Manhattan, Kansas
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Manhattan is a city located in northeastern Kansas. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 44,831. Manhattan is the county seat of Riley County. A small part of the city extends into Pottawatomie County. Nicknamed the "Little Apple" as a play on New York City's "Big Apple," it is most famous for being the home of Kansas State University.
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History
Manhattan was first settled in 1855, when the steamboat Hartford ran aground in the Kansas River. Ohio natives set up prefab buildings and the town became a railroad hub, slave free stronghold and education center a few years later.
Geography
Manhattan is located at 39°11'25" North, 96°35'13" West (39.190142, -96.586818)Template:GR, or about 50 miles west of Topeka on the Kansas River.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 38.9 km² (15.0 mi²). 38.9 km² (15.0 mi²) of it is land and 0.07% is water.
Demographics
As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there are 44,831 people, 16,949 households, and 8,254 families residing in the city. The population density is 1,152.4/km² (2,983.9/mi²). There are 17,690 housing units at an average density of 454.7/km² (1,177.4/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 87.28% White, 4.86% African American, 0.48% Native American, 3.93% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 1.30% from other races, and 2.07% from two or more races. 3.49% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 16,949 households out of which 22.7% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 39.6% are married couples living together, 6.6% have a female householder with no husband present, and 51.3% are non-families. 30.5% of all households are made up of individuals and 6.3% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.30 and the average family size is 2.89.
The age distribution is 15.8% under the age of 18, 39.2% from 18 to 24, 24.0% from 25 to 44, 13.2% from 45 to 64, and 7.8% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 24 years. For every 100 females there are 106.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 105.4 males. The general age distribution is typical of a university town; the sex distribution is not uncommon in areas dominated by major land-grant universities.
The median income for a household in the city is $30,463, and the median income for a family is $48,289. Males have a median income of $31,396 versus $24,611 for females. The per capita income for the city is $16,566. 24.2% of the population and 8.7% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 10.1% of those under the age of 18 and 7.8% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line. However, traditional poverty statistics can be misleading when applied to communities with large student populations, such as Manhattan.
Sites of interest
Tuttle Creek Lake is located 8km (5mi) from Manhattan. While the dam which forms the lake was built primarily for flood control, the lake offers many recreational opportunities. The Konza Prairie tallgrass preserve is nearby. The Marianna Kistler Beach Museum of Art is located on the campus of Kansas State University. Aggieville is one of the oldest shopping and retail centers in the United States and has enough bars to satisfy the college crowd. Aggieville is home to the longest continuously operating Pizza Hut in the world. Sunset Zoo is accredited by the American Zoo and Aquarium Association. Colbert Hills Golf Course, a partnership with Kansas State University, opened in 2000.
The buildings which house The Flint Hills Job Corps Training Center were once used as a nursing home and orphanage operated by the Fraternal Order of Odd Fellows.
Colleges and universities
Manhattan is home to Kansas State University, Manhattan Christian College, Manhattan Area Technical College, the American Institute of Baking and The Flint Hills Job Corps Training Center.
External links
- City of Manhattan: Official web site (http://www.ci.manhattan.ks.us/)
