Cheney /ˈtʃiːni/ is a city in Sedgwick County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2020 census, the population of the city was 2,181.

Cheney was founded in August, 1883 and was named after Benjamin P. Cheney, a stockholder in the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway.

Cheney served as a station and shipping point on the Wichita & Pratt division of the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway.

The first post office in Cheney was established in September 1883.

Cheney is located approximately 22 miles west of the outskirts of Wichita. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.99 square miles (5.15 km), all of it land.

The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Cheney has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1890	304		—
1900	429		41.1%
1910	734		71.1%
1920	636		−13.4%
1930	669		5.2%
1940	714		6.7%
1950	777		8.8%
1960	1,101		41.7%
1970	1,160		5.4%
1980	1,404		21.0%
1990	1,560		11.1%
2000	1,783		14.3%
2010	2,094		17.4%
2020	2,181		4.2%
U.S. Decennial Census

The 2020 United States census counted 2,181 people, 818 households, and 584 families in Cheney. The population density was 940.9 per square mile (363.3/km). There were 859 housing units at an average density of 370.6 per square mile (143.1/km). The racial makeup was 93.72% (2,044) white or European American (91.93% non-Hispanic white), 0.05% (1) black or African-American, 0.64% (14) Native American or Alaska Native, 0.32% (7) Asian, 0.05% (1) Pacific Islander or Native Hawaiian, 0.69% (15) from other races, and 4.54% (99) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race was 3.39% (74) of the population.

Of the 818 households, 39.1% had children under the age of 18; 57.3% were married couples living together; 22.2% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. 24.9% of households consisted of individuals and 12.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.1 and the average family size was 3.5. The percent of those with a bachelor’s degree or higher was estimated to be 16.7% of the population.

28.7% of the population was under the age of 18, 6.6% from 18 to 24, 24.2% from 25 to 44, 23.2% from 45 to 64, and 17.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37.4 years. For every 100 females, there were 102.3 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older, there were 106.9 males.

The 2016-2020 5-year American Community Survey estimates show that the median household income was $64,818 (with a margin of error of +/- $11,045) and the median family income was $81,607 (+/- $13,407). Males had a median income of $44,213 (+/- $5,525) versus $19,221 (+/- $3,118) for females. The median income for those above 16 years old was $30,688 (+/- $9,721). Approximately, 6.9% of families and 8.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.1% of those under the age of 18 and 5.7% of those ages 65 or over.

As of the census of 2010, there were 2,094 people, 773 households, and 563 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,052.3 inhabitants per square mile (406.3/km). There were 830 housing units at an average density of 417.1 per square mile (161.0/km). The racial makeup of the city was 97.3% White, 0.3% African American, 0.5% Native American, 0.5% from other races, and 1.3% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.5% of the population.

There were 773 households, of which 40.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.5% were married couples living together, 11.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 6.1% had a male householder with no wife present, and 27.2% were non-families. 24.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.64 and the average family size was 3.12.

The median age in the city was 35.6 years. 30.8% of residents were under the age of 18; 6.5% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 25.6% were from 25 to 44; 22.7% were from 45 to 64; and 14.3% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.3% male and 51.7% female.

As of the census of 2000, there were 1,783 people, 664 households, and 476 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,254.2 inhabitants per square mile (484.2/km). There were 689 housing units at an average density of 484.7 per square mile (187.1/km). The racial makeup of the city was 97.76% White, 0.67% Native American, 0.22% from other races, and 1.35% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.29% of the population.

There were 664 households, out of which 40.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.0% were married couples living together, 7.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.3% were non-families. 26.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.60 and the average family size was 3.17.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 31.1% under the age of 18, 6.1% from 18 to 24, 29.5% from 25 to 44, 17.5% from 45 to 64, and 15.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.6 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $45,221, and the median income for a family was $51,591. Males had a median income of $40,313 versus $24,896 for females. The per capita income for the city was $18,783. About 0.6% of families and 2.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.1% of those under age 18 and 1.6% of those age 65 or over.

• Sedgwick County Fair

• Souders Historical Museum
• Cheney State Park and Cheney Reservoir

The community is served by Cheney USD 268 public school district, which operates three separate schools:

• Cheney High School
• Cheney Middle School
• Cheney Elementary School

Private schools

• St. Paul's Lutheran Church & School

The Cheney Cardinals have won the following Kansas State High School Championships:

• 1977 Boys Track and Field - Class 2A
• 1989 Girls Track and Field - Class 3A
• 1990 Girls Track and Field - Class 3A
• 1994 Boys Track and Field - Class 3A
• 2000 Boys Track and Field - Class 3A
• 2010 Girls Basketball - Class 4A
• 2013 Girl Golf - Class 3-2-1A
• 2014 Girls Track and Field - Class 3A
• 2020 Girls Basketball Forever four - Class 3A
• 2021 Girls Basketball - Class 3A
• 2021 Girls Softball - Class 3A
• 2023 Boys Football - Class 3A

• City of Cheney
• Cheney - Directory of Public Officials
• Cheney city map, KDOT