{{Short description|City in Rush County, Kansas}} {{Use American English|date=June 2025}} {{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}} {{Infobox settlement |name = Bison, Kansas |settlement_type = City

<!-- Images --> |image_skyline = |image_caption = |image_flag = |image_seal =

<!-- Maps --> |image_map = Rush_County_Kansas_Incorporated_and_Unincorporated_areas_Bison_Highlighted.svg |map_caption = Location within Rush County and Kansas |image_map1 = Map of Rush Co, Ks, USA.png |map_caption1 = KDOT map of Rush County (legend)

<!-- Location --> |coordinates_footnotes = <ref name="GNIS"/> |coordinates = {{coord|38|31|12|N|99|11|52|W|region:US-KS_type:city|display=inline,title}} |subdivision_type = Country |subdivision_name = United States |subdivision_type1 = State |subdivision_name1 = Kansas |subdivision_type2 = County |subdivision_name2 = Rush |subdivision_type3 = Township |subdivision_name3 =

<!-- Established --> |established_title = Founded |established_date = 1880s |established_title1 = Platted |established_date1 = 1888 |established_title2 = Incorporated |established_date2 = 1912 |named_for = American bison

<!-- Government --> |government_footnotes = |government_type = <!-- Mayor–Council --> |leader_title = Mayor |leader_name =

<!-- Area --> |area_footnotes = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2019">{{cite web|title=2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2019_Gazetteer/2019_gaz_place_20.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=July 24, 2020}}</ref> |area_total_sq_mi = 0.27 |area_land_sq_mi = 0.27 |area_water_sq_mi = 0.00 |area_total_km2 = 0.69 |area_land_km2 = 0.69 |area_water_km2 = 0.00 |unit_pref = Imperial

<!-- Elevation --> |elevation_footnotes = <ref name="GNIS"/> |elevation_ft = 2015

<!-- Population --> |population_footnotes = <ref name="Census-2020-Profile"/> |population_as_of = 2020 |population_total = 179 |pop_est_footnotes = |pop_est_as_of = |population_est = |population_density_sq_mi = auto |population_density_km2 = auto

<!-- General information --> |timezone = CST |utc_offset = -6 |timezone_DST = CDT |utc_offset_DST = -5 |postal_code_type = ZIP code |postal_code = 67520 |area_code_type = Area code |area_code = 785 |blank_name = FIPS code |blank_info = 20-06950 |blank1_name = GNIS ID |blank1_info = 2394177<ref name="GNIS">{{GNIS|2394177}}</ref> |website = }}

'''Bison''' is a city in Rush County, Kansas, United States.<ref name="GNIS"/> As of the 2020 census, the population of the city was 179.<ref name="Census-2020-Profile">{{cite web |title=Profile of Bison, Kansas in 2020 |url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/profile?g=1600000US2006950 |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=December 5, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211205105821/https://data.census.gov/cedsci/profile?g=1600000US2006950 |archive-date=December 5, 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref>

==History== The community was platted in 1888 by the Missouri Pacific Railroad.<ref>{{cite book | url=https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_5zdAAQAAMAAJ | title=Biennial Report of the Board of Directors of the Kansas State Historical Society | publisher=Kansas State Printing Plant | author=Kansas State Historical Society | year=1916 | pages=[https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_5zdAAQAAMAAJ/page/n385 278]}}</ref><ref name="History" /> It was named for the American bison, which once grazed there.<ref name="History">{{cite web|url=http://www.rushcounty.org/history.html |title=History of Rush County |publisher=Rush County Economic Development |accessdate=22 June 2014 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120322024039/http://www.rushcounty.org/history.html |archivedate=March 22, 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{cite book | url=https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_o8X5krq3fP8C | title=Kansas: A Cyclopedia of State History, Embracing Events, Institutions, Industries, Counties, Cities, Towns, Prominent Persons, Etc. | publisher=Standard Publishing Company | author=Blackmar, Frank Wilson | year=1912 | pages=[https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_o8X5krq3fP8C/page/n183 187]}}</ref>

The first post office in Bison was established in May 1888.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kshs.org/geog/geog_postoffices/search/county:RH |title=Kansas Post Offices, 1828-1961 |publisher=Kansas Historical Society |accessdate=22 June 2014 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131009133319/http://www.kshs.org/geog/geog_postoffices/search/county%3ARH |archivedate=October 9, 2013 }}</ref>

In 1912 one of the worst tornadoes on record to hit Kansas struck the town of Bison, leaving two dead and 11 injured.<ref>https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-bison-bee-tornado-april-20-1912-koh/31458789/</ref>

==Geography== According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of {{convert|0.26|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, all land.<ref name="Gazetteer files">{{cite web |title=US Gazetteer files 2010 |url=https://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt |publisher=United States Census Bureau |accessdate=2012-07-06 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120125061959/http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt |archivedate=2012-01-25 }}</ref>

===Climate=== The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Bison has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather-summary.php3?s=568041&cityname=Bison%2C+Kansas%2C+United+States+of+America&units= |title=Climate Summary for Bison, Kansas |access-date=May 2, 2014 |archive-date=September 20, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200920172332/https://weatherbase.com/weather/weather-summary.php3?s=568041&cityname=Bison%2C+Kansas%2C+United+States+of+America&units= |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==Demographics== {{US Census population |align=left |1920= 357 |1930= 397 |1940= 366 |1950= 326 |1960= 291 |1970= 285 |1980= 279 |1990= 252 |2000= 235 |2010= 255 |2020= 179 |estyear= |estimate= |estref= |align-fn=center |footnote=[https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html U.S. Decennial Census] }}

===2020 census=== The 2020 United States census counted 179 people, 85 households, and 53 families in Bison.<ref>{{Cite web |title=US Census Bureau, Table P16: HOUSEHOLD TYPE |url=https://data.census.gov/table?q=Bison%20city,%20Kansas%20p16&y=2020 |access-date=2024-01-02 |website=data.census.gov}}</ref><ref name=:0 /> The population density was 675.5 per square mile (260.8/km{{sup|2}}). There were 109 housing units at an average density of 411.3 per square mile (158.8/km{{sup|2}}).<ref name=:0>{{Cite web |title=US Census Bureau, Table DP1: PROFILE OF GENERAL POPULATION AND HOUSING CHARACTERISTICS |url=https://data.census.gov/table/DECENNIALDP2020.DP1?q=Bison%20city,%20Kansas%20dp1 |access-date=2024-01-02 |website=data.census.gov}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |publisher=United States Census Bureau |title=Gazetteer Files |url=https://www.census.gov/geographies/reference-files/2020/geo/gazetter-file.html |access-date=2023-12-30 |website=Census.gov}}</ref> The racial makeup was 93.3% (167) white or European American (92.74% non-Hispanic white), 0.0% (0) black or African-American, 0.0% (0) Native American or Alaska Native, 0.0% (0) Asian, 0.0% (0) Pacific Islander or Native Hawaiian, 1.12% (2) from other races, and 5.59% (10) from two or more races.<ref>{{Cite web |title=US Census Bureau, Table P1: RACE |url=https://data.census.gov/table/DECENNIALPL2020.P1?q=Bison%20city,%20Kansas%20p1&y=2020 |access-date=2024-01-02 |website=data.census.gov}}</ref> Hispanic or Latino of any race was 6.15% (11) of the population.<ref>{{Cite web |title=US Census Bureau, Table P2: HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE |url=https://data.census.gov/table/DECENNIALPL2020.P2?q=Bison%20city,%20Kansas%20p2&y=2020 |access-date=2024-01-02 |website=data.census.gov}}</ref>

Of the 85 households, 21.2% had children under the age of 18; 45.9% were married couples living together; 22.4% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. 31.8% of households consisted of individuals and 12.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.<ref name=:0 /> The average household size was 1.9 and the average family size was 2.1.<ref>{{Cite web |title=US Census Bureau, Table S1101: HOUSEHOLDS AND FAMILIES |url=https://data.census.gov/table/ACSST5Y2020.S1101?q=Bison%20city,%20Kansas%20s1101%20&y=2020 |access-date=2024-01-02 |website=data.census.gov}}</ref> The percent of those with a bachelor’s degree or higher was estimated to be 10.1% of the population.<ref>{{Cite web |title=US Census Bureau, Table S1501: EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT |url=https://data.census.gov/table/ACSST5Y2020.S1501?q=Bison%20city,%20Kansas%20s1501%20&y=2020 |access-date=2024-01-02 |website=data.census.gov}}</ref>

15.6% of the population was under the age of 18, 6.1% from 18 to 24, 19.0% from 25 to 44, 35.8% from 45 to 64, and 23.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 51.5 years. For every 100 females, there were 82.7 males.<ref name=:0 /> For every 100 females ages 18 and older, there were 86.4 males.<ref name=:0 />

The 2016-2020 5-year American Community Survey estimates show that the median household income was $53,056 (with a margin of error of +/- $19,993) and the median family income was $55,156 (+/- $4,014).<ref>{{Cite web |title=US Census Bureau, Table S1903: MEDIAN INCOME IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS (IN 2020 INFLATION-ADJUSTED DOLLARS) |url=https://data.census.gov/table/ACSST5Y2020.S1903?q=Bison%20city,%20Kansas%20s1903%20&y=2020 |access-date=2024-01-02 |website=data.census.gov}}</ref> Males had a median income of $36,875 (+/- $5,096) versus $20,417 (+/- $6,555) for females. The median income for those above 16 years old was $24,000 (+/- $13,525).<ref>{{Cite web |title=US Census Bureau, Table S2001: EARNINGS IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS (IN 2020 INFLATION-ADJUSTED DOLLARS) |url=https://data.census.gov/table/ACSST5Y2020.S2001?q=Bison%20city,%20Kansas%20s2001%20&y=2020 |access-date=2024-01-02 |website=data.census.gov}}</ref> Approximately, 5.1% of families and 9.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 33.3% of those under the age of 18 and 0.0% of those ages 65 or over.<ref>{{Cite web |title=US Census Bureau, Table S1701: POVERTY STATUS IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS |url=https://data.census.gov/table/ACSST5Y2020.S1701?q=Bison%20city,%20Kansas%20s1701%20&y=2020 |access-date=2024-01-02 |website=data.census.gov}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=US Census Bureau, Table S1702: POVERTY STATUS IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS OF FAMILIES |url=https://data.census.gov/table/ACSST5Y2020.S1702?q=Bison%20city,%20Kansas%20s1702&y=2020 |access-date=2024-01-02 |website=data.census.gov}}</ref>

===2010 census=== As of the census<ref name ="wwwcensusgov">{{cite web|title=U.S. Census website|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=2012-07-06}}</ref> of 2010, there were 255 people, 104 households, and 72 families residing in the city. The population density was {{convert|980.8|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 118 housing units at an average density of {{convert|453.8|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the city was 97.6% White, 0.8% Native American, 0.4% from other races, and 1.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.4% of the population.

There were 104 households, of which 31.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.7% were married couples living together, 6.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.8% had a male householder with no wife present, and 30.8% were non-families. 20.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 2.85.

The median age in the city was 40.9 years. 23.5% of residents were under the age of 18; 9.8% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 20.8% were from 25 to 44; 34.5% were from 45 to 64; and 11.4% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.2% male and 51.8% female.

==Education== The community is served by Otis–Bison USD 403 public school district. School unification consolidated Bison and Otis schools forming USD 403. The Otis-Bison High School mascot is Cougars.<ref>{{cite web | title = USD 403 | publisher = USD 403 | url = http://www.usd403.org/ | accessdate = 5 January 2017}}</ref>

Bison schools were closed through school unification. The Bison High School mascot was Buffaloes.<ref>"Western Kansas Basketball Results", Great Bend Tribune, 13 December 1967, p.5.</ref>

==References== {{Reflist}}

==Further reading== {{See also|Rush County, Kansas#Further reading|l1=List of books about Rush County, Kansas}}

==External links== * [https://www.lkm.org/members/?id=41260564 Bison - Directory of Public Officials] * [https://www.usd403.org/ USD 403], local school district * [http://www.rushcounty.org/history.html History of Cities in Rush County] * [https://legendsofkansas.com/bison-kansas/ Bison Info], Legends of Kansas

{{Rush County, Kansas}} {{Authority control}}

Category:Cities in Kansas Category:Cities in Rush County, Kansas