# Pretty Prairie, Kansas

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**Pretty Prairie** is a city in [Reno County](/source/Reno_County,_Kansas), [Kansas](/source/Kansas), United States.[1] As of the [2020 census](/source/2020_United_States_census), the population of the city was 660.[2]

## History

The first post office at Pretty Prairie was established in 1874.[3]

Pretty Prairie was laid out in 1889. It was named from its scenic setting upon the prairie.[4] It was incorporated as a city in 1907.[5]

The city's sole source of water is a single well, a 100-foot-deep borehole. Due to [agricultural pollution](/source/Agricultural_pollution) from the region's groundwater, the well water has had [nitrate](/source/Nitrate) levels in excess of the federal [nitrate standard](/source/Drinking_water_quality_standards) since the mid-1990s. For years, Pretty Prairie distributed [bottled water](/source/Bottled_water) to at-risk families. On January 3, 2017, the town council approved a settlement with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment and the [EPA](/source/United_States_Environmental_Protection_Agency). The town planned to invest in a [water tower](/source/Water_tower), an underground storage tank, and a [reverse osmosis](/source/Reverse_osmosis) water treatment system.[6][7]

## Geography

According to the [United States Census Bureau](/source/United_States_Census_Bureau), the city has a total area of 0.61 square miles (1.58 km2), of which, 0.56 square miles (1.45 km2) is land and 0.05 square miles (0.13 km2) is water.[8]

### Climate

The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the [Köppen Climate Classification](/source/K%C3%B6ppen_Climate_Classification) system, Pretty Prairie has a [humid subtropical climate](/source/Humid_subtropical_climate), abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.[9]

## Demographics

### 2020 census

The [2020 United States census](/source/2020_United_States_census) counted 660 people, 246 households, and 163 families in Pretty Prairie.[10][11] The population density was 1,145.8 per square mile (442.4/km2). There were 285 housing units at an average density of 494.8 per square mile (191.0/km2).[11][12] The racial makeup was 90.0% (594) [white](/source/White_(U.S._Census)) or [European American](/source/European_American) (89.24% [non-Hispanic white](/source/Non-Hispanic_White)), 1.06% (7) [black](/source/African_American_(U.S._Census)) or [African-American](/source/African_American), 1.06% (7) [Native American](/source/Native_American_(U.S._Census)) or [Alaska Native](/source/Alaska_Native), 0.15% (1) [Asian](/source/Asian_(U.S._Census)), 0.0% (0) [Pacific Islander](/source/Pacific_Islander_(U.S._Census)) or [Native Hawaiian](/source/Native_Hawaiian), 0.76% (5) from [other races](/source/Race_(United_States_Census)), and 6.97% (46) from [two or more races](/source/Multiracial_Americans).[13] [Hispanic](/source/Hispanic_(U.S._Census)) or [Latino](/source/Latino_(U.S._Census)) of any race was 3.18% (21) of the population.[14]

Of the 246 households, 30.1% had children under the age of 18; 47.2% were married couples living together; 28.5% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. 30.9% of households consisted of individuals and 11.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[11] The average household size was 2.4 and the average family size was 3.1.[15] The percent of those with a bachelor’s degree or higher was estimated to be 13.0% of the population.[16]

26.4% of the population was under the age of 18, 4.7% from 18 to 24, 21.1% from 25 to 44, 24.1% from 45 to 64, and 23.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42.5 years. For every 100 females, there were 115.0 males.[11] For every 100 females ages 18 and older, there were 118.9 males.[11]

The 2016-2020 5-year [American Community Survey](/source/American_Community_Survey) estimates show that the median household income was $51,053 (with a margin of error of +/- $8,934) and the median family income was $50,375 (+/- $18,218).[17] Males had a median income of $32,212 (+/- $4,070) versus $22,750 (+/- $13,091) for females. The median income for those above 16 years old was $31,458 (+/- $1,582).[18] Approximately, 10.9% of families and 13.0% of the population were below the [poverty line](/source/Poverty_line), including 20.3% of those under the age of 18 and 7.5% of those ages 65 or over.[19][20]

### 2010 census

As of the [census](/source/Census)[21] of 2010, there were 680 people, 272 households, and 190 families residing in the city. The [population density](/source/Population_density) was 1,214.3 inhabitants per square mile (468.8 /km2). There were 304 housing units at an average density of 542.9 inhabitants per square mile (209.6 /km2). The racial makeup of the city was 96.0% [White](/source/White_(U.S._Census)), 0.1% [African American](/source/African_American_(U.S._Census)), 0.3% [Native American](/source/Native_American_(U.S._Census)), 0.1% [Asian](/source/Asian_(U.S._Census)), 1.0% from [other races](/source/Race_(U.S._Census)), and 2.4% from two or more races. [Hispanic](/source/Hispanic_(U.S._Census)) or [Latino](/source/Latino_(U.S._Census)) people of any race were 3.1% of the population.

There were 272 households, of which 32.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.3% were [married couples](/source/Marriage) living together, 10.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 2.9% had a male householder with no wife present, and 30.1% were non-families. 27.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.36 and the average family size was 2.84.

The median age in the city was 42.4 years. 25.3% of residents were under the age of 18; 5.1% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 21.9% were from 25 to 44; 23.1% were from 45 to 64; and 24.6% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.2% male and 52.8% female.

### 2000 census

As of the [census](/source/Census)[22] of 2000, there were 615 people, 261 households, and 184 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,198.8 inhabitants per square mile (462.9 /km2). There were 290 housing units at an average density of 565.3 inhabitants per square mile (218.3 /km2). The racial makeup of the city was 99.35% [White](/source/White_(U.S._Census)), 0.16% [Native American](/source/Native_American_(U.S._Census)), 0.16% from [other races](/source/Race_(United_States_Census)), and 0.33% from two or more races. [Hispanic](/source/Hispanic_(U.S._Census)) or [Latino](/source/Latino_(U.S._Census)) people of any race were 1.63% of the population.

There were 261 households, out of which 31.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.3% were [married couples](/source/Marriage) living together, 7.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.5% were non-families. 27.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.36 and the average family size was 2.86.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 26.2% under the age of 18, 5.5% from 18 to 24, 26.7% from 25 to 44, 17.4% from 45 to 64, and 24.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females, there were 102.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.8 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $32,857, and the median income for a family was $40,000. Males had a median income of $30,536 versus $18,125 for females. The [per capita income](/source/Per_capita_income) for the city was $18,944. About 4.1% of families and 5.6% of the population were below the [poverty line](/source/Poverty_line), including 4.1% of those under age 18 and 10.3% of those age 65 or over.

## Education

The community is served by [Pretty Prairie USD 311](/source/Pretty_Prairie_USD_311) public school district. It has three schools.

## Transportation

The [Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway](/source/Atchison,_Topeka_and_Santa_Fe_Railway) formerly provided passenger rail service to Pretty Prairie on a line between Hutchinson and Ponca City. Dedicated passenger service was provided until at least 1954, while [mixed trains](/source/Mixed_train) continued until at least 1961.[23][24] As of 2025, the nearest passenger rail station is located in [Hutchinson](/source/Hutchinson_station_(Kansas)), where [Amtrak](/source/Amtrak)'s [Southwest Chief](/source/Southwest_Chief) stops once daily on a route from Chicago to Los Angeles.[25]

## Notable people

- [Brian Bergkamp](/source/Brian_Bergkamp), member of the [Kansas House of Representatives](/source/Kansas_House_of_Representatives)
- [Jon Gnagy](/source/Jon_Gnagy), artist and television art instructor
- [Walter Huxman](/source/Walter_A._Huxman), governor of Kansas and jurist; born in Pretty Prairie
- [Carl "Alfalfa" Switzer](/source/Carl_%22Alfalfa%22_Switzer), actor; played Alfalfa on the *[Little Rascals/Our Gang](/source/Our_Gang) series*, lived in the town in 1954 while briefly married to Collingwood Grain heiress Dian Collingwood
- [Jack Unruh](/source/Jack_Unruh), artist and illustrator

## See also

- [Cheney State Park](/source/Cheney_State_Park) and [Cheney Reservoir](/source/Cheney_Reservoir)

## References

1. ["Profile of Pretty Prairie, Kansas in 2020"](https://data.census.gov/cedsci/profile?g=1600000US2057700). United States Census Bureau. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20220328220435/https://data.census.gov/cedsci/profile?g=1600000US2057700) March 28, 2022 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved March 28, 2022.

1. ["Kansas Post Offices, 1828-1961, page 2"](http://www.kshs.org/geog/geog_postoffices/search/page:2/county:RN). Kansas Historical Society. Retrieved 22 June 2014.

1. Kansas State Historical Society (1916). [*Biennial Report of the Board of Directors of the Kansas State Historical Society*](https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_5zdAAQAAMAAJ). Kansas State Printing Plant. pp. [268](https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_5zdAAQAAMAAJ/page/n375)

1. Blackmar, Frank Wilson (1912). [*Kansas: A Cyclopedia of State History, Volume 2*](https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_Qi9cXyTWt9EC). Standard Publishing Company. pp. [501](https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_Qi9cXyTWt9EC/page/n491)

1. Walton, Brett (January 9, 2017). ["Kansas Town Faces Big Bill to Clean Drinking Water - Circle of Blue"](http://www.circleofblue.org/2017/water-quality/kansas-town-faces-big-bill-clean-drinking-water/). *Circle of Blue*

1. Griffin, Emily (November 9, 2016). ["Pretty Prairie struggles to fix water system"](http://www.kwch.com/content/news/Pretty-Prairie-struggles-to-fix-water-system-400637811.html). *KWCH 12*

1. ["US Gazetteer files 2010"](https://web.archive.org/web/20120125061959/http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt). [United States Census Bureau](/source/United_States_Census_Bureau). Archived from [the original](https://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt) on 2012-01-25. Retrieved 2012-07-06.

1. [Climate Summary for Pretty Prairie, Kansas](http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather-summary.php3?s=594384&cityname=Pretty+Prairie%2C+Kansas%2C+United+States+of+America&units=)

1. ["US Census Bureau, Table P16: HOUSEHOLD TYPE"](https://data.census.gov/table?q=Pretty%20Prairie%20city,%20Kansas%20p16&y=2020). *data.census.gov*. Retrieved 2024-01-02.

1. ["US Census Bureau, Table DP1: PROFILE OF GENERAL POPULATION AND HOUSING CHARACTERISTICS"](https://data.census.gov/table/DECENNIALDP2020.DP1?q=Pretty%20Prairie%20city,%20Kansas%20dp1). *data.census.gov*. Retrieved 2024-01-02.

1. ["Gazetteer Files"](https://www.census.gov/geographies/reference-files/2020/geo/gazetter-file.html). *Census.gov*. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2023-12-30.

1. ["US Census Bureau, Table P1: RACE"](https://data.census.gov/table/DECENNIALPL2020.P1?q=Pretty%20Prairie%20city,%20Kansas%20p1&y=2020). *data.census.gov*. Retrieved 2024-01-02.

1. ["US Census Bureau, Table P2: HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE"](https://data.census.gov/table/DECENNIALPL2020.P2?q=Pretty%20Prairie%20city,%20Kansas%20p2&y=2020). *data.census.gov*. Retrieved 2024-01-02.

1. ["US Census Bureau, Table S1101: HOUSEHOLDS AND FAMILIES"](https://data.census.gov/table/ACSST5Y2020.S1101?q=Pretty%20Prairie%20city,%20Kansas%20s1101%20&y=2020). *data.census.gov*. Retrieved 2024-01-02.

1. ["US Census Bureau, Table S1501: EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT"](https://data.census.gov/table/ACSST5Y2020.S1501?q=Pretty%20Prairie%20city,%20Kansas%20s1501%20&y=2020). *data.census.gov*. Retrieved 2024-01-02.

1. ["US Census Bureau, Table S1903: MEDIAN INCOME IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS (IN 2020 INFLATION-ADJUSTED DOLLARS)"](https://data.census.gov/table/ACSST5Y2020.S1903?q=Pretty%20Prairie%20city,%20Kansas%20s1903%20&y=2020). *data.census.gov*. Retrieved 2024-01-02.

1. ["US Census Bureau, Table S2001: EARNINGS IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS (IN 2020 INFLATION-ADJUSTED DOLLARS)"](https://data.census.gov/table/ACSST5Y2020.S2001?q=Pretty%20Prairie%20city,%20Kansas%20s2001%20&y=2020). *data.census.gov*. Retrieved 2024-01-02.

1. ["US Census Bureau, Table S1701: POVERTY STATUS IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS"](https://data.census.gov/table/ACSST5Y2020.S1701?q=Pretty%20Prairie%20city,%20Kansas%20s1701%20&y=2020). *data.census.gov*. Retrieved 2024-01-02.

1. ["US Census Bureau, Table S1702: POVERTY STATUS IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS OF FAMILIES"](https://data.census.gov/table/ACSST5Y2020.S1702?q=Pretty%20Prairie%20city,%20Kansas%20s1702&y=2020). *data.census.gov*. Retrieved 2024-01-02.

1. ["U.S. Census website"](https://www.census.gov). [United States Census Bureau](/source/United_States_Census_Bureau). Retrieved 2012-07-06.

1. ["U.S. Census website"](https://www.census.gov). [United States Census Bureau](/source/United_States_Census_Bureau). Retrieved 2008-01-31.

1. ["AT&SF 1954 Timetable"](http://streamlinermemories.info/SF/SF54-06TT.pdf). Retrieved July 26, 2025.

1. ["AT&SF1961 Timetable"](http://streamlinermemories.info/SF/SF61-4TT.pdf). Retrieved July 26, 2025.

1. ["Amtrak Southwest Chief"](https://www.amtrak.com/routes/southwest-chief-train.html). Retrieved July 26, 2025.

## Further reading

See also: [List of books about Reno County, Kansas](/source/Reno_County,_Kansas#Further_reading)

## External links

- [Pretty Prairie - Directory of Public Officials](https://www.lkm.org/members/?id=41260987)
- [Pretty Prairie Rodeo](https://www.pprodeo.com/), Kansas's largest night rodeo
- [Saving The Movie Theater?](https://www.youtube.com/-Mlc7SUMIjk) on YouTube, from *Hatteberg's People* on [KAKE](/source/KAKE) TV news
- [Pretty Prairie city map](https://www.ksdot.org/Assets/wwwksdotorg/bureaus/burTransPlan/maps/city-pdf/pretty%20prairie.pdf), KDOT

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Pretty Prairie, Kansas](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pretty_Prairie%2C_Kansas) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pretty_Prairie%2C_Kansas?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.