Lakin, Kansas

Lakin is a city in and the county seat of Kearny County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2020 census, the population of the city was 2,205. It is located along Highway 50.

History
In spring 1873, John O'Loughlin, community founder, set up a trading post next to the newly completed Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway. The community was named by the AT&SF for David Long Lakin, former treasurer of the AT&SF. Lakin was designated county seat in 1888. A post office has been in operation in Lakin since March 1874.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 0.98 sqmi, all of it land.

Climate
According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Lakin has a cold semi-arid climate, abbreviated "BSk" on climate maps. The hottest temperature recorded in Lakin was 115 F on August 7, 1896 and August 9, 1896, while the coldest temperature recorded was -23 F on January 12, 1942.

2020 census
The 2020 United States census counted 2,205 people, 796 households, and 555 families in Lakin. The population density was 2,330.9 per square mile (899.9/km$2$). There were 860 housing units at an average density of 909.1 per square mile (351.0/km$2$). The racial makeup was 64.04% (1,412) white or European American (56.69% non-Hispanic white), 1.18% (26) black or African-American, 0.82% (18) Native American or Alaska Native, 0.18% (4) Asian, 0.0% (0) Pacific Islander or Native Hawaiian, 11.02% (243) from other races, and 22.77% (502) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race was 36.96% (815) of the population.

Of the 796 households, 39.1% had children under the age of 18; 53.9% were married couples living together; 21.9% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. 23.7% of households consisted of individuals and 11.2% 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. The percent of those with a bachelor’s degree or higher was estimated to be 4.4% of the population.

28.6% of the population was under the age of 18, 7.6% from 18 to 24, 26.3% from 25 to 44, 21.9% from 45 to 64, and 15.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34.8 years. For every 100 females, there were 102.5 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older, there were 109.3 males.

The 2016-2020 5-year American Community Survey estimates show that the median household income was $43,281 (with a margin of error of +/- $8,724) and the median family income was $44,031 (+/- $8,994). Males had a median income of $30,142 (+/- $7,478) versus $30,385 (+/- $14,221) for females. The median income for those above 16 years old was $30,232 (+/- $6,288). Approximately, 12.7% of families and 22.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 58.8% of those under the age of 18 and 13.1% of those ages 65 or over.

2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 2,216 people, 781 households, and 573 families residing in the city. The population density was 2261.2 PD/sqmi. There were 851 housing units at an average density of 868.4 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 87.7% White, 0.3% African American, 0.9% Native American, 8.7% from other races, and 2.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 28.9% of the population.

There were 781 households, of which 43.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.9% were married couples living together, 11.8% had a female householder with no husband present, 6.7% had a male householder with no wife present, and 26.6% were non-families. 24.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.73 and the average family size was 3.23.

The median age in the city was 34.5 years. 30.1% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.8% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 23.1% were from 25 to 44; 23.6% were from 45 to 64; and 14.5% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 50.6% male and 49.4% female.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 2,316 people, 823 households, and 604 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,480.0 PD/sqmi. There were 883 housing units at an average density of 945.5 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 81.56% White, 0.82% African American, 1.34% Native American, 0.35% Asian, 14.16% from other races, and 1.77% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 24.96% of the population.

There were 823 households, out of which 42.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.2% were married couples living together, 10.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.5% were non-families. 24.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.80 and the average family size was 3.32.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 34.2% under the age of 18, 8.9% from 18 to 24, 28.1% from 25 to 44, 18.3% from 45 to 64, and 10.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females, there were 101.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.5 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $38,875, and the median income for a family was $44,688. Males had a median income of $31,086 versus $20,433 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,531. About 6.9% of families and 10.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.3% of those under age 18 and 6.1% of those age 65 or over.

Education
The community is served by Lakin USD 215 public school district.

Notable people

 * Frank Luther (1899–1980), country music singer
 * Russ Jennings, member of the Kansas House of Representatives