In 1868, C. N. James settled in the area and built a log cabin to serve also as a general store and trading post. Around that same time, a post office was established in the settlement, and as the first postmaster, C. N. James named the post office and the town in honor of his wife, Augusta James.[5][6][7]
The discovery of oil near Augusta in 1914, and soon elsewhere in Butler County, led to the doubling of the population of Augusta between 1910 and 1920.[12] Oil drilling and refining became a major source of employment for many years. In 1916, L. L. Marcell founded the White Eagle Oil Company in Augusta. Other early refineries were the Walnut Refining Company and the Lakeside Refinery.[13] In 1930, White Eagle was purchased by the Standard Oil Company of New York and was known as "Socony-Vacuum" for many years, then renamed Mobil in 1966.[14] The closure of Mobil Refinery in 1983 marked a change in Augusta's commerce.
On July 13, 1924 an F-2 tornado swept through the heart of Augusta, striking the business district and moved through downtown State St. It would continue north through Augusta destroying or damaging 250 buildings. A woman named Mrs. R. F. Scott was killed in this storm when her brick building collapsed on her. Her husband Mr. Scott the carpenter was also buried, but survived. At least three were injured from this storm and caused over 1.5 million in damages.
21st century
In 2010, the Keystone-Cushing Pipeline (Phase II) was constructed about 1.5 miles west of Augusta, north to south through Butler County, with much controversy over tax exemption and environmental concerns (if a leak ever occurs).[15][16]
Geography
Augusta is located at the confluence of the Walnut and Whitewater Rivers. It is located along the western edge of Butler County.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 4.75 square miles (12.30 km2), of which, 4.23 square miles (10.96 km2) is land and 0.52 square miles (1.35 km2) is water.[17]
Climate
The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Augusta has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.[18]
Of the 3,670 households, 33.1% had children under the age of 18; 48.3% were married couples living together; 27.4% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. 29.6% of households consisted of individuals and 14.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[20] The average household size was 2.5 and the average family size was 2.9.[24] The percent of those with a bachelor’s degree or higher was estimated to be 15.5% of the population.[25]
26.4% of the population was under the age of 18, 7.8% from 18 to 24, 25.0% from 25 to 44, 22.7% from 45 to 64, and 18.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37.7 years. For every 100 females, there were 104.6 males.[20] For every 100 females ages 18 and older, there were 109.5 males.[20]
The 2016-2020 5-year American Community Survey estimates show that the median household income was $52,274 (with a margin of error of +/- $5,044) and the median family income was $64,386 (+/- $7,473).[26] Males had a median income of $40,083 (+/- $9,827) versus $25,148 (+/- $8,132) for females. The median income for those above 16 years old was $30,611 (+/- $3,528).[27] Approximately, 8.4% of families and 8.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.5% of those under the age of 18 and 5.2% of those ages 65 or over.[28][29]
2010 census
As of the census[30] of 2010, there were 9,274 people, 3,669 households, and 2,448 families living in the city.[31] The population density was 2,192.4 inhabitants per square mile (846.5/km2). There were 3,951 housing units at an average density of 934.0 per square mile (360.6/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 94.2% White, 0.4% African American, 1.3% Native American, 0.6% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 1.1% from other races, and 2.3% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4% of the population.
There were 3,669 households, of which 35.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.1% were married couples living together, 12.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.2% had a male householder with no wife present, and 33.3% were non-families. 29.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 3.10.
The median age in the city was 35.7 years. 27.9% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.4% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 25% were from 25 to 44; 23.2% were from 45 to 64; and 15.6% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.2% male and 52.8% female.
2000 census
As of the census of 2000,[32] there were 8,423 people, 3,277 households, and 2,307 families living in the city. The population density was 2,091.1 inhabitants per square mile (807.4/km2). There were 3,585 housing units at an average density of 890.0 per square mile (343.6/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 96.07% White, 0.18% African American, 0.83% Native American, 0.36% Asian, 0.68% from other races, and 1.89% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.59% of the population.
There were 3,277 households, out of which 35.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.6% were married couples living together, 10.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.6% were non-families. 26.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.53 and the average family size was 3.06.
In the city, the population was spread out, with 28.0% under the age of 18, 8.9% from 18 to 24, 27.9% from 25 to 44, 19.4% from 45 to 64, and 15.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 90.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.6 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $41,818, and the median income for a family was $51,886. Males had a median income of $36,465 versus $24,747 for females. The per capita income for the city was $19,094. About 4.1% of families and 5.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.8% of those under age 18 and 7.5% of those age 65 or over.
Education
The community is served by Augusta USD 402 public school district.
Augusta is home to the Butler County Times-Gazette (formerly various local newspaper companies including the Augusta Gazette, Andover American, and El Dorado Times), a tri-weekly newspaper covering Augusta and neighboring towns.
^[The Kingdom of Butler, Jessie Perry Stratford. 1970. Times Publishing Co., El Dorado, KS, and Intercollegiate Press, Shawnee Mission, Kansas. p. 117.]