# Sabetha, Kansas

> Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Sabetha%2C_Kansas
> Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Sabetha%2C_Kansas.md
> Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sabetha%2C_Kansas
> Source revision: 1351718302
> License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)

City in Brown and Nemaha Counties of Kansas

City in Kansas, United States

Sabetha, Kansas City US Post Office in Sabetha (2015) Seal Location within Nemaha County and Kansas KDOT map of Nemaha County (legend) Coordinates: 39°54′46″N 95°47′29″W / 39.91278°N 95.79139°W / 39.91278; -95.79139[1] Country United States State Kansas Counties Brown, Nemaha Founded 1854 Incorporated 1874 Named after Sabbath Area [2] • Total 3.20 sq mi (8.30 km2) • Land 3.19 sq mi (8.26 km2) • Water 0.012 sq mi (0.03 km2) Elevation [1] 1,273 ft (388 m) Population (2020)[3] • Total 2,545 • Density 798/sq mi (308/km2) Time zone UTC−6 (CST) • Summer (DST) UTC−5 (CDT) ZIP Code 66534 Area code 785 FIPS code 20-62025 GNIS ID 485648[1] Website cityofsabetha.com

**Sabetha** is a city in [Brown](/source/Brown_County%2C_Kansas) and [Nemaha](/source/Nemaha_County%2C_Kansas) counties in the [U.S. state](/source/U.S._state) of [Kansas](/source/Kansas).[1] As of the [2020 census](/source/2020_United_States_census), the population of the city was 2,545.[3]

## History

Sabetha as seen in 1913

The town's settlement began circa 1854, with a name reportedly derived from the word "[Sabbath](/source/Christian_Sabbath)", the day the first settler arrived.[4] Sabetha was incorporated as a city in 1874.[5]

On the evening of [June 13, 1998](/source/Tornado_outbreak_of_June_13%2C_1998), an [F2 tornado](/source/Fujita_scale) damaged much of the downtown, but no casualties were reported. The downtown area received little warning as the tornado struck less than 1 minute after the tornado siren began to sound.[6] The tornado, which touched down half a mile west of the Sabetha City Hall, caused serious damage to two blocks of the town, with 18 buildings in the downtown area being damaged, five (including the city hall building) to near "the point of loss". The tornado lifted about half a mile east of City Hall. Damage to the city hall building amounted to $2 million, and additional damage to homes and vehicles away from downtown occurred due to tornado-toppled trees and branches away from the tornado's center along with strong straight-line winds.[7]

## Geography

According to the [United States Census Bureau](/source/United_States_Census_Bureau), the city has a total area of 3.47 square miles (8.99 km2), of which 3.46 square miles (8.96 km2) is land and 0.01 square miles (0.03 km2) is water.[8]

## Demographics

Historical population Census Pop. Note %± 1880 849 — 1890 1,368 61.1% 1900 1,646 20.3% 1910 1,768 7.4% 1920 2,003 13.3% 1930 2,332 16.4% 1940 2,241 −3.9% 1950 2,173 −3.0% 1960 2,318 6.7% 1970 2,376 2.5% 1980 2,297 −3.3% 1990 2,341 1.9% 2000 2,589 10.6% 2010 2,571 −0.7% 2020 2,545 −1.0% U.S. Decennial Census

### 2020 census

As of the [2020 census](/source/2020_United_States_census), Sabetha had a population of 2,545. The median age was 40.1 years. 24.8% of residents were under the age of 18 and 24.1% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 99.6 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 93.1 males age 18 and over.[9][10][11]

0.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 100.0% lived in rural areas.[11]

There were 1,045 households in Sabetha, of which 28.0% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 47.6% were married-couple households, 21.1% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 25.2% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 36.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 19.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[9]

There were 1,168 housing units, of which 10.5% were vacant. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.8% and the rental vacancy rate was 9.8%.[9]

Racial composition as of the 2020 census[10] Race Number Percent White 2,336 91.8% Black or African American 38 1.5% American Indian and Alaska Native 20 0.8% Asian 31 1.2% Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander 2 0.1% Some other race 10 0.4% Two or more races 108 4.2% Hispanic or Latino (of any race) 61 2.4%

### 2010 census

As of the [census](/source/Census)[12] of 2010, there were 2,571 people, 1,090 households, and 645 families living in the city. The [population density](/source/Population_density) was 743.1 inhabitants per square mile (286.9/km2). There were 1,230 housing units at an average density of 355.5 per square mile (137.3/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 96.6% [White](/source/White_(U.S._Census)), 0.9% [African American](/source/African_American_(U.S._Census)), 0.5% [Native American](/source/Native_American_(U.S._Census)), 0.1% [Asian](/source/Asian_(U.S._Census)), 0.1% [Pacific Islander](/source/Race_(U.S._Census)), 0.5% from [other races](/source/Race_(U.S._Census)), and 1.3% from two or more races. [Hispanic](/source/Hispanic_(U.S._Census)) or [Latino](/source/Latino_(U.S._Census)) of any race were 1.0% of the population.

There were 1,090 households, of which 27.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.4% were [married couples](/source/Marriage) living together, 6.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.1% had a male householder with no wife present, and 40.8% were non-families. Of all households, 37.2% were made up of individuals, and 20.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.24 and the average family size was 2.97.

The median age in the city was 42.8 years. 25% of residents were under the age of 18; 5.4% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 22.3% were from 25 to 44; 23.1% were from 45 to 64; and 24.2% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.5% male and 52.5% female.

### 2000 census

As of the [census](/source/Census)[13] of 2000, there were 2,589 people, 958 households, and 611 families living in the city. The population density was 798.8 inhabitants per square mile (308.4/km2). There were 1,049 housing units at an average density of 323.6 per square mile (124.9/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 97.76% [White](/source/White_(U.S._Census)), 0.93% [African American](/source/African_American_(U.S._Census)), 0.15% [Native American](/source/Native_American_(U.S._Census)), 0.19% [Asian](/source/Asian_(U.S._Census)), 0.04% [Pacific Islander](/source/Pacific_Islander_(U.S._Census)), 0.19% from [other races](/source/Race_(United_States_Census)), and 0.73% from two or more races. [Hispanic](/source/Hispanic_(U.S._Census)) or [Latino](/source/Latino_(U.S._Census)) of any race were 0.31% of the population.

There were 958 households, out of which 30.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.7% were [married couples](/source/Marriage) living together, 5.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.2% were non-families. Of all households, 34.0% were made up of individuals, and 19.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.33 and the average family size was 3.01.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 23.4% under the age of 18, 6.4% from 18 to 24, 22.8% from 25 to 44, 17.3% from 45 to 64, and 30.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females, there were 85.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.4 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $36,450, and the median income for a family was $45,000. Males had a median income of $31,958 versus $21,458 for females. The [per capita income](/source/Per_capita_income) for the city was $22,126. About 3.7% of families and 7.0% of the population were below the [poverty line](/source/Poverty_line), including 8.8% of those under age 18 and 7.3% of those age 65 or over.

## Economy

Sabetha has more jobs than residents, due in part to the large Wenger Manufacturing plant that produces extruders and related equipment. Coperion (formerly MAC Equipment) is also a large employer in the area, manufacturing bulk material handling and air filtration equipment. [KSi Conveyors](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=KSi_Conveyors&action=edit&redlink=1) and USC are other notable employers in the area. The city managers estimate that the city has a poll factor of 2 to 1, meaning that the city has nearly 5000 jobs, while only having 2500 residents. Many of the small neighboring cities are bedroom communities for the many people who commute to work in Sabetha.

## Education

The community is served by [Prairie Hills USD 113](/source/Prairie_Hills_USD_113) public school district,[14] a public school district formed in 2010 by the merger of Sabetha USD 441 and Axtell USD 488.[15]

## Notable people

- [Wilbur Bestwick](/source/Wilbur_Bestwick) (1911–1972), the first [Sergeant Major](/source/Sergeant_Major_of_the_Marine_Corps) of the [United States Marine Corps](/source/United_States_Marine_Corps)

- [Arthur Schabinger](/source/Arthur_Schabinger) (1889–1972), basketball coach and administrator, member of the [Basketball Hall of Fame](/source/Basketball_Hall_of_Fame)

- [Krishna Shenoy](/source/Krishna_Shenoy), neuroscientist and neuroengineer who was a professor at Stanford University

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-GNIS_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-GNIS_1-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-GNIS_1-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-GNIS_1-3) [U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Sabetha, Kansas](https://edits.nationalmap.gov/apps/gaz-domestic/public/search/names/485648)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-CenPopGazetteer2019_2-0)** ["2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files"](https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2019_Gazetteer/2019_gaz_place_20.txt). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 24, 2020.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Census-2020-Profile_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Census-2020-Profile_3-1) ["Profile of Sabetha, Kansas in 2020"](https://data.census.gov/cedsci/profile?g=1600000US2062025). United States Census Bureau. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20220610003812/https://data.census.gov/cedsci/profile?g=1600000US2062025) from the original on June 10, 2022. Retrieved June 9, 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-settle1_4-0)** Hrnicek, Alice (15 September 1982). [Business, farming strengthen town](https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=M_FeAAAAIBAJ&sjid=Q1QNAAAAIBAJ&pg=1705,1983311&dq=), *St. Joseph Gazette*, pg. C1.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** Blackmar, Frank Wilson (1912). [*Kansas: A Cyclopedia of State History, Volume 2*](https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_Qi9cXyTWt9EC). Standard Publishing Company. pp. [617](https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_Qi9cXyTWt9EC/page/n601).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-torn1_6-0)** (15 June 1998). [Twister rips up downtown Sabetha](https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=TpEzAAAAIBAJ&sjid=NekFAAAAIBAJ&pg=6211,2529808&dq=sabetha&hl=en), *Lawrence Journal-World*, Page 1B

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5653912r_7-0)** [Kansas Event Report: F2 Tornado](https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=5653912) (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. 1998. Retrieved February 25, 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Gazetteer_files_8-0)** ["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 January 25, 2012. Retrieved July 6, 2012.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Census2020DP_9-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Census2020DP_9-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Census2020DP_9-2) ["2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)"](https://api.census.gov/data/2020/dec/dp?get=NAME,DP1_0021P,DP1_0024P,DP1_0025C,DP1_0049C,DP1_0045C,DP1_0069C,DP1_0073C,DP1_0125P,DP1_0126P,DP1_0129P,DP1_0133P,DP1_0137P,DP1_0138P,DP1_0139P,DP1_0141P,DP1_0142P,DP1_0143P,DP1_0145P,DP1_0146P,DP1_0147C,DP1_0148C,DP1_0149C,DP1_0156C,DP1_0157C,DP1_0158C,DP1_0159P,DP1_0160P&for=place%3A62025&in=state%3A20). *United States Census Bureau*. 2021. Retrieved April 29, 2026.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Census2020PL_10-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Census2020PL_10-1) ["2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)"](https://api.census.gov/data/2020/dec/pl?get=NAME,P1_001N,P1_003N,P1_004N,P1_005N,P1_006N,P1_007N,P1_008N,P1_009N,P2_001N,P2_002N,H1_001N,H1_002N&for=place%3A62025&in=state%3A20). *United States Census Bureau*. 2021. Retrieved April 29, 2026.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Census2020DHC_11-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Census2020DHC_11-1) ["2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)"](https://api.census.gov/data/2020/dec/dhc?get=NAME,P2_002N,P2_003N&for=place%3A62025&in=state%3A20). *United States Census Bureau*. 2023. Retrieved April 29, 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-wwwcensusgov_12-0)** ["U.S. Census website"](https://www.census.gov). [United States Census Bureau](/source/United_States_Census_Bureau). Retrieved July 6, 2012.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-GR2_13-0)** ["U.S. Census website"](https://www.census.gov). [United States Census Bureau](/source/United_States_Census_Bureau). Retrieved January 31, 2008.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** ["USD 273 Map"](https://www.ksdot.org/Assets/wwwksdotorg/bureaus/burTransPlan/maps/SchoolDistrict/School%20District_273.pdf) (PDF). [Kansas Department of Transportation](/source/Kansas_Department_of_Transportation). Retrieved April 29, 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-KansasSchoolcons_15-0)** ["School consolidations in Kansas for past decade"](https://www.cjonline.com/article/20110724/NEWS/307249967). *[The Topeka Capital-Journal](/source/The_Topeka_Capital-Journal)*. July 24, 2011. Retrieved April 26, 2020.

## External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to [Sabetha, Kansas](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Sabetha,_Kansas).

- [City of Sabetha](https://www.cityofsabetha.com/)

- [Sabetha - Directory of Public Officials](https://www.lkm.org/members/?id=41261017)

- [Sabetha city map](https://www.ksdot.org/Assets/wwwksdotorg/bureaus/burTransPlan/maps/city-pdf/sabetha.pdf), KDOT

v t e Municipalities and communities of Brown County, Kansas, United States County seat: Hiawatha Cities Everest Fairview Hamlin Hiawatha Horton Morrill Powhattan Reserve Robinson Sabetha‡ Willis Map of Kansas highlighting Brown County CDPs Kickapoo Tribal Center Kickapoo Site 1 Kickapoo Site 2 Kickapoo Site 5 Kickapoo Site 6 Kickapoo Site 7 Unincorporated communities Baker Mercier Padonia Indian reservations Ioway Reservation‡ Kickapoo Indian Reservation of Kansas‡ Sac and Fox Reservation‡ Townships Hamlin Hiawatha Irving Mission Morrill Padonia Powhattan Robinson Walnut Washington Footnotes ‡This community also has portions in an adjacent county or counties. Kansas portal United States portal

v t e Municipalities and communities of Nemaha County, Kansas, United States County seat: Seneca Cities Bern Centralia Corning Goff Oneida Sabetha‡ Seneca Wetmore Map of Kansas highlighting Nemaha County CDPs Baileyville Kelly St. Benedict Unincorporated communities Berwick Capioma Neuchatel Woodlawn Townships Adams Berwick Capioma Center Clear Creek Gilman Granada Harrison Home Illinois Marion Mitchell Nemaha Neuchatel Red Vermillion Reilly Richmond Rock Creek Washington Wetmore Footnotes ‡This community also has portions in an adjacent county or counties. Kansas portal United States portal

Authority control databases International VIAF WorldCat National United States Israel Other Yale LUX

---
Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Sabetha, Kansas](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sabetha%2C_Kansas) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sabetha%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.