View source for Baldwin City, Kansas

{{Use American English|date=March 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Infobox settlement
|name                     = Baldwin City, Kansas
|settlement_type          = [[City]]

<!-- Images -->
|image_skyline            = Downtown Baldwin City NoDate.png
|image_caption            = Downtown Baldwin City (2008)
|image_flag               = Flag of Baldwin City, Kansas.svg
|image_seal               =

<!-- Maps -->
|image_map                = Douglas_County_Kansas_Incorporated_and_Unincorporated_areas_Baldwin_City_Highlighted.svg
|map_caption              = Location within [[Douglas County, Kansas|Douglas County]] and [[Kansas]]
|image_map1               = Map of Douglas Co, Ks, USA.png
|map_caption1             = [[Kansas Department of Transportation|KDOT]] map of [[Douglas County, Kansas|Douglas County]] ([[:File:Kansas official transportation map legend.png|legend]])

<!-- Location -->
|coordinates_footnotes    = <ref name=gnis/>
|coordinates              = {{coord|38|46|41|N|95|11|17|W|region:US-KS_type:city|display=inline,title}}
|subdivision_type         = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
|subdivision_name         = United States
|subdivision_type1        = [[U.S. state|State]]
|subdivision_name1        = [[Kansas]]
|subdivision_type2        = [[List of counties in Kansas|County]]
|subdivision_name2        = [[Douglas County, Kansas|Douglas]]
|subdivision_type3        = [[List of townships in Kansas|Township]]
|subdivision_name3        =

<!-- Established -->
|established_title        = Founded
|established_date         = 1850s
|established_title1       = [[Platted]]
|established_date1        =
|established_title2       = [[Municipal corporation|Incorporated]]
|established_date2        = 1870
|named_for                = [[John Baldwin (educator)|John Baldwin]]

<!-- Government -->
|government_footnotes     =
|government_type          = <!-- [[Mayor–council government|Mayor–Council]] -->
|leader_title             = [[Mayor]]
|leader_name              =

<!-- Area -->
|area_footnotes           = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2019">{{cite web|title=2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2019_Gazetteer/2019_gaz_place_20.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=July 24, 2020}}</ref>
|area_total_sq_mi         = 2.69
|area_land_sq_mi          = 2.67
|area_water_sq_mi         = 0.02
|area_total_km2           = 6.96
|area_land_km2            = 6.92
|area_water_km2           = 0.04
|unit_pref                = Imperial

<!-- Elevation -->
|elevation_footnotes      = <ref name=gnis/>
|elevation_ft             = 1066

<!-- Population -->
|population_footnotes     = <ref name="Census-2020-Profile"/>
|population_as_of         = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
|population_total         = 4826
|pop_est_footnotes        =
|pop_est_as_of            =
|population_est           =
|population_density_sq_mi = auto
|population_density_km2   = auto

<!-- General information -->
|timezone                 = [[Central Time Zone|CST]]
|utc_offset               = -6
|timezone_DST             = CDT
|utc_offset_DST           = -5
|postal_code_type         = [[ZIP code]]
|postal_code              = 66006
|area_code_type           = [[North American Numbering Plan|Area code]]
|area_code                = [[Area code 785|785]]
|blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
|blank_info               = 20-03900 
|blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS ID]]
|blank1_info              = 2394055<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|2394055}}</ref>
|website                  = {{URL|https://www.baldwincity.org/|baldwincity.org}}
}}

[[File:Aerial View of Baldwin City, Kansas 8-31-2013.JPG|thumb|right|Aerial View of Baldwin City]]
'''Baldwin City''' is a city in [[Douglas County, Kansas|Douglas County]], [[Kansas]], United States,<ref name=gnis/> about {{convert|12|mi|km}} south of [[Lawrence, Kansas|Lawrence]].  As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], the population of the city was 4,826.<ref name="Census-2020-Profile">{{cite web |title=Profile of Baldwin City, Kansas in 2020 |url=https://data.census.gov/profile/Baldwin_City_city,_Kansas?g=1600000US2003900 |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=December 20, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221220155035/https://data.census.gov/profile/Baldwin_City_city,_Kansas?g=1600000US2003900 |archive-date=December 20, 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref>  The city is home to [[Baker University]], the state's oldest four-year university.

==History==
[[Image:Old Castle Museum.JPG|left|thumb|The Old Castle Museum, the first building constructed for Baker University. To the right is a replica of Kibbee Cabin.]]

===Early history===
Baldwin City began as a trail stop on the [[Santa Fe Trail]] named '''Palmyra'''.  The small community consisted of a harness shop, blacksmith, hotel, lawyer, drug store, two doctors and a tavern.  In 1858, a group of Methodist ministers gathered at Kibbee Cabin and founded [[Baker University]].  Palmyra bought land to the south for the university and surrounding city.  The first post office was established in June, 1857.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kshs.org/geog/geog_postoffices/search/page:1/county:DG/sort:County.county_name/direction:asc |title=Kansas Post Offices, 1828-1961 (archived) |publisher=Kansas Historical Society |access-date=8 June 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130310055433/http://www.kshs.org/geog/geog_postoffices/search/page%3A1/county%3ADG/sort%3ACounty.county_name/direction%3Aasc |archive-date=March 10, 2013 }}</ref>

A main benefactor of the community was [[John Baldwin (educator)|John Baldwin]] and the town was named in his honor.<ref>{{cite book | url=https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_5zdAAQAAMAAJ | title=Biennial Report of the Board of Directors of the Kansas State Historical Society | publisher=Kansas State Printing Plant | author=Kansas State Historical Society | year=1916 | pages=[https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_5zdAAQAAMAAJ/page/n288 181]}}</ref> Baldwin built a saw mill which was at present-day Fifth and Indiana Streets.  '''Baldwin City''' was incorporated on September 22, 1870.

Baldwin City unwittingly found themselves surrounded by the events that led up to the [[American Civil War]]. Three miles east of Baldwin was the town site of Black Jack where the [[Battle of Black Jack]] took place on June 2, 1856. The night before that battle, [[John Brown (abolitionist)|John Brown]] stayed in [[Prairie City, Kansas|Prairie City]]. In 1863, [[William C. Quantrill|Quantrill's]] raiders passed within three miles (5&nbsp;km) of Baldwin after the [[Lawrence Massacre|burning of Lawrence]].

===Midland Railway===
In 1867, the Leavenworth, Lawrence and Galveston Railroad laid tracks and became the first Kansas railroad south of the [[Kansas River]]. In 1906, the Santa Fe Depot was built and today the [[Midland Railway (Kansas)|Midland Railway]] offers over 20-mile round trip excursion rides to [[Ottawa, Kansas|Ottawa]] via "Nowhere" and [[Norwood, Kansas|Norwood]]. Midland's [[Scouting in Kansas|Scout program]] is one of the few in the country to offer a railroading merit badge and Midland has hosted a [[Thomas the Tank Engine]] attraction the last few years.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.midlandrailway.org/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121026002027/http://www.midlandrailway.org/|url-status=usurped|archive-date=October 26, 2012|title=Historical Excursion Train - Midland Railway Historical Association|website=www.midlandrailway.org|access-date=22 April 2018}}</ref>

===Maple Leaf Festival===
Every year since 1957, Baldwin City has hosted the Maple Leaf Festival during the third full weekend in October.  It began as a way to celebrate a successful harvest and to view the fall foliage.  Today, it is the largest fall family event in the area and features a parade, arts and crafts, quilt show, theatrical performances, history tours, train rides and live music.  Annually it draws crowds of 30,000 or more.<ref>{{Cite web |title=History |url=https://mapleleaffestival.com/history |access-date=2024-04-05 |website=Maple Leaf Festival |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Geography==
According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has an area of {{convert|2.64|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, of which {{convert|2.62|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is land and {{convert|0.02|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is water.<ref name="Gazetteer files">{{cite web|title=US Gazetteer files 2010 |url=https://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=2012-07-06 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120125061959/http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt |archive-date=2012-01-25 }}</ref>

===Climate===
The area's climate is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally cool to cold winters. According to the [[Köppen Climate Classification]] system, Baldwin City has a [[humid subtropical climate]], abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather-summary.php3?s=40941&cityname=Baldwin+City,+Kansas,+United+States+of+America&units=|title=Baldwin City, Kansas Köppen Climate Classification (Weatherbase)|website=Weatherbase|access-date=22 April 2018}}</ref>

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1880= 325
|1890= 935
|1900= 1017
|1910= 1386
|1920= 1137
|1930= 1127
|1940= 1096
|1950= 1741
|1960= 1877
|1970= 2520
|1980= 2829
|1990= 2961
|2000= 3400
|2010= 4515
|2020= 4826
|estyear=
|estimate=
|estref=
|align-fn=center
|footnote=[https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html U.S. Decennial Census]
}}
Baldwin City is part of the Lawrence [[Metropolitan Statistical Area]].
===2020 census===
The [[2020 United States census]] counted 4,826 people, 1,651 households, and 1,085 families in Baldwin City.<ref>{{Cite web |title=US Census Bureau, Table P16: HOUSEHOLD TYPE |url=https://data.census.gov/table?q=Baldwin%20City%20city,%20Kansas%20p16&y=2020 |access-date=2023-12-31 |website=data.census.gov}}</ref><ref name=:0 /> The population density was 1,802.8 per square mile (696.0/km{{sup|2}}). There were 1,748 housing units at an average density of 653.0 per square mile (252.1/km{{sup|2}}).<ref name=:0>{{Cite web |title=US Census Bureau, Table DP1: PROFILE OF GENERAL POPULATION AND HOUSING CHARACTERISTICS |url=https://data.census.gov/table/DECENNIALDP2020.DP1?q=Baldwin%20City%20city,%20Kansas%20dp1 |access-date=2023-12-31 |website=data.census.gov}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |publisher=United States Census Bureau |title=Gazetteer Files |url=https://www.census.gov/geographies/reference-files/2020/geo/gazetter-file.html |access-date=2023-12-30 |website=Census.gov}}</ref> The racial makeup was 87.65% (4,230) [[White (U.S. Census)|white]] or [[European American]] (85.81% [[Non-Hispanic White|non-Hispanic white]]), 1.99% (96) [[African American (U.S. Census)|black]] or [[African American|African-American]], 0.97% (47) [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]] or [[Alaska Native]], 0.73% (35) [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.12% (6) [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]] or [[Native Hawaiian]], 1.64% (79) from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 6.9% (333) from [[Multiracial Americans|two or more races]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=US Census Bureau, Table P1: RACE |url=https://data.census.gov/table/DECENNIALPL2020.P1?q=Baldwin%20City%20city,%20Kansas%20p1&y=2020 |access-date=2023-12-31 |website=data.census.gov}}</ref> [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race was 4.33% (209) of the population.<ref>{{Cite web |title=US Census Bureau, Table P2: HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE |url=https://data.census.gov/table/DECENNIALPL2020.P2?q=Baldwin%20City%20city,%20Kansas%20p2&y=2020 |access-date=2023-12-31 |website=data.census.gov}}</ref>

Of the 1,651 households, 34.5% had children under the age of 18; 48.6% were married couples living together; 25.9% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. 28.7% of households consisted of individuals and 14.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.<ref name=:0 /> The average household size was 2.7 and the average family size was 3.2.<ref>{{Cite web |title=US Census Bureau, Table S1101: HOUSEHOLDS AND FAMILIES |url=https://data.census.gov/table/ACSST5Y2020.S1101?q=Baldwin%20City%20city,%20Kansas%20s1101%20&y=2020 |access-date=2023-12-31 |website=data.census.gov}}</ref> The percent of those with a bachelor’s degree or higher was estimated to be 23.5% of the population.<ref>{{Cite web |title=US Census Bureau, Table S1501: EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT |url=https://data.census.gov/table/ACSST5Y2020.S1501?q=Baldwin%20City%20city,%20Kansas%20s1501%20&y=2020 |access-date=2023-12-31 |website=data.census.gov}}</ref>

22.2% of the population was under the age of 18, 20.7% from 18 to 24, 20.0% from 25 to 44, 21.2% from 45 to 64, and 15.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31.5 years. For every 100 females, there were 104.1 males.<ref name=:0 /> For every 100 females ages 18 and older, there were 106.8 males.<ref name=:0 />

The 2016-2020 5-year [[American Community Survey]] estimates show that the median household income was $74,074 (with a margin of error of +/- $7,962) and the median family income was $76,346 (+/- $17,265).<ref>{{Cite web |title=US Census Bureau, Table S1903: MEDIAN INCOME IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS (IN 2020 INFLATION-ADJUSTED DOLLARS) |url=https://data.census.gov/table/ACSST5Y2020.S1903?q=Baldwin%20City%20city,%20Kansas%20s1903%20&y=2020 |access-date=2023-12-31 |website=data.census.gov}}</ref> Males had a median income of $34,583 (+/- $20,308) versus $16,000 (+/- $10,190) for females. The median income for those above 16 years old was $23,188 (+/- $12,766).<ref>{{Cite web |title=US Census Bureau, Table S2001: EARNINGS IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS (IN 2020 INFLATION-ADJUSTED DOLLARS) |url=https://data.census.gov/table/ACSST5Y2020.S2001?q=Baldwin%20City%20city,%20Kansas%20s2001%20&y=2020 |access-date=2023-12-31 |website=data.census.gov}}</ref> Approximately, 4.4% of families and 7.9% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 10.8% of those under the age of 18 and 6.2% of those ages 65 or over.<ref>{{Cite web |title=US Census Bureau, Table S1701: POVERTY STATUS IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS |url=https://data.census.gov/table/ACSST5Y2020.S1701?q=Baldwin%20City%20city,%20Kansas%20s1701%20&y=2020 |access-date=2023-12-31 |website=data.census.gov}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=US Census Bureau, Table S1702: POVERTY STATUS IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS OF FAMILIES |url=https://data.census.gov/table/ACSST5Y2020.S1702?q=Baldwin%20City%20city,%20Kansas%20s1702&y=2020 |access-date=2023-12-31 |website=data.census.gov}}</ref>

===2010 census===
As of the [[census]]<ref name ="wwwcensusgov">{{cite web|title=U.S. Census website|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=2012-07-06}}</ref> of 2010, there were 4,515 people, 1,501 households, and 1,011 families living in the city. The [[population density]] was {{convert|1723.3|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 1,665 housing units at an average density of {{convert|635.5|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the city was 93.4% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 2.1% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.7% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.5% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.6% from [[Race (U.S. Census)|other races]], and 2.7% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 3.0% of the population.

There were 1,501 households, of which 37.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.6% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 10.2% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.5% had a male householder with no wife present, and 32.6% were non-families. 26.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.54 and the average family size was 3.08.

The median age in the city was 30.2 years. 24.3% of residents were under the age of 18; 20.9% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 22.9% were from 25 to 44; 20.1% were from 45 to 64; and 11.9% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.5% male and 51.5% female.

===2000 census===
As of the [[census]] of 2000, there were 3,400 people, 1,077 households, and 774 families living in the city. The population density was {{convert|1,565.1|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 1,165 housing units at an average density of {{convert|536.3|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the city was 93.62% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 1.12% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.74% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.62% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.06% [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 0.38% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 3.47% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 1.62% of the population.

There were 1,077 households, out of which 39.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.8% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 10.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.1% were non-families. 24.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.59 and the average family size was 3.10.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 25.3% under the age of 18, 21.8% from 18 to 24, 24.2% from 25 to 44, 17.4% from 45 to 64, and 11.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 28 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.5 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $43,269, and the median income for a family was $51,667. Males had a median income of $37,111 versus $25,850 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $16,698. About 5.6% of families and 7.6% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 11.0% of those under age 18 and 5.7% of those age 65 or over.

==Government==
The Baldwin City government consists of a mayor and five council members. The council meets the first and third Tuesdays of each month at 7:00pm.<ref>[https://www.baldwincity.gov/188/City-Council City Council] baldwincity.gov</ref>
* City Hall, 803 Eighth Street.

==Education==

===Primary and secondary education===
The community is served by [[Baldwin City USD 348]] public school district, and serves most of southern Douglas County. It maintains four schools in Baldwin City (Baldwin Elementary, Baldwin Intermediate, Baldwin Junior High and [[Baldwin High School (Baldwin City, Kansas)|Baldwin High School]]). On December 13, 2010, the {{not a typo|USD 348}} Board of Education voted to close the schools in Vinland and Worden at the end of the 2010–2011 school year.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Gillispie |first1=Jimmy |title=School board closes rural elementary schools by 5-2 vote |url=http://signal.baldwincity.com/news/2010/dec/13/school-board-closes-rural-elementary-schools-5-2-v/ |website=Baldwin City Signal |date=December 13, 2010 |access-date=December 14, 2010 |archive-date=May 14, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120514042927/http://signal.baldwincity.com/news/2010/dec/13/school-board-closes-rural-elementary-schools-5-2-v// |url-status=dead }}</ref>
*Baldwin High School is home to the Bulldogs.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Hirschmann |first1=Makayla |title=Bulldog fall sports overcome adversities for successful season |url=https://www.bulldogbulletinonline.com/sports/2020/12/03/bulldog-fall-sports-overcome-adversities-for-successful-season/ |website=Bulldog Bulletin Online |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201203175753/https://www.bulldogbulletinonline.com/sports/2020/12/03/bulldog-fall-sports-overcome-adversities-for-successful-season/ |archive-date=December 3, 2020 |date=December 3, 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref>

;Closed schools
* Vinland Elementary - closed in 2011
* Marion Springs Elementary - closed in 2011

===College===
Baldwin City is home to the main campus of [[Baker University]], a liberal arts university founded in 1858 by United Methodist ministers.  It is the oldest four-year university in Kansas and has been [[coed]] since it was founded.

==Notable people==
<!--- Please list only people who have spent a significant amount of time in Baldwin City. If the individual's tie is ''only'' as a Baker University student, they should be listed in the university article.  --->
{{See also|Baker_University#Notable_alumni|l1=List of Baker University people}}
* [[Delia L. Weatherby]] (1843—1916), [[Temperance movement in the United States|temperance reformer]] and author.

==Gallery==
<gallery widths="200px" heights="150px" perrow="4">
Image:Santa Fe Wagon Ruts.JPG|To the right of the sign are remnants of wagon ruts left from the Santa Fe Trail in the Ivan Boyd Prairie Preserve near Baldwin City. Also was the site of Black Jack.
Image:Santa Fe Depot.JPG|The Santa Fe Depot for the Midland Railway in west Baldwin City.
</gallery>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
{{Kansas books}}
{{See also|Douglas County, Kansas#Further reading|l1=List of books about Douglas County, Kansas}}
{{See also|Santa Fe Trail#Further reading|l1=List of books about Santa Fe Trail}}
* ''A Self-Guided Tour of Baldwin City's Historic Sites on the Santa Fe Trail'' by Loren K. Litteer
* ''The Leavenworth, Lawrence & Ft. Gibson Railroad'' by Loren K. Litteer

==External links==
{{Wikivoyage|Baldwin City}}
{{Commons category|Baldwin City, Kansas}}
;City
* [https://www.baldwincity.org/ City website]
* [https://www.lkm.org/members/?id=41260541 Baldwin City - Directory of Public Officials]
;Schools
* [https://www.usd348.com USD 348], local school district
;Local Media
* [http://www.baldwincityradio.com Baldwin City Radio]
* [http://www.baldwingazette.com/ Baldwin City Gazette]
;Maps
* [https://www.ksdot.org/Assets/wwwksdotorg/bureaus/burTransPlan/maps/city-pdf/baldwincity.pdf Baldwin city map], KDOT

{{Douglas County, Kansas}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Cities in Kansas]]
[[Category:Cities in Douglas County, Kansas]]
[[Category:Santa Fe Trail]]