Mankato, Kansas

Mankato is a city in and the county seat of Jewell County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2020 census, the population of the city was 836.

History
Mankato was originally called Jewell Center, and under the latter name laid out in 1872. It was renamed Mankato in 1880 after Mankato, Minnesota. Mankato was incorporated as a city in 1880.

The first post office in the town was established as Jewell Center in August 1872. The post office was renamed Mankato in April 1880.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.01 sqmi, all land.

Climate
According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Mankato has a hot-summer humid continental climate, abbreviated "Dfa" on climate maps. The hottest temperature recorded in Mankato was 111 F on July 5, 1964, while the coldest temperature recorded was -25 F on January 10, 1982.

2020 census
The 2020 United States census counted 836 people, 404 households, and 217 families in Mankato. The population density was 857.4 per square mile (331.1/km$2$). There were 479 housing units at an average density of 491.3 per square mile (189.7/km$2$). The racial makeup was 92.22% (771) white or European American (91.51% non-Hispanic white), 0.24% (2) black or African-American, 0.84% (7) Native American or Alaska Native, 0.72% (6) Asian, 0.0% (0) Pacific Islander or Native Hawaiian, 0.84% (7) from other races, and 5.14% (43) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race was 2.63% (22) of the population.

Of the 404 households, 22.0% had children under the age of 18; 43.1% were married couples living together; 27.0% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. 41.8% of households consisted of individuals and 24.8% 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 2.8. The percent of those with a bachelor’s degree or higher was estimated to be 18.1% of the population.

20.5% of the population was under the age of 18, 5.5% from 18 to 24, 18.5% from 25 to 44, 27.4% from 45 to 64, and 28.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 50.0 years. For every 100 females, there were 100.5 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older, there were 105.2 males.

The 2016-2020 5-year American Community Survey estimates show that the median household income was $35,455 (with a margin of error of +/- $13,171) and the median family income was $63,594 (+/- $16,067). Males had a median income of $29,375 (+/- $6,498) versus $16,339 (+/- $4,210) for females. The median income for those above 16 years old was $22,111 (+/- $3,473). Approximately, 4.2% of families and 6.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.5% of those under the age of 18 and 8.4% of those ages 65 or over.

2010 census
At the 2010 census there were 869 people in 405 households, including 242 families, in the city. The population density was 860.4 PD/sqmi. There were 486 housing units at an average density of 481.2 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 97.0% White, 0.3% African American, 0.3% Native American, 0.5% Asian, 0.5% from other races, and 1.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.0%.

Of the 405 households 22.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.9% were married couples living together, 6.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 2.5% had a male householder with no wife present, and 40.2% were non-families. 37.5% of households were one person and 18.8% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.08 and the average family size was 2.71.

The median age was 51.5 years. 19.2% of residents were under the age of 18; 5% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 17.1% were from 25 to 44; 30.4% were from 45 to 64; and 28.3% were 65 or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.2% male and 51.8% female.

2000 census
At the 2000 census there were 976 people in 436 households, including 256 families, in the city. The population density was 964.0 PD/sqmi. There were 509 housing units at an average density of 502.7 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 98.67% White, 0.10% Asian, 0.20% from other races, and 1.02% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.92%.

Of the 436 households 24.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.5% were married couples living together, 5.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 41.1% were non-families. 39.0% of households were one person and 21.3% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.14 and the average family size was 2.86.

The age distribution was 21.8% under the age of 18, 4.5% from 18 to 24, 21.1% from 25 to 44, 23.0% from 45 to 64, and 29.6% 65 or older. The median age was 46 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.5 males.

The median household income was $29,286 and the median family income was $41,429. Males had a median income of $30,000 versus $17,813 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,457. About 4.9% of families and 9.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.0% of those under age 18 and 10.5% of those age 65 or over.

Education
The community is served by Rock Hills USD 107 public school district. The Rock Hills High School mascot is Grizzlies.

Prior to school unification, Mankato was home to Mankato High School with the mascot Cougars. The Mankato Cougars won the Kansas State High School boys class B basketball championship in 1943.

Notable people

 * Wint Smith (1892–1976) Congressman, represented Kansas from 1947 to 1961.
 * Ernest Tippin (1890–1958) Olympic sharpshooter.
 * Gregg Doud, Chief Agricultural Negotiator, Rank of Ambassador, in the Office of the United States Trade Representative, being confirmed March 1, 2018.

In popular culture
On November 3, 2019, YouTubers Yes Theory published a video titled "Throwing a Party in the Most Boring Town in America". The video features the group visiting Mankato and their quest to throw a party in the town.