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Hutchinson, KS

Frequently asked questions

Hutchinson, KS

Hutchinson is the largest city and county seat in Reno County, Kansas, United States, and is located on the Arkansas River. It has been home to salt mines since 1887, thus its nickname of "Salt City", but locals call it "Hutch". As of the 2020 census, the population of the city was 40,006.

Each year, Hutchinson hosts the Kansas State Fair and National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Basketball Tournament. It is the home of the Hutchinson Community College, the Cosmosphere Aerospace Museum, and the Strataca Underground Salt Museum.

Hutchinson is located in south-central Kansas at the intersection of U.S. Route 50 and Kansas Highway 96 (K-96), Hutchinson is 39 miles (63 km) northwest of Wichita, 200 mi (320 km) west-southwest of Kansas City, and 395 miles (636 km) east-southeast of Denver.

The city lies on the northeast bank of the Arkansas River in the Great Bend Sand Prairie region of the Great Plains. Cow Creek, a tributary of the Arkansas, runs southeast through the city.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 22.75 square miles (58.92 km²), of which, 22.69 square miles (58.77 km²) is land and 0.06 square miles (0.16 km²) is water.

The city of Hutchinson was founded in 1871 when frontiersman Clinton "C.C." Hutchinson contracted with the Santa Fe Railway to make a town at the railroad's crossing over the Arkansas River. The town sprang up about one-half mile north, on the banks of Cow Creek, where a few houses already existed. C.C. Hutchinson later founded the Reno County Bank in 1873, and by 1878 had erected the state's first water mill at Hutchinson. The community earned the nickname "Temperance City" due to the prohibition of alcohol set by its founder who placed a deed restriction on every lot prohibiting the sale or gifting of any alcoholic beverage which, if violated, would result in the forfeit of the lot, improvements and payments associated with its sale and purchase. Hutchinson was incorporated as a third-class city in August 1872.

In 1887, the Chicago, Kansas and Nebraska Railway built a main line from Herington through Hutchinson to Pratt. In 1888, this line was extended to Liberal. Later, it was extended to Tucumcari, New Mexico, and El Paso, Texas. 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, merged in 1997 with Union Pacific Railroad. Most locals still refer to this railroad as the "Rock Island".

Health and wellness are integral components of Hutchinson's community. The Hutchinson Regional Medical Center serves as a cornerstone for comprehensive healthcare services, ensuring residents have access to quality medical care. Explore the parks, facilities, and programs the Hutchinson 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 Planet Fitness, Hutchinson Fitness Classes, and Health Genesis Clubs. Discover the walking and biking trails in and around Hutchinson, such as the Dillon Nature Center Loop and Sand Hills Loop. These trails offer opportunities for outdoor exercise and enjoyment of nature.

Top sites in Hutchinson, KS are Cosmosphere, STRATACA KS Underground Salt Museum, and Sand Hills State Park.

Population: 39,662 (2023). ZIP code: 67501. Area code: 620. Elevation: 1,526 ft (465 m). Area: 24.63 sq mi (63.80 km²).

FAQs

What is Hutchinson, KS famous for?

Salt beds discovered there in 1887 became the basis of a major industry. Hutchinson is also a principal hard-wheat market and is the center of one of the Midwest's richest oil fields. The city's economy is based chiefly on these local resources. It is the site of the annual Kansas State Fair.

What are the demographics of Hutchinson, KS?

Hutchinson, KS is home to a population of 40k people, of which 98.7% are citizens. As of 2022, 2.47% of Hutchinson, KS residents were born outside of the country (988 people). In 2022, there were 12 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (31.7k people) in Hutchinson, KS than any other race or ethnicity. There were 2.65k White (Hispanic) and 1.65k Two+ (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

What is the poverty rate in Hutchinson, KS?

In 2022, the median household income of Hutchinson households was $55,265. Hutchinson households made slightly more than Bavaria households ($55,000), Courtland households ($55,000), Galesburg households ($55,000), Hillsboro households ($55,000), and Mayetta households ($55,000) . However, 10.7% of Hutchinson families live in poverty.

Sources

Wikipedia

City of Hutchinson

Hutchinson Regional Medical Center 

Hutchinson Parks and Recreation Department 

Planet Fitness

Hutchinson Fitness Classes 

Health Genesis Clubs

Dillon Nature Center Loop 

Sand Hills Loop

Cosmosphere

STRATACA KS Underground Salt Museum

Sand Hills State Park

Britannica

DataUSA

Kansas Demographics

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