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Hesston, Kansas
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Hesston is a city in Harvey County, Kansas, United States.[1] As of the 2020 census, the population of the city was 3,505.[4] Large manufacturing facilities for AGCO (farm equipment) and Stanley Black & Decker (lawn mowers) are located in Hesston. It is home of Hesston College.
Key Information
History
[edit]Early history
[edit]For many millennia, the Great Plains of North America was inhabited by nomadic Native Americans. From the 16th century to 18th century, the Kingdom of France claimed ownership of large parts of North America. In 1762, after the French and Indian War, France secretly ceded New France to Spain, per the Treaty of Fontainebleau.
19th century
[edit]
In 1802, Spain returned most of the land to France. In 1803, most of the land for modern day Kansas was acquired by the United States from France as part of the 828,000 square mile Louisiana Purchase for 2.83 cents per acre.
In 1854, the Kansas Territory was organized, and in 1861, Kansas became the 34th U.S. state. In 1872, Harvey County was established within the Kansas Territory which included the land for modern day Hesston.
A post office was established as Elivon on February 10, 1873. It then moved near the current city site on April 24, 1878.[5]
In 1886, Hesston was founded and named after the Hess brothers who owned the land where a depot on the Missouri Pacific Railroad was built.[2][6] The post office was renamed to Hesston on December 16, 1887. Due to the railroad, Hesston became an important regional shipping point.[7]
20th century
[edit]In 1909, the Mennonite Church founded the Hesston College, because many of the early settlers were Mennonite farmers.
In 1947, Lyle Yost and Adin Holdemann founded the farm equipment company Hesston Manufacturing Company.[8] In 1991, AGCO Corporation purchased the company. In 1960, John Regier founded the lawn mower company Excel Industries.[9]
In 1981, the Dyck Arboretum of the Plains was founded at the Hesston College.
On March 13, 1990, a large portion of Hesston was damaged by an F5 tornado during a tornado outbreak. A total of 226 homes and 21 businesses were destroyed, and several were swept completely from their foundations. 20 farms were torn apart in rural areas outside of Hesston. Light debris from Hesston was found 115 miles (185 km) away in Nebraska. One person died and 59 people were injured. After passing through Hesston, the tornado increased to an "extreme F5" near the city of Goessel. The severity of the damage left behind by this tornado led some meteorologists to believe that the Goessel tornado was among the strongest ever documented at that time.[10][11]
21st century
[edit]On February 25, 2016, Hesston became the scene of a mass shooting in which three people were killed and twelve others injured at an Excel Industries building. Prior to that shooting, other shooting incidents occurred at the nearby city of Newton and also Old U.S. Route 81,[12] in which two people were wounded.[13][14] The shooter was identified as Excel employee Cedric Larry Ford, who was killed by responding police officers.[15][16]
In 2021, Stanley Black & Decker acquired Excel Industries.[17][18][19]
Geography
[edit]According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 3.90 square miles (10.10 km2), all land.[20]
Climate
[edit]The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Hesston has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.[21]
Demographics
[edit]| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1930 | 526 | — | |
| 1940 | 403 | −23.4% | |
| 1950 | 686 | 70.2% | |
| 1960 | 1,103 | 60.8% | |
| 1970 | 1,926 | 74.6% | |
| 1980 | 3,013 | 56.4% | |
| 1990 | 3,012 | 0.0% | |
| 2000 | 3,509 | 16.5% | |
| 2010 | 3,709 | 5.7% | |
| 2020 | 3,505 | −5.5% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
2020 census
[edit]The 2020 United States census counted 3,505 people, 1,357 households, and 945 families in Hesston.[22][23] The population density was 983.2 per square mile (379.6/km2). There were 1,454 housing units at an average density of 407.9 per square mile (157.5/km2).[23][24] The racial makeup was 90.01% (3,155) white or European American (88.53% non-Hispanic white), 1.63% (57) black or African-American, 0.6% (21) Native American or Alaska Native, 1.68% (59) Asian, 0.0% (0) Pacific Islander or Native Hawaiian, 1.88% (66) from other races, and 4.19% (147) from two or more races.[25] Hispanic or Latino of any race was 4.59% (161) of the population.[26]
Of the 1,357 households, 30.7% had children under the age of 18; 60.0% were married couples living together; 24.1% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. 28.3% of households consisted of individuals and 16.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[23] The average household size was 2.4 and the average family size was 2.9.[27] The percent of those with a bachelor’s degree or higher was estimated to be 30.6% of the population.[28]
23.6% of the population was under the age of 18, 8.4% from 18 to 24, 21.1% from 25 to 44, 21.0% from 45 to 64, and 25.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41.9 years. For every 100 females, there were 109.1 males.[23] For every 100 females ages 18 and older, there were 113.6 males.[23]
The 2016-2020 5-year American Community Survey estimates show that the median household income was $50,644 (with a margin of error of +/- $10,797) and the median family income was $69,432 (+/- $24,126).[29] Females had a median income of $25,772 (+/- $7,009). The median income for those above 16 years old was $26,065 (+/- $10,118).[30] Approximately, 8.9% of families and 10.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.2% of those under the age of 18 and 1.8% of those ages 65 or over.[31][32]
2010 census
[edit]As of the census[33] of 2010, there were 3,709 people, 1,345 households, and 972 families residing in the city. The population density was 951.0 inhabitants per square mile (367.2/km2). There were 1,433 housing units at an average density of 367.4 per square mile (141.9/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 92.7% White, 1.6% African American, 0.6% Native American, 1.7% Asian, 1.5% from other races, and 1.9% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.5% of the population.
There were 1,345 households, of which 32.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.4% were married couples living together, 7.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 2.5% had a male householder with no wife present, and 27.7% were non-families. 25.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.48 and the average family size was 2.96.
The median age in the city was 37.2 years. 24.3% of residents were under the age of 18; 12.7% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 20.8% were from 25 to 44; 22.6% were from 45 to 64; and 19.6% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 49.0% male and 51.0% female.
Economy
[edit]
The two largest companies in Hesston are AGCO (Hesston Corp) and Excel Industries (Hustler).
In 1947, Lyle Yost founded the farm equipment company Hesston Manufacturing Company. In 1955, it introduced the first commercially available self-propelled windrower, then in 1967 it introduced the first hydrostatic drive windrower. In 1978, it introduced the first large square baler, then in 1988 it introduced the first totally automatically large round baler.[34] In 1974, the Hesston Company commissioned its first belt buckles,[35] which became popular on the rodeo circuit and with collectors. The company's controlling stake was sold to Italian corporation Fiat Trattori in 1977. The remainder of the company was purchased in 1987 by the same firm.[8] In 1991, the American-based equipment manufacturer AGCO Corporation purchased Hesston Corporation and later expanded the manufacturing facilities.
In 1960, John Regier founded the lawn mower company Excel Industries.[9] The company manufactures outdoor equipment, primarily Hustler and Big Dog mowers.[36] The original Hustler was the world's first twin-lever, zero-turn mower.[18] In 2021, Stanley Black & Decker acquired Excel.[17][18][19]
Government
[edit]The Hesston government consists of a mayor and five council members. The council meets the 2nd Monday of each month at 6 pm.[37]
- City Hall, 115 E Smith.
Arts and culture
[edit]- Dyck Arboretum of the Plains, a botanical garden at Hesston College.
- Prairie Window Concert Series
- Summer Music Nights
- Hesston Public Library, named the “Best Small Public Library in Kansas” by the Kansas Library Association in 2015.[38][39]
- Sunflower Performing Arts at Hesston College (formerly Hesston-Bethel Performing Arts)
- Central Kansas Master Chorale
- Kansas Mennonite Men's Chorus
Parks and Recreation
[edit]- Eight city parks, including an 18-hole golf course,[40] disc golf course, and a dog park.[41]
- Additional disc golf course on Hesston College campus
Education
[edit]
Primary and secondary education
[edit]The community is served by Hesston USD 460 public school district. It has three schools:
- Hesston High School, 200 N. Ridge Road, Hesston.
- Hesston Middle School, 100 N. Ridge Road, Hesston.
- Hesston Elementary School, 300 E. Amos, Hesston.
College
[edit]Media
[edit]- Newspaper
- Harvey County Now, regional newspaper in Newton.
- The Newton Kansan, regional newspaper in Newton.
- The Hutchinson News, regional newspaper in Hutchinson.
- The Wichita Eagle, major regional newspaper in Wichita.
Radio
[edit]Hesston is served by numerous radio stations of the Wichita-Hutchinson listening market area,[42] and satellite radio. See Media in Wichita, Kansas.
Television
[edit]Hesston is served by over-the-air ATSC digital TV of the Wichita-Hutchinson viewing market area,[43] cable TV by Cox Communications, and satellite TV. See Media in Wichita, Kansas.
Infrastructure
[edit]Transportation
[edit]Interstate I-135 and highway US 81 pass through Hesston.
Hesston is served by a branch of the Kansas and Oklahoma Railroad operating between McPherson and Newton, where it connects to the BNSF Railway.
The Missouri Pacific Railroad formerly provided passenger rail service along a route from Eldorado to McPherson although this had ended prior to 1946.[44] As of 2025, the nearest passenger rail station is located in Newton, where Amtrak's Southwest Chief stops once daily on a route from Chicago to Los Angeles.[45]
Utilities
[edit]- Residential Internet[46]
- Ideatek Telcom LLC (fiber, wireless)
- Lumen Technologies/Brightspeed/CenturyLink (DSL)
- Cox Communications (Coaxial cable)
- Skybeam/Rise Broadband (wireless)
- T Mobile, AT&T, Verizon, U.S. Cellular (mobile)[47]
- TV
- Cable is provided by Cox Communications.
- Satellite is provided by DirecTV, Dish Network.
- Terrestrial is provided by regional digital TV stations.
- Telephone
- Landline is provided by Lumen Technologies.
- Cell Phone is available from T Mobile, AT&T, Verizon, U.S. Cellular.[47]
- Electricity
- Natural Gas
- Service is provided by City of Hesston.
- Water
- City is provided by City of Hesston.
- Rural is provided by Harvey County RWD #1 (map Archived April 7, 2020, at the Wayback Machine), Harvey County RWD #2, and Marion County RWD #4.
- Sewer
- Service is provided by City of Hesston.
- Trash & Recycling
- Service is provided by Nisly Brothers Inc., billed by City of Hesston.[48]
Notable people
[edit]- Katie Sowers, offensive assistant coach for the San Francisco 49ers
- Lyle Yost, cofounder of Hesston Industries in 1947 (acquired by AGCO in 1991).[49]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Hesston, Kansas
- ^ a b Harvey County history; Harvey County Historical Society.
- ^ "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 24, 2020.
- ^ a b "Profile of Hesston, Kansas in 2020". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on November 12, 2021. Retrieved November 11, 2021.
- ^ "Kansas Post Offices, 1828-1961 (archived)". Kansas Historical Society. Archived from the original on October 9, 2013. Retrieved June 11, 2014.
- ^ Santa Fe Rail History
- ^ Blackmar, Frank Wilson (1912). Kansas: A Cyclopedia of State History, Embracing Events, Institutions, Industries, Counties, Cities, Towns, Prominent Persons, Etc. Standard Publishing Company. pp. 840.
- ^ a b Voorhis, Dan. "Lyle Yost, founder of Hesston Industries, dies at age 99". The Wichita Eagle. Archived from the original on August 10, 2014. Retrieved October 29, 2012.
- ^ a b "Hustler History; Excel Industries". Archived from the original on March 2, 2016. Retrieved February 26, 2016.
- ^ Thomas P. Grazulis (July 1993). Significant Tornadoes 1680-1991. St. Johnsbury, Vermont: The Tornado Project of Environmental Films. ISBN 1-879362-03-1.
- ^ Michael Smith (April 20, 1990). "Kansas twister might be the strongest ever recorded". Fort Scott Tribune. unknown: Fort Scott Tribune. Retrieved November 6, 2013.
- ^ Spurney, Blake (February 25, 2016). "Update: 9 PM Press Conference On Hesston Shooting". The Hesston Record. Archived from the original on March 2, 2016. Retrieved February 26, 2016.
- ^ "4 killed, 14 injured in Hesston, Kansas shooting spree". FOX News. February 25, 2016. Retrieved February 25, 2016.
- ^ Berman, Mark; Miller, Michael E. (February 25, 2016). "Kansas gunman kills three people and injures 14 people, sheriff says". The Washington Post. Retrieved February 25, 2016.
- ^ "Gunman Among 4 Dead, 14 Hurt in Kansas Workplace Shooting". NBC New York. February 25, 2016. Retrieved February 25, 2016.
- ^ Eversley, Melanie (February 25, 2016). "Multiple dead plus shooter after Kansas shootings; up to 20 injured". USA Today. Retrieved February 25, 2016.
- ^ a b Decker, Stanley Black &. "Stanley Black & Decker To Acquire Excel Industries, A Leading Manufacturer Of Premier Turf-Care Equipment". www.prnewswire.com. Retrieved July 3, 2024.
- ^ a b c "Hustler". Stanley Black & Decker. Retrieved July 3, 2024.
- ^ a b "Excel Industries to be sold". Harvey County Now. September 13, 2021. Retrieved July 3, 2024.
- ^ "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on January 25, 2012. Retrieved July 6, 2012.
- ^ Climate Summary for Hesston, Kansas
- ^ "US Census Bureau, Table P16: HOUSEHOLD TYPE". data.census.gov. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
- ^ a b c d e "US Census Bureau, Table DP1: PROFILE OF GENERAL POPULATION AND HOUSING CHARACTERISTICS". data.census.gov. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
- ^ "Gazetteer Files". Census.gov. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 30, 2023.
- ^ "US Census Bureau, Table P1: RACE". data.census.gov. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
- ^ "US Census Bureau, Table P2: HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE". data.census.gov. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
- ^ "US Census Bureau, Table S1101: HOUSEHOLDS AND FAMILIES". data.census.gov. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
- ^ "US Census Bureau, Table S1501: EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT". data.census.gov. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
- ^ "US Census Bureau, Table S1903: MEDIAN INCOME IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS (IN 2020 INFLATION-ADJUSTED DOLLARS)". data.census.gov. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
- ^ "US Census Bureau, Table S2001: EARNINGS IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS (IN 2020 INFLATION-ADJUSTED DOLLARS)". data.census.gov. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
- ^ "US Census Bureau, Table S1701: POVERTY STATUS IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS". data.census.gov. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
- ^ "US Census Bureau, Table S1702: POVERTY STATUS IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS OF FAMILIES". data.census.gov. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
- ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 6, 2012.
- ^ Hesston agricultural product history Archived 2016-01-22 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Hesston Belt Buckle History
- ^ Hesston firm Excel Industries making great strides in global expansion; The Wichita Eagle; July 10, 2013.
- ^ Hesston - Directory of Public Officials Archived 2011-05-05 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Kansas Library Association - Best Small Library Award". kslibassoc.org. Retrieved July 3, 2024.
- ^ "Hesston Public Library History". Hesston Public Library. December 15, 2023. Retrieved July 3, 2024.
- ^ "Hesston Golf Course - Hesston, KS". www.hesstongolf.com. Retrieved July 3, 2024.
- ^ "Parks and Recreation". hesstonks.org. Retrieved July 3, 2024.
- ^ "Wichita-Hutchinson Radio market". Archived from the original on October 22, 2011. Retrieved October 21, 2011.
- ^ Wichita-Hutchinson TV market.
- ^ "MP 1946 Timetable" (PDF). Retrieved July 27, 2025.
- ^ "Amtrak Southwest Chief". Retrieved July 27, 2025.
- ^ "Hesston Media Providers". www.hesstonks.org. Retrieved July 3, 2024.
- ^ a b "Mobile Coverage & Cell Phone Plans in Hesston, KS". Best Neighborhood. Retrieved July 3, 2024.
- ^ "Weekly Trash & Recycling". www.hesstonks.org. Retrieved July 3, 2024.
- ^ "Lyle Yost, Founder of Hesston Industries, Dies At Age 99; The Wichita Eagle; April 6, 2012". Archived from the original on August 10, 2014. Retrieved April 7, 2012.
Further reading
[edit]- City
- Hesston, Kansas, 1886-1986; Murray Bandy; 1988.
- Anatomy of a Town: Hesston, Kansas; Mary Hess; 1976; ISBN 978-0806203409.
- College
- A School on the Prairie: A Centennial History of Hesston College, 1909-2009; John Sharp; 2009; ISBN 978-1931038645.
- A Pillar of Cloud the Story of Hesston College; Mary Miller; 1959; ASIN B000JEMKR8.
- Hesston Corp
- Factory on the Plains: Lyle Yost and the Hesston Corporation; Billy Mac Jones; Wichita State University; 1987; ASIN B0006EQOU0.
External links
[edit]- City
- Hesston - Official
- Hesston - Directory of Public Officials, League of Kansas Municipalities
- Historical
- Harvey County Roots
- Harvey County Genealogical Society
- Clashing Symbols In A Quiet Town - Hesston In The Vietnam War Era, Autumn 2000, Kansas History
- 1990 Tornado
Hesston, Kansas
View on GrokipediaHistory
Early history and founding
The land comprising present-day Hesston, Kansas, was originally part of the ancestral territories of Native American tribes including the Kaw (also known as Kansa) and Osage, who inhabited the Great Plains region for centuries prior to European contact.[7] These lands were acquired by the United States through the Louisiana Purchase in 1803, which transferred approximately 828,000 square miles from France to American control, encompassing what would become Kansas.[8] Subsequent treaties, such as the separate 1825 treaties with the Osage and Kaw nations, ceded much of this territory to the U.S. government, facilitating white settlement in the mid-19th century as part of broader territorial expansions in Kansas after its organization as a territory in 1854.[9] A post office named Elivon was established on February 10, 1873, in the rural area north of the future town site, serving early homesteaders in what was then part of McPherson County before Harvey County's boundaries were finalized.[10] The community's development accelerated with the arrival of the railroad; in 1886, the Missouri Pacific Railroad extended its line through Harvey County, prompting the platting of Hesston as a town.[11] Brothers Abraham L. Hess and Amos Hess, local landowners of Mennonite descent, donated the site for the railroad depot, leading to the town's naming in their honor and its establishment as a key shipping point for regional agriculture.[11] The Elivon post office was relocated southward and renamed Hesston on December 16, 1887, solidifying the new settlement's identity.[10] Hesston was incorporated as a city of the third class on May 12, 1921, under Kansas law for municipalities with populations under 2,000, marking its formal transition from a railroad village to a governed community.[10][12] From the 1880s onward, Mennonite settlers played a central role in the area's early growth, drawn by Kansas's fertile prairie soils and establishing farms focused on wheat, corn, and livestock production that formed the economic backbone of the community.[13] This agricultural emphasis reflected broader Mennonite migration patterns to central Kansas during the late 19th century, where families emphasized communal farming and pacifist values amid the post-Civil War homestead boom.[14]20th century developments
In 1909, Hesston College was established by Mennonite leaders T. M. Erb and A. L. Hess as Hesston Academy and Bible School, initially serving as a preparatory institution focused on Bible training to support Mennonite communities west of the Mississippi River.[4] The school opened on September 22 with 21 students and quickly expanded its curriculum, adding college-level courses by 1915 and offering four-year bachelor's degrees from 1918 to 1927.[4] Following a directive from the Mennonite Board of Education, the institution discontinued bachelor's programs in 1927; it had adopted a junior college organization in 1925 and fully transitioned thereafter, earning accreditation from the Kansas Board of Education and the University of Kansas. It has since emphasized liberal arts education within a Mennonite framework.[4] The establishment of Hesston Manufacturing Corporation in 1947 marked a pivotal shift toward industrial development, founded by local farmer and inventor Lyle Yost along with partners Adin Holdeman and Elmer Berner to produce innovative farm equipment.[15] Initially focused on attachments like the unloading auger to improve hay harvesting efficiency, the company specialized in haying machinery by the 1950s, renaming to Hesston Manufacturing in 1956 and introducing self-propelled swathers that revolutionized agricultural productivity.[16] This growth attracted workers and spurred economic expansion, contributing to population increases from 403 residents in 1940 to 686 in 1950 and 1,103 by 1960, as manufacturing jobs drew families to the area.[17] By the mid-20th century, Hesston had evolved from a small agricultural settlement into a manufacturing hub, with the corporation becoming a leading U.S. producer of hay equipment.[2] On March 13, 1990, an F5 tornado struck Hesston, causing one death, injuring 60 people, and inflicting significant property damage estimated at $25 million across Harvey County.[18] The storm destroyed or severely damaged 226 homes and 21 businesses, with about 90 homes deemed beyond repair and 30 completely leveled, though the community's resilience led to rapid rebuilding efforts.[18]21st century events
On February 25, 2016, a mass shooting occurred at Excel Industries in Hesston, where employee Cedric Ford opened fire, killing two coworkers and injuring 14 others before being killed by police in a shootout.[19] The incident began earlier that day with random shootings in nearby Newton, escalating to the workplace rampage at the manufacturing plant.[20] The community responded with unity and grief, holding vigils and support gatherings, as residents emphasized compassion over division in the face of tragedy.[21] Five years later, in 2021, locals gathered for a remembrance event to honor victims and reflect on the town's resilience and recovery efforts, including mental health resources and workplace safety initiatives.[22] In September 2021, Stanley Black & Decker announced its acquisition of Excel Industries, the Hesston-based manufacturer of turf care equipment, for $375 million in cash, with the deal closing on December 1.[23][24] This move integrated Excel's operations, including its Hesston facility, into Stanley Black & Decker's outdoor products division, enhancing the company's portfolio in lawn and garden equipment.[25] In October 2024, AGCO Corporation laid off fewer than 70 employees at its Hesston manufacturing facility, citing weakened demand in the agricultural equipment sector amid a broader slowdown in the farm economy.[5] This followed earlier workforce reductions at the plant earlier in the year, reflecting ongoing adjustments to market conditions.[26] In November 2025, the Hesston Foundation announced it was downsizing a proposed $20 million grocery store project in downtown Hesston, originally conceived by indicted businessman Ben Hartland, by retooling the nonprofit board, reducing the store's scale, and cutting costs to increase local control and financial viability.[27] The revised plan aims to address the community's need for a full-service grocer while navigating challenges from Hartland's legal issues.[27]Geography
Location and topography
Hesston is situated in Harvey County in central Kansas at coordinates 38°08′13″N 97°25′50″W.[28] The city lies approximately 6 miles north of Newton and 35 miles north of Wichita, forming part of the Wichita metropolitan statistical area.[2] Its municipal boundaries are entirely within Harvey County, encompassing surrounding rural areas with limited direct adjacency to other incorporated places beyond Newton to the south.[29] The city occupies a total land area of 3.56 square miles, with no incorporated water bodies.[1] Topographically, Hesston features the characteristic flat plains of the Great Plains region, with minimal relief and an average elevation of around 1,480 feet above sea level.[30] It is in close proximity to the Little Arkansas River, which traverses northern Harvey County and influences local drainage patterns.[31] The surrounding landscape is dominated by agricultural prairie, where land use emphasizes crop production and livestock grazing on expansive fields.[32] Soils in the Hesston area primarily consist of silt loams and silty clay loams, such as the Chase and Ost series, which formed under native tallgrass prairie vegetation and support fertile conditions for agriculture.[33] Urban development, including residential, commercial, and industrial zones, is concentrated in the city center, contrasting with the broader rural prairie expanse.Climate
Hesston has a humid subtropical climate under the Köppen classification (Cfa), featuring hot, humid summers, cold winters, and moderate precipitation throughout the year. The average annual precipitation totals about 33 inches, supporting agriculture in the surrounding region while contributing to occasional flooding risks.[34][35] Temperatures exhibit significant seasonal variation, with average highs reaching 93°F in July and dropping to 45°F in January. Lows average 69°F in summer and 23°F in winter, creating a range that spans from mild to severe cold snaps. The all-time record high was 112°F in 1936, while the record low of -22°F occurred in 1989, reflecting the extremes possible in south-central Kansas.[36][37] Precipitation peaks in spring, with May and June each receiving around 4 inches on average, driven by frequent thunderstorms, while winter months are drier. Occasional droughts, particularly in summer, can impact local water resources and farming. As part of Tornado Alley, Hesston is prone to severe weather, including an F5 tornado in 1990 that caused widespread destruction (detailed in 20th century developments). Annual patterns feature heightened tornado and hail risks from March to June.[38][39][40]Demographics
2020 census
As of the 2020 United States Census, Hesston had a total population of 3,505 residents. The population density was 985 people per square mile. The median age was 41.9 years. The racial and ethnic composition of Hesston was predominantly White, reflecting a homogeneous demographic profile. Detailed breakdown from the census is as follows:| Race/Ethnicity | Percentage | Number |
|---|---|---|
| White | 90.01% | 3,155 |
| Hispanic or Latino (of any race) | 4.59% | 161 |
| Two or more races | 2.28% | 80 |
| Asian | 1.14% | 40 |
| Black or African American | 0.86% | 30 |
2010 census
As of the 2010 United States Census, the population of Hesston, Kansas, was 3,709 residents, reflecting a 15.5% increase from the 3,210 recorded in 2000.[44] The population density stood at 1,042 people per square mile (402.3 per square kilometer), calculated over a land area of approximately 3.56 square miles (9.22 square kilometers), indicating a compact urban footprint typical of small Midwestern cities.[45] The median age was 36.5 years, with a balanced sex distribution of 48.5% male and 51.5% female. The racial and ethnic composition of Hesston was predominantly White, comprising 92.7% of the population (3,440 individuals), followed by Hispanic or Latino residents of any race at 4.5% (167 individuals). Other groups included 1.1% identifying as two or more races (41 individuals) and 0.8% Asian (30 individuals), with smaller proportions of Black or African American (0.5%), American Indian and Alaska Native (0.4%), and Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander (0.1%). Foreign-born residents accounted for about 2.3% of the total. Household data revealed 1,270 households in Hesston, with an average household size of 2.58 persons and an average family size of 3.08. Of these, 70.2% were owner-occupied units, while 29.8% were renter-occupied. The median value of owner-occupied housing units was $124,000, underscoring stable residential investment in the community. Economic indicators from the 2006-2010 American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates showed a median household income of $58,750, above the state average of $49,341 for the period, reflecting a middle-class profile driven by manufacturing and agriculture. The per capita income was $22,959. The poverty rate was relatively low at 5.2%, affecting 193 individuals, with 4.1% of families below the threshold—lower than the national rate of 15.1%—indicating economic resilience.[46]| Demographic Category | Value (2010) |
|---|---|
| Total Population | 3,709 |
| Population Density | 1,042/sq mi |
| Median Age | 36.5 years |
| Households | 1,270 |
| Average Household Size | 2.58 |
| Owner-Occupied Housing | 70.2% |
| Median Home Value | $124,000 |
| Median Household Income | $58,750 |
| Poverty Rate | 5.2% |
