Wichita, Kansas

Wichita: The largest city in Kansas and the center of the Wichita metropolitan area. It is located in the south-central part of the state. Wichita is known for its aviation industry, its history as a Wild West town, and its many attractions, such as the Mid-America Air Museum and the Exploration Place.

About

Wichita is a city located in the county of Sedgwick in the U.S. state of Kansas. Its population at the 2010 census was 382,368 and a population density of 896 people per km². After 10 years in 2020 city had an estimated population of 391,731 inhabitants.

The city was created 156 years ago in 1867.

Wichita is the largest city in the U.S. state of Kansas, with a population of over 390,000 in the metro area. Located along the Arkansas River, it is sometimes referred to as the “Air Capital of the World” due to its history as a major aircraft manufacturing hub.

Wichita offers a more relaxed and affordable alternative to bigger Midwestern cities, while still boasting amenities and culture. It's an ideal city for family getaways.

Top Attractions and Activities

Museums

The Wichita Art Museum houses American art pieces from early Colonial works to modern pop art. The Museum of World Treasures has dinosaur fossils, Egyptian mummies, and more.

Old Cowtown Museum

This interactive outdoor museum transports visitors to Wichita's pioneer past with authentic old west buildings, staged gunfights, train rides, and other immersive experiences.

Botanica Gardens

This 65-acre garden oasis in the heart of the city has themed gardens, glass art sculptures, and the popular Butterfly Garden. The Illuminations holiday lights show is a wintertime highlight.

Dining and Entertainment

Wichita's Old Town neighborhood offers boutique shopping, restaurants, and nightlife. There's live music and performances at Century II Performing Arts & Convention Center.

Outdoor Activities

The Arkansas River Trail offers biking, walking, and river views. Sand Hills State Park provides hiking among its dramatic sand dunes.

Planning Your Visit

Spring, early summer, and fall have mild weather good for Wichita sightseeing.

Downtown hotels like the Hyatt provide urban convenience, while budget motels line the highways.

Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport is served by major airlines. Getting around by car is straightforward with ample parking.

For Midwestern hospitality and family fun at affordable prices, be sure to visit vibrant Wichita! Let me know if you would like me to modify or add anything to this initial draft.

Wichita locator map
Location of Wichita on Kansas map.

Quick Facts about Wichita

Population : 391,731 (2020)
Country : United States of America
State : Kansas (United States)
County : Sedgwick County
Postal code : 67220, 67202, 67223, 67219, 67207, 67216, 67218, 67211, 67208, 67212, 67217, 67214, 67260, 67235, 67210, 67226, 67209, 67215, 67227, 67228, 67232, 67205, 67206, 67230, 67203, 67204, 67213
Phone Area Codes : 316
Area : 426.66 km2
Altitude : 1,299 feet / 396 meters
Capital city : Wichita is capital of Sedgwick County
Establishment : January 01, 1868 (156 years ago)
Time Zone : UTC−06:00
Local time : 13:40:01 (23rd December 2024)
Density : 918 Pop. per km² as of 2020
Population growth : 2.39% (2010-2020)
Wichita-ks image
Wichita-ks
Wichita-ks image

Geography

Wichita is located at 37°41'32"N 97°20'15"W (37.6922400, -97.3375400).

Wichita map

    Brandon Whipple ,

  • Benito Juárez Municipality
  • Cancun (1975 )
  • Kaifeng (1985 )
  • Orléans (1973 )
  • Tlalnepantla
  • Tlalnepantla (1973 )
  • Tlalnepantla de Baz Municipality

Demographics

The population of Wichita increased by 2.39% in 10 years.

Year Population % Change Method
2010 382,368 - census
2011 383,773 0.37% estimation process
2012 385,751 0.51% estimation process
2013 387,210 0.38% estimation process
2014 388,416 0.31% estimation process
2015 389,412 0.26% estimation process
2016 390,519 0.28% estimation process
2017 390,277 -0.06% estimation process
2018 389,231 -0.27% estimation process
2019 389,938 0.18% estimation process
2020 391,731 0.46% estimation process

Demographic Facts

Estimated population as of July 1, 2019 : 25,544
Based on demographic estimates as of April 1, 2010 : 25,996
Based on demographic estimates as of 1 April 2010 : -1.7%
April 1, 2020 Population : 25,996
April 1, 2010 Population : 25,992
People under 5 years old, percentage : 6.2%
People under 18 years old, percentage : 23.7%
People over 65 (%) : 17.0%
Female persons, % : 50.1%
White only, percent : 94.4%
Black or African American alone, percent : 1.5%
American Indian and Alaska Native only, % : 0.9%
Asians alone % : 0.6%
Only Native Hawaiians and Other Pacific Islanders, % : Z
% of people who have participated in two or more races : 2.6%
% of Hispanic or Latino : 4.2%
White people, not Hispanic or Latino people, make up the majority of the population. : 90.9%
2015-2019 Veterans : 1,657
Percentage of foreign-born people, 2015-2019 : 1.8%
Residential units, July 1, 2019 : 11,327

Wichita zip code is 67202. County name: Sedgwick, County fips: 20173

Camp Beecher, Camp Davidson, Doo-Dah, Doodah, ICT, Ouitsita, Uichita, Uichito, Uichyta, Vichita, Vicita, Viçita, Vičita, Wichita, uichitʼo, u~ichita, vicita, wei qi tuo, wi chi thx, wichito, wychyta kanzas, wychyta knsas, wytshyta, wyzyth, Ουιτσίτα, Вичита, Вічіта, Уичита, Уичито, Уічыта, Ուիչիտո, ויציטה, ويتشيتا, ویچیتا، کانزاس, ویچیتا، کنساس, विचिटा, วิชิทอ, უიჩიტო, ウィチタ, 威奇托, 위치토

Economic Facts

Residential units, July 1, 2019 : 11,327
Rate of owner-occupied housing units, 2015-2019 : 72.3%
Owner-occupied housing unit median value, 2015-2019 : $128,000
From 2015 to 2019, the median selected monthly owner costs - with a mortgage : $1,251
Monthly owner costs, without a mortgage, at the median, 2015-2019 : $477
2015-2019 median gross rent : $793
Permits for construction, 2020 : 85
2015-2019 Households : 10,118
Population per household, 2015-2019 : 2.47
Living in the same house a year ago, percentage of people aged one year and up, 2015-2019 : 88.2%
Languages other than English spoken at home, as a percentage of people aged 5 and up, 2015-2019 : 2.0%
Households with computers, %, 2015-2019 : 86.8%
Percentage of households with a broadband Internet subscription, 2015-2019 : 70.3%
Percentage of people aged 25 and up with a high school diploma or higher, 2015-2019 : 92.2%
Bachelor's degree or higher, proportion of people aged 25 and up, 2015-2019 : 20.4%
Percentage of people under the age of 65 who have a disability, 2015-2019 : 9.6%
Persons under the age of 65 who do not have health insurance, as a percentage : 9.0%
Total civilian labor force, percent of population aged 16 and up, 2015-2019 : 65.5%
Female labor force participation in the civilian labor force, as a percentage of the population aged 16 and up, 2015-2019 : 58.3%
Total receipts/revenue for health care and social assistance in 2012 ($1,000) : 93,691
Manufacturers' total shipments in 2012 ($1,000) : 318,736
2012 total retail sales ($1,000) : 271,064
2012 total retail sales per capita : $10,463
Mean commute time to work (in minutes), workers aged 16 and up, 2015-2019 : 23.9
2015-2019 median household income (in 2019 dollars) : $56,582
Income per capita in the previous 12 months (in 2019 dollars), 2015-2019 : $26,998
Percentage of people living in poverty : 10.4%
Total number of employer establishments, 2019 : 537
2019 total employment : 8,286
2019 total annual payroll ($1,000) : 315,835
Total employment, change in percentage terms, 2018-2019 : -3.1%
2018 total non-employer establishments : 1,688
Total number of businesses in 2012 : 1,884
Men-owned businesses in 2012 : 1,005
Women-owned businesses in 2012 : 570
Minority-owned businesses in 2012 : 88
Non-minority-owned businesses in 2012 : 1,706
Veteran-owned businesses in 2012 : 238
Nonveteran-owned businesses in 2012 : 1,502
2010 population per square mile : 45.5
2010 land area in square miles : 571.76
Residential units, July 1, 2019 : 4,738
Rate of owner-occupied housing units, 2015-2019 : 64.3%
Owner-occupied housing unit median value, 2015-2019 : $115,900
From 2015 to 2019, the median selected monthly owner costs - with a mortgage : $999
Monthly owner costs, without a mortgage, at the median, 2015-2019 : $368
2015-2019 median gross rent : $650
Permits for construction, 2020 : 9
2015-2019 Households : 4,101
Population per household, 2015-2019 : 2.52
Living in the same house a year ago, percentage of people aged one year and up, 2015-2019 : 82.2%
Languages other than English spoken at home, as a percentage of people aged 5 and up, 2015-2019 : 5.7%
Households with computers, %, 2015-2019 : 82.4%
Percentage of households with a broadband Internet subscription, 2015-2019 : 64.2%
Percentage of people aged 25 and up with a high school diploma or higher, 2015-2019 : 78.3%
Bachelor's degree or higher, proportion of people aged 25 and up, 2015-2019 : 8.2%
Percentage of people under the age of 65 who have a disability, 2015-2019 : 11.3%
Persons under the age of 65 who do not have health insurance, as a percentage : 8.2%
Total civilian labor force, percent of population aged 16 and up, 2015-2019 : 59.1%
Female labor force participation in the civilian labor force, as a percentage of the population aged 16 and up, 2015-2019 : 53.4%
Total receipts/revenue for health care and social assistance in 2012 ($1,000) : 32,044
2012 total retail sales ($1,000) : 187,801
2012 total retail sales per capita : $17,229
Mean commute time to work (in minutes), workers aged 16 and up, 2015-2019 : 19.7
2015-2019 median household income (in 2019 dollars) : $43,524
Income per capita in the previous 12 months (in 2019 dollars), 2015-2019 : $25,217
Percentage of people living in poverty : 15.2%
Total number of employer establishments, 2019 : 234
2019 total employment : 6,285
2019 total annual payroll ($1,000) : 390,412
Total employment, change in percentage terms, 2018-2019 : 10.2%
2018 total non-employer establishments : 498
Total number of businesses in 2012 : 783
Men-owned businesses in 2012 : 366
Women-owned businesses in 2012 : 224
Minority-owned businesses in 2012 : 31
Non-minority-owned businesses in 2012 : 706
Veteran-owned businesses in 2012 : 45
Nonveteran-owned businesses in 2012 : 666
2010 population per square mile : 84.1
2010 land area in square miles : 128.57

People born in Wichita (200)

People born in Wichita, including actress Kirstie Alley, film director Chris Buck, CIA director, U.S. Secretary of Defense, and university president Robert Gates, .

List

  • Hattie McDaniel (American actress (1895-1952)) she was born in 10/06/1895
  • Gale Norton (United States Secretaries of the Interior) she was born in 11/03/1954
  • Vernon L. Smith (American economist) he was born in 01/01/1927
  • Tara Snyder (American tennis player) she was born in 26/05/1977
  • Roger Mears (American racing driver) he was born in 24/03/1947
  • Robert Ballard (United States Navy officer, oceanographer and underwater archaeologist) he was born in 30/06/1942
  • Stan Kenton (American pianist, composer, arranger and band leader) he was born in 15/12/1911
  • Marvin Rainwater (American country and rockabilly singer and songwriter) he was born in 02/07/1925
  • Robert Whittaker (American ecologist (1920-1980)) he was born in 27/12/1920
  • Joe Walsh (American musician, songwriter, record producer, and actor) he was born in 20/11/1947
  • Arlen Specter (American politician) he was born in 12/02/1930
  • Dan Glickman (American businessman and politician) he was born in 24/11/1944
  • Adrian Griffin (American basketball player-coach) he was born in 04/07/1974
  • Brian Moorman (American football player, punter) he was born in 05/02/1976
  • Tamara Feldman (American actress) she was born in 05/12/1980
  • Lynette Woodard (female basketball player from the United States) she was born in 12/08/1959
  • Kendall Schmidt (American musician, singer, songwriter and actor) he was born in 02/11/1990
  • David Rees Snell (American actor) he was born in 20/08/1966

Schools in Wichita

College & universities near Wichita, KS

Code Name City ZIP
155353 Old Town Barber College-Wichita Wichita (KS) 67211-1605
155089 Friends University Wichita (KS) 67213
155335 Newman University Wichita (KS) 67213-2097
417503 Crave Beauty Academy Wichita (KS) 67203
156125 Wichita State University Wichita (KS) 67260-0124

Stations (2)

Amtrak & bus stations near Wichita, KS

Code Name Address Type
NEW Newton 414 North Main St. RAIL
HUT Hutchinson North Walnut St & East 3rd Ave RAIL

Post offices near Wichita

Post Office Name City ZIP
Downtown Post Office Wichita (KS) 67202
North Wichita Post Office Wichita (KS) 67204
Chisholm Post Office Wichita (KS) 67217
Munger Post Office Wichita (KS) 67208
River City Post Office Wichita (KS) 67216

Other cities in Sedgwick County

Cities, towns, neighborhoods & other populated places in Sedgwick County , KS. (more)

City Name Population Title
Derby 25,145 City in Sedgwick County, Kansas, United States
Haysville 11,389 City in Sedgwick County, Kansas, United States
Park City 7,764 Human settlement in Sedgwick County, Kansas, United States of America
Valley Center 7,385 Township in Sedgwick County, Kansas
Maize 5,267 City
Goddard 4,962 City in Kansas, USA
Minneha 3,528 Township in Sedgwick County, Kansas
Clearwater 2,580 City in Kansas, United States
Prospect 2,402 Township in Butler County, Kansas
Cheney 2,173 Human settlement in Sedgwick County, Kansas, United States of America
Kechi 2,109 City in Sedgwick County, Kansas, United States of America
Colwich 1,492 Human settlement in Sedgwick County, Kansas, United States of America
Garden Plain 1,053 Township in Sedgwick County, Kansas
Andale 984 Human settlement in Sedgwick County, Kansas, United States of America
Mount Hope 806 City in Kansas
Waco 753 Township in Sedgwick County, Kansas

Distance to Other Cities

Wichita distances to largest Kansas cities