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Arkansas City, KS

Frequently asked questions

Arkansas City, KS

Arkansas City is a city in Cowley County, Kansas, United States, situated at the confluence of the Arkansas River and Walnut River in the southwestern part of the county. As of the 2020 census, the population of the city was 11,974.

Arkansas City is situated along the northern bank of the Arkansas River and to the west of its confluence with the Walnut River. It is located at the junction of U.S. Route 77 and U.S. Route 166, only four miles (6.4 km) north of the Kansas-Oklahoma border. Winfield, the county seat, is 13 miles (21 km) north of Arkansas City along US-77, and Strother Field, a general aviation airport, is about eight miles (13 km) north. Arkansas City is located 54 miles (87 km) southeast of Wichita. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 9.38 square miles (24.29 km²), of which 9.36 square miles (24.24 km²) is land and 0.02 square miles (0.05 km²) is water.

Present-day Arkansas City sits on the site of an ancestral Wichita city, Etzanoa, which flourished from 1450 to 1700 and had an estimated population of 20,000.

In 1601, New Mexico Governor Juan de Oñate led an expedition across the Great Plains and found a large settlement of Indians he called Rayados. They lived along the Walnut River in the eastern part of Arkansas City. Extensive remains of Indian settlements have been found along six miles (9.7 km) of the Walnut River. The Rayados were the ancestors of the Indians later called Wichita. Wichita settlements from the 18th century are also found a few miles south of Arkansas City on the west bank of the Arkansas River.

European-American settlers first congregated in the area where Arkansas City now stands in the 1860s. Settlers established a town in 1870. They had difficulty choosing a name; early names included Adelphia, Creswell, and Walnut City before the present name was chosen. The first post office in Arkansas City was established on May 16, 1870.

In 1877, the Florence, El Dorado, and Walnut Valley Railroad Company built a branch line from Florence to El Dorado, in 1881 it was extended to Douglass, and later to Arkansas City. The line was leased and operated by the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway. The line from Florence to El Dorado was abandoned in 1942. The original branch line connected Florence, Burns, De Graff, El Dorado, Augusta, Douglass, Rock, Akron, Winfield, and Arkansas City. Arkansas City grew steadily through the latter part of the 19th century and enjoyed a population explosion starting in 1891 when thousands of people moved into the area in anticipation of the Cherokee Strip Land Run.

Arkansas City prioritizes the well-being of its residents through a variety of health and wellness options. The South Central Kansas Medical Center, located in the city, plays a pivotal role in providing comprehensive healthcare services. The medical center is equipped with modern facilities and a dedicated staff, ensuring the well-being of the community. Explore the parks, facilities, and programs the Arkansas City Parks and Recreation Department offers. These spaces provide opportunities for outdoor activities such as walking, jogging, sports, and picnicking. Join local fitness centers and gyms to participate in exercise programs, fitness classes, and strength training. Some popular options include Anytime Fitness, Fitness Center, and Ark City Golf & Fitness. Discover the walking and biking trails in and around Arkansas City, such as the Camp Horizon Loop and Chaplin Nature Center Prairie Trail. These trails offer opportunities for outdoor exercise and enjoyment of nature.

Top sites in Arkansas City, KS are Burford Theatre, Cherokee Strip Land Rush Museum, and Ranney Park.

Population: 11,765 (2023). ZIP code: 67005. Area codes: 620. Elevation: 1,086 ft (331 m). Area: 9.34 sq mi (24.18 km²).

FAQs

What is Arkansas City, KS famous for?

Ark City is known for its abundance of trees, boasting 11 parks, and 26 years of recognition by the Arbor Day Foundation as a Tree City. Wilson Park, one of the largest parks in town, sits at the center of the city. It is home to the only retired locomotive that is open to the public.

What is the cost of living in Arkansas City, KS?

The total cost of housing, food, child care, transportation, health care, taxes, and other necessities for a single adult in Arkansas City is $32,832 a year — less than the annual cost of living for Kansas of $34,206 and less than the national figure of $38,433.Sep 17, 2020. Housing is one of the largest components of the cost of living. In Arkansas City, the median home value is $66,500, less than the national median home value of $204,900.

What are the demographics of Arkansas City, KS?

Arkansas City, KS is home to a population of 12k people, of which 95.7% are citizens. As of 2022, 6.38% of Arkansas City, KS residents were born outside of the country (765 people). In 2022, there were 5.41 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (7.97k people) in Arkansas City, KS than any other race or ethnicity. There were 1.47k White (Hispanic) and 931 Two+ (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Sources

Wikipedia

City of Arkansas City

South Central Kansas Medical Center

Arkansas City Parks and Recreation Department 

Anytime Fitness

Fitness Center 

Ark City Golf & Fitness

Camp Horizon Loop 

Chaplin Nature Center Prairie Trail

Burford Theatre

Cherokee Strip Land Rush Museum

Ranney Park

Ark City Police

24/7 Wall Street

Data USA

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