Otis, Kansas

Otis, Kansas
City
Location within Rush County and Kansas
KDOT map of Rush County (legend)
Coordinates: 38°32′6″N 99°3′8″W / 38.53500°N 99.05222°W / 38.53500; -99.05222Coordinates: 38°32′6″N 99°3′8″W / 38.53500°N 99.05222°W / 38.53500; -99.05222[1]
Country	United States
State	Kansas
County	Rush
Founded	1886
Incorporated	1911
Named for	Otis Modderwell
Area [2]
• Total	0.31 sq mi (0.81 km2)
• Land	0.31 sq mi (0.81 km2)
• Water	0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation [1]	2,038 ft (621 m)
Population  (2020)[3]
• Total	296
• Density	950/sq mi (370/km2)
Time zone	UTC-6 (CST)
• Summer (DST)	UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code	67565
Area code	785
FIPS code	20-53525 [1]
GNIS ID	475495 [1]

Otis is a city in Rush County, Kansas, United States.^[1] As of the 2020 census, the population of the city was 296.^[3]

History[]

Otis was founded in 1886, and named for the founder's son, Otis Modderwell.^[4][5]

The first post office in Otis was established in August 1887.^[6]

Geography[]

Otis is located at

38°32′6″N 99°3′8″W / 38.53500°N 99.05222°W / 38.53500; -99.05222 (38.534933, -99.052088).^[7] According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 0.30 square miles (0.78 km²), all of it land.^[8]

Demographics[]

Historical population
Census	Pop.		%±
1920	505		—
1930	407		−19.4%
1940	413		1.5%
1950	410		−0.7%
1960	362		−11.7%
1970	387		6.9%
1980	410		5.9%
1990	385		−6.1%
2000	325		−15.6%
2010	282		−13.2%
2020	296		5.0%
U.S. Decennial Census

2010 census[]

As of the census^[9] of 2010, there were 282 people, 146 households, and 84 families residing in the city. The population density was 940.0 inhabitants per square mile (362.9/km²). There were 169 housing units at an average density of 563.3 per square mile (217.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 96.1% White, 0.4% African American, 0.7% Native American, 0.4% Asian, 0.7% from other races, and 1.8% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.5% of the population.

There were 146 households, of which 15.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.6% were married couples living together, 6.2% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.8% had a male householder with no wife present, and 42.5% were non-families. 40.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 19.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.93 and the average family size was 2.56.

The median age in the city was 52.7 years. 16% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.1% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 14.2% were from 25 to 44; 37.2% were from 45 to 64; and 24.5% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 51.4% male and 48.6% female.

2000 census[]

As of the census^[10] of 2000, there were 325 people, 148 households, and 92 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,080.3 people per square mile (418.3/km²). There were 170 housing units at an average density of 565.1 per square mile (218.8/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 98.77% White, 0.31% Native American, 0.31% Asian, and 0.62% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.85% of the population.

There were 148 households, out of which 30.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.0% were married couples living together, 6.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.8% were non-families. 35.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 22.3% 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 2.82.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 22.2% under the age of 18, 10.2% from 18 to 24, 21.8% from 25 to 44, 24.6% from 45 to 64, and 21.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.6 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $27,109, and the median income for a family was $35,625. Males had a median income of $26,875 versus $18,929 for females. The per capita income for the city was $14,290. About 4.5% of families and 6.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.3% of those under age 18 and 15.3% of those age 65 or over.

Industry[]

The Linde Group, based in Munich, Germany, operates the world's second largest helium production facility in Otis, producing nearly one-sixth of the global supply of the gas.^[11] The Otis facility supplies helium to the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, sending nearly 400,000 cubic feet (11,000 m³) in 2008 alone.^[12]

Education[]

The community is served by Otis–Bison USD 403 public school district. School unification consolidated Otis and Bison schools forming USD 403. The Otis-Bison High School mascot is Cougars.^[13]

Otis schools were closed through school unification. The Otis High School mascot was Eagles.^[14]

References[]

Further reading[]

External links[]

• Otis - Directory of Public Officials
• USD 403, local school district
• History of Cities in Rush County
• Otis Info, Legends of Kansas
• Rush County maps: Current, Historic, KDOT