Athol is a city in Smith County,

Kansas Kansas () is a state in the Midwestern United States. Its capital is Topeka, and its largest city is Wichita. Kansas is a landlocked state bordered by Nebraska to the north; Missouri to the east; Oklahoma to the south; and Colorado to the ...

, United States. As of the 2020 census, the population of the city was 41.

History

Athol was founded in 1888. The first post office in Athol was established in February 1888. Athol was a station and shipping point on the

Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad The Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad (CRI&P RW, sometimes called ''Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railway'') was an American Class I railroad. It was also known as the Rock Island Line, or, in its final years, The Rock. At the end ...

. In the 1870s, the song " Home on the Range" was written by Dr.

Brewster Higley Brewster Martin Higley VI, MD (November 30, 1823 – December 9, 1911) was an otolaryngologist who became famous for writing "My Western Home". Originally written in 1871 or 1872 and published under the title "My Western Home" in the ''Smith Coun ...

in a cabin north of Athol.

Geography

Athol is located at (39.765724, -98.920219). According to the

United States Census Bureau The United States Census Bureau (USCB), officially the Bureau of the Census, is a principal agency of the U.S. Federal Statistical System, responsible for producing data about the American people and economy. The Census Bureau is part of the ...

, the city has a total area of , all of it land.

Demographics

2010 census

As of the

census A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring, recording and calculating information about the members of a given population. This term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common censuses incl ...

of 2010, there were 44 people, 17 households, and 14 families residing in the city. The

population density Population density (in agriculture: standing stock or plant density) is a measurement of population per unit land area. It is mostly applied to humans, but sometimes to other living organisms too. It is a key geographical term.Matt RosenberPopul ...

was . There were 26 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 88.6%

White White is the lightest color and is achromatic (having no hue). It is the color of objects such as snow, chalk, and milk, and is the opposite of black. White objects fully reflect and scatter all the visible wavelengths of light. White on ...

and 11.4% from two or more races. There were 17 households, of which 29.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 76.5% were

married couples Marriage, also called matrimony or wedlock, is a culturally and often legally recognized union between people called spouses. It establishes rights and obligations between them, as well as between them and their children, and between t ...

living together, 5.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 17.6% were non-families. 17.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 5.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.59 and the average family size was 2.86. The median age in the city was 41 years. 25% of residents were under the age of 18; 4.7% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 25% were from 25 to 44; 31.8% were from 45 to 64; and 13.6% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 43.2% male and 56.8% female.

2000 census

As of the

of 2000, there were 51 people, 25 households, and 14 families residing in the city. The population density was . There were 27 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 96.08%

and 3.92% from two or more races. There were 25 households, out of which 24.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.0% were

living together, and 44.0% were non-families. 44.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 40.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.04 and the average family size was 2.79. In the city, the population was spread out, with 19.6% under the age of 18, 5.9% from 18 to 24, 15.7% from 25 to 44, 35.3% from 45 to 64, and 23.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 48 years. For every 100 females, there were 112.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.2 males. The median income for a household in the city was $28,250, and the median income for a family was $34,375. Males had a median income of $11,250 versus $18,750 for females. The

per capita income Per capita income (PCI) or total income measures the average income earned per person in a given area (city, region, country, etc.) in a specified year. It is calculated by dividing the area's total income by its total population. Per capita i ...

for the city was $14,872. There were 13.3% of families and 8.5% of the population living below the

poverty line The poverty threshold, poverty limit, poverty line or breadline is the minimum level of income deemed adequate in a particular country. The poverty line is usually calculated by estimating the total cost of one year's worth of necessities for t ...

, including no under eighteens and 11.8% of those over 64.

Government

The Athol government consists of a mayor and five council members. The council meets the 1st Wednesday of each month at 7PM.Athol - Directory of Public Officials

Education

The community is served by

Thunder Ridge USD 110 Thunder Ridge USD 110 is a public unified school district headquartered in Kensington, Kansas, United States. The district includes the communities of Kensington, Athol, Agra, Kirwin, and nearby rural areas. Schools The school district ope ...

public school district.

References

External links

Athol - Directory of Public Officials

Home on the Range Cabin
cabin where the song ''Home on the Range'' was written.
Athol city map
KDOT {{Authority control Cities in Kansas Cities in Smith County, Kansas Populated places established in 1888 1888 establishments in Kansas