Hesston, Kansas
|
|
Hesston is a city located in Harvey County, Kansas. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 3,509.
| Contents |
History
Established in 1886 as a village in Emma Township, Hesston began to grow as the Missouri Pacific railroad was expanding westward through the state. By 1912 it had grown into an important shipping and receiving point for farmers throughout the region.
Many of the early settlers were Mennonite farmers. In 1909, the Mennonite Church founded Hesston College in the town. In 1981, the Dyck Arboretum of the Plains was founded at the college; the 13 acre (52,609 m²) arboretum showcases more than 600 varieties of native vegetation.
In 1947, Lyle Yost founded Hesston Manufacturing Co. in the city. The company specialized in farm equipment, including self-propelled windrowers and the StakHand hay harvester. in 1974, Hesston commissioned its first belt buckles[1] (http://www.bucklesofestes.com/hesston_history.htm), which became popular on the rodeo circuit and with collectors. In 1991, the Germany-based equipment manufactuer AGCO Corporation purchased Hesston; Hesston-brand equipment is still manufactured in the city.
Hesston is now home to Hesston College and the Dyck Arboretum of the Plains.
Geography
KSMap-doton-Hesston.png
Location of Hesston, Kansas
Hesston is located at 38°8'21" North, 97°25'46" West (38.139097, -97.429550)Template:GR.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 6.7 km² (2.6 mi²). 6.7 km² (2.6 mi²) of it is land and none of it is covered by water.
Demographics
As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there are 3,509 people, 1,227 households, and 904 families residing in the city. The population density is 523.1/km² (1,353.2/mi²). There are 1,308 housing units at an average density of 195.0/km² (504.4/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 94.56% White, 1.48% African American, 0.60% Native American, 0.83% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 1.25% from other races, and 1.28% from two or more races. 2.88% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 1,227 households out of which 35.0% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 64.5% are married couples living together, 7.6% have a female householder with no husband present, and 26.3% are non-families. 23.7% of all households are made up of individuals and 10.8% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.52 and the average family size is 2.99.
In the city the population is spread out with 24.6% under the age of 18, 14.3% from 18 to 24, 23.5% from 25 to 44, 18.0% from 45 to 64, and 19.7% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 36 years. For every 100 females there are 93.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 86.9 males.
The median income for a household in the city is $42,585, and the median income for a family is $51,474. Males have a median income of $39,891 versus $26,424 for females. The per capita income for the city is $18,138. 5.5% of the population and 3.9% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 5.6% of those under the age of 18 and 4.9% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
External links
- The City of Hesston, Kansas (http://www.hesstonks.org/)
- Hesston College (http://www.hesston.edu/)
- Dyck Arboretum of the Plains (http://www.dyckarboretum.org/)
- The Hesston Record newspaper (http://www.hesstonrecord.com/)
- Hesston AGCO (http://www.hesston.agcocorp.com/)