# Caney, Kansas

Caney is a city in Montgomery County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2020 census, the population of the city was 1,788.

## History

Caney was founded in 1869. It was named from the Caney River. The first post office in Caney was established in May 1870.
In 1887, the Missouri Pacific railroad was built through Caney, and in that same year, the town was incorporated. By 1905 the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway had also built through Caney. The two railroads served the city for much of the 19th century. Today only the former ATSF tracks remain, currently operated by the South Kansas and Oklahoma Railroad.
Caney has long been associated with the petroleum industry in Kansas. In 1906, a major gas well fire took place in this area. In 1909, Caney became the site of the original Kanotex Refining Company. Currently, CVR Energy's pipeline system can transport up to 145,000 barrels/day of crude oil from Caney to that company's refinery in Coffeyville, Kansas.
   Caney Kansas: "A March attempt to cover the huge burning gas well six miles from here with a great iron hood upon which a week of preparation had been spent was made last night and failed. The hood with its attached pipes and weights weighing more than 35 tons was thrust aside, bent and broken by the mighty rush of gas and flames. The cap was placed partly over the stream of fire only after strenuous efforts and at great hardship to the men, the intensity from the heat slowing the effort; the gas spouted from the well with renewed force expelling rocks and shooting a flame over 150 feet into the air. Several thousand spectators drawn by the unusual spectacle came to Caney from all directions, the railways running in excursion trains. The well has now been burning for 15 days and millions of feet of gas have been burned."

## Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.35 square miles (3.50 km$^2$), all of it 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, Caney has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.

## Demographics
### 2020 census

The 2020 United States census counted 1,788 people, 761 households, and 452 families in Caney. The population density was 1,322.5 per square mile (510.6/km$^2$). There were 928 housing units at an average density of 686.4 per square mile (265.0/km$^2$). The racial makeup was 79.53% (1,422) white or European American (78.02% non-Hispanic white), 0.28% (5) black or African-American, 4.98% (89) Native American or Alaska Native, 0.5% (9) Asian, 0.22% (4) Pacific Islander or Native Hawaiian, 1.73% (31) from other races, and 12.75% (228) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race was 4.64% (83) of the population.
Of the 761 households, 28.5% had children under the age of 18; 39.9% were married couples living together; 32.1% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. 35.1% of households consisted of individuals and 19.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.2 and the average family size was 2.8. The percent of those with a bachelor’s degree or higher was estimated to be 7.7% of the population.
26.3% of the population was under the age of 18, 6.7% from 18 to 24, 25.1% from 25 to 44, 23.8% from 45 to 64, and 18.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39.1 years. For every 100 females, there were 104.1 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older, there were 111.7 males.
The 2016-2020 5-year American Community Survey estimates show that the median household income was $38,056 (with a margin of error of +/- $8,864) and the median family income was $55,391 (+/- $7,385). Males had a median income of $38,281 (+/- $7,347) versus $22,321 (+/- $7,991) for females. The median income for those above 16 years old was $30,484 (+/- $5,669). Approximately, 13.3% of families and 14.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 23.5% of those under the age of 18 and 6.6% of those ages 65 or over.

### 2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 2,203 people, 866 households, and 574 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,631.9 inhabitants per square mile (630.1/km$^2$). There were 1,020 housing units at an average density of 755.6 per square mile (291.7/km$^2$). The racial makeup of the city was 86.2% White, 0.7% African American, 5.8% Native American, 0.2% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 0.9% from other races, and 6.0% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.1% of the population.
There were 866 households, of which 36.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.2% were married couples living together, 12.8% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.3% had a male householder with no wife present, and 33.7% were non-families. 30.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.48 and the average family size was 3.05.
The median age in the city was 35.9 years. 25.8% of residents were under the age of 18; 9.7% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 24.5% were from 25 to 44; 24.3% were from 45 to 64; and 15.8% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.3% male and 51.7% female.

### 2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 2,092 people, 850 households, and 574 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,738.0 inhabitants per square mile (671.0/km$^2$). There were 992 housing units at an average density of 824.2 per square mile (318.2/km$^2$). The racial makeup of the city was 90.44% White, 0.19% African American, 5.59% Native American, 0.10% Asian, 1.39% from other races, and 2.29% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.01% of the population.
There were 850 households, out of which 35.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.8% were married couples living together, 11.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.4% were non-families. 30.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 3.03.
In the city, the population was spread out, with 28.6% under the age of 18, 7.0% from 18 to 24, 27.4% from 25 to 44, 19.8% from 45 to 64, and 17.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 87.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.1 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $31,316, and the median income for a family was $40,000. Males had a median income of $29,833 versus $22,917 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,578. About 6.1% of families and 11.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.5% of those under age 18 and 10.1% of those age 65 or over.

## Area events

Mayfest is a yearly gathering to celebrate School Alumni and the town's festivities along with the Fourth & Live Concert Series
The Caney Safari Zoological Park is a zoo that has many endangered animals.

## Education

The community is served by Caney Valley USD 436 public school district.

## Notable people

* Clancy Hayes, jazz musician
* Kenneth McFarland, educator and superintendent of schools for Topeka at the time of Brown v. Board of Education
* Glenn Shafer, statistician, co-developer of the Dempster-Shafer Theory
* Rosalie Wahl, former associate justice of the Minnesota Supreme Court