Wichita

by The Linguist

 

Wichita, Kansas – The Air Capital of the World

With a population of 389,938 as of 2019, Wichita is the largest city in the state of Kansas. Known as the “Air Capital of the World”, Wichita’s economy relies heavily on aircraft manufacturing. Major employers in Wichita include Textron Aviation, Spirit AeroSystems, and Boeing. Wichita is located in Sedgwick County in south central Kansas.

History of Wichita

Wichita’s beginnings come from the Chisholm Trail where cattle were driven north to railroads. Settlers established Wichita near the confluence of the Little Arkansas and Arkansas Rivers in the 1860s. By 1870, Wichita established itself as a cowtown on the Chisholm Trail trade route. The city grew quickly after the railroads arrived in 1872. By 1920, the city was the third largest in the state.

During World War II, Wichita’s economy transitioned from agriculture to aircraft manufacturing. Companies like Cessna, Beechcraft, and Stearman helped supply planes during the war effort. After the war, aircraft manufacturing remained an important part of the city’s economy. Today, Wichita produces high-tech aviation parts and has facilities for Airbus, Boeing, and Spirit Aerosystems.

For more history on Wichita, visit the Wichita Historical Museum website.

Population and Demographics

As of 2019, Wichita had an estimated population of 389,938 making it the 51st largest city in the United States. The racial makeup of the city is 71.7% White, 11.5% African American, 1.2% Native American, 4.8% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 6.2% from other races, and 4.5% from two or more races. Hispanics and Latinos make up 15.8% of the population.

Wichita is located in Sedgwick County which had an estimated population of 513,607 in 2019. For more information on Sedgwick County, visit the Sedgwick County website or contact them at 525 N Main St, Wichita, KS 67203, (316) 660-9000.

Economy and Major Employers

As the “Air Capital of the World”, aviation and aircraft manufacturing play a major role in Wichita’s economy. Around 10% of civilian aircraft worldwide are made in Wichita including airplanes from Textron Aviation, Spirit AeroSystems, and Boeing. In addition to aviation, Wichita has a diverse economy which includes healthcare, manufacturing, oil, agriculture, and technology.

Major employers in Wichita include:

  • Textron Aviation – One Cessna Blvd, Wichita, KS 67215, (316) 517-6000
  • Spirit AeroSystems – 3801 S Oliver St, Wichita, KS 67210, (316) 526-9000
  • Wichita Public Schools – 903 S Edgemoor St, Wichita, KS 67218, (316) 973-4000
  • McConnell Air Force Base – 55350 W Ruehmling Rd, McConnell AFB, KS 67221, (316) 759-3800
  • Wesley Healthcare – 550 N Hillside St, Wichita, KS 67214, (316) 962-2000
  • Via Christi Hospital – 3600 E Harry St, Wichita, KS 67218, (316) 689-5000

For more on the economy and major employers in Wichita, visit the City of Wichita’s Economic Development website.

Transportation

The main public transportation system in Wichita is the Wichita Transit System which operates nearly 30 bus routes throughout the city. Wichita also has an Amtrak station downtown which provides rail service on the Southwest Chief line between Chicago and Los Angeles.

Wichita is served by two major highways including I-35 which runs north to south and I-135 which runs east to west. The city also has a general aviation airport called Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport which handles private and corporate air traffic.

Landmarks and Attractions

Some of the top attractions and landmarks in Wichita include:

  • Sedgwick County Zoo – 5555 Zoo Blvd, Wichita, KS 67212, (316) 266-8353
  • Botanica, The Wichita Gardens – 701 Amidon St, Wichita, KS 67203, (316) 264-0448
  • Old Cowtown Museum – 1865 W Museum Blvd, Wichita, KS 67203, (316) 219-1871
  • Exploration Place – 300 N McLean Blvd, Wichita, KS 67203, (316) 660-0600
  • The Keeper of the Plains – 650 N Seneca St, Wichita, KS 67203 (GPS: 37.6918, -97.3108)
  • Wichita Art Museum – 1400 W Museum Blvd, Wichita, KS 67203, (316) 268-4921
  • Wichita-Sedgwick County Historical Museum – 204 S Main St, Wichita, KS 67202, (316) 265-9314

For more on things to do and local attractions, visit the Wichita Convention and Visitors Bureau website.

Sports

Wichita is home to several professional, semi-professional, collegiate, and high school sports teams. These include:

  • Wichita Wind Surge – Minor League Baseball team, visit team website
  • Wichita Thunder – ECHL ice hockey team, visit team website
  • Wichita State Shockers – NCAA Division I teams, visit team website

Education

Public education in Wichita is provided by the Wichita Public School District, the largest school district in Kansas. WPS serves over 47,000 students in more than 90 schools. In addition, there are numerous private and parochial school options in the city.

Higher education options include:

Map of Wichita

Additional Local Resources

Here are some additional local resources for Wichita residents and visitors: