# Larned, Kansas

Larned is a city in and the county seat of Pawnee County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2020 census, the population of the city was 3,769.

## History

Larned was laid out in 1873. The first post office was established at Larned in 1872.
The city drew its name from nearby Fort Larned, which operated from 1859 to 1878 and was named for Colonel Benjamin F. Larned, U.S. Army Paymaster from July 1854 to his death on September 6, 1862.

## Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 2.39 square miles (6.19 km$^2$), all land.

### 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, Larned has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.
Climate data for Larned, Kansas, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1904–present :
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °F (°C) | 82 (28) | 89 (32) | 97 (36) | 101 (38) | 104 (40) | 112 (44) | 114 (46) | 114 (46) | 108 (42) | 99 (37) | 90 (32) | 82 (28) | 114 (46) |
| Mean maximum °F (°C) | 68.8 (20.4) | 74.4 (23.6) | 82.3 (27.9) | 89.9 (32.2) | 95.0 (35.0) | 100.3 (37.9) | 104.2 (40.1) | 102.4 (39.1) | 99.2 (37.3) | 91.2 (32.9) | 78.1 (25.6) | 66.9 (19.4) | 105.4 (40.8) |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 43.9 (6.6) | 47.3 (8.5) | 57.5 (14.2) | 66.5 (19.2) | 75.8 (24.3) | 85.9 (29.9) | 91.1 (32.8) | 89.6 (32.0) | 82.4 (28.0) | 69.3 (20.7) | 55.6 (13.1) | 44.5 (6.9) | 67.5 (19.7) |
| Daily mean °F (°C) | 32.4 (0.2) | 35.6 (2.0) | 45.3 (7.4) | 53.5 (11.9) | 63.9 (17.7) | 74.4 (23.6) | 79.3 (26.3) | 77.7 (25.4) | 70.0 (21.1) | 57.0 (13.9) | 43.8 (6.6) | 34.2 (1.2) | 55.6 (13.1) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 20.9 (−6.2) | 23.9 (−4.5) | 33.1 (0.6) | 40.4 (4.7) | 52.0 (11.1) | 62.8 (17.1) | 67.4 (19.7) | 65.7 (18.7) | 57.6 (14.2) | 44.7 (7.1) | 32.0 (0.0) | 23.9 (−4.5) | 43.7 (6.5) |
| Mean minimum °F (°C) | 3.3 (−15.9) | 6.4 (−14.2) | 14.3 (−9.8) | 26.4 (−3.1) | 37.5 (3.1) | 51.6 (10.9) | 58.2 (14.6) | 55.7 (13.2) | 42.6 (5.9) | 27.3 (−2.6) | 15.0 (−9.4) | 7.1 (−13.8) | −1.1 (−18.4) |
| Record low °F (°C) | −22 (−30) | −24 (−31) | −20 (−29) | 10 (−12) | 16 (−9) | 38 (3) | 44 (7) | 39 (4) | 26 (−3) | 13 (−11) | −4 (−20) | −22 (−30) | −24 (−31) |
| Average precipitation inches (mm) | 0.67 (17) | 0.93 (24) | 1.74 (44) | 2.20 (56) | 4.11 (104) | 4.21 (107) | 3.88 (99) | 3.61 (92) | 1.82 (46) | 2.08 (53) | 0.99 (25) | 1.00 (25) | 27.24 (692) |
| Average snowfall inches (cm) | 5.1 (13) | 2.8 (7.1) | 2.7 (6.9) | 0.6 (1.5) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.1 (0.25) | 0.3 (0.76) | 3.1 (7.9) | 14.7 (37.41) |
| Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in) | 2.7 | 3.1 | 4.9 | 5.8 | 7.6 | 7.1 | 7.7 | 6.7 | 4.3 | 4.8 | 3.3 | 3.2 | 61.2 |
| Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 in) | 1.6 | 1.4 | 1.0 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.2 | 1.7 | 6.2 |
| Source: NOAA (snow/snow days 1981–2010) ||||||||||||||

## Demographics
### 2020 census

The 2020 United States census counted 3,769 people, 1,704 households, and 919 families in Larned. The population density was 1,563.9 per square mile (603.8/km$^2$). There were 2,101 housing units at an average density of 871.8 per square mile (336.6/km$^2$). The racial makeup was 85.83% (3,235) white or European American (83.15% non-Hispanic white), 2.41% (91) black or African-American, 0.58% (22) Native American or Alaska Native, 0.42% (16) Asian, 0.05% (2) Pacific Islander or Native Hawaiian, 1.72% (65) from other races, and 8.97% (338) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race was 8.49% (320) of the population.
Of the 1,704 households, 26.3% had children under the age of 18; 39.2% were married couples living together; 31.9% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. 39.0% of households consisted of individuals and 19.8% 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 16.6% of the population.
23.1% of the population was under the age of 18, 7.7% from 18 to 24, 21.8% from 25 to 44, 24.6% from 45 to 64, and 22.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42.6 years. For every 100 females, there were 105.3 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older, there were 110.2 males.
The 2016-2020 5-year American Community Survey estimates show that the median household income was $42,378 (with a margin of error of +/- $5,059) and the median family income was $54,570 (+/- $15,872). Males had a median income of $33,750 (+/- $9,271) versus $26,887 (+/- $4,236) for females. The median income for those above 16 years old was $30,481 (+/- $4,739). Approximately, 1.9% of families and 9.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.8% of those under the age of 18 and 8.8% of those ages 65 or over.

### 2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 4,054 people, 1,824 households, and 1,027 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,696.2 inhabitants per square mile (654.9/km$^2$). There were 2,130 housing units at an average density of 891.2 per square mile (344.1/km$^2$). The racial makeup of the city was 92.2% White, 2.7% African American, 0.4% Native American, 0.6% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 1.4% from other races, and 2.6% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 7.0% of the population.
There were 1,824 households, of which 27.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.1% were married couples living together, 10.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.7% had a male householder with no wife present, and 43.7% were non-families. 39.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 18.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.18 and the average family size was 2.89.
The median age in the city was 42.7 years. 23.9% of residents were under the age of 18; 6.8% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 21.9% were from 25 to 44; 27.9% were from 45 to 64; and 19.7% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.0% male and 52.0% female.

### 2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 4,236 people, 1,826 households, and 1,113 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,823.4 inhabitants per square mile (704.0/km$^2$). There were 2,079 housing units at an average density of 894.9 per square mile (345.5/km$^2$). The racial makeup of the city was 90.91% White, 3.75% African American, 0.97% Native American, 0.76% Asian, 1.77% from other races, and 1.84% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.38% of the population.
There were 1,826 households, out of which 27.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.6% were married couples living together, 9.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.0% were non-families. 36.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.20 and the average family size was 2.87.
In the city, the population was spread out, with 23.5% under the age of 18, 6.4% from 18 to 24, 23.3% from 25 to 44, 24.6% from 45 to 64, and 22.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.3 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $33,895, and the median income for a family was $46,776. Males had a median income of $27,138 versus $20,927 for females. The per capita income for the city was $19,936. About 5.9% of families and 7.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.1% of those under age 18 and 10.8% of those age 65 or over.

## Education

The community is served by Fort Larned USD 495 public school district.

## Media

The local newspaper is Larned Tiller & Toiler.

## Economy

* USD 495, local school district
* Larned State Hospital, west of Larned
* Larned Correctional Mental Health Facility, west of Larned

## Area attractions

* Santa Fe Trail Center, 1349 K-156 Hwy, museum devoted to the history of the Santa Fe Trail.
* Fort Larned National Historic Site, located approximately 5.5 miles (8.9 km) west of the city of Larned.

## Notable people

* Belle Jennings Benchley, "the Zoo lady", former director of the San Diego Zoo
* Gene Keady, current Big Ten sportscaster, former head coach for the Purdue Boilermakers men's basketball team
* Hal Patterson, former professional football player and member of the Canadian Football Hall of Fame
* Glee S. Smith, Jr., former Kansas state legislator and lawyer
* Ralph Terry, retired New York Yankees pitcher, 2× All-Star (1961, 1962), 2× World Series champion (1961, 1962), World Series MVP (1962), AL wins leader (1962), former professional golfer in retirement
* Mitch Webster, retired Major League Baseball outfielder
* John Zook, former football player, all-state, all Big 8 (University of Kansas), and all-pro NFL player