Moving to Arkansas City, Kansas

The current estimated population of Arkansas City, Kansas, is 11,909, with approximately 48% male and 52% female. The population has remained stable, with slight growth driven by its role as a regional center for education and industry.

City Facts

  • Year Founded: 1870
  • County Affiliated: Cowley County
  • Land Area: 9.5 square miles
  • Population Density: 1,253 people per square mile
  • Area Code: 620
  • Zip Codes: 67005

Geography and Location

Arkansas City, Kansas, is located in southern Kansas, within Cowley County, near the border with Oklahoma. The town is situated along the Arkansas and Walnut Rivers, providing scenic views and recreational opportunities. Arkansas City experiences a humid continental climate, with cold winters and warm summers. The surrounding geography consists of flat to gently rolling terrain, with farmland and small creeks contributing to the landscape. The town is home to Cowley College, a community college that serves as a hub for education and culture in the region. Arkansas City’s economy is also driven by manufacturing and agriculture. Its location along U.S. Route 77 and U.S. Route 166 provides easy access to nearby cities such as Wichita and Ponca City, Oklahoma. The town’s rich history, educational institutions, and strong community ties make it an important regional center in southern Kansas.

Demographics

Median resident age: 36.3 years
Median household income: $29,158
Median house value: $43,300

Population by Race

Races in Arkansas City:

  • White Non-Hispanic (85.3%)
  • American Indian (4.7%)
  • Black (4.5%)
  • Hispanic (4.5%)
  • Two or more races (3.0%)
  • Other race (1.9%)

Ancestries: German (19.7%), United States (13.3%), Irish (12.6%), English (10.9%), Dutch (4.0%), French (3.5%).

Elevation: 1100 feet

Land area: 7.5 square miles

Map of Arkansas City, KS

Population by Education

For population 25 years and over in Arkansas City

  • High school or higher: 82.8%
  • Bachelor’s degree or higher: 14.9%
  • Graduate or professional degree: 4.5%
  • Unemployed: 8.8%
  • Mean travel time to work: 17.2 minutes

For population 15 years and over in Arkansas City city

  • Never married: 20.5%
  • Now married: 55.6%
  • Separated: 1.4%
  • Widowed: 10.2%
  • Divorced: 12.3%

1.3% Foreign born

Population change in the 1990s: -1,092 (-8.4%).

Hospitals

Hospital/medical center in Arkansas City:

  • SOUTH CENTRAL KS REGIONAL MED CENTER (216 W BIRCH ST)

Other hospitals/medical centers near Arkansas City:

  • WILLIAM NEWTON MEMORIAL HOSPITAL (about 14 miles; WINFIELD, KS)
  • INTEGRIS BLACKWELL REGIONAL HOSPITAL (about 26 miles; BLACKWELL, OK)
  • VIA CHRISTI OKLA REG MEDICAL CENTER (about 27 miles; PONCA CITY, OK)

Airports

Airports certified for carrier operations nearest to Arkansas City:

  • MC CONNELL AFB (about 42 miles; WICHITA, KS; Abbreviation: IAB)
  • WICHITA MID-CONTINENT (about 47 miles; WICHITA, KS; Abbreviation: ICT)
  • STILLWATER RGNL (about 63 miles; STILLWATER, OK; Abbreviation: SWO)

Other public-use airports nearest to Arkansas City:

  • STROTHER FIELD (about 7 miles; WINFIELD/ARKANSAS CITY, KS; Abbreviation: WLD)
  • SKY PARK (about 14 miles; NEWKIRK, OK; Abbreviation: 4K8)
  • OXFORD MUNI (about 15 miles; OXFORD, KS; Abbreviation: 55K)

Colleges and Universities

College/University in Arkansas City:

  • COWLEY COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE (Full-time enrollment: 2,392; Location: 125 S SECOND ST; Public; Website: www.cowley.cc.ks.us)

Other colleges/universities with over 2000 students near Arkansas City:

  • FRIENDS UNIVERSITY (about 48 miles; WICHITA, KS; Full-time enrollment: 2,983)
  • WICHITA STATE UNIVERSITY (about 53 miles; WICHITA, KS; Full-time enrollment: 10,403)
  • BUTLER COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 55 miles; EL DORADO, KS; Full-time enrollment: 4,250)
  • OKLAHOMA STATE UNIVERSITY-MAIN CAMPUS (about 67 miles; STILLWATER, OK; Full-time enrollment: 16,937)
  • LANGSTON UNIVERSITY (about 79 miles; LANGSTON, OK; Full-time enrollment: 2,324)
  • HUTCHINSON COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 91 miles; HUTCHINSON, KS; Full-time enrollment: 2,268)
  • UNIVERSITY OF TULSA (about 99 miles; TULSA, OK; Full-time enrollment: 3,760)

Schools

Public high school in Arkansas City:

  • ARKANSAS CITY HIGH (Students: 887; Location: 1200 W RADIO LANE; Grades: 09 – 12)

Private high school in Arkansas City:

  • ARK CITY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (Students: 127; Location: 1900 N F; Grades: PK – 12)

Public primary/middle schools in Arkansas City:

  • ARKANSAS CITY MIDDLE SCH (Students: 689; Location: 400 E KANSAS AVE; Grades: 06 – 08)
  • ADAMS ELEM (Students: 296; Location: 1201 N 10TH; Grades: KG – 05)
  • ROOSEVELT ELEM (Students: 280; Location: 300 NORTH B; Grades: PK – 05)
  • JEFFERSON ELEM (Students: 260; Location: 131 OSAGE AVE; Grades: KG – 05)
  • I X L ELEM (Students: 235; Location: 6758 322ND ROAD; Grades: KG – 05)
  • FRANCES WILLARD ELEM (Students: 201; Location: 201 N 4TH; Grades: PK – 05)
  • C 4 ELEM (Students: 164; Location: 11945 292ND ROAD; Grades: KG – 05)

Private primary/middle school in Arkansas City:

  • SACRED HEART CATHOLIC SCHOOL (Students: 65; Location: 312 SOUTH B STREET; Grades: KG – 5)

Libraries

Library in Arkansas City:

  • ARKANSAS CITY PUBLIC LIBRARY (Operating income: $283,312; Location: 120 E. FIFTH AVE.; 45,468 books; 961 audio materials; 1,041 video materials; 99 serial subscriptions)