Editing Colby, Kansas

{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Short description|City in Thomas County, Kansas}}
{{Infobox settlement
|name                     = Colby, Kansas
|settlement_type          = [[City]] and [[County seat]]

<!-- Images -->
|image_skyline            = Thomas County Courthouse Colby Kansas 5-7-2014.jpg
|image_caption            = Thomas County Courthouse (2014)
|image_flag               =
|image_seal               =

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

<!-- Location -->
|coordinates_footnotes    = <ref name="GNIS"/>
|coordinates              = {{coord|39|23|05|N|101|02|43|W|region:US-KS|display=inline,title}}
|subdivision_type         = Country
|subdivision_name         = United States
|subdivision_type1        = [[U.S. state|State]]
|subdivision_name1        = [[Kansas]]
|subdivision_type2        = [[List of counties in Kansas|County]]
|subdivision_name2        = [[Thomas County, Kansas|Thomas]]
|subdivision_type3        = [[List of townships in Kansas|Township]]
|subdivision_name3        =

<!-- Established -->
|established_title        = Founded
|established_date         = 1885
|established_title1       = [[Platted]]
|established_date1        =
|established_title2       = [[Municipal corporation|Incorporated]]
|established_date2        = 1886
|named_for                = J.R. Colby

<!-- 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         = 3.58
|area_land_sq_mi          = 3.58
|area_water_sq_mi         = 0.00
|area_total_km2           = 9.27
|area_land_km2            = 9.27
|area_water_km2           = 0.00
|unit_pref                = Imperial

<!-- Elevation -->
|elevation_footnotes      = <ref name="GNIS"/>
|elevation_ft             = 3166

<!-- Population -->
|population_footnotes     = <ref name="Census-2020-Profile"/><ref name="Census-2020-QF"/>
|population_as_of         = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
|population_total         = 5570
|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              = 67701
|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               = 20-14650 
|blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS ID]]
|blank1_info              = 485557<ref name="GNIS">{{GNIS|485557}}</ref>
|website                  = {{URL|https://www.cityofcolby.com/|cityofcolby.com}}
}}

'''Colby''' is a city in and the [[county seat]] of [[Thomas County, Kansas|Thomas County]], [[Kansas]], United States.<ref name="GNIS"/>  As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], the population of the city was 5,570.<ref name="Census-2020-Profile">{{cite web |title=Profile of Colby, Kansas in 2020 |url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/profile?g=1600000US2014650 |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=December 8, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211208211340/https://data.census.gov/cedsci/profile?g=1600000US2014650 |archive-date=December 8, 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Census-2020-QF">{{cite web |title=QuickFacts; Colby, Kansas; Population, Census, 2020 & 2010 |url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/colbycitykansas/POP010220 |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=August 28, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210828101841/https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/colbycitykansas/POP010220 |archive-date=August 28, 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref>

==History==
In 1882, a [[post office]] was established near the center of Thomas County. Area homesteaders lived under harsh conditions in sod houses, creating demand for a town to provide lumber and other provisions to incoming settlers. J.R. Colby, a local land assessor and [[preacher]], obtained a patent to establish the town in April [[1884]], and land was acquired for the town site three miles north of the post office in March 1885. The following month, the [[Secretary of State of Kansas|Kansas Secretary of State]] issued the Town Charter. [[John Martin (Governor of Kansas)|Kansas Gov. John Martin]] named Colby the county seat in 1885, and the city was [[municipal corporation|incorporated]] in 1886. The [[Union Pacific Railroad]] reached the city in 1887, and the [[Rock Island Railroad]] followed the next year.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://oasisontheplains.com/beourguest/history-a-overview | title=History | publisher=City of Colby, Kansas | access-date=27 June 2014 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140704004528/http://oasisontheplains.com/beourguest/history-a-overview | archive-date=4 July 2014 }}</ref>

In 1941 the St. Thomas Hospital was built as part of the Works Progress Administration plan to build hospitals. This was one of 130 new hospitals to be built with these funds, it was one of two built in Kansas alone. Within the last couple of years, it was renovated to apartments under the name St. Thomas Historic Residences.
<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kshs.org/natreg/natreg_listings/search/prop:/city:colby/county:TH/arch:/category:/submit:SEARCH|title=National and State Registers of Historic Places - Kansas Historical Society|access-date=28 December 2016}}</ref>
 
[[Interstate 70 in Kansas|Interstate 70]] reached Colby in 1965, stimulating the growth of a local [[hospitality industry]].<ref>{{cite web | title = Thomas County - History & Overview (County Info) | publisher = Colby Chamber of Commerce | url = http://oasisontheplains.com/beourguest/history-a-overview | access-date = 2009-11-19 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140704004528/http://oasisontheplains.com/beourguest/history-a-overview | archive-date = 2014-07-04 }}</ref>

==Geography==
Colby lies on the south side of [[Prairie Dog Creek]], a tributary of the [[Republican River]], in the [[High Plains (United States)|High Plains]] region of the [[Great Plains]].<ref name=KDOT>{{cite web | title = 2003-2004 Official Transportation Map | publisher = [[Kansas Department of Transportation]] | year = 2003 | url = http://www.ksdot.org/burtransplan/maps/HistoricStateMaps/2003-04Mapside.pdf | access-date = 2011-06-30}}</ref> A small tributary of the creek flows northeast through the town.<ref name=CityMap>{{cite web | title = City of Colby | publisher = [[Kansas Department of Transportation]] | date = 2010-08-01 | url = http://www.ksdot.org/burtransplan/maps/city-pdf/colby.PDF | access-date = 2011-06-30}}</ref> Located at the interchange of [[Interstate 70]] and [[K-25 (Kansas highway)|K-25]] in northwestern Kansas, Colby is {{convert|212|mi|abbr=on}} east-southeast of [[Denver]], {{convert|232|mi|abbr=on}} northwest of [[Wichita, Kansas|Wichita]], and {{convert|347|mi|abbr=on}} west of [[Kansas City, Missouri|Kansas City]].<ref name=KDOT/><ref>{{cite web | title = City Distance Tool | publisher = [[Geobytes]] | url = http://www.geobytes.com/citydistancetool.htm | access-date = 2010-05-22 | archive-date = 2010-10-05 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20101005175701/http://geobytes.com/CityDistanceTool.htm | url-status = dead }}</ref>

According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|3.38|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, all land.<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/20120702145235/http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt |archive-date=2012-07-02 }}</ref>

===Climate===
Colby has a transitional climate between a [[humid continental climate]] (Köppen ''Dfa'') and a [[semiarid climate]] (Köppen ''BSk'')  with hot summers and cold, dry winters. The hottest temperature recorded in Colby was {{convert|113|F|C|1}} on July 25, 1940, and 28 June 2012, while the coldest temperature recorded was {{convert|-32|F|C|1}} on December 22, 1989.<ref name = NOWData/>

{{Weather box
|location = Colby, Kansas, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1893–present
|single line = Yes
|collapsed = Yes

|Jan record high F = 83
|Feb record high F = 85
|Mar record high F = 94
|Apr record high F = 98
|May record high F = 103
|Jun record high F = 113
|Jul record high F = 113
|Aug record high F = 110
|Sep record high F = 108
|Oct record high F = 97
|Nov record high F = 91
|Dec record high F = 83

|Jan avg record high F = 67.0
|Feb avg record high F = 71.4
|Mar avg record high F = 81.8
|Apr avg record high F = 87.7
|May avg record high F = 94.2
|Jun avg record high F = 101.4
|Jul avg record high F = 102.8
|Aug avg record high F = 100.6
|Sep avg record high F = 97.3
|Oct avg record high F = 91.1
|Nov avg record high F = 77.6
|Dec avg record high F = 67.7
|year avg record high F = 104.4

|Jan high F = 43.0
|Feb high F = 45.7
|Mar high F = 56.2
|Apr high F = 64.7
|May high F = 74.3
|Jun high F = 86.4
|Jul high F = 91.0
|Aug high F = 88.4
|Sep high F = 81.3
|Oct high F = 68.3
|Nov high F = 54.3
|Dec high F = 44.1
|year high F = 

|Jan mean F = 29.0
|Feb mean F = 31.6
|Mar mean F = 40.8
|Apr mean F = 49.5
|May mean F = 60.1
|Jun mean F = 71.8
|Jul mean F = 76.7
|Aug mean F = 74.1
|Sep mean F = 65.8
|Oct mean F = 52.2
|Nov mean F = 39.5
|Dec mean F = 30.2
|year mean F = 

|Jan low F = 15.1
|Feb low F = 17.4
|Mar low F = 25.5
|Apr low F = 34.4
|May low F = 45.9
|Jun low F = 57.2
|Jul low F = 62.3
|Aug low F = 59.8
|Sep low F = 50.3
|Oct low F = 36.2
|Nov low F = 24.7
|Dec low F = 16.4
|year low F = 

|Jan avg record low F = -3.8
|Feb avg record low F = -0.7
|Mar avg record low F = 6.8
|Apr avg record low F = 18.5
|May avg record low F = 30.3
|Jun avg record low F = 43.5
|Jul avg record low F = 51.8
|Aug avg record low F = 49.6
|Sep avg record low F = 35.4
|Oct avg record low F = 19.7
|Nov avg record low F = 7.7
|Dec avg record low F = -2.3
|year avg record low F = -9.4

|Jan record low F = -28
|Feb record low F = -31
|Mar record low F = -22
|Apr record low F = -1
|May record low F = 17
|Jun record low F = 33
|Jul record low F = 38
|Aug record low F = 39
|Sep record low F = 21
|Oct record low F = 1
|Nov record low F = -11
|Dec record low F = -32

|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation inch = 0.41
|Feb precipitation inch = 0.56
|Mar precipitation inch = 0.92
|Apr precipitation inch = 1.97
|May precipitation inch = 2.92
|Jun precipitation inch = 2.62
|Jul precipitation inch = 3.81
|Aug precipitation inch = 3.04
|Sep precipitation inch = 1.44
|Oct precipitation inch = 1.56
|Nov precipitation inch = 0.63
|Dec precipitation inch = 0.51
|year precipitation inch = 

|unit precipitation days = 0.01 in
|Jan precipitation days = 3.0
|Feb precipitation days = 4.1
|Mar precipitation days = 4.9
|Apr precipitation days = 6.8
|May precipitation days = 10.3
|Jun precipitation days = 8.6
|Jul precipitation days = 9.3
|Aug precipitation days = 8.3
|Sep precipitation days = 5.5
|Oct precipitation days = 5.8
|Nov precipitation days = 3.7
|Dec precipitation days = 3.2

|Jan snow inch = 5.1
|Feb snow inch = 5.8
|Mar snow inch = 4.2
|Apr snow inch = 2.2
|May snow inch = 0.7
|Jun snow inch = 0.0
|Jul snow inch = 0.0
|Aug snow inch = 0.0
|Sep snow inch = 0.2
|Oct snow inch = 1.6
|Nov snow inch = 3.5
|Dec snow inch = 3.9
|year snow inch = 

|unit snow days = 0.1 in
|Jan snow days = 2.7
|Feb snow days = 3.3
|Mar snow days = 2.1
|Apr snow days = 1.2
|May snow days = 0.1
|Jun snow days = 0.0
|Jul snow days = 0.0
|Aug snow days = 0.0
|Sep snow days = 0.0
|Oct snow days = 0.7
|Nov snow days = 1.9
|Dec snow days = 2.6

|Jan snow depth inch = 
|Feb snow depth inch = 
|Mar snow depth inch = 
|Apr snow depth inch = 
|May snow depth inch = 
|Jun snow depth inch = 
|Jul snow depth inch = 
|Aug snow depth inch = 
|Sep snow depth inch = 
|Oct snow depth inch = 
|Nov snow depth inch = 
|Dec snow depth inch = 
|year snow depth inch = 

|source 1 = NOAA<ref name = NOAA>
{{cite web
|url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&stations=USC00141699&format=pdf&dataTypes=MLY-TMAX-NORMAL,MLY-TMIN-NORMAL,MLY-TAVG-NORMAL,MLY-PRCP-NORMAL,MLY-SNOW-NORMAL
|publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
|title = U.S. Climate Normals Quick Access – Station: Colby 1SW, kS
|access-date = November 27, 2023
}}
</ref><ref name = NOWData>
{{cite web
|url = https://www.weather.gov/wrh/climate?wfo=gld
|publisher = National Weather Service
|title = NOAA Online Weather Data – NWS Goodland
|access-date = November 27, 2023
}}
</ref><ref name = XMACIS2>
{{cite web
|url = https://xmacis.rcc-acis.org/
|publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
|title = xmACIS2
|access-date = November 27, 2023
}}
</ref>
}}

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
| align = 
| 1890 = 516
| 1900 = 641
| 1910 = 1130
| 1920 = 1114
| 1930 = 2153
| 1940 = 2458
| 1950 = 3859
| 1960 = 4210
| 1970 = 4658
| 1980 = 5544
| 1990 = 5396
| 2000 = 5450
| 2010 = 5387
| 2020 = 5570
| estyear = 2023
| estimate = 5589
| estref = <ref name="USCensusEst2023">{{Cite web |title=Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023 |url=https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-counties-total.html |access-date=March 24, 2024 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref>
| align-fn = center
| footnote = [https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html U.S. Decennial Census]<br/>2010-2020<ref name="Census-2020-QF"/>
}}

===2020 census===
The [[2020 United States census]] counted 5,570 people, 2,199 households, and 1,331 families in Colby.<ref>{{Cite web |title=US Census Bureau, Table P16: HOUSEHOLD TYPE |url=https://data.census.gov/table?q=Colby%20city,%20Kansas%20p16&y=2020 |access-date=2024-01-02 |website=data.census.gov}}</ref><ref name=:0 /> The population density was 1,555.4 per square mile (600.6/km{{sup|2}}). There were 2,496 housing units at an average density of 697.0 per square mile (269.1/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=Colby%20city,%20Kansas%20dp1 |access-date=2024-01-02 |website=data.census.gov}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web   |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 88.73% (4,942) [[White (U.S. Census)|white]] or [[European American]] (86.32% [[Non-Hispanic White|non-Hispanic white]]), 1.76% (98) [[African American (U.S. Census)|black]] or [[African American|African-American]], 0.79% (44) [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]] or [[Alaska Native]], 0.61% (34) [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.0% (0) [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]] or [[Native Hawaiian]], 2.39% (133) from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 5.73% (319) 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=Colby%20city,%20Kansas%20p1&y=2020 |access-date=2024-01-02 |website=data.census.gov}}</ref> [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race was 8.11% (452) 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=Colby%20city,%20Kansas%20p2&y=2020 |access-date=2024-01-02 |website=data.census.gov}}</ref>

Of the 2,199 households, 29.7% had children under the age of 18; 45.5% were married couples living together; 27.8% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. 32.9% of households consisted of individuals and 12.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.<ref name=:0 /> The average household size was 2.2 and the average family size was 2.7.<ref>{{Cite web |title=US Census Bureau, Table S1101: HOUSEHOLDS AND FAMILIES |url=https://data.census.gov/table/ACSST5Y2020.S1101?q=Colby%20city,%20Kansas%20s1101%20&y=2020 |access-date=2024-01-02 |website=data.census.gov}}</ref> The percent of those with a bachelor’s degree or higher was estimated to be 14.2% of the population.<ref>{{Cite web |title=US Census Bureau, Table S1501: EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT |url=https://data.census.gov/table/ACSST5Y2020.S1501?q=Colby%20city,%20Kansas%20s1501%20&y=2020 |access-date=2024-01-02 |website=data.census.gov}}</ref>

23.4% of the population was under the age of 18, 13.8% from 18 to 24, 24.4% from 25 to 44, 21.7% from 45 to 64, and 16.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34.6 years. For every 100 females, there were 108.5 males.<ref name=:0 /> For every 100 females ages 18 and older, there were 113.4 males.<ref name=:0 />

The 2016-2020 5-year [[American Community Survey]] estimates show that the median household income was $62,001 (with a margin of error of +/- $7,250) and the median family income was $74,980 (+/- $13,070).<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=Colby%20city,%20Kansas%20s1903%20&y=2020 |access-date=2024-01-02 |website=data.census.gov}}</ref> Males had a median income of $45,696 (+/- $10,972) versus $28,368 (+/- $5,092) for females. The median income for those above 16 years old was $32,780 (+/- $3,641).<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=Colby%20city,%20Kansas%20s2001%20&y=2020 |access-date=2024-01-02 |website=data.census.gov}}</ref> Approximately, 6.3% of families and 7.2% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 1.4% of those under the age of 18 and 10.3% 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=Colby%20city,%20Kansas%20s1701%20&y=2020 |access-date=2024-01-02 |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=Colby%20city,%20Kansas%20s1702&y=2020 |access-date=2024-01-02 |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 5,387 people, 2,211 households, and 1,320 families residing in the city.<ref name="Census2010">{{cite web|title=2010 City Population and Housing Occupancy Status |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?pid=DEC_10_PL_GCTPL2.ST13&prodType=table |publisher=U.S. Census Bureau |access-date=March 27, 2011 }}{{dead link|bot=medic|date=April 2020}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> The [[population density]] was {{convert|1593.8|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 2,423 housing units at an average density of {{convert|716.9|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the city was 95.7% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.7% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.4% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.6% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.1% [[Race (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 1.3% from [[Race (U.S. Census)|other races]], and 1.2% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 4.0% of the population.

There were 2,211 households, of which 28.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.0% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 9.2% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.5% had a male householder with no wife present, and 40.3% were non-families. 33.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.28 and the average family size was 2.89.

The median age in the city was 34.5 years. 22.2% of residents were under the age of 18; 16.3% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 21.5% were from 25 to 44; 24.2% were from 45 to 64; and 15.7% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.0% male and 52.0% female.

===2000 census===
As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=2008-01-31 |title=U.S. Census website }}</ref> of 2000, there were 5,450 people, 2,223 households, and 1,367 families residing in the city. The population density was {{convert|1,632.8|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 2,405 housing units at an average density of {{convert|720.5|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the city was 96.73% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.64% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.39% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.39% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.02% [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 1.01% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 0.83% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 1.98% of the population.

There were 2,223 households, out of which 30.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.3% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 8.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.5% were non-families. 31.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.33 and the average family size was 2.96.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 24.1% under the age of 18, 16.4% from 18 to 24, 24.3% from 25 to 44, 19.7% from 45 to 64, and 15.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 88.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.6 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $34,615, and the median income for a family was $45,127. Males had a median income of $34,097 versus $21,706 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $18,872. About 8.1% of families and 12.4% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 7.3% of those under age 18 and 9.2% of those age 65 or over.

==Government==
Colby has a [[mayor-council]] form of government. Elected [[Plurality-at-large voting|at-large]], the [[mayor]] presides over the [[city council]] and has final approval over ordinances the council passes. The mayor shares responsibility for setting policy and approving the city budget with the council. With the council's consent, the mayor appoints all members of the city boards and, if necessary, serves as the tie-breaking vote on council business. The city council consists of eight members elected by [[Wards of the United States|ward]] every four years. The [[city manager]] is hired by the council and is responsible for preparing the budget, administering day-to-day operations, and managing city government personnel.<ref>{{cite web | title = Administration & Governing Body | work = Colby, KS - Official Website | publisher = City of Colby | url = http://www.cityofcolby.com/index.aspx?nid=2 | access-date = 2010-02-05}}</ref>

==Education==

===Colleges and universities===
* [[Colby Community College]]

===Primary and secondary education===
The community is served by [[Colby USD 315]] public school district, and operates four [[Public school (government funded)#United States|public]] schools in the city:<ref>{{cite web | title = Colby Public Schools | publisher = Colby Public Schools | url = http://www.colbyeagles.org/ | access-date = 2009-12-12}}</ref>
* [[Colby High School (Kansas)|Colby High School]] (9-12).
* Colby Middle School (5-8).
* Colby Grade School ([[Education in the United States#School grades|Grades]] K-4).
* Thomas County Academy (5-9), [[charter school]].

There are also two private schools in Colby: 
* Sacred Heart Catholic School (Pre-K-5).<ref>{{cite web | title = Sacred Heart Catholic School | publisher = Sacred Heart Catholic Church | url = http://sacredheartcolby.com/school | access-date = 2015-07-10}}</ref>
* Heartland Christian School (K-12).<ref>{{cite web | title = Heartland Christian School History | publisher = Heartland Christian School | url = http://www.hcscolby.org/ | access-date = 2015-07-10}}</ref>

==Transportation==
[[Interstate 70]] runs east–west, immediately south of Colby. [[U.S. Route 24 in Kansas|U.S. Route 24]] runs east–west through the city, intersecting [[K-25 (Kansas highway)|K-25]] which runs north–south.

[[Colby Municipal Airport]] is located on K-25, approximately two miles (3&nbsp;km) north of the city.

[[Kyle Railroad]] operates rail via the former Rock Island Railroad, which runs east–west through Colby. A [[Union Pacific Railroad]] branch line ends in Colby, entering the city from the southeast.

==Media==
{{main|Media in Colby, Kansas}}
The ''[[Colby Free Press]]'' is Colby's local newspaper, published four days a week.<ref>{{cite web | title = Record Details - Colby Free Press | publisher = Kansas Press Association | url = http://kspress.com/viewRecord.php?recid=1848 | access-date = 2013-08-09}}</ref> In addition, [[Colby Community College]] publishes a bi-weekly student newspaper, the ''Trojan Express''.<ref>{{cite web | title = Record Details - Trojan Express | publisher = Kansas Press Association | url = http://kspress.com/viewRecord.php?recid=2716 | access-date = 2013-08-09}}</ref>

Colby is a center of broadcast media for northwestern Kansas. One AM and four FM stations are [[City of license|licensed]] to and/or broadcast from the city.<ref name=radio>{{cite web | title = Radio Stations in Colby, Kansas | publisher = Radio-Locator | url = http://www.radio-locator.com/cgi-bin/locate?select=city&city=Colby%2C+KS&x=0&y=0&sid= | access-date = 2013-08-09}}</ref> Colby is in the [[Media in Wichita, Kansas#Television|Wichita-Hutchinson television market]],<ref>{{cite web | title = TV Market Maps | publisher = EchoStar Knowledge Base | url = http://dishuser.org/TVMarkets/ | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080820131351/http://www.dishuser.org/TVMarkets/ | url-status = dead | archive-date = 2008-08-20 | access-date = 2011-05-28 }}</ref> and two television stations broadcast from the city: [[KLBY]], a satellite of the [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] affiliate in Wichita,<ref>{{cite web|title=Contact Us |publisher=[[KAKE]] |url=http://www.kake.com/station/misc/7013297.html |access-date=2011-05-27 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110817082224/http://www.kake.com/station/misc/7013297.html |archive-date=2011-08-17 }}</ref> and [[KWKS]], a satellite of [[Smoky Hills Public Television]] in [[Bunker Hill, Kansas]].<ref>{{cite web|title=History |publisher=[[Smoky Hills Public Television]] |url=http://www.shptv.org/index.php/component/content/article/28-history/32-history |access-date=2011-05-27 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120320101145/http://www.shptv.org/index.php/component/content/article/28-history/32-history |archive-date=2012-03-20 }}</ref>

==Points of interest==

The [[Prairie Museum of Art and History]], 1905 S. Franklin St., serves as a cultural center. The museum is a private, nonprofit museum governed by the Thomas County [[Historical Society]]. The Society was founded in 1959 to preserve the history of Thomas County, Kansas. The museum occupies a {{convert|24|acre|m2|adj=on}} site just north of [[Interstate 70 in Kansas|Interstate 70]], between exits 53 and 54.<ref name="ColbyOasis2016">{{cite web|title=Attractions|url=http://oasisontheplains.com/beourguest/attractions-a-recreation|website=Colby Oasis on the Plains|access-date=6 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160404020130/http://oasisontheplains.com/beourguest/attractions-a-recreation|archive-date=4 April 2016}}</ref> The Cooper Barn located at the museum complex is known as the "Largest Barn in Kansas."<ref>Colby Convention and Visitor's Bureau {{cite web|url=http://oasisontheplains.com/beourguest/attractions-a-recreation |title=Colby &#124; Thomas County - Attractions & Recreation |access-date=2016-09-06 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160404020130/http://oasisontheplains.com/beourguest/attractions-a-recreation |archive-date=2016-04-04 }}</ref>

[[Thomas County Courthouse (Kansas)|Thomas County Courthouse]] which was constructed in 1907 by local firms Holland, JC & Squires, Frank, Crosby, and L. & Son. It is currently listed on the [[National Register of Historic Places]] and is at 300 N. Court in Colby.<ref name="nris">{{NRISref|version=2010a}}</ref> Other city buildings joining the courthouse on the [[National Register of Historic Places]] include the Colby Community High School at 750 West 3rd St. (which is now used as an elementary/junior high school), and the art-deco sand-colored Colby City Hall, which was built in the 1920s by the architecture firm Suite & Blanchard. Throughout its 80-year history, the city hall has served as a [[correctional facility]], [[fire station]], [[library]] and meeting hall.<ref name=nris/>

Another feature of Colby is Villa High Lake. The city-made reservoir is situated on the South Side of Villa High Park, which was created in the 1960s by the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks. The park has playground equipment, picnic shelters, disc golf, and fishing.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Parks Department {{!}} Colby, KS - Official Website|url=https://www.cityofcolby.com/7/Parks-Department|access-date=2021-03-09|website=www.cityofcolby.com}}</ref>

Fike Park is located just north of City Hall at the intersection of Franklin Avenue and Eighth Street. The park area was formerly known as Carp Lake. The park has gazebos, a volleyball area, horseshoe pitching pits, and tennis courts. In 1998 and 1999, over $100,000 was raised by civic groups and parents, with assistance from the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks and the City of Colby, for new playground equipment. In 2000, the tennis courts in this area were replaced and are used by Colby Community College and Unified School District #315. Colby Swimming Pool was located just south of the park, but has since been converted into a parking lot.{{citation needed|date=March 2011}}

Pioneer Memorial Library is at 375 W. 4th St., named in honor of the pioneers who built the community.<ref>{{Cite journal|title=Letters of the Young Pioneers who took rest in the Artek Young Pioneer Camp.|doi = 10.1163/9789004192744-048}}</ref>

Colby Aquatic Park was opened in 2012 at 1610 S. Franklin, featuring a lazy river, lap pool, water slides and curly slides.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://oasisontheplains.com/beourguest/attractions-a-recreation |title=Colby &#124; Thomas County - Attractions & Recreation |access-date=2016-09-06 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160404020130/http://oasisontheplains.com/beourguest/attractions-a-recreation |archive-date=2016-04-04 }}</ref>

The Colby Event Center opened in July 2021. The facility features two gyms, meeting room space and indoor playground. The Event Center is home to all Colby High School and Colby Community College basketball and volleyball games.<ref>https://www.cityofcolby.com/299/Colby-Event-Center Colby Event Center; City of Colby.</ref>

==Notable people==
<!--- Please list only people who have spent a significant amount of time in Colby. If the individual's tie is ''only'' as a college student, they should be listed in the college article. --->
{{See also|Colby_Community_College#Notable_alumni|l1=List of Colby Community College notable people}}
Notable individuals who were born in and/or have lived in Colby include:
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*[[Mary Brooks]] (1907-2002), [[Director of the United States Mint|Director of the U.S. Mint]]<ref>{{cite web | title = Former U.S. Mint Director Mary Brooks Dies | publisher = [[American Numismatic Association]] | date = 2002-02-16 | url = http://www.money.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Home&CONTENTID=1522&TEMPLATE=/CM/ContentDisplay.cfm | access-date = 2011-06-29 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110614153920/http://www.money.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Home&TEMPLATE=%2FCM%2FContentDisplay.cfm&CONTENTID=1522 | archive-date = 2011-06-14 }}</ref>
*[[John R. Connelly|John Connelly]] (1870-1940), [[United States House of Representatives|U.S. Representative]] from Kansas<ref>{{cite web | title = Connelly, John Robert, (1870 - 1940) | work = [[Biographical Directory of the United States Congress]] | url = http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=C000689 | access-date = 2011-06-29}}</ref>
*[[Sheila Frahm]] (1945- ), [[United States Senate|U.S. Senator]] from Kansas, [[Lieutenant Governor of Kansas]]<ref>{{cite web | title = Frahm, Sheila, (1945 - ) | work = [[Biographical Directory of the United States Congress]] | url = http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=F000438 | access-date = 2011-06-29}}</ref>
*[[Mike Hayden]] (1944- ), 41st [[Governor of Kansas]]<ref name="Beatty 2009 47">{{cite book|last=Beatty|first=Bob|title=Kansas History: A Journal of the Central Plains|year=2009|location=Topeka, KS|pages=47}}</ref>
*[[Zelma Henderson]] (1920-2008), school desegregation activist<ref>{{cite web | last = Fox | first = Margalit | title = Zelma Henderson, Who Aided Desegregation, Dies at 88 | work=[[The New York Times]] | date = 2008-05-22 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/22/us/22henderson.html?bl&ex=1211601600&en=d0a1ed67ee5b8c74&ei=5087%0A | access-date = 2011-06-29}}</ref>
{{col-break}}
*[[Wayne Munn]] (1896-1931), professional wrestler<ref>{{cite web | title = Wrestler Profiles - Wayne Munn | publisher = Online World of Wrestling | url = http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profiles/w/wayne-munn.html | access-date = 2011-06-29}}</ref>
*[[Samuel Ramey]] (1942- ), [[opera]] singer<ref>{{cite web | title = Biography | publisher = SamuelRamey.com | url = http://www.samuelramey.com/biography.html | access-date = 2011-06-29 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110709081504/http://www.samuelramey.com/biography.html | archive-date = 2011-07-09 }}</ref>
*[[Mark Schultz (musician)|Mark Schultz]] (1970- ), [[Contemporary Christian]] singer/songwriter<ref>{{cite web | title = Bio | publisher = [[Mark Schultz (musician)|Mark Schultz]] | url = http://markschultzmusic.com/bio/ | access-date = 2011-06-29}}</ref>
*[[Ken Summers (politician)|Ken Summers]] (1953- ), [[Colorado]] state legislator<ref name="rocky">{{cite web |url=http://cfapp2.rockymountainnews.com/election/profiles/c_profiles.cfm?oper=cand_profile&id=12951&qa=1 |title=Kenneth Guy Summers - Colorado - State House District 22 candidate |access-date=2008-01-30 |work=RockyMountainNews.com }}{{dead link|date=August 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
*[[John Thomas (Idaho politician)|John Thomas]] (1874-1945), [[United States Senate|U.S. Senator]] from [[Idaho]]<ref>{{cite web | title = Thomas, John, (1874-1945) | work = [[Biographical Directory of the United States Congress]] | url = http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=T000172 | access-date = 2011-06-29}}</ref>
*[[Carol Voisin]] (1947- ), [[Oregon]] politician<ref name=hallmark>{{cite news | last = Hallmark | first = Allen | title = Carol Voisin: Candidate with a Conscience Seeking a Voice in Congress | work = Jackson County Democrat | pages = 9 | publisher = Democratic Party of Jackson County, Oregon | url = http://www.jcdemocrats.org/newsletters/Sep2006.pdf | date = September 2006 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071009050243/http://www.jcdemocrats.org/newsletters/Sep2006.pdf | archive-date = 2007-10-09 }}</ref>
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{{col-end}}
<!-- *** INSTRUCTIONS FOR NOTABLE PEOPLE SECTIONS ***
If you add/edit this section, it is YOUR responsibility to ensure ALL of the following is met:
 1) You MUST insert each person into the list, sorted/ordered by last name (surname).
 2) Each person MUST meet the [[Wikipedia:Notability (people)]] guideline.
 3) If a person has a Wikipedia article, then you MUST wikilink the persons name to the correct wikipedia article.  Their wikipedia article MUST state the person has resided in this city.
 4) If a person doesn't have a Wikipedia article, then you MUST add a citation reference ([[Wikipedia:Citing sources]]) to prove notability ([[Wikipedia:Notability (people)]]) and the reference MUST state the person has resided in this city ([[Wikipedia:Verifiability]]).
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==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
{{Portal|Kansas}}
{{Kansas books}}
{{See also|Thomas County, Kansas#Further reading|l1=List of books about Thomas County, Kansas}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Colby, Kansas}}
* [https://www.cityofcolby.com/ City of Colby]
* [https://www.lkm.org/members/?id=41260619 Colby - Directory of Public Officials]
* [http://colbychamber.com/ Colby Chamber of Commerce]
* [https://www.ksdot.org/Assets/wwwksdotorg/bureaus/burTransPlan/maps/city-pdf/colby.PDF Colby city map], KDOT

{{Thomas County, Kansas}}
{{Kansas}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Cities in Thomas County, Kansas]]
[[Category:Cities in Kansas]]
[[Category:County seats in Kansas]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1885]]
[[Category:1885 establishments in Kansas]]