Valley Center, Kansas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Valley Center, Kansas
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Location within Sedgwick County and Kansas
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| Country | United States |
| State | Kansas |
| County | Sedgwick |
| Founded | 1870s |
| Incorporated | 1885 |
| Named for | Little Arkansas River valley |
| Area | |
| • Total | 7.11 sq mi (18.41 km2) |
| • Land | 7.11 sq mi (18.40 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.01 km2) |
| Elevation | 1,345 ft (410 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 7,340 |
| • Density | 1,032.3/sq mi (398.7/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (CST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
67147
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| Area code | 316 |
| FIPS code | 20-73250 |
| GNIS ID | 473852 |
Valley Center is a city in Sedgwick County, Kansas, United States. It is a nearby town, or suburb, of Wichita. In 2020, the city had a population of 7,340 people.
Contents
Discovering Valley Center's Past
Valley Center became an official city on September 29, 1885. It got its name because it is located in the valley of the Arkansas River.
A long time ago, there was a train station in Valley Center. It was used by two big railway companies. This old station building was moved to a new spot south of Hillsboro, Kansas. Today, it is a private home.
On July 17, 2007, there was a large explosion at a chemical plant in Valley Center. The plant was destroyed, and people in the city had to leave their homes for a short time to stay safe. Cleanup started later, and investigations were finished within a few weeks.
Where is Valley Center Located?
Valley Center is found at coordinates 37°49′47″N 97°22′10″W / 37.82972°N 97.36944°W. The city covers a total area of about 6.95 square miles (18.00 square kilometers). All of this area is land.
The city is located just two miles west of major highways. These include Interstate 135, U.S. Route 81, and K-15.
People and Population in Valley Center
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1880 | 71 | — | |
| 1890 | 167 | 135.2% | |
| 1900 | 312 | 86.8% | |
| 1910 | 381 | 22.1% | |
| 1920 | 486 | 27.6% | |
| 1930 | 896 | 84.4% | |
| 1940 | 700 | −21.9% | |
| 1950 | 854 | 22.0% | |
| 1960 | 2,570 | 200.9% | |
| 1970 | 2,551 | −0.7% | |
| 1980 | 3,300 | 29.4% | |
| 1990 | 3,624 | 9.8% | |
| 2000 | 4,883 | 34.7% | |
| 2010 | 6,822 | 39.7% | |
| 2020 | 7,340 | 7.6% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census 2010-2020 |
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Valley Center is part of the larger Wichita, KS Metropolitan Statistical Area. This means it's connected to the bigger city of Wichita and its surrounding areas.
Valley Center's Population in 2020
The 2020 United States census counted 7,340 people living in Valley Center. There were 2,599 households and 1,967 families. The population density was about 1,032 people per square mile.
Most of the people in Valley Center, about 86%, were white. Other groups included 1.4% black or African-American, 1.1% Native American, and 0.6% Asian. About 5.5% of the population identified as Hispanic or Latino.
In terms of age, about 40.6% of the people were under 18 years old. About 13.5% were 65 years or older. The average age in the city was 32.4 years.
Valley Center's Population in 2010
In 2010, the city had 6,822 people. There were 2,484 households and 1,862 families. The population density was about 981 people per square mile.
About 94.2% of the people were white. Other groups included 0.8% African American, 0.8% Native American, and 0.4% Asian. About 4.6% of the population was Hispanic or Latino.
About 31.4% of residents were under 18 years old. About 11.4% were 65 years or older. The average age in the city was 34.3 years.
Education in Valley Center Schools
The Valley Center USD 262 school district is a big part of the community. It has about 370 staff members and teaches over 2,760 students. These students come from Valley Center, Park City, Kechi, and parts of Wichita.
The district has several schools:
- One building for Pre-K through 3rd grade.
- Two schools for Kindergarten through 3rd grade.
- An intermediate school for 4th and 5th graders.
- A middle school for 6th, 7th, and 8th graders.
- A high school.
There is also an alternative school called The Learning Center. It helps students of all ages earn their high school diploma. The mascot for the Valley Center school district is the Hornets!
Annual Events in Valley Center
- Fall Festival: This is a fun event that happens every year in September. It brings the community together for celebrations.
Famous People from Valley Center
Some well-known individuals who have lived in or were born in Valley Center include:
- Cady Groves (1989-2020), a pop-country singer.
- Patrick Miller (1980-), a U.S. Army Staff Sergeant who was a prisoner of war.
See also
In Spanish: Valley Center (Kansas) para niños
