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Nickerson, Kansas
Grain elevator (2003)
Grain elevator (2003)
Location within Reno County and Kansas
Location within Reno County and Kansas
KDOT map of Reno County (legend)
Country United States
State Kansas
County Reno
Founded 1870s
Platted 1872
Incorporated 1879
Named for Thomas Nickerson
Area
 • Total 1.29 sq mi (3.35 km2)
 • Land 1.29 sq mi (3.35 km2)
 • Water 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation
1,595 ft (486 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 1,058
 • Density 820/sq mi (315.8/km2)
Time zone UTC-6 (CST)
 • Summer (DST) UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code
67561
Area code 620
FIPS code 20-50525
GNIS ID 485630

Nickerson is a city located in Reno County, Kansas, United States. It is a small city with a population of 1,058 people, according to the 2020 census. The city was named in honor of Thomas Nickerson, who was a former president of the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway.

History of Nickerson

Nickerson was first planned out in 1872. This happened when the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway line was extended to this area. The community got its name from Thomas Nickerson, who was the president of the railroad company at that time.

The very first houses in Nickerson were built in 1875. A few years later, in June 1879, Nickerson officially became an incorporated city. This meant it could have its own local government.

In 1875, a schoolhouse was built for the children of Nickerson. A local newspaper, called the Nickerson Argosy, started in 1878. In 1879, a wooden bridge was finished, making it easier to cross the Arkansas River. The first city officials included Dr. L. A. Reeves as Mayor and several council members.

Geography and Climate

Nickerson is a small city. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city covers a total area of about 1.35 square miles (3.35 square kilometers). All of this area is land, with no water.

Understanding Nickerson's Climate

The weather in Nickerson has hot and humid summers. The winters are generally mild to cool. This type of weather is known as a humid subtropical climate. On climate maps, you might see it labeled as "Cfa."

Nickerson in Films

Nickerson has even been featured in a movie!

  • The 1955 film Picnic had some of its scenes filmed in Nickerson. The parts of the movie that took place at the Owenses' and Pottses' houses were shot right here.

Population and People

Historical population
Census Pop.
1880 597
1890 1,662 178.4%
1900 1,038 −37.5%
1910 1,195 15.1%
1920 1,049 −12.2%
1930 1,052 0.3%
1940 1,052 0.0%
1950 1,013 −3.7%
1960 1,091 7.7%
1970 1,187 8.8%
1980 1,292 8.8%
1990 1,137 −12.0%
2000 1,194 5.0%
2010 1,070 −10.4%
2020 1,058 −1.1%
U.S. Decennial Census

What the 2020 Census Shows

The 2020 United States census counted 1,058 people living in Nickerson. There were 399 households and 278 families. Most of the people, about 89.22%, identified as white. A small number of people were from black, Native American, Asian, or Pacific Islander backgrounds. About 5.58% of the population identified as Hispanic or Latino.

About 34.8% of the households had children under 18 living there. Many households, 49.9%, were married couples living together.

When looking at ages, 29.4% of the population was under 18 years old. About 17.1% of the people were 65 years or older. The average age in the city was 37.9 years.

What the 2010 Census Showed

In 2010, the census counted 1,070 people living in Nickerson. There were 422 households and 318 families. The population density was about 792.6 people per square mile.

Most of the people, 98.7%, were White. About 2.1% of the population identified as Hispanic or Latino.

About 32.2% of households had children under 18. The average household had 2.54 people. The average family had 2.91 people.

The median age in 2010 was 38.8 years. About 26.2% of residents were under 18 years old. About 15.7% were 65 years or older.

Education in Nickerson

The public schools in Nickerson are part of the Nickerson–South Hutchinson USD 309 school district. This district serves the community. The schools in the district include Nickerson High School and Nickerson Grade School. On average, about 350 students attend these schools each year.

City Infrastructure

Transportation in Nickerson

Highways and Roads

The K-96 and K-14 state highways used to go through Nickerson. However, in 2023, a new freeway was completed. This new road is located east of Nickerson and Sterling. It was first built as a "super two" freeway, which means it has two lanes but is designed to be expanded to four lanes in the future.

Railroad Access

The Kansas and Oklahoma Railroad line runs through the city of Nickerson. This means trains pass through the area.

Images for kids

See also

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

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