Cities and Towns in Kingman County, Kansas
Founded in 1872, Kingman County is one of 105 counties in the state of Kansas. Historically, Kingman County was formed from Harper and Reno Counties. The city of Kingman is the county seat. With FIPS code of 95, Kingman County has a population of 7,392 and area of 864 square miles (2,238 km²).
Major Cities and Towns in Kingman County, Kansas
Kingman
Overview
Kingman is the county seat and largest city in Kingman County, located in south-central Kansas along U.S. Highway 54, about 45 miles west of Wichita. The town was established in 1874 and named after Samuel A. Kingman, Chief Justice of the Kansas Supreme Court. Initially, Kingman developed as an agricultural and trade center due to its fertile land and proximity to the Chikaskia River. The arrival of the Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe Railway in the late 19th century spurred growth, transforming Kingman into a regional hub for grain and cattle production. Over the years, Kingman has maintained its rural charm while also growing into a center for education, health services, and local government.
Area, Population, and Coordinates
- Area: 3.65 square miles
- Population: Approximately 3,000 (2023 estimate)
- Zip Codes: 67068
- Latitude: 37.6458° N
- Longitude: 98.1133° W
Schools and Landmarks
Kingman is served by Kingman-Norwich USD 331, with Kingman High School providing education for local students. The town’s notable landmarks include the Kingman County Courthouse, a historic building completed in 1908, and the Kingman Carnegie Library, which has been serving the community since 1914. The Chikaskia River and Kingman State Fishing Lake offer outdoor recreational opportunities, including fishing, hiking, and camping. The city also hosts the Kingman County Fair, a yearly event celebrating the area’s agricultural heritage with livestock shows, rodeos, and family-friendly activities.
Norwich
Overview
Norwich is a small town located in the southern part of Kingman County, about 35 miles southwest of Wichita. It was founded in 1885 and named after Norwich, England. The town developed as a farming community, with wheat, corn, and cattle ranching forming the backbone of its economy. The arrival of the railroad in the late 19th century helped Norwich thrive as a local agricultural hub. Today, it remains a quiet, rural community with a strong connection to its agricultural roots, offering a peaceful lifestyle for its residents.
Area, Population, and Coordinates
- Area: 0.38 square miles
- Population: Approximately 450 (2023 estimate)
- Zip Codes: 67118
- Latitude: 37.4570° N
- Longitude: 97.8364° W
Schools and Landmarks
Norwich is part of the Kingman-Norwich USD 331 school district, with Norwich High School serving the town’s students. The school is known for its close-knit community atmosphere and focus on both academics and athletics. Notable landmarks in Norwich include the historic Norwich Methodist Church, which has been a cornerstone of the town since the early 20th century. The town’s annual Labor Day Celebration brings the community together with parades, games, and local festivities. Norwich is surrounded by scenic farmland, making it an ideal place for those who appreciate the beauty of rural Kansas.
Cunningham
Overview
Cunningham is located in western Kingman County, along U.S. Highway 54. The town was founded in 1887 and named after J.E. Cunningham, a local businessman who was instrumental in its development. Cunningham grew as an agricultural community, benefiting from its position along the railroad, which helped transport wheat and livestock to larger markets. Over the years, Cunningham has remained a small, close-knit town with a focus on farming and ranching. While it has not seen significant growth, it continues to serve as a center for local agriculture.
Area, Population, and Coordinates
- Area: 0.36 square miles
- Population: Approximately 450 (2023 estimate)
- Zip Codes: 67035
- Latitude: 37.6455° N
- Longitude: 98.4293° W
Schools and Landmarks
Cunningham is part of the Cunningham-West Kingman County USD 332 school district, with Cunningham High School providing educational services to the community. The school is known for its focus on both academics and sports, particularly basketball and volleyball. Key landmarks in Cunningham include the Cunningham City Park, a popular spot for family gatherings and outdoor activities, and the historic grain elevators that stand as a reminder of the town’s agricultural past. The nearby Cheney Reservoir offers additional recreational opportunities such as boating, fishing, and hiking, making Cunningham a peaceful place to live with easy access to outdoor activities.
Zenda
Overview
Zenda is a small, rural town in southeastern Kingman County. It was founded in 1887 and originally named Rochester, but the name was changed to Zenda, after a popular novel titled The Prisoner of Zenda by Anthony Hope. Like other towns in the county, Zenda grew as an agricultural community, with farming and cattle ranching forming the core of its economy. Over the years, the population of Zenda has remained small, and the town continues to function as a quiet, rural community with deep ties to its agricultural heritage.
Area, Population, and Coordinates
- Area: 0.22 square miles
- Population: Approximately 90 (2023 estimate)
- Zip Codes: 67159
- Latitude: 37.4392° N
- Longitude: 98.2887° W
Schools and Landmarks
Zenda is served by the Kingman-Norwich USD 331 school district, with students attending schools in nearby towns like Kingman or Norwich. Key landmarks in Zenda include the Zenda Grain Elevator, which highlights the town’s agricultural history, and the Zenda Community Center, which serves as a gathering place for local events and meetings. The town is surrounded by vast farmland, offering a serene rural atmosphere. Zenda’s historical church buildings and small-town charm make it an attractive place for those seeking a quiet, close-knit community in the Kansas countryside.
Spivey
Overview
Spivey is located in southern Kingman County, near the county’s border with Harper County. Founded in the late 19th century, the town was named after A.T. Spivey, a local businessman who contributed to the town’s establishment. Spivey’s economy has traditionally been based on agriculture, with wheat and cattle farming being the primary industries. Although the town’s population has decreased over the years, Spivey remains a small, rural community with a strong connection to its agricultural past.
Area, Population, and Coordinates
- Area: 0.1 square miles
- Population: Approximately 80 (2023 estimate)
- Zip Codes: 67142
- Latitude: 37.4539° N
- Longitude: 98.1178° W
Schools and Landmarks
Spivey is part of the Cunningham-West Kingman County USD 332 school district, with students attending schools in nearby Cunningham. The town’s key landmarks include the historic Spivey Post Office, which has been a central part of the community for over a century, and the Spivey City Park, which provides a space for local events and outdoor activities. The surrounding agricultural land is vital to the local economy, with grain elevators and farms dotting the landscape. Despite its small size, Spivey remains an active agricultural community, with residents continuing to work in farming and ranching.
Murdock
Overview
Murdock is a small unincorporated community located in northeastern Kingman County. The town was established in the late 19th century as a farming community and was named after a local family that played a key role in its founding. Like many other towns in Kingman County, Murdock’s economy has been centered around agriculture, with wheat, corn, and cattle being the main industries. Though small, Murdock remains an important part of the county’s rural landscape, offering a quiet lifestyle for its residents.
Area, Population, and Coordinates
- Area: N/A (unincorporated)
- Population: Fewer than 50 (2023 estimate)
- Zip Codes: 67111
- Latitude: 37.6595° N
- Longitude: 97.9831° W
Schools and Landmarks
Murdock’s students attend schools in nearby towns such as Kingman or Norwich, as part of the Kingman-Norwich USD 331 school district. Key landmarks in Murdock include the Murdock United Methodist Church, which has been a part of the community since the town’s early days. The surrounding farmland is a defining feature of Murdock, with grain silos and barns marking the landscape. The town’s location along scenic rural roads makes it an attractive destination for those seeking the peace and beauty of the Kansas countryside, with opportunities for agriculture and outdoor activities.