Junction City, Kansas

Junction City, Kansas
City

Geary County Courthouse (1979)

Location within Geary County and Kansas

KDOT map of Geary County (legend)
Coordinates: 39°1′39″N 96°50′25″W / 39.02750°N 96.84028°W / 39.02750; -96.84028Coordinates: 39°1′39″N 96°50′25″W / 39.02750°N 96.84028°W / 39.02750; -96.84028
Country United States
State Kansas
County Geary
Area[1]
 • Total 12.22 sq mi (31.65 km2)
 • Land 12.15 sq mi (31.47 km2)
 • Water 0.07 sq mi (0.18 km2)
Elevation 1,102 ft (336 m)
Population (2010)[2]
 • Total 23,353
 • Estimate (2012[3]) 25,817
 • Density 1,900/sq mi (740/km2)
 • µSA 38,013
Time zone Central (CST) (UTC-6)
 • Summer (DST) CDT (UTC-5)
ZIP codes 66441-66442
Area code 785
FIPS code 20-35750
GNIS feature ID 0476555 [4]
Website City website

Junction City is a city and county seat of Geary County, Kansas, United States.[5] As of the 2010 census, the city population was 23,353.[6] Fort Riley, a major U.S. Army post, is nearby.

History

Church near Junction City (1943)

Junction City is so named from its position at the confluence of the Smoky Hill and Republican rivers.[7][8]

In 1854, Andrew J. Mead of New York of the Cincinnati-Manhattan Company, Free Staters connected to the Massachusetts Emigrant Aid Company planned a community there called Manhattan (there was also a discussion to call it New Cincinnati).[9] When the steamship Hartford delivering the immigrants could not reach the community because of low water on the Kansas River, the Free Staters settled 20 miles West in what today is Manhattan, Kansas. The community was renamed Millard City for Captain Millard of the Hartford on October 3, 1855. It was renamed briefly Humboldt in 1857 by local farmers and renamed again later that year to Junction City.[10] It was formally incorporated in 1859.[9]

In 1923, John R. Brinkley established Radio Station KFKB (which stood for ‘’Kansas First, Kansas Best’’) using a 1 kW transmitter. It is one of the first—if not the very first—radio stations in Kansas. Brinkley used the station to espouse his belief that goat testicles could be implanted in men to enhance their virility.[11]

Among its residents is film director Kevin Wilmott whose movies including Ninth Street are set in Junction City. Ninth Street specifically refers to a bawdy area of the community that was frequented by Fort Riley soldiers in the 1960s.[12] In the 1980s a major initiative was undertaken to clean up the Ninth St. area.

Timothy McVeigh rented the Ryder truck he used in the Oklahoma City bombing from an auto body shop in Junction City.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 12.22 square miles (31.65 km2), of which, 12.15 square miles (31.47 km2) is land and 0.07 square miles (0.18 km2) is water.[1]

Climate

Over the course of a year, temperatures range from an average low of about 15 °F (−9 °C) in January to an average high of 90 °F (32 °C) in July. The maximum temperature reaches 90 °F (32 °C) an average of 47 days per year and reaches 100 °F (38 °C) an average of 7 days per year. The minimum temperature falls below the freezing point (32 °F) an average of 126 days per year. Typically the first fall freeze occurs during the month of October, and the last spring freeze occurs during the month of April.

The area receives over 32 inches (810 mm) of precipitation during an average year with the largest share being received during May, June, and July—with a combined 29 days of measurable precipitation. During a typical year the total amount of precipitation may be anywhere from 23 to 43 inches (1,100 mm). There are on average 86 days of measurable precipitation per year. Winter snowfall averages less than 14 inches (360 mm), but the median is just over 7 inches (180 mm). Measurable snowfall occurs an average of 6 days per year with at least an inch of snow being received on four of those days. Snow depth of at least an inch occurs an average of 17 days per year.

Source: Monthly Station Climate Summaries, 1971–2000, U.S. National Climatic Data Center
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Temperatures (°F)
Mean high 36.8 43.4 54.3 64.9 74.3 84.0 90.0 88.2 80.3 69.0 52.9 40.8 64.9
Mean low 14.8 20.0 30.1 41.2 51.8 61.5 66.9 64.9 55.3 42.8 30.4 19.6 41.6
Highest recorded 62
(2006) 		79
(1972) 		90
(1967) 		96
(1989) 		100
(1998) 		108
(1980) 		110
(1980) 		108
(1983) 		109
(2000) 		94
(1994) 		83
(1999) 		75
(1995) 		110
(1980)
Lowest recorded −17
(1985) 		−18
(1979) 		−9
(1978) 		8
(1975) 		29
(1981) 		41
(1998) 		47
(1972) 		49
(1981) 		28
(1984) 		15
(1993) 		−1
(1976) 		−21
(1989) 		−21
(1989)
Precipitation (inches)
Median 0.69 0.83 1.98 2.60 4.54 3.93 3.58 2.76 3.08 2.34 1.58 0.77 31.78
Mean number of days 4.2 4.4 7.1 8.8 11.4 9.3 8.5 8.2 7.9 6.4 5.7 4.3 86.2
Highest monthly 2.50
(1979) 		2.99
(1997) 		8.04
(1973) 		6.99
(1999) 		17.22
(1995)		 9.55
(1977) 		12.32
(1992) 		8.39
(1977) 		8.14
(1973) 		6.20
(1983) 		4.40
(1998) 		3.33
(1980)
Snowfall (inches)
Median 4.0 2.8 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.5 7.3
Mean number of days 2.6 1.5 0.5 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.3 1.0 6.0
Highest monthly 12.5
(1983) 		16.0
(1971) 		9.0
(1975) 		3.0
(1977) 		0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 7.3
(1975) 		10.0
(1983)
Notes: Temperatures are in degrees Fahrenheit. Precipitation includes rain and melted snow or sleet in inches; median values are provided for precipitation and snowfall because mean averages may be misleading. Mean and median values are for the 30-year period 1971–2000; temperature extremes are for the station's period of record (1965–2001). The station is located northwest of Junction City at Milford Lake at 39°4′N 96°54′W, elevation 1,210 feet (369 m).

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop. %±
1860217—
18702,7781,180.2%
18802,684−3.4%
18904,50267.7%
19004,6954.3%
19105,59819.2%
19207,53334.6%
19307,407−1.7%
19408,50714.9%
195013,46258.2%
196018,70038.9%
197019,0181.7%
198019,3051.5%
199020,6046.7%
200020,6710.3%
201023,35313.0%
Est. 201524,621[13]5.4%
U.S. Decennial Census[14]
2012 Estimate[15]

2010 census

As of the census[2] of 2010, there were 23,353 people, 9,134 households, and 6,109 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,922.1 inhabitants per square mile (742.1/km2). There were 10,480 housing units at an average density of 862.6 per square mile (333.1/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 60.7% White, 22.3% Black, 0.9% Native American, 3.9% Asian, 0.9% Pacific Islander, 4.0% from other races, and 7.3% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 13.0% of the population.

There were 9,134 households of which 39.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.9% were married couples living together, 16.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.6% had a male householder with no wife present, and 33.1% were non-families. 27.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.53 and the average family size was 3.07.

The median age in the city was 28.8 years. 29% of residents were under the age of 18; 13% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 30.3% were from 25 to 44; 19.3% were from 45 to 64; and 8.4% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.9% male and 51.1% female.

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 18,886 people, 7,492 households, and 5,079 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,500.8 people per square mile (965.8/km²). There were 8,740 housing units at an average density of 1,157.3 per square mile (447.0/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 58.38% White, 26.69% African American, 0.82% Native American, 3.83% Asian, 0.39% Pacific Islander, 4.01% from other races, and 5.88% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 8.31% of the population.

There were 7,492 households out of which 35.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.8% were married couples living together, 14.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.2% were non-families. 26.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 3.00.

In the city the population was spread out with 28.2% under the age of 18, 13.4% from 18 to 24, 28.8% from 25 to 44, 18.5% from 45 to 64, and 11.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 30 years. For every 100 females there were 93.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.5 males.

As of 2000 the median income for a household in the city was $30,084, and the median income for a family was $35,093. Males had a median income of $25,695 versus $20,846 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,581. About 11.2% of families and 14.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.4% of those under age 18 and 12.2% of those age 65 or over.

Growth

In recent years, the city has been experiencing a major growth due to the return of the 1st Infantry Division to Fort Riley. Several thousand housing units are currently under construction or completed within numerous new subdivisions. The construction of new homes had slowed in 2008, but has become brisk once again with the Army's prediction of a shortfall of 1,200 family housing units in the region. This shortfall is for married soldiers only and does not include civilian support staff, or the doctors, nurses, and staff of the new $450,000,000 hospital that is currently under construction on post.

Government

Junction City has a Commission form of government. The City Manager is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the City and serves at the discretion of the Commission. The City Commission consists of five members who are elected by the registered voters of the City. Each Commissioner serves for either two or four years, depending on the number of votes they received. The mayor is a Commissioner that is "elected" by the other members of the Commission and serves for a minimum two-year term.

Education

There were over 678 new students in the 2009–2010 school year,[16] breaking all records for enrollment in the school district.

Media

The Junction City Daily Union is the local newspaper, published five days a week.[17]

Three radio stations are licensed to and broadcast from Junction City. KJCK (AM) broadcasts on 1420 AM, playing a News/Talk format; its sister station, KJCK-FM, broadcasts on 97.5 FM, playing a Top 40 format.[18][19][20] K222AX is a translator station that rebroadcasts the signal of KJIL, a Christian Contemporary station in Meade, Kansas, on 92.3 FM.[20][21]

Junction City is in the Topeka, Kansas television market.[22]

Transportation

Fiction

In Sidney Sheldon's New York Times bestseller Windmills of the Gods, the heroine of the novel is from Junction City. In both the stage and film version of Hedwig and the Angry Inch, the character of Hedwig moves to Junction City after leaving East Germany.

Notable people

Notable individuals who were born in and/or have lived in Junction City include U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Adna R. Chaffee, Jr.,[24] inventor Amanda Jones,[25] and filmmaker Kevin Willmott.[26]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2012-07-06.
  2. 1 2 "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2012-07-06.
  3. ↑ "Population Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2013-05-29.
  4. ↑ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  5. ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
  6. ↑ "2010 City Population and Housing Occupancy Status". U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved March 6, 2011.
  7. ↑ Blackmar, Frank Wilson (1912). Kansas: A Cyclopedia of State History. Standard Publishing Company. p. 42.
  8. ↑ Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Govt. Print. Off. p. 171.
  9. 1 2 Junction City, Kansas History - kansastowns.com - Retrieved March 9, 2009
  10. ↑ GEARY COUNTY LEGENDS - jcks.com - Retrieved March 9, 2009
  11. ↑ Hutchens, John K. (June 7, 1942). "Notes on the Late Dr. John R. Brinkley, Whom Radio Raised to a Certain Fame". New York Times. Retrieved 2009-05-07. Although other men have put the air-waves to more dangerous uses than did the late Dr. John Romulus Brinkley, the recent demise of that celebrated quack not only recalled a gaudy career but may have reminded you of a truth so obvious that it goes half-forgotten -- i.e., how mighty a force is radio for evil as well as good, even in a democracy.
  12. ↑ Kevin Wilmott, Assistant Professor - ku.edu - Retrieved March 9, 2009
  13. ↑ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Incorporated Places: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2015". Retrieved July 2, 2016.
  14. ↑ United States Census Bureau. "Census of Population and Housing". Retrieved October 24, 2013.
  15. ↑ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2012". Retrieved October 24, 2013.
  16. ↑ http://www.USD475.org
  17. ↑ "Record Details - Junction City Daily Union". Kansas Press Association. Retrieved 2013-08-15.
  18. ↑ "AMQ AM Radio Database Query". Federal Communications Commission. Retrieved 2013-08-15.
  19. ↑ "FMQ FM Radio Database Query". Federal Communications Commission. Retrieved 2013-08-15.
  20. 1 2 "Radio Stations in Junction City, Kansas". Radio-Locator. Retrieved 2013-08-15.
  21. ↑ "Listen Almost Anywhere!". KJIL. Retrieved 2013-08-15.
  22. ↑ "TV Market Maps - Topeka, Kansas". EchoStar Knowledge Base. Retrieved 2013-08-15.
  23. ↑ Greyhound Lines - Bus stops in Kansas
  24. ↑ "Adna Romanza Chaffee , Jr.". Hall of Valor. Military Times. Retrieved 2016-04-05.
  25. ↑ "Amanda Theodosia Jones". America Comes Alive. Retrieved 2016-04-05.
  26. ↑ "Kevin Lamar Willmott". University of Kansas - Department of Film & Media Studies. Retrieved 2016-04-05.

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