Derby, Kansas

Derby is a city in Sedgwick County, Kansas, United States. It is the largest suburb of Wichita. As of the 2020 census, the population of the city was 25,625.

History

In 1870, settlers John Haufbauer and J.H. Minich built the first houses, smithies, and general stores on the site that would become Derby. In 1871, the community was named El Paso, after El Paso, Illinois, and was laid out and platted. In 1880, the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway changed the name of its rail station to Derby, after railroad official C.F. Derby, to avoid confusion with El Paso, Texas.

In 1903, the city incorporated with the name El Paso,History of Derby.
/ref> but the city remained largely a rural community until after World War II.

The aviation industry had begun its growth in Wichita during the 1920s, and when the demands of the war required more airplanes, businesses such as Boeing, Cessna and Beechcraft flourished. Boeing was located a few miles north of the city, which provided a close place for workers to live. Throughout the Cold War, Boeing maintained military contracts and kept jobs nearby. In 1952, the Air Force took over Wichita Municipal Airport and founded McConnell Air Force Base between Wichita and Derby. Many airmen found homes in Derby when space on base became occupied. From 1950 to 1956, the city population grew from 432 to approximately 5000 people.

In 1956, the city name was officially changed to Derby.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , of which is land and is water.

Climate

The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Derby has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.

Demographics

Derby is part of the Wichita, KS Metropolitan Statistical Area.

2020 census

The 2020 United States census counted 25,625 people, 9,991 households, and 6,888 families in Derby. The population density was 2,493.4 per square mile (962.7/km). There were 10,672 housing units at an average density of 1,038.4 per square mile (400.9/km). The racial makeup was 83.4% (21,372) white or European American (80.65% non-Hispanic white), 2.41% (618) black or African-American, 0.85% (218) Native American or Alaska Native, 1.87% (478) Asian, 0.08% (21) Pacific Islander or Native Hawaiian, 1.64% (421) from other races, and 9.74% (2,497) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race was 7.68% (1,969) of the population.

Of the 9,991 households, 34.2% had children under the age of 18; 54.2% were married couples living together; 24.2% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. 26.2% of households consisted of individuals and 10.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.7 and the average family size was 3.2. The percent of those with a bachelor’s degree or higher was estimated to be 24.8% of the population.

25.9% of the population was under the age of 18, 8.8% from 18 to 24, 26.5% from 25 to 44, 22.3% from 45 to 64, and 16.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36.2 years. For every 100 females, there were 104.9 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older, there were 108.5 males.

The 2016-2020 5-year American Community Survey estimates show that the median household income was $74,447 (with a margin of error of +/- $4,647) and the median family income was $87,805 (+/- $7,613). Males had a median income of $51,492 (+/- $3,241) versus $32,018 (+/- $3,530) for females. The median income for those above 16 years old was $41,332 (+/- $3,327). Approximately, 5.6% of families and 6.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.9% of those under the age of 18 and 6.9% of those ages 65 or over.

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 22,158 people, 8,300 households, and 6,226 families residing in the city. The population density was . There were 8,774 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 91.6% White, 1.9% African American, 1.0% Native American, 1.6% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 0.8% from other races, and 3.0% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race were 5.2% of the population.

There were 8,300 households, of which 38.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.5% were married couples living together, 10.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.0% had a male householder with no wife present, and 25.0% were non-families. 21.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.66 and the average family size was 3.11.

The median age in the city was 34.7 years. 28.1% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.7% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 26.3% were from 25 to 44; 25.7% were from 45 to 64; and 11.4% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.8% male and 51.2% female.

Economy

Derby supports more than 532 businesses, ranging from modest home-based businesses to large manufacturing companies like BRG Precision Products, manufacturer of custom digital electronic clocks and emergency messaging systems, and Mid Continent Controls, manufacturer of cabin management and in-flight entertainment systems for business jets. The city's economy is strongest in construction, retail, finance/insurance/real estate, and health-care related activities. Aircraft manufacturers Spirit AeroSystems, Textron Aviation, and Bombardier Learjet provide jobs for a significant portion of the community's residents, as do Derby Public Schools and McConnell Air Force Base.

Arts and culture

The Derby Public Library has over 100,000 items, and houses the Derby Business Center, which provides electronic business resources and services to Kansas residents.

Parks and recreation

The city has bike and walking paths.

High Park features fishing, soccer fields, softball diamonds, walking paths, and an amphitheatre.

Annual events include Fourth of July, and Derby BBQ Festival.

Some Derby residents participate in Friends of McConnell and serve as Honorary Commanders at nearby McConnell Air Force Base.

The Derby Recreation Center features a fitness center, gymnasium, basketball and racquetball courts, and a pool.

Other attractions include:
* Rock River Rapids Aquatic Park.
* The Derby Historical Museum, located in a 1923 school building, featuring historical artifacts including an 1870 log cabin, one of the largest displayed collections of arrowheads in Kansas, a school room, a general store that has a collection of antique pharmaceutical items, and an original two-horse covered wagon that traveled to the Derby area from North Carolina in the 1860s.
* The Derby Skate Park.

Government

Derby operates under the mayor-council-manager form of government.

Education

The community is served by Derby USD 260 public school district.

Public schools:

* Derby High School
* Derby Middle School
* Derby North Middle School
* Cooper Elementary School
* Derby Hills Elementary School
* El Paso Elementary School
* Oaklawn Elementary School
* Park Hill Elementary School
* Pleasantview Elementary School
* Swaney Elementary School
* Tanglewood Elementary School
* Wineteer Elementary School
* Stone Creek Elementary School

Private Schools:
* St. Mary Catholic School (pre-K through 8th grade)
* Faith Lutheran School (pre-K through 7th grade)

Media

The ''Derby Weekly Informer'' is a local newspaper.

Radio stations KZCH, and television station KDCU-DT, are licenced to Derby, and broadcast from Wichita.

Infrastructure

The Derby Dash provides point-to-point bus transportation to residents within city limits.

Notable people

* Woody Austin, pro golfer
* Billy Campfield, football running back
* Caitlynn French, voice actress
* Jason Gamble, football offensive guard
* Sherrone Moore, football coach
* Nick Reid, football linebacker
* David Rickels, mixed martial artist
* Grant Snider, cartoonist
* George Teague, football safety

References

Further reading

* ''Pioneers believed that El Paso (Derby) would outgrow Wichita''; Wichita Beacon; June 24, 1956.

External links

*

Derby - Directory of Public Officials

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Cities in Kansas
Cities in Sedgwick County, Kansas
Wichita, KS Metropolitan Statistical Area
Populated places established in 1871
1871 establishments in Kansas
Kansas populated places on the Arkansas River