Wellington, Kansas

History

19th century

Wellington was platted in 1871 and named for the Duke of Wellington. It was designated as the Sumner County seat in 1872, winning out over Sumner City according to the Wellington library. Cattle herders coming up the Chisholm Trail helped to build the early town's economy.

The first post office in Wellington was established in July 1871.

In 1887, the Chicago, Kansas and Nebraska Railway built a north–south branch line from Herington through Wellington to Caldwell. Creditors foreclosed on it 1891 and the railroad was taken over by Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad, which shut down in 1980 and reorganized as Oklahoma, Kansas and Texas Railroad, merged in 1988 with Missouri Pacific Railroad, merged in 1997 with Union Pacific Railroad. Most locals still refer to this railroad as the "Rock Island".

On May 27, 1892, an estimated F4 tornado struck Wellington, destroying 100 homes and 30 businesses, and killing 12 people in town.

21st century

In 2020, Wellington opened a flag design contest. After several rounds of committee and public input, Shayna Templeton's design with wheat stalks on a red, silver, and white flag was selected and revealed in 2021.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 8.19 sqmi, of which 7.61 sqmi is land and 0.58 sqmi is water.

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, Wellington has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.

|Jan record high F = 79 |Feb record high F = 88 |Mar record high F = 94 |Apr record high F = 99 |May record high F = 103 |Jun record high F = 112 |Jul record high F = 120 |Aug record high F = 119 |Sep record high F = 112 |Oct record high F = 101 |Nov record high F = 87 |Dec record high F = 85

|Jan avg record high F = 65.8 |Feb avg record high F = 72.2 |Mar avg record high F = 80.2 |Apr avg record high F = 85.9 |May avg record high F = 92.0 |Jun avg record high F = 98.4 |Jul avg record high F = 102.9 |Aug avg record high F = 102.2 |Sep avg record high F = 97.6 |Oct avg record high F = 88.8 |Nov avg record high F = 76.7 |Dec avg record high F = 66.1 |year avg record high F = 104.3

|Jan avg record low F = 5.9 |Feb avg record low F = 8.7 |Mar avg record low F = 16.7 |Apr avg record low F = 27.7 |May avg record low F = 39.8 |Jun avg record low F = 53.2 |Jul avg record low F = 61.1 |Aug avg record low F = 57.8 |Sep avg record low F = 44.7 |Oct avg record low F = 29.9 |Nov avg record low F = 18.3 |Dec avg record low F = 9.7 |year avg record low F = 2.0

|Jan record low F = -19 |Feb record low F = -20 |Mar record low F = -4 |Apr record low F = 12 |May record low F = 24 |Jun record low F = 40 |Jul record low F = 46 |Aug record low F = 41 |Sep record low F = 28 |Oct record low F = 12 |Nov record low F = 3 |Dec record low F = -15

|Jan snow depth inch = |Feb snow depth inch = |Mar snow depth inch = |Apr snow depth inch = |May snow depth inch = |Jun snow depth inch = |Jul snow depth inch = |Aug snow depth inch = |Sep snow depth inch = |Oct snow depth inch = |Nov snow depth inch = |Dec snow depth inch = |year snow depth inch =

|access-date = November 27, 2023 |access-date = November 27, 2023

Demographics

| align-fn = center 2010-2020

2020 census

The 2020 United States census counted 7,715 people, 3,157 households, and 1,906 families in Wellington. The population density was 1,054.0 per square mile (406.9/km). There were 3,671 housing units at an average density of 501.5 per square mile (193.6/km). The racial makeup was 85.86% (6,624) white, 1.84% (142) black or African-American, 1.28% (99) Native American, 0.56% (43) Asian, 0.0% (0) Pacific Islander, 2.61% (201) from other races, and 7.85% (606) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race was 7.8% (599) of the population.

Of the 3,157 households, 32.3% had children under the age of 18; 39.9% were married couples living together; 28.2% had a female householder with no husband present. 30.8% of households consisted of individuals and 17.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.4 and the average family size was 3.0.

26.2% of the population was under the age of 18, 9.4% from 18 to 24, 21.6% from 25 to 44, 24.1% from 45 to 64, and 18.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39.8 years. For every 100 females, the population had 105.4 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older, there were 99.4 males.

The 2016–2020 5-year American Community Survey estimates show that the median household income was $48,279 (with a margin of error of +/- $6,293) and the median family income $62,714 (+/- $5,998). Males had a median income of $36,052 (+/- $5,505) versus $25,179 (+/- $2,487) for females. The median income for those above 16 years old was $28,048 (+/- $3,535). Approximately, 12.0% of families and 14.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.6% of those under the age of 18 and 15.5% of those ages 65 or over.

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States census, there were 8,172 people, 3,246 households, and 2,105 families living in the city. The population density was 1073.9 PD/sqmi. There were 3,736 housing units at an average density of 490.9 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 91.0% White, 1.7% African American, 1.5% Native American, 0.3% Asian, 2.0% from other races, and 3.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 8.3% of the population.

There were 3,246 households, of which 33.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.0% were married couples living together, 12.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.7% had a male householder with no wife present, and 35.2% were non-families. 30.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 3.03.

The median age in the city was 37.7 years. 27.2% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.3% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 23.2% were from 25 to 44; 26.1% were from 45 to 64; and 16.1% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.7% male and 51.3% female.

2000 census

As of the 2000 United States census, there were 8,647 people, 3,422 households, and 2,306 families living in the city. The population density was 1,529.6 PD/sqmi. There were 3,795 housing units at an average density of 671.3 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 92.36% White, 1.71% African American, 1.24% Native American, 0.29% Asian, 0.10% Pacific Islander, 2.58% from other races, and 1.72% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 7.26% of the population.

There were 3,422 households, out of which 32.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.1% were married couples living together, 9.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.6% were non-families. 29.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.47 and the average family size was 3.05.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 27.6% under the age of 18, 9.0% from 18 to 24, 25.6% from 25 to 44, 20.9% from 45 to 64, and 16.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.7 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $35,410, and the median income for a family was $43,493. Males had a median income of $34,368 versus $22,254 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,790. About 8.9% of families and 11.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.6% of those under age 18 and 7.3% of those age 65 or over.

Economy

The surrounding region produced large amounts of winter wheat which was the mainstay of the local economy . Railroads, petroleum, and aircraft parts manufacturing are other important businesses.

Arts and culture

Area events

• Aviation Fest
• Kansas Wheat Festival

Area attractions

• Downtown Wellington Historic District
• Wellington Carnegie Library
• H.F. Smith House
• Chisholm Trail Museum
• Wellington Lake

Education

The community is served by Wellington USD 353 public school district.

Media

Wellington is also home to the Wellington Daily News.

Transportation

The Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad formerly provided passenger rail service to Wellington on their mainline from Minneapolis to Houston until at least 1961. As of 2025, the nearest passenger rail station is located in Newton, where Amtrak's Southwest Chief stops once daily on a route from Chicago to Los Angeles.

Notable people

• Ernie Barrett, Professional basketball player for the Boston Celtics.
• Ara Bartlett, lawyer and judge. Second Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Dakota Territory.
• Ryleigh Buck, softball player on the United States women's national baseball team at the 2015 Pan American games in Toronto, Canada.
• David Carradine, American actor and film director lived in Wellington for around a year in the early 1980s
• Arthur S. Champeny, United States Army officer
• Mardie Cornejo, Major League Baseball player for the New York Mets.
• Nate Cornejo, Major League Baseball player for the Detroit Tigers.
• Mabel Cory Costigan, child labor law advocate, served on advisory council of the National Child Labor Committee
• Sue Jean Covacevich, artist
• Walter Chrysler, founder of the Chrysler Corporation
• Todd Diacon, president of Kent State University.
• Maurice Elder, 26th pick in the 1937 NFL Draft by the Boston Redskins.
• Phil Ferguson, politician, US Representative from the state of Oklahoma from 1935 to 1941.
• William M. Ferguson, 34th Kansas Attorney General
• Neil Frank, meteorologist and former director of the National Hurricane Center
• Gary Freeman, artist and professor emeritus at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis.
• Betty Glamann, born in Wellington. She was a harpist, who played with the likes of Spike Jones and Duke Ellington.
• Loren Hibbs, Director of Baseball Operations at Wichita State University
• Francis Heydt, Four time NCAA Champion swimmer
• B. Everett Jordan, United States Senator from North Carolina.
• Henry P. Larrabee, 49er, and rancher.
• Gordon William Lillie, nicknamed Pawnee Bill, a showman who specialized in Wild West shows partner of Buffalo Bill.
• J. C. Long, Member of the Kansas House of Representatives.
• Joseph E. Maddy, pioneering music educator and founder of the Interlochen Arts Camp
• Chuck Miller, pop and jazz musician
• Minnie Minnich, American politician in the Kansas House of Representatives.
• Jack Mitchell, All-American quarterback at the University of Oklahoma
• Kate Pelham Newcomb, physician
• David L. Payne, American soldier and pioneer
• John Potucek, lawyer, member of the Kansas State Senate, and nominee for Governor of Kansas in 1946 and 1950.
• Bill Rhiley, American politician in the Kansas House of Representatives.
• Montie Rissell, serial killer, born in Wellington.
• Fred Roberts (American football coach), head football coach at the University of Oklahoma.
• Mary Bell Smith (1818–1894), farmer, educator, social reformer, and writer
• Karl Spear, head football coach and athletic director at Baker University.
• Vince Wetta, American politician, Kansas House of Representatives.
• Kent Whealy, activist and journalist, co-founder of the Seed Savers Exchange.
• Ed Willett, Major League Baseball player.
• Zeta V. Wood, singer and vocal teacher, raised in Wellington
• Logan Wright, Former president of the American Psychological Association.

References

References

1. "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau.
2. {{GNIS. 485658
3. "Profile of Wellington, Kansas in 2020". United States Census Bureau.
4. "QuickFacts; Wellington, Kansas; Population, Census, 2020 & 2010". United States Census Bureau.
5. Kansas State Historical Society. (1916). "Biennial Report of the Board of Directors of the Kansas State Historical Society". Kansas State Printing Plant.
6. [http://skyways.lib.ks.us/towns/Wellington/ Wellington KS on Blue Skyways] {{webarchive. link. (2004-09-07)
7. "Kansas Post Offices, 1828-1961, page 2". Kansas Historical Society.
8. "Rock Island Rail History".
9. (1993). "Significant tornadoes, 1680-1991: A Chronology and Analysis of Events". Environmental Films.
10. "Official City Flag". City of Wellington, Kansas.
11. "US Gazetteer files 2010". [[United States Census Bureau]].
12. [http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather-summary.php3?s=76841&cityname=Wellington%2C+Kansas%2C+United+States+of+America&units= Climate Summary for Wellington, Kansas]
13. "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau.
14. United States Census Bureau. "Census of Population and Housing".
15. "Explore Census Data".
16. "Explore Census Data".
17. "U.S. Census website". [[United States Census Bureau]].
18. (April 2020}}{{cbignore). "2010 City Population and Housing Occupancy Status". U.S. Census Bureau.
19. "Rock Island 1961 Timetable".
20. "Amtrak Southwest Chief".
21. "1976 Wellington graduate, Todd Diacon, named 13th President of Kent State University – Sumner NewsCow".
22. "Bill Rhiley".