 61 families. Most people were white (97.9%). About 2.1% were of two or more races.
- About 14.4% of the people were under 18 years old.
- About 29.9% were 65 years or older.
- The average age was 50.7 years.
What People Do for Work
In 2012, about 58.9% of people over 16 years old had jobs or were looking for work. Many people worked in:
- Management, business, science, and arts (37.1%)
- Natural resources, construction, and maintenance (25.9%)
- Production, transportation, and material moving (14.7%)
The cost of living in Luray is lower than the average for the United States. For example, in 2012, the average home value was $33,500.
Schools in Luray
Luray is part of the Sylvan–Lucas USD 299 public school district. This district is based in Sylvan Grove, Kansas.
- Luray High School used to serve the city. Its mascot was the Luray Panthers.
- In 1977, Luray schools joined with Lucas schools to form Lucas-Luray schools. Their mascot was the Cougars.
- In 2010, Lucas-Luray schools joined with Sylvan Unified schools. This created the Sylvan-Lucas Unified district, and their mascot is the Mustangs.
The Luray Panthers football team won the Kansas State High School 8-Man Football championship in 1975.
Getting Around and Services
Roads and Railways
K-18 runs along the north side of Luray. U.S. Route 281 also comes into Luray and then turns north. There's also a paved county road called Bunker Hill-Luray Road that comes from the south.
The Union Pacific Railroad used to have a train line that served Luray. This line was built in 1888. Passenger trains ran on this line until 1958. The tracks were removed in 1995 after a big flood damaged them.
City Services
The city government provides electricity to the people living in Luray. Gorham Telephone offers landline phone service, cable TV, and internet. Most homes use natural gas for heating, which is provided by Kansas Gas Service.
Media and Local Events
Luray is in the same television market as Wichita and Hutchinson, Kansas. This means they get TV channels from those cities.
Fun Events in Luray
Luray has a few special events each year:
- Friendship Day: This community festival happens every year on the Sunday of Labor Day weekend. It includes a parade, an art show, golf and horseshoe games, free barbecue, and homemade ice cream.
- Luray Methodist Men's Fish Fry: Since 1938, a local Methodist church has held this event on the third Friday evening of March. Men from the church prepare and serve fried fish with other foods and cherry pie. Hundreds of people from the area usually come to enjoy it.
Places to Visit
You can visit the first log cabin ever built in Russell County. It was built in 1871 by a settler named Jonathan Van Scoyoc. This historic cabin is now kept in Luray City Park, on the north side of K-18.
See also
In Spanish: Luray (Kansas) para niños
