History
In 1882, a post office was established near the center of Thomas County. Area homesteaders lived under harsh conditions in sod houses, creating demand for a town to provide lumber and other provisions to incoming settlers. J.R. Colby, a local land assessor and preacher, obtained a patent to establish the town in April 1884, and land was acquired for the town site three miles north of the post office in March 1885. The following month, the Kansas Secretary of State issued the Town Charter. Kansas Gov. John Martin named Colby the county seat in 1885, and the city was incorporated in 1886. The Union Pacific Railroad reached the city in 1887, and the Rock Island Railroad followed the next year.[5]
In 1941 the St. Thomas Hospital was built as part of the Works Progress Administration plan to build hospitals. This was one of 130 new hospitals to be built with these funds, it was one of two built in Kansas alone. Within the last couple of years, it was renovated to apartments under the name St. Thomas Historic Residences.
[6]
Interstate 70 reached Colby in 1965, stimulating the growth of a local hospitality industry.[7]
Geography
Colby lies on the south side of Prairie Dog Creek, a tributary of the Republican River, in the High Plains region of the Great Plains.[8] A small tributary of the creek flows northeast through the town.[9] Located at the interchange of Interstate 70 and K-25 in northwestern Kansas, Colby is 212 mi (341 km) east-southeast of Denver, 232 mi (373 km) northwest of Wichita, and 347 mi (558 km) west of Kansas City.[8][10]
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 3.38 square miles (8.75 km2), all land.[11]
Climate
Colby has a transitional climate between a humid continental climate (Köppen Dfa) and a semiarid climate (Köppen BSk) with hot summers and cold, dry winters. The hottest temperature recorded in Colby was 113 °F (45.0 °C) on July 25, 1940 and 28, June 2012, while the coldest temperature recorded was −32 °F (−35.6 °C) on December 22, 1989.[12]
| Climate data for Colby, Kansas, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1893–present
|
| Month
|
Jan
|
Feb
|
Mar
|
Apr
|
May
|
Jun
|
Jul
|
Aug
|
Sep
|
Oct
|
Nov
|
Dec
|
Year
|
| Record high °F (°C)
|
83
(28)
|
85
(29)
|
94
(34)
|
98
(37)
|
103
(39)
|
113
(45)
|
113
(45)
|
110
(43)
|
108
(42)
|
97
(36)
|
91
(33)
|
83
(28)
|
113
(45)
|
| Mean maximum °F (°C)
|
67.0
(19.4)
|
71.4
(21.9)
|
81.8
(27.7)
|
87.7
(30.9)
|
94.2
(34.6)
|
101.4
(38.6)
|
102.8
(39.3)
|
100.6
(38.1)
|
97.3
(36.3)
|
91.1
(32.8)
|
77.6
(25.3)
|
67.7
(19.8)
|
104.4
(40.2)
|
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C)
|
43.0
(6.1)
|
45.7
(7.6)
|
56.2
(13.4)
|
64.7
(18.2)
|
74.3
(23.5)
|
86.4
(30.2)
|
91.0
(32.8)
|
88.4
(31.3)
|
81.3
(27.4)
|
68.3
(20.2)
|
54.3
(12.4)
|
44.1
(6.7)
|
66.5
(19.2)
|
| Daily mean °F (°C)
|
29.0
(−1.7)
|
31.6
(−0.2)
|
40.8
(4.9)
|
49.5
(9.7)
|
60.1
(15.6)
|
71.8
(22.1)
|
76.7
(24.8)
|
74.1
(23.4)
|
65.8
(18.8)
|
52.2
(11.2)
|
39.5
(4.2)
|
30.2
(−1.0)
|
51.8
(11.0)
|
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C)
|
15.1
(−9.4)
|
17.4
(−8.1)
|
25.5
(−3.6)
|
34.4
(1.3)
|
45.9
(7.7)
|
57.2
(14.0)
|
62.3
(16.8)
|
59.8
(15.4)
|
50.3
(10.2)
|
36.2
(2.3)
|
24.7
(−4.1)
|
16.4
(−8.7)
|
37.1
(2.8)
|
| Mean minimum °F (°C)
|
−3.8
(−19.9)
|
−0.7
(−18.2)
|
6.8
(−14.0)
|
18.5
(−7.5)
|
30.3
(−0.9)
|
43.5
(6.4)
|
51.8
(11.0)
|
49.6
(9.8)
|
35.4
(1.9)
|
19.7
(−6.8)
|
7.7
(−13.5)
|
−2.3
(−19.1)
|
−9.4
(−23.0)
|
| Record low °F (°C)
|
−28
(−33)
|
−31
(−35)
|
−22
(−30)
|
−1
(−18)
|
17
(−8)
|
33
(1)
|
38
(3)
|
39
(4)
|
21
(−6)
|
1
(−17)
|
−11
(−24)
|
−32
(−36)
|
−32
(−36)
|
| Average precipitation inches (mm)
|
0.41
(10)
|
0.56
(14)
|
0.92
(23)
|
1.97
(50)
|
2.92
(74)
|
2.62
(67)
|
3.81
(97)
|
3.04
(77)
|
1.44
(37)
|
1.56
(40)
|
0.63
(16)
|
0.51
(13)
|
20.39
(518)
|
| Average snowfall inches (cm)
|
5.1
(13)
|
5.8
(15)
|
4.2
(11)
|
2.2
(5.6)
|
0.7
(1.8)
|
0.0
(0.0)
|
0.0
(0.0)
|
0.0
(0.0)
|
0.2
(0.51)
|
1.6
(4.1)
|
3.5
(8.9)
|
3.9
(9.9)
|
27.2
(69.81)
|
| Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in)
|
3.0
|
4.1
|
4.9
|
6.8
|
10.3
|
8.6
|
9.3
|
8.3
|
5.5
|
5.8
|
3.7
|
3.2
|
73.5
|
| Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 in)
|
2.7
|
3.3
|
2.1
|
1.2
|
0.1
|
0.0
|
0.0
|
0.0
|
0.0
|
0.7
|
1.9
|
2.6
|
14.6
|
| Source: NOAA[13][12][14]
|
Demographics
Historical population
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|
| 1890 | 516 | | — |
|---|
| 1900 | 641 | | 24.2% |
|---|
| 1910 | 1,130 | | 76.3% |
|---|
| 1920 | 1,114 | | −1.4% |
|---|
| 1930 | 2,153 | | 93.3% |
|---|
| 1940 | 2,458 | | 14.2% |
|---|
| 1950 | 3,859 | | 57.0% |
|---|
| 1960 | 4,210 | | 9.1% |
|---|
| 1970 | 4,658 | | 10.6% |
|---|
| 1980 | 5,544 | | 19.0% |
|---|
| 1990 | 5,396 | | −2.7% |
|---|
| 2000 | 5,450 | | 1.0% |
|---|
| 2010 | 5,387 | | −1.2% |
|---|
| 2020 | 5,570 | | 3.4% |
|---|
|
2020 census
The 2020 United States census counted 5,570 people, 2,199 households, and 1,331 families in Colby.[15][16] The population density was 1,555.4 per square mile (600.6/km2). There were 2,496 housing units at an average density of 697.0 per square mile (269.1/km2).[16][17] The racial makeup was 88.73% (4,942) white or European American (86.32% non-Hispanic white), 1.76% (98) black or African-American, 0.79% (44) Native American or Alaska Native, 0.61% (34) Asian, 0.0% (0) Pacific Islander or Native Hawaiian, 2.39% (133) from other races, and 5.73% (319) from two or more races.[18] Hispanic or Latino of any race was 8.11% (452) of the population.[19]
Of the 2,199 households, 29.7% had children under the age of 18; 45.5% were married couples living together; 27.8% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. 32.9% of households consisted of individuals and 12.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[16] The average household size was 2.2 and the average family size was 2.7.[20] The percent of those with a bachelor’s degree or higher was estimated to be 14.2% of the population.[21]
23.4% of the population was under the age of 18, 13.8% from 18 to 24, 24.4% from 25 to 44, 21.7% from 45 to 64, and 16.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34.6 years. For every 100 females, there were 108.5 males.[16] For every 100 females ages 18 and older, there were 113.4 males.[16]
The 2016-2020 5-year American Community Survey estimates show that the median household income was $62,001 (with a margin of error of +/- $7,250) and the median family income was $74,980 (+/- $13,070).[22] Males had a median income of $45,696 (+/- $10,972) versus $28,368 (+/- $5,092) for females. The median income for those above 16 years old was $32,780 (+/- $3,641).[23] Approximately, 6.3% of families and 7.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.4% of those under the age of 18 and 10.3% of those ages 65 or over.[24][25]
2010 census
As of the census[26] of 2010, there were 5,387 people, 2,211 households, and 1,320 families residing in the city.[27] The population density was 1,593.8 inhabitants per square mile (615.4/km2). There were 2,423 housing units at an average density of 716.9 per square mile (276.8/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 95.7% White, 0.7% African American, 0.4% Native American, 0.6% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 1.3% from other races, and 1.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.0% of the population.
There were 2,211 households, of which 28.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.0% were married couples living together, 9.2% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.5% had a male householder with no wife present, and 40.3% were non-families. 33.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.28 and the average family size was 2.89.
The median age in the city was 34.5 years. 22.2% of residents were under the age of 18; 16.3% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 21.5% were from 25 to 44; 24.2% were from 45 to 64; and 15.7% 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[28] of 2000, there were 5,450 people, 2,223 households, and 1,367 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,632.8 inhabitants per square mile (630.4/km2). There were 2,405 housing units at an average density of 720.5 per square mile (278.2/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 96.73% White, 0.64% African American, 0.39% Native American, 0.39% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 1.01% from other races, and 0.83% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.98% of the population.
There were 2,223 households, out of which 30.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.3% were married couples living together, 8.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.5% were non-families. 31.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.33 and the average family size was 2.96.
In the city, the population was spread out, with 24.1% under the age of 18, 16.4% from 18 to 24, 24.3% from 25 to 44, 19.7% from 45 to 64, and 15.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 88.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.6 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $34,615, and the median income for a family was $45,127. Males had a median income of $34,097 versus $21,706 for females. The per capita income for the city was $18,872. About 8.1% of families and 12.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.3% of those under age 18 and 9.2% of those age 65 or over.
Government
Colby has a mayor-council form of government. Elected at-large, the mayor presides over the city council and has final approval over ordinances the council passes. The mayor shares responsibility for setting policy and approving the city budget with the council. With the council's consent, the mayor appoints all members of the city boards and, if necessary, serves as the tie-breaking vote on council business. The city council consists of eight members elected by ward every four years. The city manager is hired by the council and is responsible for preparing the budget, administering day-to-day operations, and managing city government personnel.[29]
Points of interest
The Prairie Museum of Art and History, 1905 S. Franklin St., serves as a cultural center. The museum is a private, nonprofit museum governed by the Thomas County Historical Society. The Society was founded in 1959 to preserve the history of Thomas County, Kansas. The museum occupies a 24-acre (97,000 m2) site just north of Interstate 70, between exits 53 and 54.[39] The Cooper Barn located at the museum complex is known as the "Largest Barn in Kansas."[40]
Thomas County Courthouse which was constructed in 1907 by local firms Holland, JC & Squires, Frank, Crosby, and L. & Son. It is currently listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is at 300 N. Court in Colby.[41] Other city buildings joining the courthouse on the National Register of Historic Places include the Colby Community High School at 750 West 3rd St. (which is now used as an elementary/junior high school), and the art-deco sand-colored Colby City Hall, which was built in the 1920s by the architecture firm Suite & Blanchard. Throughout its 80-year history, the city hall has served as a correctional facility, fire station, library and meeting hall.[41]
Another feature of Colby is Villa High Lake. The city-made reservoir is situated on the South Side of Villa High Park, which was created in the 1960s by the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks. The park has playground equipment, picnic shelters, disc golf, and fishing.[42]
Fike Park is located just north of City Hall at the intersection of Franklin Avenue and Eighth Street. The park area was formerly known as Carp Lake. The park has gazebos, a volleyball area, horseshoe pitching pits, and tennis courts. In 1998 and 1999, over $100,000 was raised by civic groups and parents, with assistance from the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks and the City of Colby, for new playground equipment. In 2000, the tennis courts in this area were replaced and are used by Colby Community College and Unified School District #315. Colby Swimming Pool was located just south of the park, but has since been converted into a parking lot.[citation needed]
Pioneer Memorial Library is at 375 W. 4th St., named in honor of the pioneers who built the community.[43]
Colby Aquatic Park was opened in 2012 at 1610 S. Franklin, featuring a lazy river, lap pool, water slides and curly slides.[44]
The Colby Event Center opened in July 2021. The facility features two gyms, meeting room space and indoor playground. The Event Center is home to all Colby High School and Colby Community College basketball and volleyball games.[45]
