Emporia, Kansas

Emporia, Kansas, the county seat of Lyon County, is a progressive community adjacent to the Flint Hills in east central Kansas. It is a manufacturing and trade center for seven counties with a population of approximately 25,000, with a rich and diverse culture. The 2020 census reports nearly 30% of the population claims Hispanic roots. The community reflects its economic diversity with employment opportunities in agriculture, education, health services, manufacturing, and retail. Emporia’s location, midway between Topeka and Wichita on the Kansas Turnpike and between Kansas City and Wichita on Interstate 35, makes it a convenient place to live and visit. The city was the home to William Allen White, a Pulitzer Prize-winning newspaper editor. His home, Red Rocks, is a state historic site. Emporia is the home of The National Teachers Hall of Fame and the Fallen Educators Memorial and is known as the official founding city of Veterans Day. The city’s progressive nature is demonstrated by the use of a ½ percent sales tax for economic development. This money has been used to attract new industries and help existing industries expand their operations.

Quality of Life
Emporia is proud of its quality of life. The presence of Emporia State University with its programs in theater, music, art, classes available to the public, sports, and recreation has a major impact on the community. Flint Hills Technical College has been named one of the top technical colleges in the country. An active arts council provides a variety of music, theater performances, and arts education. The historic Granada Theatre offers concerts with well-known musical groups and a venue for numerous activities. A modern public library, in addition to the library on the university’s campus, serves the city. Emporia boasts a nationally accredited zoo, a water sports park, a historical museum and society, a comprehensive recreation center and programs, a soccer complex, two golf courses, and many parks, ball fields, disc golf courses, and pickleball and tennis courts. Within 80 miles of Emporia, six major lakes invite camping, boating, and fishing enthusiasts. A wide variety of civic organizations, youth service organizations, an active Chamber of Commerce, and a Main Street program provide impetus for community preservation and improvement projects. A local newspaper, The Emporia Gazette, focuses on Emporia and the surrounding communities. The Emporia Community Foundation assists and enhances charitable giving. A high-speed fiber-optic network services the community.

Emporia and the surrounding area are known for their annual events. The oldest event is the Flint Hills Rodeo held in neighboring Chase County. The Hispanic community invites all to celebrate its heritage through several annual events. Numerous activities are held to honor veterans during a weeklong celebration of Veterans Day. The weekend after Memorial Day each year, the community hosts over 2,000 bicycle riders and 5,000 spectators for Unbound Gravel, an internationally recognized bike race. As the home of Dynamic Discs, at least one major disc golf tournament is held in Emporia annually. 

Tree-lined streets with older homes and newer residential areas offer a variety of housing, with additional choices such as lofts, townhouses, and apartment complexes. Emporia Main Street has spearheaded downtown renovation and preservation.

Schools
The city offers a wide variety of excellent educational programs for all ages. The public school system includes a new early childhood center, six neighborhood elementary schools with all-day kindergarten, a middle school (grades 6 - 8), and a high school. In addition, high school students can take classes at Flint Hills Technical College and Emporia State University. Private schools include Emporia Christian School (grades three through eight) and Sacred Heart School (grades pre-K through sixth grade). Several daycare facilities and early childhood centers also are available.

Flint Hills Technical College offers one-year certificate programs, two-year associate degrees, and adult education. The college also offers a variety of short, continuing education classes filling the needs of local businesses and community members.

Emporia State University, one of six state regent universities, is located at the north edge of downtown Emporia. As a fully accredited university by the Higher Learning Commission, ESU offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in business, education, and liberal arts and sciences, as well as a master's and doctoral program in library science and information management. The Teachers College is recognized nationally as one of the top five teacher-preparation programs in the country. The School of Business is accredited by AACSB. The university’s programs bring diversity, activity, and opportunity to Emporia.

Hetlinger Developmental Center provides occupational training and employment for individuals with physical and developmental needs.

Churches
There are more than 70 churches located in Emporia and Lyon County. St. Andrew’s is the only Episcopal church within a 50-mile radius. There is an active ministerial association.

Health Care
Emporia is the health center for a 35-mile radius. Newman Regional Health is ranked as one of the top 100 critical access hospitals in the country. As one of the largest employers in the Emporia/Lyon County area, it has over 600 employees and 40+ physicians. The hospital has added a new cancer center and a rehabilitation unit and updated its CT and MRI capabilities. The hospital has an extensive emergency department and intensive care unit with additional telemetry beds. Other services include same-day surgery, cardiology, orthopedics, physiotherapy, occupational and speech therapy, and social work. 

Other clinical care is offered by Stormont-Vail Healthcare and by independent physicians. The community is also served by a variety of dental, orthodontic, ophthalmology, optometry, orthopedic, physical therapy, dermatology, podiatry, and chiropractic practitioners as well as medical spas.

CareArc serves the community with health and dental programs. Several home healthcare options exist, along with retirement and long-term care facilities in the local area. Crosswinds, the mental health center for seven counties, has its main presence in Emporia. This organization provides adult and children mental health services and alcohol/drug services.

Emporia State University, in conjunction with Newman Regional Health, offers a four-year Baccalaureate Degree in Nursing, and Flint Hills Technical College offers a program in Licensed Practical Nursing. 

Manufacturing and Service
Diversification best describes the manufacturing and service base of Emporia. The primary industries are food products, pet food, automotive components, electronics, telecommunications, and distribution. Major employers include Tyson Fresh Meats, Hostess, Simmons Pet Food, Hill’s Pet Food, Hopkins Manufacturing, Vektek, EVCO Wholesale Food, Norfolk Iron and Metal, Bunge, Hornet Manufacturing, Michelin, Fanestil Meats, Thermal Ceramics, Sauder Custom Fabrication, Cargill Pet Foods, Better Living Industries, Glendo, Dynamic Discs, Newman Regional Health, Emporia State University, USD 253, and Flint Hills Technical College.