Lebanon, Kansas

Lebanon is a city in Smith County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2020 census, the population of the city was 178.

History
Lebanon was founded in 1876 at a site about 4 mi distant from its present site. It was moved to the new site in about 1887–1888. Lebanon is named after Lebanon, Kentucky.

In 1918, a scientific survey established the geographic center of the 48 contiguous US states about 2.6 mi northwest of Lebanon, and a monument was subsequently erected at the site. The geographic center of all 50 of the US states is located near Belle Fourche, South Dakota.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 0.316 sqmi, all land. On February 13, 1905, the temperature fell to -40 °F (-40 °C), the lowest minimum temperature ever recorded in Kansas.

Area attractions

 * Geographic center of the contiguous United States
 * Kansas Historical Marker – The Geographic Center

2020 census
The 2020 United States census counted 178 people, 102 households, and 50 families in Lebanon. The population density was 552.8 per square mile (213.4/km$2$). There were 139 housing units at an average density of 431.7 per square mile (166.7/km$2$). The racial makeup was 93.26% (166) white or European American (90.45% non-Hispanic white), 1.69% (3) black or African-American, 0.56% (1) Native American or Alaska Native, and 4.49% (8) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race was 2.81% (5) of the population.

Of the 102 households, 16.7% had children under the age of 18; 37.3% were married couples living together; 29.4% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. 47.1% of households consisted of individuals and 27.5% 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 2.5. The percent of those with a bachelor’s degree or higher was estimated to be 18.5% of the population.

14.6% of the population was under the age of 18, 4.5% from 18 to 24, 14.0% from 25 to 44, 35.4% from 45 to 64, and 31.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 58.0 years. For every 100 females, there were 107.0 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older, there were 105.4 males.

The 2016-2020 5-year American Community Survey estimates show that the median household income was $33,333 (with a margin of error of +/- $9,864) and the median family income was $46,250 (+/- $21,160). Males had a median income of $31,406 (+/- $9,257) versus $28,750 (+/- $4,818) for females. The median income for those above 16 years old was $30,313 (+/- $3,703). Approximately, 9.1% of families and 17.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 60.6% of those under the age of 18 and 7.2% of those ages 65 or over.

2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 218 people, 118 households, and 60 families residing in the city. The population density was 681.3 PD/sqmi. There were 183 housing units at an average density of 571.9 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 95.9% White, 0.5% Native American, 0.5% Asian, and 3.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.2% of the population.

There were 118 households, of which 16.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.4% were married couples living together, 4.2% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.2% had a male householder with no wife present, and 49.2% were non-families. 46.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 22.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.85 and the average family size was 2.62.

The median age in the city was 51.3 years. 17.4% of residents were under 18; 2.8% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 14.8% were from 25 to 44; 40.8% were from 45 to 64; and 24.3% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.2% male and 51.8% female.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 303 people, 151 households, and 91 families residing in the city. The population density was 955.5 PD/sqmi. There were 204 housing units at an average density of 643.3 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 99.01% White, 0.33% Native American, and 0.66% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.32% of the population.

There were 151 households, out of which 15.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.3% were married couples living together, 3.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.1% were non-families. 35.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 19.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.01 and the average family size was 2.57.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 15.8% under 18, 6.3% from 18 to 24, 21.5% from 25 to 44, 22.8% from 45 to 64, and 33.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 52 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 102.4 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $23,056, and the median income for a family was $28,846. Males had a median income of $22,750 versus $13,250 for females. The per capita income was $12,245. About 13.2% of families and 22.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 33.3% of those under the age of eighteen and 5.5% of those 65 or over.

Rural flight
On October 2, 2006, Lebanon was the focus of a study of rural flight, as local farmer Randall Warner was featured in a New York Times story about the problems faced by communities such as Lebanon.

Government
The Lebanon government consists of a mayor and five council members. The council meets the second Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m., at City Hall, 404 Main St.

Education
The community is served by Smith Center USD 237 public school district.

Lebanon schools were closed through school unification. The Lebanon Bronchos (or Broncos) won the Kansas State High School boys 1A basketball championship in 1977.

Books
Lebanon is featured as an important plot point in the Neil Gaiman fantasy book, American Gods.

Film
The documentary The Return of the Buffalo: Restoring the Great American Prairie details the story and history of Lebanon amongst other Great Plains villages.

Television
During Super Bowl LV, Jeep aired an ad featuring Bruce Springsteen lighting a candle at a chapel in Lebanon.

Lebanon is featured prominently in Seasons 8-15 of The CW's long-running fantasy series Supernatural, introduced as the location of a secret Men of Letters bunker that Sam and Dean Winchester begin using as their primary base of operations. It is implied that the bunker was built in Lebanon due to the town's proximity to the geographic center of the contiguous United States.