Eureka, Kansas
History
The first settlement at Eureka was in 1857. The first post office in Eureka was established in August 1858. Eureka was laid out in 1867, and it was incorporated in 1870. The city is named from the Greek expression Eureka, meaning "I have found it".
2016 tornado
An EF2 tornado struck Eureka on July 7, 2016 at 9:45 pm. Over 143 total structures, including at least 50 homes, businesses, a nursing home, and grain elevator were damaged. No people were injured.
2018 tornado
An EF3 tornado struck Eureka on June 26, 2018 at 7:21 pm (daylight). A total of 175 structures were damaged or destroyed. 78 homes were damaged (12 not livable, 10 totaled), and 8 people were injured.
Geography
Eureka is located along the Fall River.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 2.28 square miles (5.91 km), all of it land.
Climate
The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Eureka has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.
| Climate data for Eureka, Kansas, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1909–present | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °F (°C) | 78 (26) |
86 (30) |
93 (34) |
99 (37) |
101 (38) |
110 (43) |
120 (49) |
115 (46) |
109 (43) |
98 (37) |
85 (29) |
82 (28) |
120 (49) |
| Mean maximum °F (°C) | 67.3 (19.6) |
71.9 (22.2) |
80.1 (26.7) |
85.9 (29.9) |
89.1 (31.7) |
94.0 (34.4) |
100.4 (38.0) |
99.8 (37.7) |
95.9 (35.5) |
87.7 (30.9) |
76.6 (24.8) |
67.4 (19.7) |
101.9 (38.8) |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 42.6 (5.9) |
47.6 (8.7) |
58.2 (14.6) |
67.5 (19.7) |
75.6 (24.2) |
84.8 (29.3) |
90.3 (32.4) |
89.5 (31.9) |
82.1 (27.8) |
70.5 (21.4) |
57.3 (14.1) |
45.6 (7.6) |
67.6 (19.8) |
| Daily mean °F (°C) | 30.7 (−0.7) |
35.0 (1.7) |
44.8 (7.1) |
54.5 (12.5) |
64.4 (18.0) |
73.9 (23.3) |
78.8 (26.0) |
77.3 (25.2) |
69.2 (20.7) |
57.0 (13.9) |
44.3 (6.8) |
33.9 (1.1) |
55.3 (13.0) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 18.8 (−7.3) |
22.3 (−5.4) |
31.5 (−0.3) |
41.6 (5.3) |
53.1 (11.7) |
62.9 (17.2) |
67.2 (19.6) |
65.0 (18.3) |
56.3 (13.5) |
43.5 (6.4) |
31.3 (−0.4) |
22.2 (−5.4) |
43.0 (6.1) |
| Mean minimum °F (°C) | 1.8 (−16.8) |
6.4 (−14.2) |
15.3 (−9.3) |
27.0 (−2.8) |
39.0 (3.9) |
51.9 (11.1) |
58.3 (14.6) |
55.2 (12.9) |
41.7 (5.4) |
27.7 (−2.4) |
16.5 (−8.6) |
6.6 (−14.1) |
−2.2 (−19.0) |
| Record low °F (°C) | −22 (−30) |
−20 (−29) |
−10 (−23) |
11 (−12) |
27 (−3) |
40 (4) |
46 (8) |
42 (6) |
28 (−2) |
11 (−12) |
0 (−18) |
−18 (−28) |
−22 (−30) |
| Average precipitation inches (mm) | 0.97 (25) |
1.47 (37) |
2.52 (64) |
3.60 (91) |
5.97 (152) |
5.67 (144) |
4.56 (116) |
4.07 (103) |
3.80 (97) |
3.34 (85) |
2.36 (60) |
1.64 (42) |
39.97 (1,016) |
| Average snowfall inches (cm) | 2.8 (7.1) |
1.2 (3.0) |
0.9 (2.3) |
0.1 (0.25) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.1 (0.25) |
0.5 (1.3) |
3.0 (7.6) |
8.6 (21.8) |
| Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in) | 4.8 | 5.1 | 6.7 | 7.7 | 10.3 | 8.8 | 7.9 | 6.9 | 6.3 | 6.6 | 5.2 | 5.1 | 81.4 |
| Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 in) | 2.1 | 1.3 | 0.8 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.1 | 0.4 | 1.5 | 6.3 |
| Source 1: NOAA | |||||||||||||
| Source 2: National Weather Service | |||||||||||||
Demographics
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1880 | 1,127 | — | |
| 1890 | 2,259 | 100.4% | |
| 1900 | 2,091 | −7.4% | |
| 1910 | 2,333 | 11.6% | |
| 1920 | 2,606 | 11.7% | |
| 1930 | 3,698 | 41.9% | |
| 1940 | 3,803 | 2.8% | |
| 1950 | 3,958 | 4.1% | |
| 1960 | 4,055 | 2.5% | |
| 1970 | 3,576 | −11.8% | |
| 1980 | 3,425 | −4.2% | |
| 1990 | 2,974 | −13.2% | |
| 2000 | 2,914 | −2.0% | |
| 2010 | 2,633 | −9.6% | |
| 2020 | 2,332 | −11.4% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
2020 census
The 2020 United States census counted 2,332 people, 1,038 households, and 568 families in Eureka. The population density was 1,018.3 per square mile (393.2/km). There were 1,283 housing units at an average density of 560.3 per square mile (216.3/km). The racial makeup was 89.62% (2,090) white or European American (87.61% non-Hispanic white), 0.56% (13) black or African-American, 0.6% (14) Native American or Alaska Native, 0.99% (23) Asian, 0.0% (0) Pacific Islander or Native Hawaiian, 0.99% (23) from other races, and 7.25% (169) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race was 4.42% (103) of the population.
Of the 1,038 households, 24.6% had children under the age of 18; 38.6% were married couples living together; 30.7% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. 39.4% of households consisted of individuals and 18.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.1 and the average family size was 2.9. The percent of those with a bachelor’s degree or higher was estimated to be 10.3% of the population.
22.1% of the population was under the age of 18, 6.1% from 18 to 24, 21.9% from 25 to 44, 25.0% from 45 to 64, and 24.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44.9 years. For every 100 females, there were 105.8 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older, there were 110.4 males.
The 2016-2020 5-year American Community Survey estimates show that the median household income was $34,329 (with a margin of error of +/- $3,763) and the median family income was $45,563 (+/- $10,274). Males had a median income of $35,094 (+/- $8,495) versus $18,611 (+/- $5,359) for females. The median income for those above 16 years old was $26,750 (+/- $5,971). Approximately, 15.4% of families and 21.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.3% of those under the age of 18 and 16.4% of those ages 65 or over.
2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 2,633 people, 1,171 households, and 663 families living in the city. The population density was 1,154.8 inhabitants per square mile (445.9/km). There were 1,410 housing units at an average density of 618.4 per square mile (238.8/km). The racial makeup of the city was 95.2% White, 0.2% African American, 0.9% Native American, 0.4% Asian, 1.1% from other races, and 2.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.3% of the population.
There were 1,171 households, of which 27.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.0% were married couples living together, 10.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.2% had a male householder with no wife present, and 43.4% were non-families. 39.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 18.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.17 and the average family size was 2.86.
The median age in the city was 43.2 years. 23.7% of residents were under the age of 18; 6.9% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 21.5% were from 25 to 44; 25.5% were from 45 to 64; and 22.3% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.9% male and 52.1% female.
2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 2,914 people, 1,278 households, and 756 families living in the city. The population density was 1,490.1 inhabitants per square mile (575.3/km). There were 1,561 housing units at an average density of 798.3 per square mile (308.2/km). The racial makeup of the city was 96.26% White, 0.14% African American, 0.79% Native American, 0.14% Asian, 0.96% from other races, and 1.72% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.64% of the population.
There were 1,278 households, out of which 26.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.2% were married couples living together, 8.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 40.8% were non-families. 38.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 21.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.18 and the average family size was 2.85.
In the city, the population was spread out, with 23.2% under the age of 18, 7.8% from 18 to 24, 22.4% from 25 to 44, 19.4% from 45 to 64, and 27.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females, there were 85.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 78.8 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $26,410, and the median income for a family was $36,667. Males had a median income of $27,066 versus $20,870 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,142. About 9.0% of families and 14.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.4% of those under age 18 and 12.3% of those age 65 or over.
Education
The community is served by Eureka USD 389 public school district.
Transportation
Airport
Eureka Municipal Airport is a city-owned, public-use airport located two nautical miles (4 km) north of the central business district of Eureka.
Area attractions
- Greenwood Hotel, a historic hotel and cattle trading center
- Former Attractions
- Eureka Downs, defunct horse racing facility
- Utopia College, former two-year college founded by Roger Babson
- Fort Montgomery, a frontier military fort
Notable people
- Jim Brothers (1941–2013), figurative sculptor
- Charles Errickson (1897–1985), head football coach at Ottawa University, head football and basketball coach at Washburn University
- John Erickson (1863–1946), lawyer, 8th governor of Montana, and United States senator
- Lamon Harkness (1850–1915), businessman and Standard Oil heir
- Donald L. Hollowell (1919-2004), lawyer who represented Martin Luther King Jr.
- Fred Jackson (1868–1931), U.S. representative from Kansas.
- Kathy Patrick, author and founder of Pulpwood Queens
- Tyrel Reed (1989), basketball player who played for the University of Kansas
- Wes Santee (1932–2010), middle distance runner
- Eric Smith, member of the Kansas House of Representatives
- Bob Whittaker (1939), U.S. representative from Kansas 1979 to 1991
- John Woods (1911–1950), United States Army master sergeant; executioner at Nuremberg Trials
Gallery
- Historic Images of Eureka, Special Photo Collections at Wichita State University Library
-
Eureka Post Office (NRHP) (2017) -
Eureka Carnegie Library (NRHP) (2017) -
Congregational Church (2012) -
Greenwood Hotel (NRHP) (2012) -
Benny's Westside Bar & Grille, formerly Westside Service Station and Riverside Motel (NRHP) (2017) -
Eureka Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad Depot (NRHP) (2013) -
Former Utopia College (1965) -
Former Eureka Downs (1910)
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