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Salina, KS

Frequently asked questions

Salina, KS

Salina is a city in and the county seat of Saline County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2020 census, the population was 46,889.

In the early 1800s, the Kanza tribal land reached eastward from the middle of the Kansas Territory. In 1858, settlers from Lawrence founded the Salina Town Company with a wagon circle, under constant threat of High Plains tribal attacks from the west. It was named for the salty Saline River. Saline County was soon organized around this township, and in 1870, Salina incorporated as a city.

As the westernmost town on the Smoky Hill Trail, Salina boomed until the Civil War by establishing itself as a trading post for westbound immigrants, gold prospectors bound for Pikes Peak, and area American Indian tribes. It boomed again from the 1940s-1950s when the Smoky Hill Army Airfield was built for World War II strategic bombers.

It is now a micropolis and regional trade center for North Central Kansas. Higher education institutions include the KSU College of Technology and Aviation and Kansas Wesleyan University; and employers include Tony's Pizza, Exide Battery, Great Plains Manufacturing, and Asurion.

Salina is located at 38°50′25″N 97°36′41″W (38.8402805, -97.6114237) at an elevation of 1,224 feet (373 m). Located in North Central Kansas at the intersection of Interstate 70 and Interstate 135, it is 81 miles (130 km) north of Wichita, Kansas, 164 miles (264 km) west of Kansas City, Missouri, and 401 miles (645 km) east of Denver, Colorado.

Salina lies in the Smoky Hills region of the Great Plains approximately 6 miles (9.7 km) west-southwest of the confluence of the Saline and Smoky Hill Rivers. The Smoky Hill River runs north then northeast through the eastern part of the city; the Saline River flows southeast immediately north of the city. In the northeast part of the city, the old channel of the Smoky Hill branches from the river's current course and winds west, north, and back east before draining back into the river. Mulberry Creek, a tributary of the Saline, flows northeast through the far northern part of the city. Dry Creek, a tributary of Mulberry Creek, flows north through the western part of the city.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 25.15 square miles (65.14 km²), of which 25.11 square miles (65.03 km²) is land and 0.04 square miles (0.10 km²) is water.

Shortly prior to European colonization of the area in the early 1700s, the site that would become Salina was located within the western territory of the Kansa people. Claimed first by France as part of Louisiana and later acquired by the United States with the Louisiana Purchase in 1803, it was within the area organized by the U.S. as Kansas Territory in 1854. The French traders who mapped the forks of les Grande Riviere des Cansez, located the western village of les Cansez at the general confluence of the Smoky Hill, Saline, and Solomon Rivers with villages of the Paducas tribe just to the west on heads of those streams.

Salina places a strong emphasis on health and wellness, offering a range of healthcare services to its residents. The city's Salina Regional Health Center is a leading medical facility providing comprehensive healthcare, emergency services, and specialized treatments. Explore the parks, facilities, and programs the Salina 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 and YMCA. Discover the walking and biking trails in and around Salina, such as the Marty Bender Nature Area Trail and Indian Rock Trail. These trails offer opportunities for outdoor exercise and enjoyment of nature.

Top sites in Salina, KS are Smoky Hill Museum, The Salina Fieldhouse, Rolling Hills Zoo, and Kenwood Cove Aquatic Park.

Population: 46,109 (2024). ZIP codes: 67401-67402. Area code: 785. Elevation: 1,227 ft (374 m). Area: 25.74 sq mi (66.65 km²).

FAQs

Is Salina, KS a good place to live?

Located at the crossroads of I-70 and I-135, Salina has a strong, diverse economic base. In combination, Salina is an affordable place to live featuring low cost transportation and quality health care. Salina has become a regional employment, retail, medical and hospitality hub for North Central and Central Kansas. Health care, Production, aviation, education, retail and service sectors employ a growing, educated and skilled workforce.  With a low cost of living, low crime rates, impressive school test scores, and varied attractions and events that speak to the cultural traveler, sports enthusiast and the kid in all of us, Salina is a great place to live, work and play.

What is the crime rate in Salina, KS?

With a crime rate of 37 per one thousand residents, Salina has one of the highest crime rates in America compared to all communities of all sizes - from the smallest towns to the very largest cities. One's chance of becoming a victim of either violent or property crime here is one in 27. Within Kansas, more than 96% of the communities have a lower crime rate than Salina.

What is the poverty rate in Salina, KS?

In 2022, the median household income of Salina households was $56,945. Salina households made slightly more than Enterprise households ($56,944) and Stockton households ($56,923) . However, 8.4% of Salina families live in poverty.

Sources

Wikipedia

City of Salina

Salina Regional Health Center 

Salina Parks and Recreation Department 

Planet Fitness 

YMCA

Marty Bender Nature Area Trail 

Indian Rock Trail

Smoky Hill Museum

The Salina Fieldhouse

Rolling Hills Zoo

Kenwood Cove Aquatic Park

Salina Kansas

Neighborhood Scout

Kansas Demographics

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