Clearwater, Kansas

Clearwater was first settled in 1870, then platted as a city in 1872.^[4] The community was named after the Ninnescah River that runs west and south of it. The name "Ninnescah" comes from the Osage Indian language, where "Ninne" means water and "scah" can mean clear, salt, spring, good, or white water.^[5] The first post office in Clearwater was established in 1871, and the name of the post office was officially spelled out Clear Water until 1894.^[6] The Chisholm Trail ran along the east side of the community from 1867 to 1871.^[7]

Clearwater is located just southwest of Wichita, Kansas at 37°30′20″N 97°30′5″W / 37.50556°N 97.50139°W / 37.50556; -97.50139 (37.505646, -97.501516).^[8] According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.87 square miles (4.84 km²), all of it land.^[9]

The 2020 United States census counted 2,653 people, 934 households, and 689 families in Clearwater.^[10][11] The population density was 1,369.6 per square mile (528.8/km²). There were 985 housing units at an average density of 508.5 units per square mile (196.3 units/km²).^[11][12] The racial makeup was 90.88% (2,411) white or European American (89.6% non-Hispanic white), 0.19% (5) black or African-American, 0.83% (22) Native American or Alaska Native, 0.26% (7) Asian, 0.0% (0) Pacific Islander or Native Hawaiian, 0.64% (17) from other races, and 7.2% (191) from two or more races.^[13] Hispanic or Latino of any race was 3.69% (98) of the population.^[14]

Of the 934 households, 41.8% had children under the age of 18; 56.9% were married couples living together; 24.3% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. 21.6% of households consisted of individuals and 11.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.^[11] The average household size was 2.9 and the average family size was 3.5.^[15] The percent of those with a bachelor's degree or higher was estimated to be 17.7% of the population.^[16]

30.1% of the population was under the age of 18, 6.8% from 18 to 24, 24.5% from 25 to 44, 21.6% from 45 to 64, and 16.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35.8 years. For every 100 females, there were 108.1 males.^[11] For every 100 females ages 18 and older, there were 114.3 males.^[11]

The 2016-2020 5-year American Community Survey estimates show that the median household income was $73,073 (with a margin of error of +/- $6,251) and the median family income was $84,167 (+/- $10,596).^[17] Males had a median income of $48,620 (+/- $5,156) versus $33,269 (+/- $4,364) for females. The median income for those above 16 years old was $39,757 (+/- $5,937).^[18] Approximately, 7.8% of families and 9.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.8% of those under the age of 18 and 1.5% of those ages 65 or over.^[19][20]

As of the census^[21] of 2010, there were 2,481 people, 908 households, and 660 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,326.7 inhabitants per square mile (512.2/km²). There were 963 housing units at an average density of 515.0 units per square mile (198.8 units/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 97.2% White, 0.2% African American, 0.3% Native American, 0.3% Asian, 0.3% from other races, and 1.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.6% of the population.

There were 908 households, of which 40.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.1% were married couples living together, 11.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.2% had a male householder with no wife present, and 27.3% were non-families. 25.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.65 and the average family size was 3.19.

The median age in the city was 35.8 years. 29.6% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.3% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 24.7% were from 25 to 44; 22% were from 45 to 64; and 16.5% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.1% male and 52.9% female.

As of the census of 2000, there were 2,178 people, 773 households, and 609 families residing in the city. The population density was 750.8 people/km² (1,945 people/sq mi). There were 791 housing units at an average density of 272.7 units per square kilometre (706 units/sq mi). The racial makeup of the city was 96.42% White, 0.28% African American, 1.24% Native American, 0.41% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.41% from other races, and 1.19% from two or more races. 1.06% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 773 households, out of which 42.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 65.1% were married couples living together, 11.1% had a woman whose husband does not live with her, and 21.1% were non-families. 19.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.74 and the average family size was 3.15.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 31.7% under the age of 18, 6.5% from 18 to 24, 27.4% from 25 to 44, 19.3% from 45 to 64, and 15.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.6 males.

As of 2000 the median income for a household was $50,694, and the median income for a family was $53,816. Males had a median income of $41,306 versus $28,348 for females. The per capita income for the city was $20,286. 4.3% of the population and 3.5% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 5.4% were under the age of 18 and 6.0% were 65 or older.

The community is served by Clearwater USD 264 public school district.

• Raymond Goertz, roboticist
• Cara Gorges, 2007 Miss Kansas USA
• Pamela Horton, Playboy Playmate of the Month for October 2012.
• Logan Mize, Country Artist

 

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Clearwater, Kansas.

• City of Clearwater
• Clearwater - Directory of Public Officials
• Clearwater Historical Society
• Clearwater city map, KDOT