Kansas

Wichita

2,152
2020 population
1880
first census record
15
census records

About Wichita

Wichita, Kansas, first appears in the United States federal census in 1880, when it recorded a population of 14. At the most recent census, in 2020, its population stood at 2,152.

Its recorded population peaked at 3,274 in 1970, and has since declined by roughly 34 percent.

On the ground today, one documented military engagement has been recorded within the county, among them Battle of Punished Woman's Fork (September 27, 1878), and 2 places are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Population by decade

Census YearPopulationChart
20202,152
20102,234
20002,531
19902,758
19803,041
19703,274
19602,765
19502,640
19402,185
19302,579
19201,856
19102,006
19001,197
18901,827
188014
Source

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

Battles & engagements in Wichita

Military engagements that took place in Wichita, Kansas.

Battle of Punished Woman's Fork (September 27, 1878)
1878

Historic places in Wichita

National Register of Historic Places listings in Wichita, Kansas.

Municipal Auditorium and City Hall
Leoti
Browse all Kansashistoric sites ›

Other counties in Kansas

Explore census history and historic records for more Kansas counties.

LincolnLinnLoganLyonMadisonMarionMarshallMcPhersonMeadeMiamiMitchellMontgomeryMorrisMortonNemahaNeoshoNessNortonOsageOsborne
Unlimited access

Everything a full report reveals about Wichita County, Kansas

This page charts the census history of Wichita 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.
First month just $5.99, then $11.99 a month. Unlimited locations, cancel anytime.

Every location is different. Not every section appears for every place, only what the historical record actually holds turns up in a report.

Start your Wichita County, Kansas report
Or see a real report first

Explore Kansas records

Kansashistory ›NRHP historic sites ›Notable people from Kansas›

Frequently asked about Wichita

When does Wichita first appear in the US census?
Wichita, Kansas first appears in the federal census in 1880, with a recorded population of 14.
What is the population of Wichita?
At the most recent federal census (2020), Wichita had a recorded population of 2,152.
When did Wichita's population peak?
Wichita's recorded population peaked at 3,274 in 1970.
Were any battles fought in Wichita?
1 documented military engagement took place in Wichita, including Battle of Punished Woman's Fork (September 27, 1878).
How many historic places are in Wichita?
2 sites are listed on the National Register of Historic Places in Wichita, Kansas.
Aubrey Research

Research the history of any US location

Aubrey searches federal archives, archaeological records, historic registers, and primary sources to build a full historical report for any address or place in the United States.

Research your locationView a free sample report