19th century

Ellsworth in 1867

Once called "The Wickedest Cattletown in Kansas", the city is named for Fort Ellsworth, which was built in 1864.^[5] Due to speculation on imminent railroad construction, the population of Ellsworth boomed to over two thousand by the time it was incorporated in 1867. It has since been said, "Abilene, the first, Dodge City, the last, but Ellsworth the wickedest".

Ellsworth was a bustling cattle town for a time during the late 1860s, when the Kansas Pacific Railroad had a stop and stockyards there. Cattle were driven up from Texas to this point, and then shipped to major markets. Often cowboys had the run of the town. In 1875 Kansas Pacific closed its cattle pens, moving to another location. The cattle trade dwindled to almost nothing by the mid-1880s.

During the late 1860s into the 1870s, Ellsworth was known for being one of the "wickedest" cattle towns, the scene of numerous killings following shootouts between drunken cowboys. The town sported numerous saloons, brothels and gambling halls, with prostitution being rampant.^[6] Wild Bill Hickok ran for Ellsworth County Sheriff in 1868, but was defeated by veteran Union Army soldier E. W. Kingsbury. Kingsbury was an effective lawman, but relied on local marshals to patrol the town, as he also had to police the county. Violence in Ellsworth was commonplace among the cowboys and people associated with them.^[7] Ellsworth marshal Will Semans was shot and killed on September 26, 1869, while attempting to disarm a rowdy man in a dance hall.^[8]

1915-1918 Railroad Map of Ellsworth County

For a time during this period, two small-time outlaws known only as Craig and Johnson began bullying people around the community, often committing armed robbery. After Semans' murder, they operated openly. Before long, citizens formed a vigilance squad and captured both men, hanging them in a lynching near the Smoky Hill River. Chauncey Whitney,^[9] a deputy to Kingsbury, took over following Sheriff Kingsbury's departure. Whitney quickly gained a reputation as being both tough and respectable, and was well liked. The scale of business is shown by construction of the Drovers Cottage in 1872. It could accommodate 175 guests, and stable 50 carriages and 100 horses.^[10]

Lawman Wyatt Earp claimed to have served in Ellsworth for a short time. He also later claimed to have arrested gunman Ben Thompson there. But Thompson was arrested by Deputy Ed Hogue after his brother Billy Thompson accidentally shot and killed Ellsworth County Sheriff Chauncey Whitney in 1873. Billy Thompson fled, fearing that he would be lynched for the death of the popular sheriff. Thompson was eventually captured and put on trial, but was acquitted in the shooting. Sheriff Whitney, a friend to both Thompsons, had told bystanders before his death that the shooting was an accident.^[11]

By the late 1870s the crime rate had dropped dramatically, as fewer cowboys came through after Kansas Pacific closed its stockyard here. Cattle drives were directed to other market cities, such as Dodge City. Ellsworth suffered economically.

In 1888, the Kansas Midland Railway Company built between Wichita and Ellsworth.^[12] The line was purchased in 1900 by the St. Louis-San Francisco Railway (the "Frisco").^[12] The Frisco operated the line for many years,^[13] but it has since been abandoned.^[14]

21st century

Ellsworth has been developing heritage tourism related to its unique 19th-century history. The city and activists have plans to restore Ellsworth's Signature Insurance Building for use as the National Drovers Hall of Fame. Funds for the project are being raised party from an annual cattle drive down Main Street and Douglas Avenue; it is one of the few in the United States that is historically accurate.^[15]

Climate

Under the Köppen climate classification, Ellsworth falls within either a hot-summer humid continental climate (Dfa) if the 0 °C (32 °F) isotherm is used or a humid subtropical climate (Cfa) if the −3 °C (27 °F) isotherm is used. Summers are hot and humid and winters are moderately cold with wide variations in temperature. The average annual temperature is 53.3 °F (11.8 °C), and the average yearly precipitation is 30.87 inches (78.4 cm). Snowfall averages 16.2 inches (41 cm) per year. On average, July is the warmest month, January is the coldest month and driest, and May is the wettest month. The hottest temperature recorded in was 117 °F (47.2 °C) on August 12–13, 1936, while the coldest temperature recorded was −30 °F (−34.4 °C) on January 8, 1913.^[18]

2020 census

The 2020 United States census counted 3,066 people, 969 households, and 551 families in Ellsworth.^[20][21] The population density was 1,281.2 per square mile (494.7/km²). There were 1,144 housing units at an average density of 478.1 per square mile (184.6/km²).^[21][22] The racial makeup was 84.15% (2,580) white or European American (79.42% non-Hispanic white), 7.96% (244) black or African-American, 1.27% (39) Native American or Alaska Native, 0.49% (15) Asian, 0.0% (0) Pacific Islander or Native Hawaiian, 0.82% (25) from other races, and 5.32% (163) from two or more races.^[23] Hispanic or Latino of any race was 7.21% (221) of the population.^[24]

Of the 969 households, 24.1% had children under the age of 18; 44.6% were married couples living together; 29.0% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. 39.4% of households consisted of individuals and 19.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.^[21] The average household size was 2.2 and the average family size was 2.7.^[25] The percent of those with a bachelor’s degree or higher was estimated to be 12.6% of the population.^[26]

16.0% of the population was under the age of 18, 6.8% from 18 to 24, 34.1% from 25 to 44, 25.5% from 45 to 64, and 17.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40.0 years. For every 100 females, there were 57.7 males.^[21] For every 100 females ages 18 and older, there were 52.2 males.^[21]

The 2016-2020 5-year American Community Survey estimates show that the median household income was $53,547 (with a margin of error of +/- $5,733) and the median family income was $76,125 (+/- $23,135).^[27] Males had a median income of $27,146 (+/- $5,757) versus $32,944 (+/- $5,231) for females. The median income for those above 16 years old was $30,033 (+/- $4,968).^[28] Approximately, 3.0% of families and 6.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.2% of those under the age of 18 and 4.5% of those ages 65 or over.^[29][30]

2010 census

As of the census^[31] of 2010, there were 3,120 people, 997 households, and 639 families living in the city. The population density was 1,284.0 inhabitants per square mile (495.8/km²). There were 1,154 housing units at an average density of 474.9 per square mile (183.4/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 87.9% White, 9.3% African American, 0.6% Native American, 0.4% Asian, 0.7% from other races, and 1.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.2% of the population.

There were 997 households, of which 26.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.6% were married couples living together, 9.2% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.3% had a male householder with no wife present, and 35.9% were non-families. 32.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.21 and the average family size was 2.77.

The median age in the city was 38.4 years. 17% of residents were under the age of 18; 10.5% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 31.5% were from 25 to 44; 25% were from 45 to 64; and 16.1% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 61.9% male and 38.1% female.

2000 census

As of the census^[32] of 2000, there were 2,965 people, 995 households, and 641 families living in the city. The population density was 1,413.3 inhabitants per square mile (545.7/km²). There were 1,141 housing units at an average density of 543.9 per square mile (210.0/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 88.40% White, 7.55% African American, 0.94% Native American, 0.51% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.94% from other races, and 1.62% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.95% of the population.

There were 995 households, out of which 27.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.9% were married couples living together, 7.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.5% were non-families. 33.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 18.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.23 and the average family size was 2.84.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 17.3% under the age of 18, 10.0% from 18 to 24, 31.5% from 25 to 44, 22.2% from 45 to 64, and 19.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 132.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 139.9 males.

As of 2000 the median income for a household in the city was $35,625, and the median income for a family was $45,156. Males had a median income of $30,233 versus $19,762 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,396. About 3.8% of families and 7.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.0% of those under age 18 and 9.9% of those age 65 or over.