Wichita is located in the southern part of the Kansas, United States. It is the largest city of Kansas state.
Wichita, Kansas Quick Facts
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| City | Wichita |
| County | Sedgwick County |
| State | Kansas |
| State Capital | Topeka |
| US Region | Midwest |
| Latitude | 37.6872° N |
| Longitude | 97.3301° W |
| Elevation | 1,299 ft (396 m) |
| Land Area | 165.8 sq mi |
| Water Area | 4.1 sq mi |
| Total Area | 169.9 sq mi |
| Population (2020 Census) | 397,532 |
| Population Density | Approximately 2,398 per sq mi |
| ZIP Codes | 67201-67223, 67226-67228, 67230, 67232, 67235, 67260, 67275-67278 |
| Area Code | 316 |
| Time Zone Standard | Central Standard Time (CST, UTC-6) |
| Time Zone Daylight | Central Daylight Time (CDT, UTC-5) |
| Currency | US Dollar (USD) |
| FIPS Code | 20-79000 |
| Congressional District | Kansas 4th Congressional District |
Location and Surroundings
Wichita is located in Sedgwick County in south-central Kansas along the Arkansas River. It lies between Oklahoma City to the south and Kansas City to the northeast within the Great Plains region. The city is known as the Air Capital of the World due to its aviation industry, along with its manufacturing, healthcare, and cultural attractions.
Nearby Cities to Wichita, Kansas
- Derby, Kansas - 10 mi Southeast
- Andover, Kansas - 13 mi East
- Haysville, Kansas - 8 mi South
- Park City, Kansas - 8 mi North
- Maize, Kansas - 10 mi Northwest
- Valley Center, Kansas - 12 mi North
- Goddard, Kansas - 12 mi West
- Augusta, Kansas - 22 mi East
- Newton, Kansas - 27 mi North
- El Dorado, Kansas - 31 mi East
Wichita, Kansas Climate and Weather Overview
| Month | Avg High (°F) | Avg Low (°F) | Avg Rainfall (in) |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 43 | 22 | 0.8 |
| April | 68 | 45 | 2.8 |
| July | 93 | 71 | 3.7 |
| October | 71 | 47 | 2.5 |
| Annual | 69 | 47 | 34.0 |
| Climate Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Climate Classification (Köppen) | Humid Subtropical (Cfa) |
| Annual Rainfall | About 34 inches |
| Annual Sunshine Days | Approximately 221 days |
| Hurricane/Tornado Risk | Very low hurricane risk, moderate tornado risk |
| Snowfall | Approximately 15 inches annually |
Driving Distances from Wichita, Kansas
| City | State | Distance (mi) | Approx. Drive Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Haysville | Kansas | 8 | 15 min |
| Park City | Kansas | 8 | 15 min |
| Derby | Kansas | 10 | 20 min |
| Maize | Kansas | 10 | 20 min |
| Valley Center | Kansas | 12 | 20 min |
| Goddard | Kansas | 12 | 20 min |
| Andover | Kansas | 13 | 20 min |
| Augusta | Kansas | 22 | 30 min |
| Newton | Kansas | 27 | 35 min |
| El Dorado | Kansas | 31 | 35 min |
Transportation and Connectivity in Wichita, Kansas
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Airport Name | Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport |
| IATA Code | ICT |
| Port | Not Applicable |
| Major Highways | I-35 (Kansas Turnpike), US 54, US 81, K-96, I-135 |
| Train/Amtrak Service | No direct Amtrak service; nearest station in Newton |
| Local Bus/Transit Service | Wichita Transit |
- Interstate 35 (Kansas Turnpike) - Connects Wichita with Kansas City and Oklahoma.
- Interstate 135 - Main north-south freeway through Wichita.
- US Highway 54 - Major east-west route crossing south-central Kansas.
- US Highway 81 - Connects Wichita with central Kansas and Oklahoma.
- K-96 - Beltway and regional route serving northern Wichita suburbs.
Key Landmarks and Places to Visit in Wichita, Kansas
| Landmark Name | Type |
|---|---|
| Sedgwick County Zoo | Zoo |
| Old Cowtown Museum | Historic Museum |
| Exploration Place | Science Museum |
| Botanica Wichita | Botanical Garden |
| Museum of World Treasures | Museum |
| Keeper of the Plains | Monument |
| Wichita Art Museum | Museum |
| Century II Performing Arts Center | Performing Arts Venue |
| INTRUST Bank Arena | Sports and Event Venue |
| Great Plains Nature Center | Nature Center |
Waterbodies in Wichita, Kansas
Arkansas River, Little Arkansas River, Chisholm Creek, Cowskin Creek, Wichita-Valley Center Floodway, Cheney Reservoir, Lake Afton, East Lake, South Lake, El Dorado Lake
Golf Courses in Wichita, Kansas
Crestview Country Club, Auburn Hills Golf Course, Tex Consolver Golf Course, MacDonald Golf Course, Willowbend Golf Club, Tallgrass Country Club, Reflection Ridge Golf Club, Sand Creek Station Golf Course, Rolling Hills Country Club, Sierra Hills Golf Club
Economy and Major Employers in Wichita, Kansas
| Sector | Major Employer or Industry | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Aviation | Textron Aviation | Major aircraft manufacturer headquartered in Wichita. |
| Aviation | Spirit AeroSystems | One of the region's largest aerospace employers. |
| Healthcare | Ascension Via Christi Health | Leading healthcare provider in the region. |
| Healthcare | Wesley Healthcare | Major medical services employer. |
| Manufacturing | Aerospace and Industrial Manufacturing | Foundation of the local economy. |
| Education | Wichita State University | Supports research and workforce development. |
| Government | City of Wichita and Sedgwick County | Significant public-sector employment. |
| Finance | Banking and Financial Services | Supports regional business growth. |
Colleges and Universities in Wichita, Kansas
| Institution Name | Type | Level | Notable For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wichita State University | Public | University | Engineering, aviation, and research programs |
| Friends University | Private | University | Liberal arts and business education |
| Newman University | Private | University | Catholic higher education and nursing programs |
| Wichita Technical Institute | Private | Technical College | Career-focused technical training |
| Butler Community College - Wichita Service Center | Public | Community College | Workforce development and transfer programs |
| Kansas Health Science University | Private | University | Osteopathic medical education |
Wichita, Kansas - Key Historical Facts
- Wichita was founded in 1868 and became an important trading center on the Chisholm Trail.
- The city earned the nickname "Cowtown" during the cattle-driving era of the late nineteenth century.
- Railroad expansion helped transform Wichita into a major commercial and agricultural center.
- The aviation industry began growing in Wichita during the early twentieth century, earning the city the title "Air Capital of the World."
- Aircraft manufacturing played a vital role in Wichita's economy during World War II and beyond.
- Today, Wichita remains one of the leading aerospace manufacturing centers in the United States.
Sources
- Official City of Wichita Website
- Sedgwick County Official Website
- U.S. Census Bureau
- U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)
- National Weather Service
More Kansas Maps & Info
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