Mulvane was laid out in 1879[6][7] at the junction of five Santa Fe rail lines. It is named for Joab R. Mulvane, a railroad official who was instrumental in bringing the Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe Railroad to Mulvane.[8]
Mulvane was changed to a city of the second class on December 20, 2001.[7]
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 4.52 square miles (11.71 km2), of which, 4.50 square miles (11.65 km2) is land and 0.02 square miles (0.05 km2) is water.[10]
Mulvane's Main Street follows part of the Sedgwick and Sumner county lines, and the town center is about five miles west of the spot where Sedgwick, Sumner, Butler and Cowley counties meet.
Of the 2,338 households, 38.0% had children under the age of 18; 54.6% were married couples living together; 24.5% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. 24.3% of households consisted of individuals and 11.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[12] The average household size was 2.6 and the average family size was 3.0.[16] The percent of those with a bachelor’s degree or higher was estimated to be 20.8% of the population.[17]
27.8% of the population was under the age of 18, 7.8% from 18 to 24, 25.1% from 25 to 44, 23.2% from 45 to 64, and 16.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37.0 years. For every 100 females, there were 107.0 males.[12] For every 100 females ages 18 and older, there were 110.7 males.[12]
The 2016-2020 5-year American Community Survey estimates show that the median household income was $65,286 (with a margin of error of +/- $16,008) and the median family income was $77,835 (+/- $17,261).[18] Males had a median income of $44,233 (+/- $7,691) versus $28,997 (+/- $6,552) for females. The median income for those above 16 years old was $34,413 (+/- $12,361).[19] Approximately, 5.1% of families and 9.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.1% of those under the age of 18 and 2.7% of those ages 65 or over.[20][21]
2010 census
As of the census[22] of 2010, there were 6,111 people, 2,244 households, and 1,661 families living in the city.[23] The population density was 1,358.0 inhabitants per square mile (524.3/km2). There were 2,357 housing units at an average density of 523.8 per square mile (202.2/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 94.4% White, 0.6% African American, 1.1% Native American, 0.8% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 0.7% from other races, and 2.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.5% of the population.
There were 2,244 households, of which 40.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.3% were married couples living together, 10.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.2% had a male householder with no wife present, and 26.0% were non-families. 23.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.70 and the average family size was 3.18.
The median age in the city was 35.1 years. 30.4% of residents were under the age of 18; 6.9% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 25.5% were from 25 to 44; 24.2% were from 45 to 64; and 13.1% 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[24] of 2000, there were 5,155 people, 1,896 households, and 1,444 families living in the city. The population density was 2,261.1 inhabitants per square mile (873.0/km2). There were 1,963 housing units at an average density of 861.0 per square mile (332.4/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 96.39% White, 0.17% African American, 0.99% Native American, 0.29% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 0.60% from other races, and 1.49% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.58% of the population.
There were 1,896 households, of which 41.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.0% were married couples living together, 9.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.8% were non-families. 21.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.69 and the average family size was 3.14.
In the city, the population was spread out, with 30.4% under the age of 18, 8.4% from 18 to 24, 28.8% from 25 to 44, 20.7% from 45 to 64, and 11.7% were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.8 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $46,923, and the median income for a family was $56,285. Males had a median income of $39,732 versus $26,797 for females. The per capita income for the city was $19,523. About 2.1% of families and 3.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.0% of those under age 18 and 1.6% of those age 65 or over.
Area events and attractions
Mulvane Old Settlers - one of the longest-running community events in Kansas, having started in 1873 (ten years before the town was officially incorporated).
The community is served by Mulvane USD 263 public school district. Munson Primary School teaches grades pre-kindergarten through 2nd grade, Mulvane Grade School teaches 3rd grade through 5th grade, Mulvane Middle School teaches 6th grade through 8th grade, and Mulvane High School teaches 9th grade through 12th grade.
