Palco, Kansas facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Palco, Kansas
City
Township Hall (2016)
Location within Rooks County and Kansas
KDOT map of Rooks County (legend)
Country	United States
State	Kansas
County	Rooks
Founded	1888
Incorporated	1903
Named for	Palmer and Cole
Area
• Total	0.27 sq mi (0.69 km2)
• Land	0.27 sq mi (0.69 km2)
• Water	0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation	2,280 ft (690 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	208
• Density	770/sq mi (301.4/km2)
Time zone	UTC-6 (CST)
• Summer (DST)	UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code	67657
Area code	785
FIPS code	20-54125
GNIS ID	485295

Palco is a city in Rooks County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2020 census, the population of the city was 208.

History

Palco was established in 1888 by Union Pacific Railroad as a train depot on a newly formed line. The town was given the name Palco for railroad officials Palmer and Cole. The post office was moved from the nearby town of Cresson.

Cresson, Kansas (named for Cresson, PA) was granted a post office in 1879. In 1887, rumors circulated that the railroad would lay track 1-1/2 miles to the south of Cresson. Many citizens and businesses abandoned Cresson to form the community of New Cresson along the expected railroad route. Ironically, the railroad established Palco near the original location of Cresson.

In 1893, Palco was nearly wiped out by a prairie fire. The fire originated in Graham County and consumed thousands of acres along with farmsteads and livestock in Graham, Rooks, Ellis and Russell Counties before being extinguished. Seven people lost their lives in the blaze.

Palco filed for incorporation as a third class city in 1906 and elected Robert Kirkendall as mayor.

Fire again hit Palco in 1923 destroying many businesses along Main Street including the hotel, post office, real estate office and a doctor's office.

Geography

Palco is located at 39°15′10″N 99°33′45″W / 39.25278°N 99.56250°W / 39.25278; -99.56250 (39.252891, -99.562473). According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 0.27 square miles (0.70 km²), all of it land.

Climate

The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Palco has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.

Demographics

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 277 people, 112 households, and 71 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,025.9 inhabitants per square mile (396.1/km²). There were 153 housing units at an average density of 566.7 per square mile (218.8/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 94.2% White, 3.2% African American, 0.4% Native American, 0.4% Pacific Islander, 0.4% from other races, and 1.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.1% of the population.

There were 112 households, of which 34.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.9% were married couples living together, 15.2% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.4% had a male householder with no wife present, and 36.6% were non-families. 33.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.47 and the average family size was 3.11.

The median age in the city was 32.7 years. 30.7% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.2% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 20.6% were from 25 to 44; 22.7% were from 45 to 64; and 18.8% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 46.9% male and 53.1% female.

Education

Limestone sign at Palco High School (2016)

The community is served by Palco USD 269 public school district. It has two schools: Damar Elementary School is located in Damar, Palco Jr-Sr High School is located in Palco.

The Palco Roosters won the Kansas State High School boys class B Indoor Track & Field championship in 1962.

See also

In Spanish: Palco (Kansas) para niños