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Manhattan, KS

Frequently asked questions

Manhattan, KS

Manhattan is a city in and the county seat of Riley County, Kansas, U.S., although the city extends into Pottawatomie County. It is located in northeastern Kansas at the junction of the Kansas River and Big Blue River. As of the 2020 Census, the population of the city was 54,100.

The city was founded by settlers from the New England Emigrant Aid Company as a Free-State town in the 1850s, during the Bleeding Kansas era. Nicknamed "The Little Apple" as a play on New York City's moniker of the "Big Apple", Manhattan is the home of Kansas State University and has a distinct college town atmosphere.

Manhattan is located at coordinates 39.1836082, -96.5716694 in the scenic Flint Hills and Great Plains of the state of Kansas, or about 50 miles (80 km) west of Topeka on the Kansas River. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has an area of 18.79 square miles (48.67 km²), of which 18.76 square miles (48.59 km²) is land and 0.03 square miles (0.08 km²) is water.

Before settlement by European-Americans in the 1850s, the land around Manhattan was home to Native American tribes. From 1780 to 1830, it was home to the Kaw people, also known as the Kansa. The Kaw settlement was called Blue Earth Village (Manyinkatuhuudje), named after the river which the tribe had named the Great Blue Earth River, today known as the Big Blue River, which intersected with the Kansas River near their village. Blue Earth Village was the site of a large battle between the Kaw and the Pawnee in 1812. The Kaw tribe ceded ownership of this land in a treaty signed at the Shawnee Methodist Mission on January 14, 1846.

The Kansas–Nebraska Act opened the territory to settlement by U.S. citizens in 1854. That fall, George S. Park founded the first Euro-American settlement within the borders of the current Manhattan. Park named it Polistra (some histories refer to it as Poliska or Poleska). Later that year, Samuel D. Houston and three other pioneers founded Canton, a neighboring community near the mouth of the Big Blue River. Neither Canton nor Polistra ever grew beyond their original founders.

In June 1855, the paddle steamer Hartford, carrying 75 settlers from Ohio, ran aground in the Kansas River near the settlement. The Ohio settlers, who were members of the Cincinnati-Manhattan Company, had been headed 20 miles (32 km) farther upstream to the headwaters of the Kansas River, the location today of Junction City. After realizing they were stranded, the Hartford passengers accepted an invitation to join the new town, but insisted that it be renamed Manhattan, which was done on June 29, 1855. Manhattan was incorporated on May 30, 1857.

Manhattan places a strong emphasis on health and wellness, with the presence of Via Christi Hospital and other healthcare providers offering comprehensive medical services to residents. Explore the parks, facilities, and programs the Manhattan 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 Fit Nation, Wildcat Fitness & Fun and MHK Fitness. Discover the walking and biking trails in and around Manhattan, such as the Warner Park Loop and Konza Godwin Hill Loop Trail. These trails offer opportunities for outdoor exercise and enjoyment of nature. 

Top sites in Manhattan, KS are Flint Hills Discovery Center, K-State Insect Zoo, and Marianna Kistler Beach Museum of Art.

Population: 54,700 (2024). ZIP codes: 66502–66503, 66505–66506. Area code: 785. Elevation: 1,056 ft (322 m). Area: 19.91 sq mi (51.56 km²).

FAQs

What is special about Manhattan, KS?

Manhattan is the Gateway to the Flint Hills. The Little Apple offers a small-town feel with college-town excitement and midwestern charm. Manhattan is home to Kansas State University, the Flint Hills Discovery Center, Konza Prairie, Tuttle Creek Lake, Sunset Zoo, and Kansas’s #1 Public Golf Course, Colbert Hills.

Is Manhattan, KS a nice place to live?

Manhattan is a town in Kansas with a population of 54,287. Manhattan is in Riley County and is one of the best places to live in Kansas. Living in Manhattan offers residents an urban suburban mix feel and most residents rent their homes. In Manhattan there are a lot of bars and parks. Many young professionals live in Manhattan and residents tend to lean conservative. The public schools in Manhattan are highly rated.

Is it expensive to live in Manhattan, KS?

Manhattan, Kansas's cost of living is 5% lower than the national average. The cost of living in any area can vary based on factors such as your career, average salary, and the real estate market of that area. Manhattan's housing expenses are 17% lower than the national average and the utility prices are 1% lower than the national average.

Sources

Wikipedia

City of Manhattan, Kansas

Via Christi Hospital 

Manhattan Parks and Recreation Department 

Fit Nation

Wildcat Fitness & Fun 

MHK Fitness

Warner Park Loop 

Konza Godwin Hill Loop Trail

Flint Hills Discovery Center

K-State Insect Zoo

Marianna Kistler Beach Museum of Art

Travel KS

Niche

Payscale

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