Freeport, Kansas

Freeport is an unincorporated community in Harper County, Kansas, United States.[1] As of the 2010 census, the population of the community was 5.[4] It was an incorporated city up until 2017 when it dissolved.[5]

Freeport, Kansas
Unincorporated community
Location within Harper County and Kansas
Location within Harper County and Kansas
KDOT map of Harper County (legend)
KDOT map of Harper County (legend)
Coordinates: 37°11′50″N 97°51′23″W[1]
CountryUnited States
StateKansas
CountyHarper
Founded1885
Area
[2]
 • Total0.20 sq mi (0.52 km2)
 • Land0.20 sq mi (0.52 km2)
 • Water0 sq mi (0 km2)
Elevation
[1]
1,339 ft (408 m)
Population
 (2010)[3]
 • Total5
 • Density25/sq mi (9.6/km2)
Time zoneUTC-6 (CST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code
67049
Area code620
FIPS code20-24725 [1]
GNIS ID470290 [1]

History

Before officially being established as a city, Freeport was preceded by a settlement called Midlothian, which was located a few miles from Freeport's current location. Midlothian is the Scottish word for Midland.[6]

Midlothian had a few amenities including a post office established in 1879, as well as a local school and church.[6]

Freeport was founded in 1885.[7] It was located on the Missouri Pacific Railway.[8]

In the late 19th century Freeport was a growing town. Freeport boasted three lumberyards, two grain elevators, nine grocery stores, five dry goods stores, two meat markets, two hardware stores, three drug stores, four blacksmiths, one bank and two hotels. In 1892, the population of Freeport reached its peak at 700.[6]

The Midlothian post office was renamed after the founding of Freeport.[6] The post office was in operation at Freeport since 1885.[9] The community has a grain elevator and a church.[10]

Until November 2017, when the population had risen to eight, it was the smallest incorporated city in the state of Kansas.[11] The city was dissolved by a vote of 4–0 in the November 2017 election.[5]

Geography

Freeport is located at 37°11′50″N 97°51′23″W (37.197234, -97.856481).[12] According to the United States Census Bureau, the community has a total area of 0.20 square miles (0.52 km2), all of it land.[2]

Freeport is surrounded by plains and farmland on all sides. There are no bodies of water and little tree coverage.[13]

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1890138—
190083−39.9%
191016194.0%
192056−65.2%
193010587.5%
194067−36.2%
195030−55.2%
1960313.3%
197021−32.3%
198012−42.9%
19908−33.3%
20006−25.0%
20105−16.7%
U.S. Decennial Census

2010 census

As of the census[3] of 2010, there were 5 people, 3 households, and 2 families residing in the community. The population density was 25.0 inhabitants per square mile (9.7/km2). There were 4 housing units at an average density of 20.0 per square mile (7.7/km2). The racial makeup of the community was 80.0% White and 20.0% Native American.

There were 3 households, of which 66.7% were married couples living together and 33.3% were non-families. 33.3% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 1.67 and the average family size was 2.00.

The median age in the community was 66.5 years. 0.0% of residents were under the age of 18; 20% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 0.0% were from 25 to 44; 20% were from 45 to 64; and 60% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the community was 60.0% male and 40.0% female.

2000 census

As of the census[14] of 2000, there were 6 people, 3 households, and 3 families residing in the community. The population density was 31.5 inhabitants per square mile (12.2/km2). There were 5 housing units at an average density of 26.3 per square mile (10.2/km2). The racial makeup of the community was 100.00% White.

There were 3 households, out of which none had persons under the age of 18 living with them, 66.7% were married couples living together, and 33.3% had a female householder with no husband present. The average household size was 2.00 and the average family size was 2.00.

In the community, the population was spread out, with 33.3% from 45 to 64, and 66.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 66 years. For every 100 females, there were 100 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100 males.

The median income for a household in the community was $31,250, and the median income for a family was $31,250. Males had a median income of $0 versus $0 for females. The per capita income for the community was $14,590. None of the population and none of the families were below the poverty line.

Education

The community is served by Chaparral USD 361 public school district.[15]

References
  1. "Freeport, Kansas", Geographic Names Information System, United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior
  2. "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on 2012-07-02. Retrieved 2012-07-06.
  3. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2012-07-06.
  4. "2010 City Population and Housing Occupancy Status". U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved March 6, 2011.
  5. "Freeport to dissolve; Frederick remains a city". Hutchison News. Retrieved 1 May 2023.
  6. hsotr (2018-02-13). "Freeport, Formerly the Smallest Incorporated City in Kansas". Homestead on the Range. Retrieved 2022-09-15.
  7. "12 U.S. places where your visit could double the population". Mother Nature Network. Retrieved 2 May 2014.
  8. Kansas State Historical Society (1916). Biennial Report of the Board of Directors of the Kansas State Historical Society. Kansas State Printing Plant. pp. 202.
  9. "Kansas Post Offices, 1828-1961 (archived)". Kansas Historical Society. Archived from the original on October 9, 2013. Retrieved 11 June 2014.
  10. Rivero, Nicolas (25 August 2017). "The Smallest Town in Each of the 50 States". Mental Floss. Retrieved 25 June 2018.
  11. "Freeport, Kansas, how the state's smallest city decided its time was up" by Amy Bickel, The Hutchinson News
  12. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
  13. "Google Earth". earth.google.com. Retrieved 2022-09-15.
  14. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  15. "Anthony-Harper". USD 361. Retrieved 10 January 2017.

Further reading
See also: List of books about Harper County, Kansas

External list
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