History
Parsons was named after Levi Parsons, president of the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railroad. The town was founded in 1870 and incorporated the following year. During World War II, it housed the Kansas Ordnance Plant, which is now operating as the Kansas Army Ammunition Plant. Parsons is also home to the Parsons State Hospital & Training Center, which has been in operation since 1903.
Parsons was the birthplace of actress Zazu Pitts and jazz musician Buck Clayton aka Wilbur Dorsey Clayton and was the home town of singer Clancy Hayes.
Geography
Parsons is located at 37°20'21" North, 95°16'11" West (37.339070, -95.269747)1.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 26.8 km² (10.4 mi²). 26.8 km² (10.4 mi²) of it is land and none of it is covered by water.
Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there are 11,514 people, 4,738 households, and 2,909 families residing in the city. The population density is 429.1/km² (1,111.2/mi²). There are 5,359 housing units at an average density of 199.7/km² (517.2/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 85.54% White, 8.17% African American, 1.12% Native American, 0.42% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 1.90% from other races, and 2.84% from two or more races. 4.64% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 4,738 households out of which 30.8% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.3% are married couples living together, 13.2% have a female householder with no husband present, and 38.6% are non-families. 33.8% of all households are made up of individuals and 14.8% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.32 and the average family size is 2.96.
In the city the population is spread out with 26.2% under the age of 18, 9.6% from 18 to 24, 26.2% from 25 to 44, 20.4% from 45 to 64, and 17.6% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 36 years. For every 100 females there are 91.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 87.1 males.
The median income for a household in the city is $28,345, and the median income for a family is $36,557. Males have a median income of $28,667 versus $21,558 for females. The per capita income for the city is $15,763. 14.6% of the population and 9.9% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 16.3% are under the age of 18 and 11.5% are 65 or older.