Salina, Kansas

Salina, Kansas
Salina water tower (2013)
Salina water tower (2013)
Location within Saline County and Kansas
Location within Saline County and Kansas
KDOT map of Saline County (legend)
Coordinates: 38°50′25″N 97°36′41″W / 38.84028°N 97.61139°W / 38.84028; -97.61139[1]
CountryUnited States
StateKansas
CountySaline
Founded1858; 166 years ago (1858)
Incorporated1870
Government
 • TypeCouncil-Manager
 • MayorTrent Davis (D)[2]
 • City managerMike Schrage
Area
 • Total25.74 sq mi (66.65 km2)
 • Land25.70 sq mi (66.57 km2)
 • Water0.03 sq mi (0.09 km2)
Elevation1,227 ft (374 m)
Population
 • Total46,889
 • Density1,800/sq mi (700/km2)
Time zoneUTC-6 (CST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code
67401-67402[6]
Area code785
FIPS code20-62700[1]
GNIS ID476808[1]
Websitesalina-ks.gov

Salina /səˈlnə/ is a city in and the county seat of Saline County, Kansas, United States.[1] As of the 2020 census, the population was 46,889.[4][5]

In the early 1800s, the Kanza tribal land reached eastward from the middle of the Kansas Territory. In 1858, settlers from Lawrence founded the Salina Town Company with a wagon circle, under constant threat of High Plains tribal attacks from the west. It was named for the salty Saline River. Saline County was soon organized around this township, and in 1870, Salina incorporated as a city.

As the westernmost town on the Smoky Hill Trail, Salina boomed until the Civil War by establishing itself as a trading post for westbound immigrants, gold prospectors bound for Pikes Peak, and area American Indian tribes. It boomed again from the 1940s-1950s when the Smoky Hill Army Airfield was built for World War II strategic bombers.

It is now a micropolis and regional trade center for North Central Kansas. Higher education institutions include the KSU College of Technology and Aviation and Kansas Wesleyan University; and employers include Tony's Pizza, Exide Battery, Great Plains Manufacturing, and Asurion.

  1. ^ a b c d e "Salina, Kansas", Geographic Names Information System, United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior
  2. ^ "City of Salina Mayors". City of Salina. Retrieved July 5, 2022.
  3. ^ "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 24, 2020.
  4. ^ a b "Profile of Salina, Kansas in 2020". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on November 13, 2021. Retrieved November 13, 2021.
  5. ^ a b "QuickFacts; Salina, Kansas; Population, Census, 2020 & 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on August 24, 2021. Retrieved August 23, 2021.
  6. ^ "USPS - Look Up a ZIP Code". United States Postal Service. 2012. Retrieved February 15, 2012.