About Dodge City

Population. We’re just the right size.
Dodge City/Ford County, Kansas is just the right size—rural living with small city amenities. Along with Dodge City, there are three rural towns out in the county: Bucklin, Spearville and Ford.

Here are 2019 Annual Population Estimates from the US Census Bureau:
Ford County – 34,484
Dodge City – 27,104
Bucklin – 771
Spearville – 784
Ford – 216

Education. Our future.
Dodge City makes education a priority. We know our youth are our future, with nearly 6,000 students in the county’s public school districts. From pre-school through college, Dodge City offers it all. We have new and remodeled schools everywhere and more on the way. Here’s the scoop:

Dodge City – 9 Elementary Schools, 2 Middle Schools, 1 High School & several alternative education options.
Bucklin – 1 Elementary School and 1 High School
Spearville – 1 Elementary School and 1 High School

Vocational Training
Dodge City Community College has over 2,000 students.
Four-year outreach courses are offered locally by Fort Hays State University, Friends University and Newman University.

The Rural Education and Workforce Alliance (REWA) can seat up to 50 students for courses that are offered through our Small Business Development Center, workforce certifications, as well as courses offered by higher education institutions, focused on the specific workforce shortages in Southwest Kansas.  The university offerings will be in partnership with the regional community colleges, encouraging their students to continue to pursue bachelor’s degree programs after obtaining their Associate Degree as well as focusing on the non-traditional working adult.  We have also received additional funding from USDA Distance Learning Grant for the technology needed to deliver the SBDC and various degree programs and certifications to communities throughout the region.  This grant has allowed us to set up the first frontier community classrooms in Elkhart, Tribune, Scott City, Jetmore and St. John.  These classrooms are set to deliver the FHSU RN to BSN program and our current SBDC seminars.

Percent High School Graduate or Higher 71.5%

Bachelor’s Degree or Higher 17.6%

Retail/dining. Eat, drink and shop merry.
Dodge City is home to the finest shopping and dining in Western Kansas. An indoor mall, several mini-malls, downtown shopping centers as well as a variety of neighborhood stores.

When you’ve shopped yourself out, try our dozens of  restaurants: Mexican, Thai, Vietnamese, Chinese, and franchise restaurants of all types and sizes. Whether it’s a burger or burrito, enjoy local cuisine and cocktails in size settings from tiny to tremendous.

Religion. It’s at our heart.
A strong spiritual lifestyle has always been a part of this Midwestern city. With nearly four-dozen churches and one the newest Catholic Cathedrals in the nation, you’ll find nearly every denomination and non-denomination represented. Both English and Spanish services are offered by many churches.

Medical. It’s all here if you need it.
You can count on state-of-the-art medical services. A full-service hospital is equipped for 24-hour emergency care, including a full cardiac care center, emergency helicopter transport, 24-hour emergency care, Poison Control Center, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and hi-res CAT scanning,

Dodge City boasts several full-service doctor and dental clinics, a medical center, a birthing center and surgery center. MRI and other imaging facilities are available in several locations. Physical therapy centers and chiropractic centers are also available. Spearville and Bucklin also offer clinic services.

High-speed medical air transport services are also on stand-by at Dodge City Regional Airport.

Transportation. We’re a hub of Western Kansas.
Rail Service
Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe, Southern Pacific and Amtrak. Recently restored  historic1898 Santa Fe Depot.

Air Service
Dodge City Regional Airport is located three miles east of Dodge City. Commercial air service provided by PenAir to Denver. Charter services are available through Crotts Aircraft Service. Ballard Aviation (Eagle Med) provides medical air transportation services.

Air Freight
Service in Dodge City is handled by UPS, Pony Express, DHL, Federal Express and United States Postal Service for both ground and air.

Truck Carriers
Dodge City and Ford County are served by approximately 20 trucking companies.