Emporia, Kansas
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Emporia is a city located in Lyon County, Kansas, USA. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 26,760. Emporia is located at the intersection of US-50, Interstate 335 and Interstate 35 on the Kansas Turnpike. It is the county seat of Lyon County.Template:GR
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History
Emporia was founded in February 1857, drawing its name from ancient Carthaginian Africa.
In 1953, Emporia was the site of the first Veterans Day observance in the United States. At the urging of local shoe cobbler Alvin J. King, US Representative Ed Rees introduced legislation in The United States Congress to rename Armistice Day as Veterans Day. President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the bill into law on October 8, 1954 [1].
On June 8, 1974, an F4 tornado struck Emporia killing 6 people, injuring 220 people, and causing $20 million in damages.
Geography
Emporia is located at 38°24'29" North, 96°11'13" West (38.408148, -96.187054)Template:GR.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 25.8 km² (10.0 mi²). 25.6 km² (9.9 mi²) of it is land and 0.2 km² (0.1 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 0.60% water.
The Neosho River is accessible at the northern edge of town, and the Cottonwood River at the southern edge, passing by Peter Pan Park and the Emporia Zoo at Soden's Grove.
Demographics
As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there were 26,760 people, 10,253 households, and 6,039 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,043.6/km² (2,703.0/mi²). There were 11,019 housing units at an average density of 429.7/km² (1,113.0/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 78.63% White, 2.96% African American, 0.48% Native American, 2.66% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 12.75% from other races, and 2.52% from two or more races. 21.49% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 10,253 households out of which 31.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.4% were married couples living together, 9.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 41.1% were non-families. 31.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.2% 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 3.15.
In the city the population was spread out with 25.3% under the age of 18, 19.4% from 18 to 24, 27.2% from 25 to 44, 17.0% from 45 to 64, and 11.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 28 years. For every 100 females there were 95.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.1 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $30,809, and the median income for a family was $41,571. Males had a median income of $27,915 versus $20,946 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,157. 17.9% of the population and 12.4% of families were below the poverty line. 19.6% of those under the age of 18 and 10.1% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.
Industry
In addition to Emporia State University, Emporia has several large employers[2].
The Tyson Foods plant slaughters and packs approximately 4000 head of beef per dayTemplate:Citation needed and employs over 2000 workers.
Dolly Madison has a bakery in Emporia.
Hopkins Manufacturing Corporation was founded in Emporia in 1953 [3]. In 2003, they were recognized as Emporia's Large Employer of the Year [4].
In 1952, Bill Braum started the Peter Pan ice cream store chain in Emporia. After he sold out and moved to Oklahoma in 1968, he developed the Braum's Dairy stores[5].
Notable Natives
- R. Lee Ermey, Marine and actor
- William Allen White, author and newspaper editor
- Dean Smith, basketball coach
- Chad S. Johnson, attorney and political activist
- Clint Bowyer, NASCAR Driver
- Melora Creager, frontwoman of Rasputina
- Jim Everett, Former NFL quarterback
