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Dodge City, KS

Frequently asked questions

Dodge City, KS

Dodge City is a city in and the county seat of Ford County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2020 census, the population of the city was 27,788. It was named after nearby Fort Dodge, which was named in honor of Grenville Dodge. The city is known in American culture for its history as a wild frontier town of the Old West.

Dodge City lies on the Arkansas River in the High Plains region of the Great Plains. The city sits above one of the world's largest underground water systems, the Ogallala Aquifer, and is 25 miles (40 km) from the eastern edge of the Hugoton Natural Gas Area. Located at the intersection of U. S. Routes 50, 56, and 283 in southwestern Kansas, Dodge City is 151 mi (243 km) west of Wichita, 199 mi (320 km) northeast of Amarillo, and 301 mi (484 km) southeast of Denver. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 14.55 square miles (37.68 km²), of which 14.44 square miles (37.40 km²) is land and 0.11 square miles (0.28 km²) is water.

The first settlement in the area that became Dodge City was Fort Mann, built by civilians in 1847. At that time, the territory was part of Mexico, and the fort was built to protect travelers on the Santa Fe Trail. Fort Mann collapsed in 1848 after an attack by Natives. In 1850, the U.S. Army arrived to protect the region and constructed Fort Atkinson on the old Fort Mann site. The army abandoned Fort Atkinson in 1853. Military forces on the Santa Fe Trail were re-established farther north and east at Fort Larned in 1859, but the area remained vacant around what would become Dodge City until the end of the Civil War. In April 1865, the American Frontier Wars in the West began heating up, and the army constructed Fort Dodge to assist Fort Larned in protecting the Santa Fe Trail. Fort Dodge remained in operation until 1882.

The town of Dodge City can trace its origins to 1871, when rancher Henry J. Sitler built a sod house west of Fort Dodge to oversee his cattle operations in the region, conveniently located near the Santa Fe Trail and Arkansas River, and Sitler's house quickly became a stopping point for travelers. Others saw the commercial potential of the region with the Santa Fe Railroad rapidly approaching from the east. In 1872, Dodge City was staked out on the 100th meridian and the legal western boundary of the Fort Dodge reservation. The town site was platted and George M. Hoover established the first bar in a tent to serve thirsty soldiers from Fort Dodge. The railroad arrived in September to find a town ready and waiting for business. The early settlers in Dodge City traded in buffalo bones and hides and provided a civilian community for Fort Dodge. With the arrival of the railroad, Dodge City soon became involved in the cattle trade.

The idea of driving Texas Longhorn cattle from Texas to railheads in Kansas originated in the late 1850s but was cut short by the Civil War. In 1866, the first Texas cattle started arriving in Baxter Springs in southeastern Kansas by way of the Shawnee Trail. Texas Longhorn cattle carried a tick that spread Texas cattle fever, among other breeds of cattle. Alarmed Kansas farmers persuaded the Kansas State Legislature to establish a quarantine line in central Kansas. The quarantine prohibited Texas Longhorns from the heavily settled, eastern portion of the state.

Health and wellness are prioritized in Dodge City, with several healthcare facilities serving the community. The Dodge City Family Care Clinic is a leading healthcare provider, offering a range of medical services to residents. Explore the parks, facilities, and programs the Dodge 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 Flex Fitness and Anytime Fitness. Discover the walking and biking trails in and around Dodge City, such as the Dodge City Lake Loop and Santa Fe Trail. These trails offer opportunities for outdoor exercise and enjoyment of nature.

Top sites in Dodge City, KS are Boot Hill Museum, Home of Stone, and Long Branch Lagoon Water Park.

Population: 27,514 (2023). ZIP codes: 67801, 67843. Area codes: 620. Elevation: 2,559 ft (780 m). Area: 14.77 sq mi (38.24 km²).

FAQs

Why is Dodge City, KS famous?

Dodge City, Kansas was once a bustling frontier town where visiting cowboys and locals could get away with just about anything. Now, Dodge City carries a reputation for preserving that famous Old West history. It's cowboy country.  A visit to Dodge City will put you on the streets that were walked by Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday.

What is the crime rate in Dodge City, KS?

The crime rate in Dodge City is considerably higher than the national average across all communities in America from the largest to the smallest, although at 20 crimes per one thousand residents, it is not among the communities with the very highest crime rate. The chance of becoming a victim of either violent or property crime in Dodge City is 1 in 49. Based on FBI crime data, Dodge City is not one of the safest communities in America. Relative to Kansas, Dodge City has a crime rate that is higher than 81% of the state's cities and towns of all sizes.

What is the median household income in Dodge City, KS?

In 2022, the median household income of Dodge City households was $66,932. Dodge City households made slightly more than Leoti households ($66,845) and Nortonville households ($66,786). However, 11.2% of Dodge City families live in poverty.

Sources

Wikipedia 

City of Dodge City

Dodge City Family Care Clinic

Dodge City Parks and Recreation Department 

Flex Fitness 

Anytime Fitness

Dodge City Lake Loop 

Santa Fe Trail

Boot Hill Museum

Home of Stone

Long Branch Lagoon Water Park

Visit Dodge City, KS

Neighborhood Scout

Kansas Demographics

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