Paola, Kansas - Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Paola, Kansas
City and County seat
Downtown Paola (2009)
Downtown Paola (2009)
Location within Miami County and Kansas
Location within Miami County and Kansas
KDOT map of Miami County (legend)
KDOT map of Miami County (legend)
Coordinates: 38°34′45″N 94°51′42″W / 38.57917°N 94.86167°W / 38.57917; -94.86167[1]
CountryUnited States
StateKansas
CountyMiami
Incorporated1855
Government
 • MayorLeigh House[2]
Area
[3]
 • Total5.51 sq mi (14.28 km2)
 • Land5.09 sq mi (13.19 km2)
 • Water0.42 sq mi (1.09 km2)
Elevation
[1]
906 ft (276 m)
Population
 (2020)[4]
 • Total5,768
 • Density1,000/sq mi (400/km2)
Time zoneUTC-6 (CST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code
66071
Area code913
FIPS code20-54250
GNIS ID485640[1]
Websitecityofpaola.com

Paola /peɪˈoʊlə/ is a city in Miami County, Kansas, United States. It is also the county seat.[5] In 2020, 5,768 people lived there.[4]

History[change | change source]

At the start of the 19th century, the area was mostly controlled by the Osage people.

Settlement of the area happened when Kaskaskia, Peoria, Wea, and Piankeshaw tribes were forced to move to the area between 1827 and 1832.[6] These created the Confederated Allied Tribe. It was led by Baptiste Peoria, who was of both French and Indian ethnicity. They called their settlement Peoria Village.[7]

In 1912, James Patterson moved to Paola. He did this to create his winter headquarters for his traveling circus. It was called the Patterson Circus. The circus continued until 1927. A wall mural about it is at 106 W. Peoria. The Patterson's home is still in Paola on the 600 block of north Mulberry. It is the only remaining building from the circus winter headquarters.[8]

Geography[change | change source]

Paola is at 38°34′25″N 94°52′24″W / 38.57361°N 94.87333°W / 38.57361; -94.87333 (38.573599, -94.873456).[9] The United States Census Bureau says that the city has a total area of 5.51 square miles (14.27 km2). Of that, 5.09 square miles (13.18 km2) is land and 0.42 square miles (1.09 km2) is water.[3]

Climate[change | change source]

Paola has hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. The Köppen Climate Classification system says that Paola has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.[10]

People[change | change source]

Historical population
Census Pop. %±
18701,811—
18802,31227.7%
18902,94327.3%
19003,1446.8%
19103,2072.0%
19203,2381.0%
19303,70214.3%
19403,511−5.2%
19503,97213.1%
19604,78420.4%
19704,622−3.4%
19804,557−1.4%
19904,6983.1%
20005,0116.7%
20105,60211.8%
20205,7683.0%
U.S. Decennial Census
2010-2020[4]
Aerial view of Paola (2013)

2020 census[change | change source]

In 2020, there were 5,768 people, 2,396 households, and 1,440 families living in Paola. Of the households, 60.3% owned their home and 39.7% rented their home.

The median age was 40.5 years. Of the people, 88.2% were White, 2.3% were Black, 0.5% were Native American, 0.4% were Asian, 0.1% were Pacific Islanders, 1.1% were from some other race, and 7.5% were two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.7% of the people.[11][12]

2010 census[change | change source]

In 2010, there were 5,602 people, 2,173 households, and 1,407 families living in Paola.[13]

Education[change | change source]

Fort Scott Community College campus in Paola (2008)
  • USD 368 offers education to children in grades K-12 with some education opportunities for adults as well.
    • Cottonwood Elementary (grades K-2)
    • Sunflower Elementary (grades 3-5)
    • Hillsdale Elementary (grades K-5) (closed)[14]
    • Paola Middle School (grades 6-8)
    • Paola High School (grades 9-12)
    • Paola Adult Education Center[15]
  • Holy Trinity Catholic School is a private school offering education for grades kindergarten through eight.
  • Fort Scott Community College is a community college with a satellite campus in Paola.[6]

References[change | change source]

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Paola, Kansas
  2. ↑ "Mayor". Paoloa, Kansas. Retrieved 17 May 2022.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 30, 2023.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 "QuickFacts: Paola city, Kansas". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 30, 2023.
  5. ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 "Paola History". Paola Chamber of Commerce. Retrieved 2009-12-02.
  7. ↑ "Miami County 2009 Visitors Guide", pages 13-15
  8. ↑ "The Patterson Circus". Miami County Historical Museum. Archived from the original on 2013-02-09. Retrieved 2013-03-07.
  9. ↑ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
  10. ↑ Climate Summary for Paola, Kansas
  11. ↑ "DP1: PROFILE OF GENERAL POPULATION AND HOUSING CHARACTERISTICS". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 30, 2023.
  12. ↑ "P16: HOUSEHOLD TYPE". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 2, 2024.
  13. ↑ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2012-07-06.
  14. ↑ KC, Fox4. "Fox 4 KC Paola School Closure". Retrieved 12 September 2011.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)[permanent dead link]
  15. ↑ "Paola USD #368". Paola USD # 368. Archived from the original on 2010-12-01. Retrieved 2009-12-02.

Other websites[change | change source]

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