| Codell, Kansas | |
| Settlement Type: | CDP |
| Image Map1: | Map of Rooks Co, Ks, USA.png |
| Map Caption1: | KDOT map of Rooks County (legend) |
| Coordinates: | 39.1953°N -99.17°W |
| Subdivision Type: | Country |
| Subdivision Name: | United States |
| Subdivision Type1: | State |
| Subdivision Name1: | Kansas |
| Subdivision Type2: | County |
| Subdivision Name2: | Rooks |
| Subdivision Type3: | Township |
| Subdivision Name3: | Township 12 |
| Established Title: | Founded |
| Established Date: | 1887 |
| Established Title1: | Platted |
| Unit Pref: | Imperial |
| Elevation Ft: | 2011 |
| Population As Of: | 2020 |
| Population Total: | 49 |
| Population Density Sq Mi: | auto |
| Population Density Km2: | auto |
| Timezone: | CST |
| Utc Offset: | -6 |
| Timezone Dst: | CDT |
| Utc Offset Dst: | -5 |
| Postal Code Type: | ZIP code |
| Postal Code: | 67663 |
| Area Code Type: | Area code |
| Area Code: | 785 |
| Blank Name: | FIPS code |
| Blank1 Name: | GNIS ID |
| Blank1 Info: | 2804531 |
Codell is a census-designated place (CDP) in Rooks County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2020 census, the population was 49.[1]
Codell was established as a Union Pacific Railroad depot in 1887. Union Pacific could not reach agreement with the town of Motor, so Union Pacific established the community of Codell three-quarters of a mile west of Motor. The Motor Post Office, originally established as Floreyville in 1875, was moved to Codell in 1888. The frame buildings in Motor were moved to Codell and Motor was soon abandoned.[2]
Early in its history Codell had a school, multiple churches and a business district with a bank, telephone central office, lumber yard, grain elevator, several stores, a doctor and a barber.[3]
Codell is notable for its tornado history which earned it a mention in Ripley's Believe It or Not!. The community was hit by tornadoes on May 20 in three consecutive years: 1916, 1917 and 1918.[4]
The 1916 tornado, estimated at F2 intensity, passed east of Codell in the early evening.[5] The 1917 tornado reached F3 intensity and passed west of Codell, also in the early evening.[6] In 1918, Codell took a direct hit from an F4 tornado just after dark. The school, M. E. church, hotel and several residences were completely destroyed. Many more buildings were badly damaged. Although the school was rebuilt and a new high school was built in 1938, the town never fully recovered from the devastation of the 1918 tornado.[7]
Codell lies in Township 12 south of the city of Stockton (the county seat of Rooks County[8]) and near the southeastern corner of Rooks County. The community lies along the banks of Paradise Creek and an abandoned railroad line. The nearest city, Plainville, lies approximately away to the northwest by road; the community is connected via 24 Road to a state highway, K-18, which lies approximately to the north.[9]
The 2020 United States census counted 49 people, 16 households, and 11 families in Codell.[10] The population density was 65.2 per square mile (25.2/km). There were 23 housing units at an average density of 30.6 per square mile (11.8/km).[11] [12] The racial makeup was 95.92% (47) white or European American (95.92% non-Hispanic white), 0.0% (0) black or African-American, 0.0% (0) Native American or Alaska Native, 0.0% (0) Asian, 0.0% (0) Pacific Islander or Native Hawaiian, 0.0% (0) from other races, and 4.08% (2) from two or more races.[13] Hispanic or Latino of any race was 0.0% (0) of the population.[14]
Of the 16 households, 18.8% had children under the age of 18; 56.2% were married couples living together; 25.0% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. 31.2% of households consisted of individuals and 18.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.2 and the average family size was 2.2.[15] The percent of those with a bachelor’s degree or higher was estimated to be 53.1% of the population.[16]
16.3% of the population was under the age of 18, 14.3% from 18 to 24, 16.3% from 25 to 44, 40.8% from 45 to 64, and 12.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 49.2 years. For every 100 females, there were 104.2 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older, there were 105.0 males.
The 2016-2020 5-year American Community Survey estimates show that the median household income was $73,512 (with a margin of error of +/- $5,277) and the median family income was $73,512 (+/- $5,277).[17] Males had a median income of $41,071 (+/- $9,669). The median income for those above 16 years old was $40,536 (+/- $2,397).[18]
Codell is served by USD 270 Plainville Schools.[19]
Codell High School was closed through school unification in 1965.[20] The Codell High School mascot was Codell Cougars.[21]