Moundridge, Kansas

Moundridge is a city in McPherson County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2020 census, the population of the city was 1,974. Manufacturing facilities for Grasshopper (lawn mowers) and Bradbury Group (roll forming equipment) are located in Moundridge.

Early history
For millennia, the Great Plains of North America were inhabited by nomadic Native Americans. From the 16th to the 18th century, the Kingdom of France claimed ownership of large parts of North America. In 1762, after the French and Indian War, France secretly ceded New France to Spain, under the terms of the Treaty of Fontainebleau.

19th century
In 1802, Spain returned most of the land to France, keeping title to about 7,500 square miles. In 1803, most of the land that comprises modern day Kansas was acquired by the United States from France as part of the 828,000 square mile Louisiana Purchase.

In 1854, the Kansas Territory was organized under the provisions of the Kansas–Nebraska Act, then in 1861 Kansas became the 34th US state. In 1867, McPherson County was established, which included the land for modern day Moundridge.

In 1876, the community was founded with the name Christian. In 1887, it was renamed and incorporated as Moundridge on account of the elevation of the town site.

Between 1874 and 1880, of the approximately 45,000 Mennonites who had been living in South Russia, 10,000 departed for the United States and 8,000 for Manitoba. Available cropland in the central United States was similar to that in their homelands in the Crimean Peninsula. Since the central part of the state was settled, Kansas has enjoyed the reputation as the top wheat-producing state. Settlers in central Kansas, experienced in Russian methods of dryland farming and flour milling, introduced winter wheat in 1873 and quickly saw their industry become dominant. The museums in nearby Hillsboro and Goessel demonstrate the lives and times of these early settlers.

Almost all of the original settlers of McPherson County spoke German, many exclusively. With the coming of the automobile and the importance of commercial participation with the English-speaking citizens, the use of German diminished in importance. The participation of the United States in World Wars I and II dramatically increased the use of English and by the early 1940s, ministers rarely preached in German. As of the year 2000, a very small number of German religious publications are available, primarily for use by elderly congregants.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.41 sqmi, all of it land.

2020 census
The 2020 United States census counted 1,974 people, 820 households, and 475 families in Moundridge. The population density was 1,258.1 per square mile (485.8/km$2$). There were 901 housing units at an average density of 574.3 per square mile (221.7/km$2$). The racial makeup was 92.4% (1,824) white or European American (90.27% non-Hispanic white), 0.96% (19) black or African-American, 0.2% (4) Native American or Alaska Native, 0.35% (7) Asian, 0.05% (1) Pacific Islander or Native Hawaiian, 1.32% (26) from other races, and 4.71% (93) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race was 5.02% (99) of the population.

Of the 820 households, 21.2% had children under the age of 18; 47.4% were married couples living together; 29.8% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. 37.4% of households consisted of individuals and 20.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.0 and the average family size was 2.8. The percent of those with a bachelor’s degree or higher was estimated to be 18.6% of the population.

19.0% of the population was under the age of 18, 7.4% from 18 to 24, 20.6% from 25 to 44, 21.9% from 45 to 64, and 31.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 47.3 years. For every 100 females, there were 111.8 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older, there were 120.1 males.

The 2016-2020 5-year American Community Survey estimates show that the median household income was $43,750 (with a margin of error of +/- $9,528) and the median family income was $59,167 (+/- $11,285). Males had a median income of $46,782 (+/- $2,262) versus $26,818 (+/- $8,192) for females. The median income for those above 16 years old was $39,069 (+/- $3,358). Approximately, 0.0% of families and 4.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 0.0% of those under the age of 18 and 13.8% of those ages 65 or over.

2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 1,737 people, 736 households, and 461 families residing in the city. The population density was 1231.9 PD/sqmi. There were 803 housing units at an average density of 569.5 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 96.9% White, 0.3% African American, 0.4% Native American, 0.1% Asian, 0.9% from other races, and 1.3% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race comprised 3.4% of the population.

There were 736 households, of which 25.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.7% were married couples living together, 8.8% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.1% had a male householder with no wife present, and 37.4% were non-families; 33.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 19.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.25 and the average family size was 2.85.

The median age in the city was 46.6 years., with 21.6% of residents under the age of 18; 6% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 20% were from 25 to 44; 24.9% were from 45 to 64; and 27.6% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 46.1% male and 53.9% female.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,593 people, 647 households, and 419 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,519.6 PD/sqmi. There were 681 housing units at an average density of 649.6 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 97.24% White, 0.50% African American, 0.88% Native American, 0.06% Asian, 0.75% from other races, and 0.56% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race comprised 1.51% of the population.

There were 647 households, out of which 28.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.0% were married couples living together, 4.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.1% were non-families; 31.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.31 and the average family size was 2.90.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 22.5% under the age of 18, 6.6% from 18 to 24, 24.9% from 25 to 44, 19.6% from 45 to 64, and 26.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females, there were 87.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.4 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $37,644, and the median income for a family was $44,934. Males had a median income of $34,038 versus $20,223 for females. The per capita income for the city was $19,263. About 2.1% of families and 4.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.0% of those under age 18 and 7.5% of those age 65 or over.

Economy
The Grasshopper Company manufactures mowers and lawn mower implements. It was founded in 1969 and headquartered in Moundridge. The parent company is Moridge Manufacturing (founded in 1958).

The Bradbury Group is headquartered in Moundridge. Founded as Rollformed Products in 1959, by co-founder Floyd Bradbury. The company is the largest manufacturer of rollforming equipment in the world with 10 locations and many brands under their umbrella.

Education
The community is served by Moundridge USD 423 public school district. Moundridge High School / Middle School and Moundridge Elementary School are located within the city.

Transportation
Interstate I-135 runs along the north-east side of the city. Highway US 81 passes through city.

Moundridge has a small airport, Moundridge Municipal Airfield, which is located approximately one mile (1.6 km) east of central Moundridge.

Notable people

 * Laurie Koehn, professional basketball player