Goodland
cityGoodland, Kansas, the county seat of Sherman County, is located in the northwestern part of the state at the intersection of Interstate 70 and K-27. As of 2020, the city had a population of 4,465. Goodland serves as a regional hub for northwest Kansas, southern Nebraska, and eastern Colorado, offering a mix of small-town charm and essential services. Agriculture forms the backbone of Goodland's economy, supported by businesses thriving on the Kyle Railroad and I-70. Major employers include Walmart and the Goodland Regional Medical Center/Family Health Center. Goodland also boasts its own power plant, ensuring energy independence for its residents. Goodland is known for its location along the Land and Sky Scenic Byway and its proximity to unique geological formations like the Arikaree Breaks. The city's history is tied to the railroad and the resolution of a county seat dispute, giving it a distinctive character in the High Plains.
Goodland, Kansas
- Classification
- City
- FIPS Code
- 20-26875
- Country
- United States
- County
- Sherman County
- Region
- High Plains region of the Great Plains
- Elevation
- 3,691 ft
- Total Area
- 4.51 sq mi
- Land Area
- 4.5 sq mi
- Water Area
- 0.01 sq mi
- Latitude
- 39.34889
- Longitude
- -101.71417
- Climate
- Humid continental climate with cold, dry winters and hot, moderately wet summers. Experiences stronger winds and higher snowfall totals than other locations in Kansas.
- Notable Features
- Middle Fork of Sappa Creek · Arikaree Breaks (nearby)
- Neighboring Areas
- Edson · Kanorado · Brewster · St. Francis
- Population (2020)
- 4,465
- Est. Population (2026)
- 4,355
- Median Age
- 33.6
- Median Income
- $52,258
- Poverty Rate
- 11.71%
- Family Households
- 56.5%
- Owner-Occupied
- 55.2%
- Racial & Ethnic Composition
- The racial makeup of Goodland includes 83.96% White, 6.92% Other Race, 6.82% Two or More Races, 2.18% Black or African American, and 0.12% Asian. 17.4% of the population identifies as Hispanic.
- Government Type
- Council-Manager
- Governing Body
- City Commission
- Body Size
- 5 members
- School District
- Goodland Unified School District USD 352
- Municipal Services
- Police · Fire · Public Works · Parks & Recreation · Water & Waste Water
- Economic Profile
- Regional hub · Agriculture-based · Retail
- Employment Sectors
- Retail Trade · Health Care · Education · Hospitality/Tourism · Food Service · Public Administration · Wholesale Trade · Finance & Insurance · Transportation and Warehousing · Manufacturing · Professional Services
- Major Employers
- Walmart · Goodland Regional Medical Center/Family Health Center
- Students
- 913
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14:1
- School Districts
- Goodland Unified School District USD 352
- Colleges & Universities
- Northwest Kansas Technical College
- Transportation
- Interstate 70 · K-27 Highway · Rail service
- Utilities
- Municipal water · Municipal power
- Major Facilities
- Goodland Regional Medical Center · Goodland Municipal Airport
- Outdoor Access
- Yes
- Major Recreation Areas
- Steever Water Park · Sugar Hills Golf Club · Pioneer Dog Park · Land and Sky Scenic Byway
- Parks & Trails
- Steever Park · Chambers Park · Memory Park · Gulick Park · Rosewood Park · Pioneer Park · Phillips Park · Centennial Park · Walking trails
- Founded
- 1887
- Incorporated
- 1887
- Named After
- Goodland, Indiana
- Historical Significance
- Goodland was founded to settle a dispute about what town should be the county seat of Sherman County and grew around the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad.
- Key Events
- Kidder Massacre (1867) · Settlement of county seat dispute (1887) · Arrival of the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad