White Cloud (Ioway: Chína Maxúthga pronounced [tʃʰiꜜnã mãxuθꜜkɐ] or Chína Maxúhga pronounced [tʃʰiꜜnã mãxuhꜜkɐ], meaning "Village Cloud-White") is a city in Doniphan County, Kansas, United States.[1] As of the 2020 census, the population of the city was 115.[3] It was named for Francis White Cloud, a son of Chief White Cloud of the Iowa people.[5] White Cloud is the seat of government for the Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska.

White Cloud, Kansas
White Cloud (1974)
White Cloud (1974)
Location within Doniphan County and Kansas
Location within Doniphan County and Kansas
KDOT map of Doniphan County (legend)
Coordinates: 39°58′28″N 95°17′57″W / 39.97444°N 95.29917°W / 39.97444; -95.29917[1]
CountryUnited States
StateKansas
CountyDoniphan
Founded1855
Platted1857
Incorporated1862
Named forFrancis White Cloud
Area
 • Total
0.72 sq mi (1.88 km2)
 • Land0.72 sq mi (1.88 km2)
 • Water0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation879 ft (268 m)
Population
 • Total
115
 • Density160/sq mi (61/km2)
Time zoneUTC-6 (CST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code
66094 [4]
Area code785
FIPS code20-77850
GNIS ID2397301[1]
WebsiteCity website

History

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The first post office at White Cloud was established in July, 1855.[6]

In 1857, the town site was purchased by John Utt and Enoch Spaulding, two land promoters from Oregon, Missouri, who then sold lots in the town. White Cloud prospered by taking advantage of steamboat traffic on the nearby Missouri River.[7]

In 1913, ten-year-old Wilbur Chapman of White Cloud gained widespread publicity after raising and selling a pig for $25, which he donated to the American Mission to Lepers. An obelisk-shaped monument was installed in front of the Community Christian Church in White Cloud in Chapman's honor.[8]

Some scenes from the 1973 movie Paper Moon were filmed in White Cloud. White Cloud is featured in episode 4 of the 2008 television documentary Stephen Fry in America.

The entire downtown district of White Cloud is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, as are the Poulet House and the White Cloud School.

Geography

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According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 0.73 square miles (1.89 km2), all land.[9]

Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note
1860251
1870843235.9%
1880825−2.1%
1890699−15.3%
19007132.0%
19101,11956.9%
1920553−50.6%
1930476−13.9%
19404790.6%
1950308−35.7%
1960238−22.7%
1970210−11.8%
198023411.4%
19902559.0%
2000239−6.3%
2010176−26.4%
2020115−34.7%
U.S. Decennial Census

White Cloud is part of the St. Joseph, MO–KS Metropolitan Statistical Area.

2010 census

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As of the census[10] of 2010, there were 176 people, 86 households, and 44 families residing in the city. The population density was 241.1 inhabitants per square mile (93.1/km2). There were 132 housing units at an average density of 180.8 per square mile (69.8/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 68.2% White, 3.4% African American, 18.8% Native American, 1.1% from other races, and 8.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.1% of the population.

There were 86 households, of which 24.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 33.7% were married couples living together, 12.8% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.7% had a male householder with no wife present, and 48.8% were non-families. 40.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 24.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.05 and the average family size was 2.75.

The median age in the city was 44.7 years. 19.9% of residents were under the age of 18; 12.6% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 18.8% were from 25 to 44; 27.3% were from 45 to 64; and 21.6% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 51.1% male and 48.9% female.

2000 census

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As of the census[11] of 2000, there were 239 people, 108 households, and 57 families residing in the city. The population density was 329.7 inhabitants per square mile (127.3/km2). There were 134 housing units at an average density of 184.8 per square mile (71.4/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 70.71% White, 3.77% African American, 17.99% Native American, 1.26% Asian, 1.26% from other races, and 5.02% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.44% of the population.

There were 108 households, out of which 26.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 37.0% were married couples living together, 11.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 46.3% were non-families. 36.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.8% 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 2.98.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 22.2% under the age of 18, 18.8% from 18 to 24, 22.2% from 25 to 44, 23.4% from 45 to 64, and 13.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 111.4 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $28,393, and the median income for a family was $34,688. Males had a median income of $25,938 versus $16,563 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,828. About 1.9% of families and 6.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.0% of those under the age of eighteen and 5.1% of those 65 or over.

Education

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The community is served by Doniphan West USD 111 public school district.

Attractions

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  • The Four State Lookout is located on high ground north of White Cloud. A viewing area enables visitors to see the states of Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska and Iowa.
  • The Casino White Cloud is located 5 miles west of the town, on the Iowa Tribe Reservation.

References

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  1. ^ a b c d U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: White Cloud, Kansas
  2. ^ "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 24, 2020.
  3. ^ a b "Profile of White Cloud, Kansas in 2020". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 26, 2022. Retrieved June 26, 2022.
  4. ^ United States Postal Service (2012). "USPS - Look Up a ZIP Code". Retrieved February 15, 2012.
  5. ^ Kansas Place-Names, John Rydjord, University of Oklahoma Press, 1972, p. 436 ISBN 0-8061-0994-7
  6. ^ "Kansas Post Offices, 1828-1961 (archived)". Kansas Historical Society. Archived from the original on October 9, 2013. Retrieved June 8, 2014.
  7. ^ Kansas: A Guide to the Sunflower State. Hastings House. 1949. ISBN 9780403021673.
  8. ^ Fisher, Jim (July 28, 1998). "This Piggy Bank Ran an Odd Course with Leprosy". The Post and Courier.
  9. ^ "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 6, 2012.
  10. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 6, 2012.
  11. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.

Further reading

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