| Marion, Kansas | |
| Settlement Type: | City and County seat |
| Image Map1: | Map of Marion Co, Ks, USA.png |
| Map Caption1: | KDOT map of Marion County (legend) |
| Coordinates: | 38.3547°N -97.0081°W |
| Subdivision Type: | Country |
| Subdivision Name: | United States |
| Subdivision Type1: | State |
| Subdivision Name1: | Kansas |
| Subdivision Type2: | County |
| Subdivision Name2: | Marion |
| Subdivision Type3: | Township |
| Subdivision Name3: | Centre |
| Established Title: | Founded |
| Established Title1: | Platted |
| Established Date1: | 1866, 1871, 1873 |
| Established Title2: | Incorporated |
| Established Date2: | 1875 |
| Named For: | Francis Marion |
| Government Type: | Mayor–Council |
| Leader Title: | Mayor |
| Leader Name: | Michael Powers |
| Area Footnotes: | [1] |
| Area Total Sq Mi: | 2.70 |
| Area Land Sq Mi: | 2.69 |
| Area Water Sq Mi: | 0.01 |
| Area Total Km2: | 6.98 |
| Area Land Km2: | 6.96 |
| Area Water Km2: | 0.02 |
| Unit Pref: | Imperial |
| Elevation Ft: | 1342 |
| Population As Of: | 2020 |
| Population Total: | 1922 |
| 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: | 66861 |
| Area Code Type: | Area code |
| Area Code: | 620 |
| Blank Name: | FIPS code |
| Blank1 Name: | GNIS ID |
| Blank1 Info: | 485619 |
Marion is a city in, and the county seat of, Marion County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2020 census, the population of the city was 1,922.[2] The city was named in honor of Francis Marion, a brigadier general of the American Revolutionary War, known as the "Swamp Fox".[3]
See also: History of Kansas. For many millennia, the Great Plains of North America was inhabited by Native Americans. From the 16th century to 18th century, the Kingdom of France claimed ownership of large parts of North America. In 1762, after the French and Indian War, France secretly ceded New France to Spain, per the Treaty of Fontainebleau.
In 1802, Spain returned most of the land to France. In 1803, most of the land for modern day Kansas was acquired by the United States from France as part of the 828,000 square mile Louisiana Purchase for 2.83 cents per acre.
In 1806, Zebulon Pike led the Pike Expedition westward from St Louis, Missouri, of which part of their journey followed the Cottonwood River through Marion County near the current cities of Florence, Marion, Durham.[4]
In 1854, the Kansas Territory was organized, then in 1861 Kansas became the 34th U.S. state. In 1855, Marion County was established within Kansas, which included the land for modern day Marion.[5]
The city of Marion Centre was founded in 1860 and became the county seat, named in honor of Francis Marion.[6] A post office was established on September 30, 1862, which shortened the name to Marion on October 15, 1881. The city officially adopted the shorter name on January 17, 1882.[7] In 1875, Marion incorporated as a city as a 3rd class city, later in 1888 it became a 2nd class city.
As early as 1875, city leaders of Marion held a meeting to consider a branch railroad from Florence. In 1878, Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway and parties from Marion County and McPherson County chartered the Marion and McPherson Railway Company.[8] In 1879, a branch line was built from Florence to McPherson, in 1880 it was extended to Lyons, in 1881 it was extended to Ellinwood.[9] The line was leased and operated by the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway. The line from Florence to Marion, was abandoned in 1968.[10] In 1992, the line from Marion to McPherson was sold to Central Kansas Railway. In 1993, after heavy flood damage, the line from Marion to McPherson was abandoned. The original branch line connected Florence, Marion, Canada, Hillsboro, Lehigh, Canton, Galva, McPherson, Conway, Windom, Little River, Mitchell, Lyons, Chase, Ellinwood. Later, the Santa Fe depot building was converted into the Marion Library. Most locals still refer to this railroad as the "Santa Fe".
In 1887, the Chicago, Kansas and Nebraska Railway built a branch line north-south from Herington through Marion to Caldwell.[11] It foreclosed in 1891 and was taken over by Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railway, which shut down in 1980 and reorganized as Oklahoma, Kansas and Texas Railroad, merged in 1988 with Missouri Pacific Railroad, and finally merged in 1997 with Union Pacific Railroad. Most locals still refer to this railroad as the "Rock Island".
In 1889, the Marion Belt and Chingawasa Springs Railroad built a 4.5miles railroad from Marion north-east to Chingawasa Springs. A hotel was built near the site of the spa at Chingawasa Springs, and a depot and eatery as well. Both Santa Fe and Rock Island offered round trip fares from Chicago and western cities to Chingawasa Springs. An economic panic in 1893 closed down the health spa and hotel, and quarry business along the tracks never developed sufficiently. In 1893, the railroad ceased operations, and tracks were removed in 1910.[12] [13]
The National Old Trails Road, also known as the Ocean-to-Ocean Highway, was established in 1912, and was routed through Lehigh, Hillsboro, Marion and Lost Springs.
In 1937, the Marion County Lake was completed by the Civilian Conservation Corps south-east of Marion for the purpose of recreation. There were numerous floods during the early history of Marion. In June and July 1951, due to heavy rains, rivers and streams flooded numerous cities in Kansas, including Marion. Many reservoirs and levees were built in Kansas as part of a response to the Great Flood of 1951. From 1964 to 1968, the Marion Reservoir was constructed north-west of Marion. Downstream from the Marion Reservoir, levees were built in the low areas of Marion and Florence.
In August 2023, Marion County police raided the newspaper Marion County Record, its owners, and a local city council member. The police had received information that the paper had obtained, allegedly from a confidential source (it was later shown that legal public sources were used) that a local business owner had an unresolved drunk driving conviction and continued to drive for many months without a driving license. The newspaper did not publish this legally obtained information.[14] [15] [16]
Marion is located in the scenic Flint Hills and Great Plains of the state of Kansas. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 2.99sqmi, of which 2.98sqmi is land and 0.01sqmi is water.[17]
The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Marion has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.[18]
The 2020 United States census counted 1,922 people, 860 households, and 502 families in Marion.[19] The population density was 696.9 per square mile (269.1/km). There were 971 housing units at an average density of 352.1 per square mile (135.9/km).[20] [21] The racial makeup was 94.17% (1,810) white or European American (93.08% non-Hispanic white), 0.1% (2) black or African-American, 0.47% (9) Native American or Alaska Native, 0.05% (1) Asian, 0.0% (0) Pacific Islander or Native Hawaiian, 0.26% (5) from other races, and 4.94% (95) from two or more races.[22] Hispanic or Latino of any race was 3.33% (64) of the population.[23]
Of the 860 households, 23.8% had children under the age of 18; 46.4% were married couples living together; 29.8% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. 37.7% of households consisted of individuals and 21.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[20] The average household size was 2.2 and the average family size was 2.9.[24] The percent of those with a bachelor’s degree or higher was estimated to be 18.4% of the population.[25]
20.3% of the population was under the age of 18, 7.8% from 18 to 24, 20.9% from 25 to 44, 26.3% from 45 to 64, and 24.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 46.3 years. For every 100 females, there were 114.0 males.[20] For every 100 females ages 18 and older, there were 117.8 males.[20]
The 2016-2020 5-year American Community Survey estimates show that the median household income was $46,548 (with a margin of error of +/- $5,836) and the median family income was $59,028 (+/- $9,025).[26] Males had a median income of $40,000 (+/- $11,143) versus $28,750 (+/- $8,663) for females. The median income for those above 16 years old was $32,826 (+/- $3,144).[27] Approximately, 5.2% of families and 5.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.9% of those under the age of 18 and 4.2% of those ages 65 or over.[28] [29]
At the 2010 census,[30] there were 1,927 people, 846 households, and 514 families residing in the city. The population density was 646.6/sqmi. There were 973 housing units at an average density of 326.5/sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 97.6% White, 0.6% African American, 0.3% Native American, 0.1% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 0.5% from other races, and 0.8% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.4% of the population.
There were 846 households, of which 28.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.3% were married couples living together, 9.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.9% had a male householder with no wife present, and 39.2% were non-families. 36.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 19.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.23 and the average family size was 2.90.
The median age was 44 years. 24.3% of residents were under the age of 18; 6.6% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 20.5% were from 25 to 44; 25.6% were from 45 to 64; and 23% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup was 47.5% male and 52.5% female.
At the 2000 census,[31] there were 2,110 people, 859 households and 556 families residing in the city. The population density was 948.6sp=usNaNsp=us. There were 968 housing units at an average density of 435.2sp=usNaNsp=us. The racial makeup of the city was 97.58% White, 0.05% African American, 0.81% Native American, 0.09% Asian, 0.24% from other races, and 1.23% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.37% of the population.
There were 859 households, of which 29.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.8% were married couples living together, 5.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.2% were non-families. 31.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 20.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.34 and the average family size was 2.94.
25.5% of the population were under the age of 18, 5.5% from 18 to 24, 22.8% from 25 to 44, 19.6% from 45 to 64, and 26.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females, there were 86.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.0 males.
The median household income was $32,125 and the median family income was $42,202. Males had a median income of $30,907 compared with $23,929 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,464. About 5.3% of families and 6.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.5% of those under age 18 and 7.5% of those age 65 or over.
Marion has five listings on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP).
Nearby recreational areas:
The Marion government consists of a mayor and four council members. The city council meets every other Monday at 4:30pm.[42]
The community is served by Marion–Florence USD 408 public school district. The high school is a member of T.E.E.N., a shared video teaching network between five area high schools.[45]
Each USD 408 school has a library for student access. The city is served by the Marion City Library at 101 Library Street. The library is a member of the North Central Kansas Libraries System, which provides an inter-library book loan service between its members.[46]
See also: List of newspapers in Kansas, List of radio stations in Kansas and List of television stations in Kansas.
Marion is served by numerous radio stations from the Wichita-Hutchinson listening market area,[47] and satellite radio. (See Media in Wichita, Kansas.)
Marion is served by over-the-air ATSC digital TV of the Wichita-Hutchinson viewing market area,[48] cable TV, and satellite TV. (See Media in Wichita, Kansas.)
U.S. Route 56 runs along the city's northern side, and U.S. Route 77 is east of the city. Kansas Highway 256 runs through the center of town as Main Street, past the east end business section, Marion High School and the downtown business district. A regional Kansas Department of Transportation office is located on the north side of Marion at the corner of U.S. Route 56 and Cedar Street.
The Oklahoma Kansas Texas (OKT)[49] line of the Union Pacific Railroad runs north-south through the city.
Marion Municipal Airport, FAA:43K,[50] is located south-east of Marion and centered at 38.3375°N -96.9917°W.[51]