For millennia, the land now known as Kansas was inhabited by Native Americans.
Although Coronado's exact route across the plains is uncertain and has been widely disputed, his men and he are thought to have camped near the present location of Lyons on their quest for Quivira, a Native American place that Indians to the southwest had told them was fabulously wealthy in gold.
West of Lyons is a cross commemorating Juan de Padilla, a member of Coronado's expedition, who returned the following year as a missionary. He was killed in 1542 by Native Americans after establishing a church in the area, and is considered the first Christianmartyr in North America.[4]
Of the 1,462 households, 33.7% had children under the age of 18; 47.2% were married couples living together; 26.7% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. 30.3% of households consisted of individuals and 14.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[17] The average household size was 2.2 and the average family size was 2.7.[21] The percent of those with a bachelor’s degree or higher was estimated to be 9.8% of the population.[22]
25.4% of the population was under the age of 18, 7.8% from 18 to 24, 24.2% from 25 to 44, 23.4% from 45 to 64, and 19.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38.1 years. For every 100 females, there were 102.8 males.[17] For every 100 females ages 18 and older, there were 107.6 males.[17]
The 2016-2020 5-year American Community Survey estimates show that the median household income was $49,448 (with a margin of error of +/- $7,166) and the median family income was $59,300 (+/- $2,547).[23] Males had a median income of $45,171 (+/- $7,807) versus $23,971 (+/- $8,357) for females. The median income for those above 16 years old was $35,827 (+/- $4,782).[24] Approximately, 6.0% of families and 13.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.6% of those under the age of 18 and 14.8% of those ages 65 or over.[25][26]
2010 census
As of the census[27] of 2010, there were 3,739 people, 1,503 households, and 952 families living in the city. The population density was 1,584.3 inhabitants per square mile (611.7/km2). There were 1,716 housing units at an average density of 727.1 per square mile (280.7/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 85.7% White, 1.3% African American, 0.9% Native American, 0.4% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 7.9% from other races, and 3.8% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 20.3% of the population.
There were 1,503 households, of which 31.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.0% were married couples living together, 8.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.7% had a male householder with no wife present, and 36.7% were non-families. 32.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 3.04.
The median age in the city was 38.2 years. 25.8% of residents were under the age of 18; 9.1% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 22.5% were from 25 to 44; 23.8% were from 45 to 64; and 18.9% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 49.0% male and 51.0% female.
2000 census
As of the census[28] of 2000, there were 3,732 people, 1,546 households, and 1,032 families living in the city. The population density was 1,732.5 inhabitants per square mile (668.9/km2). There were 1,738 housing units at an average density of 806.8 per square mile (311.5/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 91.16% White, 1.96% African American, 0.75% Native American, 0.32% Asian, 0.11% Pacific Islander, 3.75% from other races, and 1.96% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 12.03% of the population.
There were 1,546 households, out of which 31.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.3% were married couples living together, 8.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.2% were non-families. 30.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 18.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 2.96.
In the city, the population was spread out, with 26.5% under the age of 18, 7.9% from 18 to 24, 24.7% from 25 to 44, 20.9% from 45 to 64, and 19.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.4 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $32,945, and the median income for a family was $39,639. Males had a median income of $30,765 versus $17,778 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,206. About 9.1% of families and 11.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.0% of those under age 18 and 8.1% of those age 65 or over.
Economics
Lyons Salt Company and Compass Minerals is located on the southeast side of Lyons.
Education
The community is served by Lyons USD 405 public school district.
Notable people
Notable individuals who were born in and/or have lived in Lyons include:
^Engelhardt, p. 14: "...[in] 1542, three Friars Minor were martyred in New Mexico as victims of their zeal for the Christian Faith. They were Fr. Juan de Padilla, Fr. Juan de la Cruz, and Brother Luis de Ubeda or Escalona.
