Where is Hays, Kansas, USA?

Written and Fact-checked by | Updated On: April 28, 2026 | 14:51 ET

Where is Hays Located? - Hays is a city located in the Ellis County of Kansas, United States. Hays lies between 43.3845 Degrees North latitudes and 70.5440 Degrees West longitudes.

Location Map of Hays, Kansas

Where is Hays, Kansas

Hays Map, Kansas, USA

Where is Hays?: The Google Map showing the location of Hays in the U.S. state of Kansas.

Where is Hays Located?

Hays is a city located in the Ellis County of Kansas, United States. Hays lies between 43.3845 Degrees North latitudes and 70.5440 Degrees West longitudes. According to 2020 U.S.census, the population of Hays city is 21116 people and the city has a total area of 8.39 sq mi. The city has numerous parks and recreational facilities.

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Hays, Kansas Quick Facts

PropertyInformation
CityHays
CountyEllis County
StateKansas
State CapitalTopeka
US RegionMidwestern United States
Latitude38.8792° N
Longitude99.3268° W
Elevation2,007 ft (612 m)
Land Area8.64 sq mi
Water Area0.01 sq mi
Total Area8.65 sq mi
Population (latest Census year)21,116 (2020 Census)
Population Density (per sq mi)2,443
ZIP Codes67601, 67667 (PO Box)
Area Code785
Time Zone StandardCentral Standard Time (CST, UTC−6)
Time Zone DaylightCentral Daylight Time (CDT, UTC−5)
CurrencyUnited States Dollar (USD)
FIPS Code20-31100
Congressional DistrictKansas's 1st Congressional District

Transportation and Connectivity in Hays, Kansas

CategoryInformation
Airport NameHays Regional Airport
IATA CodeHYS
PortNot Applicable
Major HighwaysInterstate 70, U.S. Route 40, U.S. Route 183
Train/Amtrak ServiceNo passenger rail service; nearest Amtrak station is in Dodge City
Local Bus/Transit ServiceCity of Hays Public Transit
  • Interstate 70 - Major east-west interstate linking Hays with Denver, Topeka and Kansas City.
  • U.S. Route 40 - Historic highway running alongside I-70 through western and central Kansas.
  • U.S. Route 183 - North-south highway connecting Hays with Nebraska, Dodge City and central Kansas communities.

Top Places to Visit in Hays, Kansas

Landmark NameType
Sternberg Museum of Natural HistoryMuseum
Fort Hays State Historic SiteHistoric Site
Fort Hays State UniversityUniversity Campus
Frontier Historical ParkPark
Downtown Hays Historic DistrictHistoric District
Big Creek CrossingShopping Center
Ellis County Historical Society MuseumMuseum
Hays Aquatic ParkWater Park
Bickle-Schmidt Sports ComplexSports Complex
Vine Street DistrictEntertainment District

Driving Distances from Hays, Kansas to Nearby Cities

CityStateDistance (mi)Approx. Drive Time
EllisKansas1515 min
VictoriaKansas1115 min
RussellKansas2830 min
PlainvilleKansas2830 min
La CrosseKansas3235 min
WaKeeneyKansas3235 min
Great BendKansas671 hr 5 min
SalinaKansas921 hr 20 min
ColbyKansas1081 hr 35 min
Dodge CityKansas1121 hr 45 min

Colleges and Universities in Hays, Kansas

Institution NameTypeLevelNotable For
Fort Hays State UniversityPublicUniversityTeacher education and online degree programs
North Central Kansas Technical College – Hays CampusPublicTechnical CollegeCareer and skilled trades education
Fort Hays Tech | North CentralPublicTechnical CollegeApplied technology and workforce training
Thomas More Prep-Marian Jr./Sr. High SchoolPrivateK–12 SchoolCollege preparatory education
Hays USD 489PublicK–12 DistrictPrimary and secondary public education

Waterbodies in Hays, Kansas

Big Creek, Smoky Hill River, Big Creek Lake, Cedar Bluff Reservoir, Wilson Lake, Buckeye Creek, South Fork Big Creek, Yocemento Creek.

Golf Courses in Hays, Kansas

The Golf Course at Fort Hays Municipal, Smoky Hill Country Club, Ellis Golf Course, Russell Municipal Golf Course, WaKeeney Golf Club.

Hays, Kansas — Key Historical Facts

  • Hays was founded in 1867 as a military outpost around Fort Hays, which helped protect travelers along the Smoky Hill Trail.
  • The arrival of the Kansas Pacific Railway transformed Hays into an important transportation and trade center across western Kansas.
  • During the late nineteenth century, Hays became known for its frontier heritage and was visited by notable Old West figures, including Buffalo Bill Cody and Wild Bill Hickok.
  • Fort Hays State University, established in 1902, has grown into one of western Kansas's leading public universities and a major contributor to the local economy.
  • Today, Hays serves as the regional hub for education, healthcare, commerce, and tourism in northwestern Kansas while preserving its rich frontier history.

References

Kansas Related Maps and Info

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