Kansas

Rawlins

2,561
2020 population
1880
first census record
15
census records

About Rawlins

Rawlins, Kansas, first appears in the United States federal census in 1880, when it recorded a population of 1,623. At the most recent census, in 2020, its population stood at 2,561.

Its recorded population peaked at 7,362 in 1930, and has since declined by roughly 65 percent.

On the ground today, 5 documented military engagements have been recorded within the county, among them Battle of Beaver Creek 1867, Battle of the Republican River — Forsyth vs Dog Soldiers (September 1868), Republican River Expedition — Spring 1869 Engagements, and 3 places are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Population by decade

Census YearPopulationChart
20202,561
20102,519
20002,966
19903,404
19804,105
19704,393
19605,279
19505,728
19406,618
19307,362
19206,799
19106,380
19005,241
18906,756
18801,623
Source

Population data from the United States decennial census, U.S. Census Bureau (public domain).

Battles & engagements in Rawlins

Military engagements that took place in Rawlins, Kansas.

Battle of Beaver Creek 1867
1867
Battle of the Republican River — Forsyth vs Dog Soldiers (September 1868)
1868
Republican River Expedition — Spring 1869 Engagements
1869
Battle of Sappa Creek (Kansas)
1875
Battle of Sappa Creek (April 23, 1875)
1875

Historic places in Rawlins

National Register of Historic Places listings in Rawlins, Kansas.

Minor Sod House
McDonald
Shirley Opera House
Atwood
Browse all Kansashistoric sites ›

Other counties in Kansas

Explore census history and historic records for more Kansas counties.

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Everything a full report reveals about Rawlins County, Kansas

This page charts the census history of Rawlins County, Kansas. A full Aubrey report for an address here pulls together everything the historical record holds about the ground, from the earliest settlement to the twentieth century:

Overview
An interactive map of the location with historic sites, battles and Native heritage plotted, and its full story era by era.
The Land
The historic sites and place names around the location, and how this land was settled and used.
Geology
The bedrock beneath the site, its age and rock type, reaching back millions of years.
LiDAR Terrain
Laser-scanned terrain that reveals earthworks and old features hidden in the landscape.
Conflict & War
The battles, raids and skirmishes fought near here, across every era of American conflict.
The Civil War
The Civil War on this ground, 1861 to 1865: who held it, and the battles, camps and regiments nearby.
The Soldiers
The men who marched from here in the Civil War, named and traced where the record allows.
Native Heritage
The Native nations who held this land, mapped across time from before European contact to today.
Settlement
Who claimed and held this ground, from Indigenous homelands through the colonial powers to the United States.
The Community
How the town grew, who came, and what kind of place it became, traced through the census record.
Rivers & Rail
The rivers, canals and railroads that connected this place between 1830 and 1911.
Notable People
The people born, buried or genuinely tied to this exact place, with their stories.
Historical Maps
Historic maps of the location layered over how it looks today.
Finds & Access
Museum objects tied to the area, and the laws on searching, collecting and access here.
Literature
The old books, county histories and archives that mention this place, quoted with their sources.
Spotlight
A deep dive into the most remarkable, lesser-known history of the place, traced back to the record.
Points of Interest
The most significant historic sites and landmarks near the location, and why they matter.
Timeline
The whole story of the location told era by era, from first peoples to the present day.
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Frequently asked about Rawlins

When does Rawlins first appear in the US census?
Rawlins, Kansas first appears in the federal census in 1880, with a recorded population of 1,623.
What is the population of Rawlins?
At the most recent federal census (2020), Rawlins had a recorded population of 2,561.
When did Rawlins's population peak?
Rawlins's recorded population peaked at 7,362 in 1930.
Were any battles fought in Rawlins?
5 documented military engagements took place in Rawlins, including Battle of Beaver Creek 1867, Battle of the Republican River — Forsyth vs Dog Soldiers (September 1868), Republican River Expedition — Spring 1869 Engagements.
How many historic places are in Rawlins?
3 sites are listed on the National Register of Historic Places in Rawlins, Kansas.
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