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Wichita, KS

Frequently asked questions

Wichita, KS

Wichita is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Kansas and the county seat of Sedgwick County. As of the 2020 census, the population of the city was 397,532. The Wichita metro area had a population of 647,610 in 2020. It is located in south-central Kansas on the Arkansas River.

Wichita began as a trading post on the Chisholm Trail in the 1860s and was incorporated as a city in 1870. It became a destination for cattle drives traveling north from Texas to Kansas railroads, earning it the nickname "Cowtown". Wyatt Earp served as a police officer in Wichita for around one year before going to Dodge City.

In the 1920s and 1930s, businessmen and aeronautical engineers established aircraft manufacturing companies in Wichita, including Beechcraft, Cessna, and Stearman Aircraft. The city became an aircraft production hub known as "The Air Capital of the World". Textron Aviation, Learjet, Airbus, and Boeing/Spirit AeroSystems continue to operate design and manufacturing facilities in Wichita, and the city remains a major center of the American aircraft industry. Several airports located within the city of Wichita include McConnell Air Force Base, Colonel James Jabara Airport, and Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport, the largest airport in Kansas.

As an industrial hub, Wichita is a regional center of culture, media, and trade. It hosts several universities, large museums, theaters, parks, shopping centers, and entertainment venues, most notably Intrust Bank Arena and Century II Performing Arts & Convention Center. The city's Old Cowtown Museum maintains historical artifacts and exhibits the city's early history. Wichita State University is the third-largest post-secondary institution in the state.

Wichita is in south-central Kansas at the junction of Interstate 35 and U.S. Route 54. Part of the Midwestern United States, it is 157 mi (253 km) north of Oklahoma City, 181 mi (291 km) southwest of Kansas City, and 439 mi (707 km) east-southeast of Denver.

The city lies on the Arkansas River near the western edge of the Flint Hills in the Wellington-McPherson Lowlands region of the Great Plains. The area's topography is characterized by the broad alluvial plain of the Arkansas River valley and the moderately rolling slopes that rise to the higher lands on either side.

The Arkansas follows a winding course, south-southeast through Wichita, roughly bisecting the city. It is joined along its course by several tributaries, all of which flow generally south. The largest is the Little Arkansas River, which enters the city from the north and joins the Arkansas immediately west of downtown. Further east lies Chisholm Creek, which joins the Arkansas in the far southern part of the city. The Chisholm's tributaries drain much of the city's eastern half; these include the creek's West, Middle, and East Forks, as well as further south, Gypsum Creek. The Gypsum is fed by its tributary, Dry Creek. Two more of Arkansas's tributaries lie west of its course; from east to west, these are Big Slough Creek and Cowskin Creek. Both run south through the western part of the city. Fourmile Creek, a tributary of the Walnut River, flows south through the far eastern part of the city.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 163.59 sq mi (423.70 km²), of which 4.30 sq mi (11.14 km²) is covered by water. As the core of the Wichita metropolitan area, the city is surrounded by suburbs. Bordering Wichita on the north are, from west to east, Valley Center, Park City, Kechi, and Bel Aire. Enclosed within east-central Wichita is Eastborough. Adjacent to the city's east side is Andover. McConnell Air Force Base is in the extreme southeast corner of the city. To the south, from east to west, lie Derby and Haysville. Goddard and Maize border Wichita to the west and northwest, respectively.

Health and wellness are paramount in Wichita, with the city offering various amenities and services to support the well-being of its residents. The Wesley Medical Center stands as a cornerstone in providing comprehensive healthcare services to the community. Explore the parks, facilities, and programs the Wichita 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 Compelled Fitness, Anytime Fitness and Forge Fitness. Discover the walking and biking trails in and around Wichita, such as the Sedgwick Outer Loop and Swanson Park Loop. These trails offer opportunities for outdoor exercise and enjoyment of nature.

Top sites in Wichita, KS are Botanica, The Wichita Gardens, Exploration Place, Old Cowtown Museum, and Sedgwick County Zoo.

Population: 396,119 (2023). ZIP code: 67201. Area code: 316. Elevation: 1,303 ft (397 m). Area: 166.52 sq mi (431.28 km²).

FAQs

What is Wichita, KS famous for?

Wichita has long been known as a center of entrepreneurship. In addition to aircraft pioneers, Fred Koch founded Koch Industries in Wichita, and Dan and Frank Carney founded Pizza Hut. Coleman, Freddy's Frozen Custard, and many other successful companies began in Wichita.

Is Wichita, KS a good place to live?

Wichita is a city in Kansas with a population of 395,951. Wichita is in Sedgwick County and is one of the best places to live in Kansas. Living in Wichita offers residents a dense suburban feel and most residents own their homes. In Wichita there are a lot of coffee shops and parks. Many families and young professionals live in Wichita and residents tend to lean conservative. The public schools in Wichita are above average.

Is Wichita, KS expensive to live in?

Wichita, KS housing is 32% cheaper than the U.S. average, while utilities are about 3% pricier. When it comes to necessities such as food and clothing, groceries are around 1% less in Wichita, KS than in the rest of the country, while clothing costs around 1% less. The cost of living in Wichita, KS is 3% higher than the state average and 11% lower than the national average. Healthcare services such as doctor check-ups and dentistry cost 6% less here compared to the U.S. average.

Sources

Wikipedia

City of Wichita

Wesley Medical Center

Wichita Parks and Recreation Department 

Compelled Fitness

Anytime Fitness 

Forge Fitness

Sedgwick Outer Loop 

Swanson Park Loop

Botanica, The Wichita Gardens

Exploration Place

Old Cowtown Museum

Sedgwick County Zoo

Niche

RentCafe

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