Lebanon, Kansas

Lebanon, Kansas
Lebanon is a city in Smith County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2020 census, the population of the city was 178.
History
Lebanon was founded in 1876 at a site about distant from its present site. It was moved to the new site in about 1887–1888. Lebanon is named after Lebanon, Kentucky.
In 1918, a scientific survey established the geographic center of the 48 contiguous US states about northwest of Lebanon, and a monument was subsequently erected at the site. The geographic center of all 50 of the US states is located near Belle Fourche, South Dakota.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all land. On February 13, 1905, the temperature fell to -40 °F (-40 °C), the lowest minimum temperature ever recorded in Kansas.
Area attractions
Geographic center of the contiguous United States
Kansas Historical Marker – The Geographic Center
Demographics
2020 census
The 2020 United States census counted 178 people, 120 households, and 77 families in Lebanon. The population density was . There were 183 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup was 93.26% (166) white, 1.69% (3) black or African-American, 0.56% (1) Native American, 0.0% (0) Asian, 0.0% (0) Pacific Islander, 0.0% (0) from other races, and 4.49% (8) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race was 8.0% (20) of the population.
Of the 120 households, 13.3% had children under the age of 18; 54.2% were married couples living together; 18.3% had a female householder with no husband present. 30.8% of households consisted of individuals and 12.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.1 and the average family size was 2.5.
20.8% of the population was under the age of 18, 6.7% from 18 to 24, 23.6% from 25 to 44, 50.6% from 45 to 64, and 38.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 52.9 years. For every 100 females, the population had 104.9 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older, there were 119.6 males.
The Census Bureau's 2020 5-year American Community Survey showed that the median household income was $33,333 (with a margin of error of +/- $9,864) and the median family income $46,250 (+/- $21,160). Males had a median income of $31,406 (+/- $9,257) versus $28,750 (+/- $4,818) for females. The median income for those above 16 years old was $30,313 (+/- $3,703). Approximately, 9.1% of families and 17.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 60.6% of those under the age of 18 and 7.2% of those ages 65 or over.
2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 218 people, 118 households, and 60 families residing in the city. The population density was . There were 183 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 95.9% White, 0.5% Native American, 0.5% Asian, and 3.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.2% of the population.
There were 118 households, of which 16.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.4% were married couples living together, 4.2% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.2% had a male householder with no wife present, and 49.2% were non-families. 46.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 22.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.85 and the average family size was 2.62.
The median age in the city was 51.3 years. 17.4% of residents were under 18; 2.8% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 14.8% were from 25 to 44; 40.8% were from 45 to 64; and 24.3% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.2% male and 51.8% female.
2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 303 people, 151 households, and 91 families residing in the city. The population density was . There were 204 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 99.01% White, 0.33% Native American, and 0.66% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.32% of the population.
There were 151 households, out of which 15.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.3% were married couples living together, 3.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.1% were non-families. 35.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 19.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.01 and the average family size was 2.57.
In the city, the population was spread out, with 15.8% under 18, 6.3% from 18 to 24, 21.5% from 25 to 44, 22.8% from 45 to 64, and 33.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 52 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 102.4 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $23,056, and the median income for a family was $28,846. Males had a median income of $22,750 versus $13,250 for females. The per capita income was $12,245. About 13.2% of families and 22.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 33.3% of those under the age of eighteen and 5.5% of those 65 or over.
Rural flight
On October 2, 2006, Lebanon was the focus of a study of rural flight, as local farmer Randall Warner was featured in a New York Times story about the problems faced by communities such as Lebanon.
Government
The Lebanon government consists of a mayor and five council members. The council meets the second Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m., at City Hall, 404 Main St.
Education
The community is served by Smith Center USD 237 public school district.
Lebanon schools were closed through school unification. The Lebanon Bronchos (or Broncos) won the Kansas State High School boys 1A basketball championship in 1977.
In popular culture
Books
Lebanon is featured as an important plot point in the Neil Gaimon fantasy book, American Gods.
Film
The documentary The Return of the Buffalo: Restoring the Great American Prairie details the story and history of Lebanon amongst other great plains villages.
Television
During Super Bowl LV, Jeep aired an ad featuring Bruce Springsteen lighting a candle at a chapel in Lebanon.
Lebanon is featured prominently in Seasons 8-15 of The CW's long-running fantasy series Supernatural, introduced as the location of a secret Men of Letters bunker that Sam and Dean Winchester begin using as their primary base of operations. It is implied that the bunker was built in Lebanon due to the town's proximity to the geographic center of the contiguous United States.
References
Further reading
External links
Lebanon - Directory of Public Officials
USD 237, local school district
Geographical Center of the Continental United States
An explanation of how the Geographical Center was identified
Lebanon city map, KDOT
Cities in Kansas
Cities in Smith County, Kansas
Populated places established in 1876
1876 establishments in Kansas