Lebanon, Kansas

Lebanon, Kansas
City
Plaque on Monument near Lebanon (2007)
Location within Smith County and Kansas
KDOT map of Smith County (legend)
Coordinates:
Country	United States
State	Kansas
County	Smith
Government
• Type	Mayor–Council
• Mayor	Duane Ream
• City Clerk	Connie Herndon
Area
• Total	0.32 sq mi (0.83 km2)
• Land	0.32 sq mi (0.83 km2)
• Water	0 sq mi (0 km2)
Elevation	1,844 ft (562 m)
Population (2010)
• Total	218
• Estimate (2012)	212
• Density	680/sq mi (260/km2)
Time zone	Central (CST) (UTC-6)
• Summer (DST)	CDT (UTC-5)
ZIP code	66952
Area code	785
FIPS code	20-39100
GNIS feature ID	0471973
Website	City Website

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 the geographic center of the 48 contiguous U.S. states about 2.6 miles (4.2 km) northwest of Lebanon, and a monument was subsequently erected at the site. The geographic center of the 50 U.S. states is located near Belle Fourche, South Dakota.

History

Lebanon was originally founded in 1876 at a site about 4 miles (6.4 km) distant from its present site. It was moved to the new site in about 1887-1888. Lebanon is named after Lebanon, Kentucky.

Geography

Lebanon is located at (39.810492, -98.556061). According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 0.32 square miles (0.83 km²), all land.

Area attractions

• Geographic center of the contiguous United States
• Kansas Historical Marker - The Geographic Center.

Demographics

Historical population
Census	Pop.		%±
1890	301		—
1900	590		96.0%
1910	731		23.9%
1920	822		12.4%
1930	723		−12.0%
1940	652		−9.8%
1950	610		−6.4%
1960	583		−4.4%
1970	517		−11.3%
1980	440		−14.9%
1990	364		−17.3%
2000	303		−16.8%
2010	218		−28.1%
Est. 2014	212		−2.8%
U.S. Decennial Census

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 218 people, 118 households, and 60 families residing in the city. The population density was 681.3 inhabitants per square mile (263.1/km²). There were 183 housing units at an average density of 571.9 per square mile (220.8/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 95.9% White, 0.5% Native American, 0.5% Asian, and 3.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.2% of the population.

There were 118 households of which 16.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.4% were married couples living together, 4.2% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.2% had a male householder with no wife present, and 49.2% were non-families. 46.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 22.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.85 and the average family size was 2.62.

The median age in the city was 51.3 years. 17.4% of residents were under the age of 18; 2.8% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 14.8% were from 25 to 44; 40.8% were from 45 to 64; and 24.3% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.2% male and 51.8% female.

2000 census

As of the census 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.

Rural flight

On October 2, 2006, Lebanon was the focus of a study of rural flight, as local farmer Randall Warner was featured in a New York Times 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 second Monday of each month at 7 p.m., at City Hall, 404 Main St.

Media

Lebanon featured in the TV Series Supernatural as the former base of the secret society known as the Men of Letters, wherein the greatest collection of supernatural literature was stored. The main characters, Sam and Dean Winchester have turned the base is in into their home and parts of many episodes starting season 8 take place there.

Lebanon was also featured in Neil Gaiman's American Gods, as a point for the Old Gods and the New Gods to parlay.

External links

City

• City of Lebanon
• Lebanon - Directory of Public Officials

Schools

• 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