| Dexter, Kansas | |
| Settlement Type: | City |
| Image Map1: | Map of Cowley Co, Ks, USA.png |
| Map Caption1: | KDOT map of Cowley County (legend) |
| Coordinates: | 37.1794°N -96.7161°W |
| Subdivision Type: | Country |
| Subdivision Name: | United States |
| Subdivision Type1: | State |
| Subdivision Name1: | Kansas |
| Subdivision Type2: | County |
| Subdivision Name2: | Cowley |
| Subdivision Type3: | Township |
| Established Title: | Founded |
| Established Date: | 1870 |
| Established Title1: | Platted |
| Established Date1: | 1875 |
| Established Title2: | Incorporated |
| Established Date2: | 1884 |
| Leader Title: | Mayor |
| Area Footnotes: | [1] |
| Area Total Sq Mi: | 0.28 |
| Area Land Sq Mi: | 0.28 |
| Area Water Sq Mi: | 0.00 |
| Area Total Km2: | 0.72 |
| Area Land Km2: | 0.72 |
| Area Water Km2: | 0.00 |
| Unit Pref: | Imperial |
| Elevation Ft: | 1188 |
| Population As Of: | 2020 |
| Population Total: | 224 |
| 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: | 67038 |
| Area Code Type: | Area code |
| Area Code: | 620 |
| Blank Name: | FIPS code |
| Blank Info: | 20-17925 |
| Blank1 Name: | GNIS ID |
| Blank1 Info: | 2394531 |
Dexter is a city in Cowley County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2020 census, the population of the city was 224.[2]
The first post office at Dexter was established in July, 1870.[3]
Dexter was platted in 1875.[4] Dexter is named for a trotting horse belonging to Robert Bonner of New York.[5]
Early in the 20th century Dexter became the focus of research that would confirm the existence of an abundance of naturally occurring and readily available helium. In May 1903, a newly drilled natural gas well was found to contain a nonflammable gas. Researchers at the University of Kansas found the “Dexter gas” contained only 15 percent methane and 72 percent nitrogen, causing the gas to be nonflammable. In addition they discovered helium within an “inert residue” in the gas and, after expanding their research to other wells throughout Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma, published a paper in 1907 saying that helium could be extracted from natural gas. Helium did not have any practical applications at the time, but by 1917 the federal government was sponsoring extensive research into the possibility of using helium in airships.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 0.29sqmi, all of it land.[6]
The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Dexter has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.[7]
The 2020 United States census counted 224 people, 94 households, and 63 families in Dexter.[12] The population density was 808.7 per square mile (312.2/km). There were 102 housing units at an average density of 368.2 per square mile (142.2/km).[13] [14] The racial makeup was 91.96% (206) white or European American (91.96% non-Hispanic white), 0.0% (0) black or African-American, 0.89% (2) Native American or Alaska Native, 0.0% (0) Asian, 0.0% (0) Pacific Islander or Native Hawaiian, 0.0% (0) from other races, and 7.14% (16) from two or more races.[15] Hispanic or Latino of any race was 0.45% (1) of the population.[16]
Of the 94 households, 31.9% had children under the age of 18; 54.3% were married couples living together; 26.6% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. 29.8% of households consisted of individuals and 19.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 4.0 and the average family size was 4.6.[17] The percent of those with a bachelor's degree or higher was estimated to be 23.7% of the population.[18]
25.4% of the population was under the age of 18, 5.8% from 18 to 24, 16.5% from 25 to 44, 31.2% from 45 to 64, and 21.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 48.0 years. For every 100 females, there were 113.3 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older, there were 106.2 males.
The 2016-2020 5-year American Community Survey estimates show that the median household income was $45,703 (with a margin of error of +/- $9,968) and the median family income was $47,188 (+/- $9,760).[19] Females had a median income of $36,143 (+/- $649). The median income for those above 16 years old was $30,250 (+/- $24,274).[20] Approximately, 8.0% of families and 10.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.2% of those under the age of 18 and 0.0% of those ages 65 or over.[21] [22]
As of the census[23] of 2010, there were 278 people, 105 households, and 77 families residing in the city. The population density was 958.6PD/sqmi. There were 128 housing units at an average density of 441.4/sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 95.3% White, 3.6% Native American, 0.4% Pacific Islander, and 0.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.7% of the population.
There were 105 households, of which 32.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.1% were married couples living together, 9.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.7% had a male householder with no wife present, and 26.7% were non-families. 23.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.36 and the average family size was 2.78.
The median age in the city was 47.4 years. 20.5% of residents were under the age of 18; 6.8% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 19.8% were from 25 to 44; 27.1% were from 45 to 64; and 25.9% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.8% male and 52.2% female.
According to the census[24] of 2000, there were 364 people, 119 households, and 81 families residing in the city. The population density was 1309.4sp=usNaNsp=us. There were 133 housing units at an average density of 478.4sp=usNaNsp=us. The racial makeup of the city was 92.03% White, 0.27% African American, 5.22% Native American, 0.82% from other races, and 1.65% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.10% of the population.
There were 119 households, out of which 38.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.7% were married couples living together, 5.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.1% were non-families. 25.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.73 and the average family size was 3.43.
In the city, the population was spread out, with 28.0% under the age of 18, 6.3% from 18 to 24, 26.6% from 25 to 44, 20.6% from 45 to 64, and 18.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 87.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.2 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $32,656, and the median income for a family was $39,286. Males had a median income of $25,536 versus $18,125 for females. The per capita income for the city was $12,615. About 14.1% of families and 16.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 23.4% of those under age 18 and 6.9% of those age 65 or over.
The community is served by Dexter USD 471 public school district.