In 1802, Spain returned most of the land to France. In 1803, most of the land for modern day Kansas was acquired by the United States from France as part of the 828,000 square mile Louisiana Purchase for 2.83 cents per acre.
The source of the Lehigh name was not well documented. One of the rumors is the city being slightly higher altitude which was "lay high" above the prairie, the other rumor that it was named by representatives of Lehigh County, Pennsylvania who came to Kansas and considered settling the area in the 1870s or 1880s.[5]
Four and one half miles north of Lehigh is the junction of the old Santa Fe Trail and Chisolm Trail, which is near the site of the municipal water well for the city. The Santa Fe Trail was active across Marion County from 1821 to 1866,[6] and the Chisholm Trail was active from 1867 to 1871.[7]
Lehigh was incorporated in 1901 and at the time of the 1910 census had a population of 385. At one time it boasted a bank, several mercantile businesses, and a German weekly Mennonite newspaper, Das Echo, started in 1897.[15]
Lehigh is in the scenic Flint Hills and Great Plains of the state of Kansas.[1] According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 0.30 square miles (0.78 km2), all of it land.[16] The county line is 3.5 miles west of Lehigh. The North and South Cottonwood River start a few miles northwest of Lehigh.
Area Events
Lehigh Antique Tractor & Engine Show, every Memorial Day.[17]
Of the 64 households, 29.7% had children under the age of 18; 54.7% were married couples living together; 18.8% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. 32.8% of households consisted of individuals and 18.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[19] The average household size was 2.6 and the average family size was 3.0.[23] The percent of those with a bachelor’s degree or higher was estimated to be 21.7% of the population.[24]
21.1% of the population was under the age of 18, 8.7% from 18 to 24, 30.4% from 25 to 44, 23.0% from 45 to 64, and 16.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37.8 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.3 males.[19] For every 100 females ages 18 and older, there were 95.4 males.[19]
The 2016-2020 5-year American Community Survey estimates show that the median household income was $63,333 (with a margin of error of +/- $25,820) and the median family income was $70,625 (+/- $16,166).[25] Males had a median income of $34,375 (+/- $12,285) versus $36,500 (+/- $7,136) for females. The median income for those above 16 years old was $35,750 (+/- $7,474).[26] Approximately, 0.0% of families and 3.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.0% of those under the age of 18 and 12.1% of those ages 65 or over.[27][28]
2010 census
As of the census[29] of 2010, there were 175 people, 70 households, and 49 families residing in the city. The population density was 583.3 inhabitants per square mile (225.2/km2). There were 84 housing units at an average density of 280.0 per square mile (108.1/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 96.6% White, 2.9% from other races, and 0.6% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.0% of the population.
There were 70 households, of which 32.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.3% were married couples living together, 7.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 8.6% had a male householder with no wife present, and 30.0% were non-families. 27.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 3.02.
The median age in the city was 32.8 years. 29.7% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.7% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 24.6% were from 25 to 44; 23.4% were from 45 to 64; and 13.7% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 50.9% male and 49.1% female.
2000 census
As of the census[30] of 2000, there were 215 people, 77 households, and 62 families residing in the city. The population density was 714.3 inhabitants per square mile (275.8/km2). There were 83 housing units at an average density of 275.7 per square mile (106.4/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 93.95% White, 4.65% Native American, and 1.40% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.40% of the population.
There were 77 households, out of which 37.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 75.3% were married couples living together, 2.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 18.2% were non-families. 18.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.79 and the average family size was 3.14.
In the city, the population was spread out, with 31.6% under the age of 18, 4.2% from 18 to 24, 27.0% from 25 to 44, 20.0% from 45 to 64, and 17.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.9 males.
As of 2000 the median income for a household in the city was $38,958, and the median income for a family was $41,875. Males had a median income of $35,000 versus $20,714 for females. The per capita income for the city was $14,554. About 6.8% of families and 8.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.0% of those under the age of eighteen and none of those 65 or over.
Government
Lehigh US Post Office (2010)
Lehigh has a government consisting of a Mayor and Five City Council. The council meets the 2nd Monday of each month at 7:30PM.[31]
City Hall, 110 E Main St.
U.S. Post Office, 112 W Main St.
Education
The community is served by Hillsboro USD 410 public school district. The high school is a member of T.E.E.N., a shared video teaching network between five area high schools.[32] All students attend schools in Hillsboro.
Lehigh Rural High School was closed after the spring graduation in 1966. The Lehigh High School mascot was Lehigh Eagles.[33]
