Lebanon, Kansas
Encyclopedia
Lebanon is a city in Smith County
, Kansas
, United States
, in the north central part of the state. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 218. In 1918, a scientific survey established that the geographic center
of what was then the United States
(now the contiguous "Lower 48" states) lies near the town and a monument was subsequently erected at the site. This trivia fact was referenced in the 1969 film "The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes
"
, the city has a total area of 0.3 square mile (0.776996433 km²), all of it land.
of 2000, there were 303 people, 151 households, and 91 families residing in the city. The population density
was 955.5 people per square mile (365.6/km²). There were 204 housing units at an average density of 643.3 per square mile (246.1/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 99.01% White, 0.33% Native American, and 0.66% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.32% of the population.
There were 151 households out of which 15.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.3% were married couples
living together, 3.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.1% were non-families. 35.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 19.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.01 and the average family size was 2.57.
In the city the population was spread out with 15.8% under the age of 18, 6.3% from 18 to 24, 21.5% from 25 to 44, 22.8% from 45 to 64, and 33.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 52 years. For every 100 females there were 98.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 102.4 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $23,056, and the median income for a family was $28,846. Males had a median income of $22,750 versus $13,250 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $12,245. About 13.2% of families and 22.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 33.3% of those under the age of eighteen and 5.5% of those sixty five or over.
, as local farmer Randall Warner was featured in a New York Times
story about the problems faced by communities such as Lebanon.
Schools
Geographical Center
Maps
Smith County, Kansas
Smith County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kansas. The county's population was 3,853 for the 2010 census. Its county seat is Smith Center. It is named in memory of Maj. J. Nelson Smith, who was part of the 2nd Colorado Cavalry, killed in action at the Battle of Westport on October 21,...
, Kansas
Kansas
Kansas is a US state located in the Midwestern United States. It is named after the Kansas River which flows through it, which in turn was named after the Kansa Native American tribe, which inhabited the area. The tribe's name is often said to mean "people of the wind" or "people of the south...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, in the north central part of the state. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 218. In 1918, a scientific survey established that the geographic center
Geographic Center of the Contiguous United States
One of the locations claimed to be the Geographic Center of the Contiguous United States is pinpointed by a historical marker that is located within a small park near the town of Lebanon, Kansas. It is located at the intersection of AA Road and K-191, accessible by a turn-off from U.S...
of what was then the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
(now the contiguous "Lower 48" states) lies near the town and a monument was subsequently erected at the site. This trivia fact was referenced in the 1969 film "The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes
The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes
The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes is a Disney film from 1969, starring Alan Hewitt, Kurt Russell, Frank Webb, and Joe Flynn. It is released by Buena Vista Distribution Company....
"
Geography
Lebanon is located at 39°48′38"N 98°33′22"W (39.810492, -98.556061). According to the United States Census BureauUnited States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 0.3 square mile (0.776996433 km²), all of it land.
Area attractions
- Geographic center of the contiguous United StatesGeographic Center of the Contiguous United StatesOne of the locations claimed to be the Geographic Center of the Contiguous United States is pinpointed by a historical marker that is located within a small park near the town of Lebanon, Kansas. It is located at the intersection of AA Road and K-191, accessible by a turn-off from U.S...
- Kansas Historical Marker - The Geographic Center.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 303 people, 151 households, and 91 families residing in the city. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 955.5 people per square mile (365.6/km²). There were 204 housing units at an average density of 643.3 per square mile (246.1/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 99.01% White, 0.33% Native American, and 0.66% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.32% of the population.
There were 151 households out of which 15.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.3% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 3.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.1% were non-families. 35.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 19.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.01 and the average family size was 2.57.
In the city the population was spread out with 15.8% under the age of 18, 6.3% from 18 to 24, 21.5% from 25 to 44, 22.8% from 45 to 64, and 33.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 52 years. For every 100 females there were 98.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 102.4 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $23,056, and the median income for a family was $28,846. Males had a median income of $22,750 versus $13,250 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the city was $12,245. About 13.2% of families and 22.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 33.3% of those under the age of eighteen and 5.5% of those sixty five or over.
Rural flight
On October 2, 2006, Lebanon was the focus of a study of rural flightRural exodus
Rural flight is a term used to describe the migratory patterns of peoples from rural areas into urban areas.In modern times, it often occurs in a region following the industrialization of agriculture when fewer people are needed to bring the same amount of agricultural output to market and related...
, as local farmer Randall Warner was featured in a New York Times
The New York Times
The New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
story about the problems faced by communities such as Lebanon.
Government
The Lebanon government consists of a mayor and five council members. The council meets the 2nd Monday of each month at 7PM.- City Hall, 404 Main St.
External links
CitySchools
- USD 237, local school district
Geographical Center
- U.S. Center Foundation
- Geographical Center of the Continental United States
- An explanation of how the Geographical Center was identified
- What you might find there
- Photo of Geographic Center Monument
Maps
- Lebanon City Map, KDOT
- Smith County Map, KDOT