Salina, Kansas

{{See also|History of Kansas}}

File:Comanche 1718.jpg mapped a Kansa village at the area which became Salina.]]

Shortly prior to European colonization of the area in the early 1700s, the site that would become Salina was located within the western territory of the Kansa people.{{cite web|last=Sturtevant|first=William C.|title=Early Indian Tribes, Culture Areas, and Linguistic Stocks [Map]|publisher=Smithsonian Institution|year=1967|url=http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/united_states/early_indian_east.jpg|access-date=March 5, 2014}} Claimed first by France as part of Louisiana and later acquired by the United States with the Louisiana Purchase in 1803, it was within the area organized by the U.S. as Kansas Territory in 1854.{{cite web|title=Louisiana Purchase|work=Kansapedia|publisher=Kansas Historical Society|date=August 2012|url=http://www.kshs.org/kansapedia/louisiana-purchase/17876|access-date=March 5, 2014}}{{cite web|title=Kansas Territory|work=Kansapedia|date=March 2013|url=http://www.kshs.org/kansapedia/kansas-territory/14701|access-date=March 5, 2013}} The French traders who mapped the forks of les Grande Riviere des Cansez, located the western village of les Cansez at the general confluence of the Smoky Hill, Saline, and Solomon Rivers with villages of the Paducas tribe just to the west on heads of those streams.{{citation|title= 1718 Carte de la Louisiane et du Cours du Mississipi |author-link=Guillaume Delisle | first=Guillaume | last=Delisle |year = 1718 |title-link = :File:1718 Carte de la Louisiane et du Cours du Mississipi by Guillaume Delisle.jpg }}

By the time of exploration of the prairie by the United States following the Louisiana Purchase in the early 1800s, the Republican Pawnee had established its influence in the Smoky Hills,{{cite book|last=Pike|first=Zebulon | editor-first=Elliott | editor-last=Coues |title=The Expeditions of Zebulon Montgomery Pike: Arkansaw Journey. Mexican Tour |url=https://archive.org/details/cihm_12060|date=1895 |publisher=Francis P. Harper|location=New York, NY |pages=417–652 |quote= Were overtaken by the Pawnee chief whose party we left the day before, who informed us the hunting-party had taken another road, and that he had come to bid us goodbye. }} "From Pawnee Village through Kansas ... " Zebulan Pike recorded the Pawnee's control of the Smoky Hills through to the Great Bend of the Arkansas River. driving the Kansa to its northeastern Kansas settlements.Frémont, J. C. 1934. [https://archive.org/stream/expeditionsofjoh01fr/expeditionsofjoh01fr_djvu.txt The expeditions of John Charles Frémont.] (D. Jackson and M. L. Spence, Eds.). University of Illinois Press, Chicago. Fremont observed Pawnee desolation of Kaw villages "After crossing this stream, I rode off some miles to the left, attracted by the appearance of a cluster of huts near the mouth of the [Little] Vermillion. It was a large but deserted Kansas village, scattered in an open wood along the margin of the stream, on a spot chosen with the customary Indian fondness for beauty and scenery. The Pawnees had attacked it in the early spring [of 1843]. Some of the houses were burnt, and others blackened with smoke, and weeds were already getting possession of the cleared places."{{cite web |author= Howard C. Raynesford |title= The Raynesford Papers: Notes- The Smoky Hill River & Fremont's Indian Village |url= http://www.kancoll.org/articles/raynesford/raynotes.htm |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20030123140335/http://www.kancoll.org/articles/raynesford/raynotes.htm |url-status= dead |archive-date= January 23, 2003 |year= 1953 |access-date= December 4, 2021 }}{{citation |title= 19th Century Kansas Trails |publisher= Kansas Department of Transportation

|url= http://www.ksdot.org/Assets/wwwksdotorg/bureaus/burTransPlan/maps/SpecialInterestStateMaps/histrailV8.PDF |access-date= December 4, 2021 }}{{cite web |author= Carson Bear |title= A Nearly Pristine Pawnee Tipi Ring Site Preserved for More Than a Century |work= National Trust for Historic Preservation |url= https://savingplaces.org/stories/a-nearly-pristine-pawnee-tipi-ring-site-preserved-for-more-than-a-century#.W3DByehKiCi |date= April 4, 2018 |access-date= December 4, 2021 }}

The United States established forts throughout the territory to provide security for established commercial trade trails, including the Smoky Hill Trail and the Santa Fe Trail. The Smoky Hill Trail passed through the Salina site where the Fort Riley/Fort Larned Road split off to cross the Smoky Hill River to the southwest.{{citation needed|date=April 2022}}

By the time of the first tentative settlements by United States citizens, the site was claimed as hunting grounds by the High Plains tribes of Cheyenne, Arapaho, and Sioux, which had expanded into the area, driving out the Pawnee. However, the Kansa continued to hunt in the area, in which they were joined by the Delaware and Potawatomi tribes which had been relocated by the U.S. Government near the Kansa's reserve and assured of hunting access to the plains. The High Plains tribes were hostilely opposed to both the U.S. settlers in central Kansas and to the relocated tribes in Eastern Kansas and Nebraska, who they also regarded as settlers, and there were several raids in the Salina area in the 1850s. These Indian skirmishes repeatedly discouraged settlement of the Salina site until 1857, according to William A. Phillips who resided in Lawrence while scouting settlement locations.

In that year, Big Chief of the Cheyenne led a party of the High Plains tribes. At Spring Creek, 20 miles west of what became Salina, they made a surprise attack on a hunting party of the "friendly" Eastern tribes. The hunting party retreated to Dry Creek, trapped and sending for help from another Kaw hunting party from Council Grove. Big Chief forced them to flee further to a butte in a bend of the Smoky Hill River, where they were joined by the Kaw reinforcements with rifles. Firing rifles from the cover of large sandstone boulders atop the butte, the defenders killed Big Chief on the first of five offensive charge attempts. His attacking bow and arrow force was devastated, leaving bodies strewn, and effectively ending the local raids.{{cite news |newspaper= The Salina Journal | first=Carol | last=Lichti | title= On Hallowed Ground : Story of Indian Rock and Lakewood |url= https://www.newspapers.com/clip/45498564/story-of-indian-rock-and-lakewood/ | via=Newspapers.com | url-access=registration | access-date= December 1, 2021 |location= Salina, Kansas |date= February 25, 1996 |page= 47 |quote= As news of the battle spread, the potential for settlement lured Phillips, who was in Lawrence, to return to the area where Salina would be founded. }}

The aftermath was recalled by settler Christina Campbell: "one of the fiercest and most cruel Indian battles known to white settlers; around were strewn thousands of arrows and implements of Indian warfare. Indian Rock, besmeared with blood, showed the part it played in repelling the repeated savages' attacks. It was here that the Cheyenne made their last attack."

[[File:Salina, Kansas, September, 1867, 185 miles west of Missouri River. (Boston Public Library) (cropped).jpg|thumb

|Salina, 1867, by Alexander Gardner, from months-old Kansas Pacific Railway tracks, with Indian Rock behind and to the right.]]

The defeat of the aggressive High Plains tribes had enabled the safe return of attempted settlers. In April 1858, journalist and lawyer William A. Phillips from Lawrence led the founding of Salina, accompanied by settlers David Phillips, Alexander M. Campbell Sr. (husband of Christina), A.C. Spillman, and James Muir. They were all Scotch Presbyterians, and all but Muir were related. From a west riverbank dugout at what is now Riverside Park, they camped and designed the first building. It was a two-story dwelling and Campbell's store, at what is now the southwest corner of 5th St and Iron Ave near Founders Park. Constant tribal attacks required a wagon circle around the first water well one block west. The Campbells had the first surviving settler birth in the area, also named Christina.

That month, and still predating the 1861 statehood of Kansas, they chartered the Salina Town Company with the Kansas territory legislature. During the following year, they organized the surrounding area as Saline County, and named Salina the county seat.{{cite web | title=History | publisher=City of Salina | url=https://www.salina-ks.gov/content/18394/18526/20322/default.aspx | access-date=April 7, 2022}} The westernmost town on the Smoky Hill Trail, Salina established itself as a trading post for westbound immigrants, gold prospectors bound for Pikes Peak, and area American Indian tribes. The town's growth halted with the outbreak of the American Civil War when much of the male population left to join the Union Army.

In 1862, residents fended off Indian raiders and suffered a second assault by bushwhackers. In May and June 1864, the Salina Stockade was built to protect the town against further Indian raids.{{citation needed span|date=April 2022 | text=Union troops were garrisoned in Salina until March 1865, and some may have returned in June 1865.}} The building inside the stockade was remodeled and in September 1864 was opened as Salina's first public school. The school term ran until March 1865. The use of the building probably continued until at least June 1865.{{cite book | first=Ruby P. | last=Bramwell | title=City on the Move: The Story of Salina | location=Salina | publisher=Survey Press | date=1969 | page=61}}Morrison, pp. 3-4.

File:Stouffer's Railroad Map of Kansas 1915-1918 Saline County.png]]

Growth resumed with returning war veterans, and the town expanded rapidly with the arrival of the Kansas Pacific Railway in 1867. The construction of the railroad through Salina to Denver was a violation of treaty promises of Indian hunting grounds west of Salina, and Dog Soldiers began raiding the construction parties between Salina and Fort Wallace.{{cite book |author= Collins |title= Kansas Pacific |page= 13 |quote= [After Fort Hays, it] would then enter the country of three nomadic Indian tribes: the Cheyenne, Arapahoe and Kiowa. ... mile and a half per day. ... Then the Indian raids began. }} The following U.S. military action removed Indians from western Kansas by 1868.{{citation needed|date=April 2022}}

Salina incorporated as a city in 1870.{{Cite book|contribution=Salina|title=Kansas: a cyclopedia of state history, embracing events, institutions, industries, counties, cities, towns, prominent persons, etc.|editor-last=Blackmar|editor-first=Frank W.|volume=2|pages=634–635|place=Chicago|publisher=Standard|year=1912|contribution-url=http://skyways.lib.ks.us/genweb/archives/1912/s/salina.html}}{{Cite book|contribution=Saline County|title=Kansas: a cyclopedia of state history, embracing events, institutions, industries, counties, cities, towns, prominent persons, etc.|editor-last=Blackmar|editor-first=Frank W.|volume=2|pages=635–639|place=Chicago|publisher=Standard|year=1912|contribution-url=http://skyways.lib.ks.us/genweb/archives/1912/s/saline_county.html}}

The cattle trade arrived in 1872, transforming Salina into a cowtown. It brought further prosperity, but also a rowdy culture that agitated local residents. The cattle trade relocated westward just two years later.{{Citation|last=Cutler|first=William G.|contribution=Salina, Part 1|title=History of the State of Kansas|place=Chicago|publisher=A.T. Andreas|year=1883|contribution-url=http://www.kancoll.org/books/cutler/saline/saline-co-p4.html#SALINA_P1}} During the 1870s, wheat became the dominant crop in the area, steam-powered flour mills were built, and agriculture became the engine of the local economy. In 1874, Salina resident E. R. Switzer introduced alfalfa to area farmers, and its cultivation spread throughout the state. By 1880, the city had become an area industrial center with several mills, a carriage and wagon factory, and a farm implement works.{{Cite book|author=WPA|title=Kansas: A Guide to the Sunflower State|page=273|place=New York City|publisher=Hastings House|year=1949|author-link=Works Projects Administration}} In 1889, the original garment factory of jeans maker Lee was opened.{{cite web|title=Lee Jeans History|publisher=lee.com|url=http://www.lee.com/wps/wcm/connect/lee-en_us/our_company/history/|access-date=October 19, 2010|archive-date=July 13, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110713194609/http://www.lee.com/wps/wcm/connect/lee-en_us/our_company/history/|url-status=dead}} In the following decade, three railroads were built through the city. The success of the wholesale and milling industries drove Salina's growth into the early 1900s, such that it was at one point the third-largest producer in the state and the sixth-largest in the United States.{{cite web|title=Salina History|publisher=City of Salina, Kansas|url=http://www.ci.salina.ks.us/content/120/144/default.aspx| url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140305214358/http://www.ci.salina.ks.us/content/120/144/default.aspx | archive-date=March 5, 2014 | access-date=March 5, 2014}}

In 1943, the U.S. Army established Smoky Hill Army Airfield southwest of the city. The installation served as a base for strategic bomber units throughout World War II. Renamed Smoky Hill Air Force Base in 1948, it was closed the following year and was reopened in 1951 as Schilling Air Force Base, part of the Strategic Air Command.{{cite web|title=SAC Bases: Smokey Hill / Schilling AFB|publisher=Strategic-Air-Command.com|url=http://www.strategic-air-command.com/bases/Schilling_AFB.htm|access-date=July 17, 2010}} The re-opening triggered an economic boom in Salina, causing the city's population to increase by nearly two-thirds during the 1950s. The U.S. Department of Defense closed the base permanently in 1965, but the city of Salina acquired it and converted it into Salina Municipal Airport and an industrial park. This led to substantial industrial development, attracted firms such as Beechcraft, and made manufacturing a primary driver of the local economy.{{cite web|title=Narrative|publisher=Salina Area Chamber of Commerce|year=2008|url=http://www.salinakansas.org/ecodevo/narrative.asp|access-date=July 17, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110727232847/http://www.salinakansas.org/ecodevo/narrative.asp|archive-date=July 27, 2011|url-status=dead}}

The Salina micropolitan area is a center of trade, transportation, and industry in North Central Kansas.

Salina is located at {{Coord|38|50|25|N|97|36|41|W|type:city}} (38.8402805, -97.6114237) at an elevation of {{convert|1224|ft|m}}. Located in North Central Kansas at the intersection of Interstate 70 and Interstate 135, it is {{convert|81|mi|km}} north of Wichita, Kansas, {{convert|164|mi|km}} west of Kansas City, Missouri, and {{convert|401|mi|km}} east of Denver, Colorado.{{cite web|title=City Distance Tool|publisher=Geobytes|url=http://www.geobytes.com/citydistancetool.htm|access-date=September 5, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101005175701/http://geobytes.com/CityDistanceTool.htm|archive-date=October 5, 2010|url-status=dead}}

Salina lies in the Smoky Hills region of the Great Plains approximately {{convert|6|mi|km}} west-southwest of the confluence of the Saline and Smoky Hill Rivers.{{cite web|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/gccalc.shtml|title=Latitude/Longitude Distance Calculator|access-date=October 7, 2010|publisher=National Hurricane Center}} Used Latitude/Longitude of river confluence from United States Geological Survey and the latitude/longitude given on this page for Salina to calculate distance. The Smoky Hill River runs north then northeast through the eastern part of the city; the Saline River flows southeast immediately north of the city.{{cite web|title=General Highway Map - Saline County, Kansas|publisher=Kansas Department of Transportation|date=October 2008|url=http://www.ksdot.org/burtransplan/maps/county-pdf/saline.PDF|access-date=September 5, 2013}} In the northeast part of the city, the old channel of the Smoky Hill branches from the river's current course and winds west, north, and back east before draining back into the river. Mulberry Creek, a tributary of the Saline, flows northeast through the far northern part of the city. Dry Creek, a tributary of Mulberry Creek, flows north through the western part of the city.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of {{convert|25.15|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, of which {{convert|25.11|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is land and {{convert|0.04|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is water.{{cite web|title=US Gazetteer files 2010 |url=https://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=July 6, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120702145235/http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt |archive-date=July 2, 2012 }}

Salina lies in the transition area between North America's humid subtropical (Köppen Cfa) and humid continental climate (Köppen Dfa) zones. Consequently, summers are typically hot and humid, and winters are typically cold and dry.Peel, M. C., Finlayson, B. L., and McMahon, T. A.: Updated world map of the Köppen-Geiger climate classification, Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 11, 1633-1644, doi:10.5194/hess-11-1633-2007, 2007. On average, January is coldest, July is hottest, and May has the greatest precipitation.{{cite web|title=Average Weather for Salina, KS|publisher=The Weather Channel|url=http://www.weather.com/weather/wxclimatology/monthly/graph/USKS0523|access-date=September 5, 2013}}

Salina is in a region prone to severe thunderstorms with damaging winds, hail, and tornadoes. On June 21, 1969, an F3 tornado struck the southern part of the city, severely damaging or destroying more than 100 homes and businesses and injuring 60 people.{{cite book |last1=Grazulis |first1=Thomas P. |title=Significant tornadoes, 1680-1991: A Chronology and Analysis of Events |date=1993 |publisher=Environmental Films |location=St. Johnsbury, Vermont |isbn=1-879362-03-1 |page=1105}} On September 25, 1973, a second F3 tornado passed through the southeast part of town, injuring six people and destroying two houses and a trailer park.{{Cite news|title=Tornadoes take heavy Kansas toll|first=Barbara |last=Phillips|newspaper=Salina Journal|date=September 27, 1973|page=2}} On June 11, 2008, another EF3 tornado passed on the south side of the town, severely damaging several buildings.

The annual average temperature in Salina is {{convert|56.1|°F|0}}. The monthly daily average temperature ranges from {{convert|31.0|°F|1}} in January to {{convert|81.1|°F|1}} in July. The high temperature reaches or exceeds {{convert|90|°F|0}} an average of 67.6 days per year and reaches or exceeds {{convert|100|°F|0}} an average of 15.9 days per year. The low temperature falls below the freezing point, {{convert|32|°F|0}}, an average of 115.5 days per year and below {{convert|0|°F|0}} an average of 2.1 days per year. The hottest temperature recorded in Salina is {{convert|118|°F|0}} on August 13, 1936; the coldest temperature recorded is {{convert|−31|°F|0}} on February 13, 1905.

On average, Salina receives {{convert|32.2|in|0|abbr=on}} of precipitation per year with the largest share being received from May to August. The average relative humidity is 64%.{{cite web|title=Salina, Kansas Travel Weather Averages|publisher=Weatherbase|url=http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather.php3?s=45427&cityname=Salina-Kansas-United-States-of-America|access-date=September 5, 2013}} Snowfall averages {{convert|16.6|in|cm|0}} per year.

{{Weather box

| location = Salina, Kansas Salina Regional Airport (KSLN), 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1900–present

| single line = Y

|Jan record high F = 78

|Feb record high F = 84

|Mar record high F = 96

|Apr record high F = 105

|May record high F = 106

|Jun record high F = 114

|Jul record high F = 116

|Aug record high F = 118

|Sep record high F = 110

|Oct record high F = 100

|Nov record high F = 89

|Dec record high F = 81

|Jan avg record high F = 65.2

|Feb avg record high F = 70.9

|Mar avg record high F = 81.0

|Apr avg record high F = 87.7

|May avg record high F = 93.9

|Jun avg record high F = 101.1

|Jul avg record high F = 105.7

|Aug avg record high F = 103.3

|Sep avg record high F = 98.0

|Oct avg record high F = 89.7

|Nov avg record high F = 76.0

|Dec avg record high F = 64.9

|year avg record high F = 106.9

|Jan high F = 41.4

|Feb high F = 46.3

|Mar high F = 57.3

|Apr high F = 66.9

|May high F = 76.8

|Jun high F = 88.1

|Jul high F = 92.8

|Aug high F = 90.1

|Sep high F = 81.9

|Oct high F = 69.1

|Nov high F = 55.1

|Dec high F = 43.2

|year high F =

|Jan mean F = 30.8

|Feb mean F = 34.9

|Mar mean F = 45.3

|Apr mean F = 54.6

|May mean F = 65.1

|Jun mean F = 76.2

|Jul mean F = 80.9

|Aug mean F = 78.6

|Sep mean F = 70.1

|Oct mean F = 57.0

|Nov mean F = 43.6

|Dec mean F = 32.9

|year mean F =

|Jan low F = 20.1

|Feb low F = 23.6

|Mar low F = 33.2

|Apr low F = 42.3

|May low F = 53.4

|Jun low F = 64.2

|Jul low F = 69.1

|Aug low F = 67.1

|Sep low F = 58.2

|Oct low F = 44.9

|Nov low F = 32.1

|Dec low F = 22.6

|year low F =

|Jan avg record low F = 2.2

|Feb avg record low F = 5.6

|Mar avg record low F = 15.4

|Apr avg record low F = 26.1

|May avg record low F = 38.4

|Jun avg record low F = 52.0

|Jul avg record low F = 59.0

|Aug avg record low F = 57.0

|Sep avg record low F = 42.4

|Oct avg record low F = 28.0

|Nov avg record low F = 15.9

|Dec avg record low F = 5.8

|year avg record low F = -3.0

|Jan record low F = -28

|Feb record low F = -31

|Mar record low F = -11

|Apr record low F = 5

|May record low F = 19

|Jun record low F = 39

|Jul record low F = 46

|Aug record low F = 38

|Sep record low F = 28

|Oct record low F = 13

|Nov record low F = -5

|Dec record low F = -24

|precipitation colour = green

|Jan precipitation inch = 0.71

|Feb precipitation inch = 0.87

|Mar precipitation inch = 1.82

|Apr precipitation inch = 2.72

|May precipitation inch = 5.04

|Jun precipitation inch = 3.75

|Jul precipitation inch = 3.92

|Aug precipitation inch = 3.71

|Sep precipitation inch = 2.65

|Oct precipitation inch = 2.16

|Nov precipitation inch = 1.22

|Dec precipitation inch = 1.12

|year precipitation inch =

|unit precipitation days = 0.01 in

|Jan precipitation days = 5.0

|Feb precipitation days = 5.1

|Mar precipitation days = 7.1

|Apr precipitation days = 8.6

|May precipitation days = 11.3

|Jun precipitation days = 9.6

|Jul precipitation days = 9.5

|Aug precipitation days = 8.3

|Sep precipitation days = 7.0

|Oct precipitation days = 7.3

|Nov precipitation days = 4.9

|Dec precipitation days = 4.8

|Jan snow inch = 6.0

|Feb snow inch = 3.2

|Mar snow inch = 2.2

|Apr snow inch = 0.3

|May snow inch = 0.0

|Jun snow inch = 0.0

|Jul snow inch = 0.0

|Aug snow inch = 0.0

|Sep snow inch = 0.0

|Oct snow inch = 0.4

|Nov snow inch = 1.2

|Dec snow inch = 3.3

|year snow inch =

|unit snow days = 0.1 in

|Jan snow days = 2.9

|Feb snow days = 1.8

|Mar snow days = 1.1

|Apr snow days = 0.2

|May snow days = 0.0

|Jun snow days = 0.0

|Jul snow days = 0.0

|Aug snow days = 0.0

|Sep snow days = 0.0

|Oct snow days = 0.1

|Nov snow days = 1.1

|Dec snow days = 2.0

| humidity colour = green

| Jan humidity = 69

| Feb humidity = 63

| Mar humidity = 67

| Apr humidity = 65

| May humidity = 71

| Jun humidity = 62

| Jul humidity = 59

| Aug humidity = 61

| Sep humidity = 50

| Oct humidity = 56

| Nov humidity = 66

| Dec humidity = 73

| year humidity = 64

|source 1 = NOAA (snow/snow days 1981–2010)

{{cite web

|url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&stations=USW00003919&format=pdf&dataTypes=MLY-TMAX-NORMAL,MLY-TMIN-NORMAL,MLY-TAVG-NORMAL,MLY-PRCP-NORMAL,MLY-SNOW-NORMAL

|publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

|title = U.S. Climate Normals Quick Access – Station: Salina MUNI AP, KS (1991–2020)

|access-date = March 12, 2023

}}

{{cite web

|url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly&stations=USW00003919&format=pdf&dataTypes=MLY-TMAX-NORMAL,MLY-TMIN-NORMAL,MLY-TAVG-NORMAL,MLY-PRCP-NORMAL,MLY-SNOW-NORMAL

|publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

|title = U.S. Climate Normals Quick Access – Station: Salina Municipal Airport, KS (1981–2010)

|access-date = March 12, 2023

}}

|source 2 = National Weather Service

{{cite web

|url = https://www.weather.gov/wrh/climate?wfo=ict

|publisher = National Weather Service

|title = NOAA Online Weather Data – NWS WIchita

|access-date = March 12, 2023

}}

{{cite web|author=National Weather Service|access-date=April 18, 2015|title=Monthly Summarized Data 1981-2010|work=NOWData|url=http://www.weather.gov/climate/xmacis.php?wfo=ict|publisher=National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration}} Weatherbase: Humidity

}}

{{US Census population

| 1870 = 918

| 1880 = 3111

| 1890 = 6149

| 1900 = 6074

| 1910 = 9688

| 1920 = 15085

| 1930 = 20155

| 1940 = 21073

| 1950 = 26176

| 1960 = 43202

| 1970 = 37714

| 1980 = 41843

| 1990 = 42303

| 2000 = 45679

| 2010 = 47707

| 2020 = 46889

| estyear = 2023

| estimate = 45792

| estref = {{Cite web |title=Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023 |url=https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-counties-total.html |access-date=March 24, 2024 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}

| align-fn = center

| footnote = U.S. Decennial Census{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|author=United States Census Bureau|access-date=November 30, 2014|author-link=United States Census Bureau}}
2010-2020

}}

Salina is the anchor city of the Salina Micropolitan Statistical Area, which includes all of Saline and Ottawa counties.{{cite web|url=https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/omb/assets/omb/bulletins/fy2009/09-01.pdf|title=Updates to Statistical Areas; Office of Management and Budget|date=November 20, 2008|via=National Archives|work=Office of Management and Budget|access-date=October 28, 2009}}

The 2020 United States census{{Cite web |title=Explore Census Data |url=https://data.census.gov| access-date=2023-12-15 |website=data.census.gov}} counted 46,889 people, 19,245 households, and 11,159 families in Salina. The population density was 1,824.5 per square mile (704.4/km{{sup|2}}). There were 21,024 housing units at an average density of 818.1 per square mile (315.8/km{{sup|2}}). The racial makeup was 78.14% (36,639) white, 3.8% (1,780) black or African-American, 0.67% (315) Native American, 2.34% (1,097) Asian, 0.06% (29) Pacific Islander, 4.55% (2,133) from other races, and 10.44% (4,896) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race was 12.5% (5,837) of the population.

Of the 19,245 households, 25.4% had children under the age of 18; 43.7% were married couples living together; 30.4% had a female householder with no husband present. 36.9% of households consisted of individuals and 13.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.4 and the average family size was 3.1.

23.2% of the population was under the age of 18, 9.1% from 18 to 24, 25.2% from 25 to 44, 25.4% from 45 to 64, and 16.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38.0 years. For every 100 females, the population had 98.6 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older, there were 96.4 males.

The 2016-2020 5-year American Community Survey{{Cite web |title=Explore Census Data |url=https://data.census.gov|access-date=2023-12-15|website=data.census.gov}} estimates show that the median household income was $49,870 (with a margin of error of +/- $2,394) and the median family income $68,074 (+/- $5,484). Males had a median income of $35,303 (+/- $3,159) versus $26,949 (+/- $1,154) for females. The median income for those above 16 years old was $30,335 (+/- $1,129). Approximately, 7.6% of families and 11.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.6% of those under the age of 18 and 11.7% of those ages 65 or over.

{{As of|2010|alt=As of the 2010 census}}, there were 47,707 people, 19,391 households, and 12,024 families residing in the city. The population density was {{convert|2,092.4|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 20,803 housing units at an average density of {{convert|916.4|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup was 86.2% White, 3.7% African American, 2.3% Asian, 0.5% American Indian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 3.8% from some other race, and 3.3% from two or more races. Hispanics and Latinos of any race were 10.7% of the population.{{cite web|title=U.S. Census website|publisher=United States Census Bureau|url=https://www.census.gov|access-date=October 20, 2011}}

There were 19,391 households, of which 31.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.3% were married couples living together, 4.9% had a male householder with no wife present, 11.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.0% were non-families. 31.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.39, and the average family size was 2.99.

The population was spread out, with 25.1% of residents under the age of 18; 9.9% between the ages of 18 and 24; 25.4% from 25 to 44; 25.3% from 45 to 64; and 14.3% 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36.4 years. The gender makeup was 49.4% male and 50.6% female.

The median income for a household was $42,027, and the median income for a family was $54,491. Males had a median income of $39,143 versus $28,145 for females. The per capita income was $23,253. About 9.3% of families and 13.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.1% of those under age 18 and 7.3% of those age 65 or over.

{{As of|2010|alt=As of the census}}{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=January 31, 2008|title=U.S. Census website}} of 2000, there were 45,679 people, 18,523 households, and 11,873 families. The population density was {{convert|2,009.6|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 19,599 housing units at an average density of {{convert|862.2|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup was 87.76% White, 3.57% Black or African American, 0.56% Native American, 1.96% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 3.78% from other races, and 2.32% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.71% of the population.

There were 18,523 households, of which 31.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.8% were married couples living together, 10.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.9% were non-families. 30.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 2.98.

The population was spread out, with 25.9% under the age of 18, 10.0% from 18 to 24, 28.7% from 25 to 44, 21.1% from 45 to 64, and 14.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.8 males.

The median income for a household was $36,066, and the median income for a family was $45,433. Males had a median income of $31,250 versus $21,944 for females. The per capita income was $18,593. About 6.7% of families and 9.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.6% of those under age 18 and 9.2% of those age 65 or over.

File:2007-02-03 Salina Grain Elevators.jpg

Salina hosted the first garment factory for Lee Jeans, which opened in 1889.

Manufacturing, education, health, and social services are the predominant industries in Salina. Agricultural transportation is also a major industry.{{cite web|last=Saline County Emergency Management |title=It Can Happen Here |work=A Study of the Hazards affecting Saline County, Kansas and their effects on the Community |publisher=Saline county Emergency Management |date=February 2009 |url=http://www.saline.org/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=Z8P7udAKSbk%3d&tabid=4349&mid=7044 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120302034227/http://www.saline.org/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=Z8P7udAKSbk%3D&tabid=4349&mid=7044 |archive-date=March 2, 2012 |access-date=February 11, 2014 }} Major employers include these: Tony's Pizza, a Schwan Food Company brand, has operations in Salina to produce frozen pizzas and food for school cafeterias and other institutions; Philips Lighting, a manufacturer of lighting; Exide Battery, a storage battery manufacturer; Great Plains Manufacturing, a farm equipment manufacturer; ElDorado National, a commercial bus manufacturer; and Asurion, an insurance provider.

{{As of|2010}}, 71.0% of the population over the age of 16 was in the labor force. 0.4% was in the armed forces, and 70.6% was in the civilian labor force with 66.9% being employed and 3.7% unemployed. The composition, by occupation, of the employed civilian labor force was: 27.2% in management, business, science, and arts; 25.4% in sales and office occupations; 19.4% in service occupations; 9.9% in natural resources, construction, and maintenance; 18.2% in production, transportation, and material moving. The three industries employing the largest percentages of the working civilian labor force were: educational services, health care, and social assistance (21.2%); manufacturing (17.8%); and retail trade (13.1%).

The cost of living in Salina is relatively low; compared to a U.S. average of 100, the cost of living index is 80.9.{{cite web|title=Salina, Kansas| publisher=City-Data.com|url=http://www.city-data.com/city/Salina-Kansas.html|access-date=December 20, 2011}} {{As of|2010}}, the median home value was $109,700, the median selected monthly owner cost was $1,070 for housing units with a mortgage and $396 for those without, and the median gross rent was $599.

As of Salina's 2019 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report,{{cite web |title=Comprehensive Annual Financial Report of City of Salina, Kansas for the Fiscal Year Ending December 31, 2019 |url=https://admin.ks.gov/browse/files/7797532ca8759bcf132506b057b13b6c/download |website=Department of Administration; State of Kansas |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231221044152/https://admin.ks.gov/browse/files/7797532ca8759bcf132506b057b13b6c/download |archive-date=December 21, 2023 |date=2019 |url-status=live}} these were the employers with the most employees in 2019:

{{see also|List of mayors of Salina, Kansas}}

Salina is a city of the first class with a commission-manager form of government which it adopted in 1921.{{cite web|title=Salina|work=Directory of Kansas Public Officials|publisher=The League of Kansas Municipalities|url=http://www.lkm.org/directory/cities.php?ID=55|access-date=December 20, 2011}}{{cite web|title=City Commission|publisher=City of Salina, Kansas|url=http://www.salina-ks.gov/content/122/default.aspx|access-date=February 27, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101214154057/http://www.salina-ks.gov/content/122/default.aspx|archive-date=December 14, 2010|url-status=dead}} The city commission consists of five members elected at large, one of whom the commission annually selects to serve as mayor. Commission candidates who receive the most and second–most votes are elected for a four-year term; the candidate who receives the third most votes is elected for a two-year term. The commission sets policy and appoints the city manager, who serves as the chief executive, responsible for administering the city government and appointing all city employees.{{cite web|title=City Government|publisher=City of Salina, Kansas|url=http://www.salina-ks.gov/content/132/default.aspx|access-date=February 27, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101214153611/http://www.salina-ks.gov/content/132/default.aspx|archive-date=December 14, 2010|url-status=dead}}

The Salina Fire department operates four stations inside the city.{{citation needed|date=December 2015}}

Salina is the county seat of Saline County. The county courthouse is located downtown, and all departments of the county government base their operations in the city.{{cite web|title=Saline County–Official County Government Website|url=http://www.saline.org/Home.aspx|access-date=February 13, 2014}}

Salina lies within Kansas's 1st U.S. Congressional District. For the purposes of representation in the Kansas Legislature, the city is located in the 24th district of the Kansas Senate and the 69th, 71st, and 108th districts of the Kansas House of Representatives.

The primary public school district for almost all of the city of Salina is USD 305. A small area of Salina is located within three other public school districts: USD 306, USD 307, USD 400.{{cite web |title=USD 305 District Map |publisher=Kansas Department of Transportation |url=https://www.ksdot.org/Assets/wwwksdotorg/bureaus/burTransPlan/maps/SchoolDistrict/School%20District_305.pdf |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200208125741/https://www.ksdot.org/Assets/wwwksdotorg/bureaus/burTransPlan/maps/SchoolDistrict/School%20District_305.pdf |archivedate=February 8, 2020 |url-status=live}}[https://salina-ks.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=c86acd68b5084f1da2ba270898b1ad86 City of Salina Border Map; ARCGIS.]

Salina USD 305 school district operates twelve schools in Salina:{{cite web|title=Salina USD 305 School Websites and Handbooks|publisher=Salina USD 305|url=http://www.usd305.com/212510525135313367/blank/browse.asp?a=383&bmdrn=2000&bcob=0&c=62467|access-date=February 28, 2010}}{{cite web|url=http://www.usd305.com|title=Salina Public Schools / Overview|access-date=August 22, 2016}}

{{colbegin| colwidth=20em}}

• Salina High School Central (9-12)
• Salina High School South (9-12)
• Lakewood Middle School (6-8)
• Salina South Middle School (6-8)
• Coronado Elementary School (K-5)
• Cottonwood Elementary School (K-5)
• Grace E. Stewart Elementary School (K-5)
• Heusner Elementary School (K-5)
• Meadowlark Ridge Elementary School (K-5)
• Oakdale Elementary School (K-5)
• Schilling Elementary School (K-5)
• Sunset Elementary School (K-5)

{{colend}}

Southeast of Saline USD 306 school district includes a tiny amount of the south side of Salina, and its borders are along or near the southeast side of Salina.

Ell–Saline USD 307 school district includes a tiny amount of the southwest side of Salina, and its borders are along or near the west side of Salina.

Smoky Valley USD 400 school district includes the Salina landfill (legally part of Salina), which is located north of the city of Smolan, but there are no houses within that part of Salina.

Private schools include these:

• St. Mary's Grade School (PreK-6), Catholic school
• Salina Christian Academy (PreK-10), closed in 2019{{cite web|title=Welcome|publisher=Salina Christian Academy|url=http://www.salinachristianacademy.org/welcome.asp|access-date=February 28, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100417082102/http://www.salinachristianacademy.org/welcome.asp|archive-date=April 17, 2010|url-status=dead}}
• Sacred Heart Junior-Senior High School (7-12), Catholic school
• St. John's Military School (6-12), male only, closed in 2019{{cite web|title=About St. John's Military School|publisher=St. John's Military School|url=http://www.sjms.org/about/|access-date=February 28, 2010}}
• Cornerstone Classical School (PreK-12)

File:KWU main building.jpg (2013).]]

• Kansas State University Polytechnic Campus
• Kansas Wesleyan University
• Marymount College (closed in 1989)
• Salina Area Technical College
• Salina Normal University (closed in 1904){{cite news|first=Erin |last=Mathews |url=http://www.saljournal.com/rdnews/story/fire-4-10-09 |title=Saving Lives & Property: A Fire Department Grows Up |newspaper=Salina Journal |date=April 16, 2009 |access-date=December 12, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927153917/http://www.saljournal.com/rdnews/story/fire-4-10-09 |archive-date=September 27, 2011 }}
• University of Kansas School of Medicine, Salina

File:CityGo at Walmart.jpg

Interstate 70 and U.S. Route 40 run concurrently east-west north of Salina. Interstate 135 and U.S. Route 81 run concurrently north-south along the west side of the city. The I-70/I-135 interchange northwest of the city is the northern terminus of I-135.{{cite web|url=http://www.ksdot.org/burtransplan/maps/state-pdf/2011-12Mapside.pdf|title=2011-2012 state transportation map|publisher=Kansas Department of Transportation|access-date=January 18, 2011}} K-140, which approaches Salina from the southwest, formally ends at its interchange with I-135, and enters the city as State Street. North of Salina, the city's main north-south thoroughfare, Ninth Street, becomes K-143 at its interchange with I-70.{{cite web|title=City of Salina [Map]|publisher=Kansas Department of Transportation|url=http://www.ksdot.org/burtransplan/maps/city-pdf/salina.PDF|date=August 1, 2011|access-date=February 13, 2014}}

CityGo is the local public transport bus service with five routes, and intercity paratransit bus service to surrounding communities. Greyhound Lines provides bus service westward toward Denver, Colorado and eastward toward Kansas City, Missouri.{{cite web|url=https://www.greyhound.com/|title=Greyhound|access-date=August 22, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190906232014/https://www.greyhound.com/|archive-date=September 6, 2019|url-status=dead}} Bus service is provided daily southward toward Wichita, Kansas by BeeLine Express (subcontractor of Greyhound Lines).

Salina Municipal Airport is located southwest of the city.{{FAA-airport|ID=SLN|use=PU|own=PU|site=06878.*A}}, effective September 23, 2010 It is primarily for general aviation, and hosts commercial airline United Express with flights to Chicago O'Hare and Denver International Airport.

Union Pacific Railroad operates one freight rail line through Salina. Its Kansas Pacific (KP) Line runs northeast-southwest through the northern part of the city.{{cite web|title=UPRR Common Line Names|publisher=Union Pacific Railroad|url=http://www.uprr.com/aboutup/maps/attachments/upcomnam.pdf|access-date=May 8, 2010}} Salina is the southeastern terminus for the Kyle Railroad and the Kansas and Oklahoma Railroad.{{cite web|title=Kansas & Oklahoma Railroad - Detailed Map|publisher=Watco, Inc.|url=http://www.watcocompanies.com/railroads/ko/ko_map.htm|access-date=May 8, 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090506053624/http://www.watcocompanies.com/railroads/ko/ko_map.htm|archive-date=May 6, 2009}} The nearest Amtrak stop is at the Newton station serving the Southwest Chief.

The city government's Department of Public Works is responsible for water treatment and distribution, waste water removal, sewer maintenance, and trash collection. Westar Energy provides electric power.{{cite web|title=Guide to City Services – M–Z|publisher=City of Salina, Kansas|url=http://www.ci.salina.ks.us/content/134/234.aspx|access-date=February 6, 2014}} Residents primarily use natural gas for heating fuel, provided by Kansas Gas Service.

The two hospital systems are Salina Regional Health Center, a 204-bed not-for-profit general medical and surgical facility, and Salina Surgical Hospital, a specialized, 16-bed surgical facility.{{cite web|title=Salina Regional Health Center – Stats & Services|work=U.S. News Best Hospitals|publisher=U.S. News & World Report|url=http://health.usnews.com/best-hospitals/area/ks/salina-regional-health-center-6670016/details|access-date=February 6, 2014}}{{cite web|title=Salina Surgical Hospital - Stats & Services|work=U.S. News Best Hospitals|publisher=U.S. News & World Report|url=http://health.usnews.com/best-hospitals/area/ks/salina-surgical-hospital-6670028/details|access-date=February 6, 2014}}

{{main|Media in Salina, Kansas}}

The Salina Journal is the local daily newspaper.{{cite web|title=Record Details – Salina Journal|publisher=Kansas Press Association|url=http://kspress.com/viewRecord.php?recid=912|access-date=July 15, 2013}}

Salina is a center of broadcast media for North Central Kansas. Three AM and 13 FM radio stations are licensed to or broadcast from the city.{{cite web|title=Radio Stations in Salina, Kansas|publisher=Radio-Locator|url=http://www.radio-locator.com/cgi-bin/locate?select=city&city=Salina%2C+kS&x=0&y=0&sid=|access-date=July 15, 2013}} Salina is in the Wichita-Hutchinson television market, and five television stations broadcast from the city.{{cite web|title=TV Market Maps – Kansas|publisher=EchoStar Knowledge Base|url=http://dishuser.org/TVMarkets/Maps/kansas.gif|access-date=October 20, 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110726000406/http://dishuser.org/TVMarkets/Maps/kansas.gif|archive-date=July 26, 2011}}{{cite web|title=TVQ TV Database Query|publisher=Federal Communications Commission|url=http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/audio/tvq.html|access-date=September 13, 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090508022231/http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/audio/tvq.html|archive-date=May 8, 2009}} These include two independent stations and ABC, Fox, and NBC affiliates which are satellites of their respective affiliates in Wichita.{{cite web|title=Stations for Hays, Kansas|publisher=RabbitEars|url=http://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=print_market&mktid=85|access-date=July 15, 2013}}{{cite web|title=Contact Us|publisher=KSAS-TV|url=http://www.foxkansas.com/content/about_us/contact_us/default.aspx|access-date=October 20, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070210042054/http://www.foxkansas.com/content/about_us/contact_us/default.aspx|archive-date=February 10, 2007|url-status=dead}} Salina has the only public, educational, and government access (PEG) cable TV channels in the state. Cox Communications is the main cable system serving the city, and customers can see local programming and create their own programming to be shown on channels 20 and 21.{{Citation needed|date=December 2011}}

File:Blue Heaven Studios outside.jpg (2011)]]

Each June, the Salina Arts & Humanities department holds the Smoky Hill River Festival lasting three and a half days, with arts and crafts shows, music concerts, games, and other activities. Originally held as a downtown street parade in 1976 to celebrate the United States Bicentennial, the festival proved popular enough for the city to hold it every year.{{cite web|url=http://www.riverfestival.com/2012/history.cfm |title=Smoky Hill River Festival – History|publisher=Riverfestival.com|access-date=March 2, 2014}} To celebrate Independence Day, the city puts on its All American Fourth and Play Day in the Park which includes children’s games, music, and dance performances in Oakdale Park.{{cite web|title=All American Fourth/Play Day in the Park|publisher=Salina Area Chamber of Commerce|url=http://www.salinakansas.org/events/All-American-Fourth-Play-Day-in-the-Park-6972/details|access-date=August 23, 2014}} The Smoky Hill Museum Street Fair in September includes a parade, a chili cook-off, and historic demonstrations.{{cite web|title=Street Fair|publisher=Smoky Hill Museum|url=http://www.smokyhillmuseum.org/street-fair/street_fair.html|access-date=August 23, 2014}} In November, downtown Salina hosts the Christmas festival which includes a 5k run, a mile walk, live music, dance performances, children's entertainment, and the Parade of Lights.{{cite web|title=Christmas Festival & Parade of Lights|publisher=Salina Area Chamber of Commerce|url=http://www.salinakansas.org/events/eventdetail.aspx?EventID=6350|access-date=August 23, 2014}}

Operated by the city government's Arts & Humanities department, the Smoky Hill Museum contains artifacts, exhibits, and public educational programs on local history, agriculture, and education with collections dating back to 1879.{{cite web|title=About Us|publisher=Smoky Hill Museum|url=http://www.smokyhillmuseum.org/who_we_are/|access-date=September 28, 2014}}

The Tony's Pizza Events Center (formerly Bicentennial Center) is the primary venue in the city for large indoor events. It includes a 7,500-seat multipurpose arena and the {{convert|18000|sqft|m2|adj=on|abbr=on}} Heritage Hall convention center. The Center hosts concerts, sporting events, and trade shows.{{cite web|title=General Information for the Arena|publisher=Salina Bicentennial Center|url=http://www.bicentennialcenter.com/info.cfm|access-date=September 28, 2014}}

The Rolling Hills Wildlife Adventure is a public zoo and wildlife park located {{convert|6|mi|km}} west of the city near Hedville. It has animal exhibits, an art gallery, and a wildlife museum.{{cite web|title=About Us|publisher=Rolling Hills Zoo|url=http://www.rollinghillswildlife.com/rhwa_about.html|access-date=September 28, 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051127094220/http://www.rollinghillswildlife.com/rhwa_about.html|archive-date=November 27, 2005}}

Indian Rock Park is the tallest point in the area, mainly featuring a hill within the vast Wellington Formation stretching from Nebraska to Oklahoma. In the late 1950s, part of the hill was excavated for flood control after the Great Flood of 1951, diverting the Smoky Hill River along the edge of the park and creating 80-foot steep shale bluffs. It has a panoramic view of the city, a river fishing pier, a pond from the former brick factory, and hiking trails.

Salina Community Theatre (SCT) is a regionally acclaimed theater, producing seven seasonal shows and three summer shows every year. Productions include the contemporary, such as ABBA's Mamma Mia! and Disney's Newsies, and classics such as Miracle on 34th Street.{{Cite web|url=https://salinatheatre.com/past-seasons-mainstage/|title=MainStage Past Seasons}}

File:Sacred Heart Cathedral 1 - Salina, KS.jpg

More than 70 Christian churches are in and around Salina{{cite web| title=Find a Church in Salina, KS|publisher=Patheos|url=http://www.patheos.com/directory/church/KS/Salina|access-date=August 24, 2014}}{{cite web|title=Churches in Salina by Denomination|publisher=Churchangel.com|url=http://www.churchangel.com/WEBKS/salina.htm|access-date=August 24, 2014}} including the cathedral of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Salina (Sacred Heart Cathedral) and the cathedral of the Episcopal Diocese of Western Kansas (Christ Cathedral).{{cite web|title=Parish|publisher=Sacred Heart Cathedral|url=http://shcathedral.com/about-us/contact-us|access-date=August 23, 2014}}{{cite web|title=About|publisher=Christ Cathedral|url=http://www.christcathedralsalina.org/about/|access-date=August 23, 2014}} The Roman Catholic Diocese of Salina has its regional administrative offices in Salina{{cite web|title=History |publisher=Roman Catholic Diocese of Salina |url=http://salinadiocese.org/about-us/history |access-date=August 23, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100524043944/http://salinadiocese.org/about-us/history |archive-date=May 24, 2010 }} as do the Presbytery of Northern Kansas{{cite web|title=Contact|publisher=Presbytery of Northern Kansas|url=http://www.pnks.org/|access-date=August 23, 2014}} and the Salina District of the United Methodist Church which is based at Kansas Wesleyan University.{{cite web|title=Salina District|publisher=Great Plains United Methodists|url=http://www.greatplainsumc.org/salinadistrict|access-date=August 23, 2014}}

A Buddhist temple is located northwest of the city.{{cite news|last=Fiedler|first=Gordon Jr.|title=Buddhist monks find calling in Kansas temple|newspaper=Topeka Capital Journal|date=November 20, 2011|url=http://cjonline.com/news/2011-11-20/buddhist-monks-find-calling-kansas-temple|access-date=August 23, 2014}}

• Salina was home to minor league baseball from 1898–1952. The Salina Blue Jays and other Salina teams played as a member of the Kansas State League (1898), Central Kansas League (1908–1910, 1912), Kansas State League (1913–1914), Southwestern League (1922–1926) and Western Association (1938–1941, 1946–1952). Salina was an affiliate of the Cleveland Indians (1941) and Philadelphia Phillies (1946–1952). Salina teams played at Athletic Park (1898–1914), Oakdale Park (1922–1926) and Kenwood Field (1938–1952).{{Cite web|url=https://www.statscrew.com/minorbaseball/t-sb14258|title=Salina Blues Statistics and Roster on StatsCrew.com|website=www.statscrew.com}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.salina-ks.gov/content/18394/18534/20376/22695.aspx|title=Welcome to the City of Salina, Kansas - Oakdale Park|website=www.salina-ks.gov}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.statscrew.com/venues/v-2388|title=Kenwood Field in Salina, KS history and teams on StatsCrew.com|website=www.statscrew.com}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.statscrew.com/venues/v-2386|title=Athletic Park in Salina, KS history and teams on StatsCrew.com|website=www.statscrew.com}}
• Salina hosted the Kansas Cagerz{{cite news|url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_action=doc&p_docid=11DD25B34E91C450&p_docnum=1&s_accountid=AC0111021720044402188&s_orderid=NB0111021720025601770&s_dlid=DL0111021720045302236&s_ecproduct=DOC&s_ecprodtype=&s_trackval=&s_siteloc=&s_referrer=&s_username=ks0stm&s_accountid=AC0111021720044402188&s_upgradeable=no|title=USBL decides to take a breather for '08 - USBL quits|date=January 9, 2007|last=Davidson|first=Bob|newspaper=The Salina Journal|access-date=February 17, 2011}} and Salina Rattlers{{cite news|url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_action=doc&p_docid=126E44D4312632F8&p_docnum=1&s_orderid=NB0111021720173930679&s_dlid=DL0111021720175505218&s_ecproduct=DOC&s_ecprodtype=&s_trackval=&s_siteloc=&s_referrer=&s_username=ks0stm&s_accountid=AC0111021720044402188&s_upgradeable=no|title=IBA Closes Its Doors|newspaper=The Salina Journal|date=August 17, 2001|access-date=February 17, 2011}} basketball teams.
• Salina hosted the National Junior College Athletic Association Division I women's basketball national tournament each season in the Bicentennial Center.{{cite news|url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=SLJB&p_theme=sljb&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_field_label-0=Section&s_dispstring=Juco%20women%27s%20tournament%20to%20stay%20in%20Salina%20through%20at%20least%202015%20AND%20section%28all%29%20AND%20date%28all%29&p_field_advanced-0=&p_text_advanced-0=%28Juco%20women%27s%20tournament%20to%20stay%20in%20Salina%20through%20at%20least%202015%29&xcal_numdocs=20&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&xcal_useweights=no|title=Juco women's tournament to stay in Salina through at least 2015|newspaper=The Salina Journal|date=March 31, 2011|access-date=April 22, 2011}}
• Salina hosted the Women's Big Eight basketball tournament at the Bicentennial Center. When the Big Eight became the Big 12, the tournament was moved to Kansas City, Missouri.
• Salina hosts the Kansas State High School Activities Association (KSHSAA) Class 4A state wrestling tournament and the Class 3A & 4A volleyball tournaments, the Class 4A state basketball tournament, and the Class 4A state softball tournament. Salina also occasionally hosts the Class 4A state baseball tournament and one of the state championship football games.
• Salina was home to the Salina Bombers, an indoor football team playing in the Champions Professional Indoor Football League from 2013 to 2014, then Champions Indoor Football.
• Salina hosts the Salina Liberty, the second indoor football team from the city, who now play in the CIF.
• Salina is the home of the Kansas Wesleyan University Coyotes, a 20-sport National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics athletics program. The Coyotes have been a member of the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference since 1928.

• The 1980 teen comedy film Up the Academy starring Ralph Macchio was filmed entirely in Salina, mostly on the campus of St. John's Military School.
• Scenes in the 1955 movie Picnic, starring William Holden and Kim Novak, were filmed in Salina: the train arrival and The Bensons' mansion.
• Millie Dillmount, the fictional main character in the musical Thoroughly Modern Millie, is from Salina. She leaves home for New York City, determined never to return, as depicted in the opening number, "Not for the Life of Me".
• In Alfred Hitchcock's film Vertigo, the character Judy Barton (played by Kim Novak) comes from 425 Maple Avenue in Salina.
• The Avett Brothers wrote a song "Salina" on the 2007 album Emotionalism.

{{main|List of people from Salina, Kansas}}

{{See also|Kansas_Wesleyan_University#Notable_alumni|l1=List of Kansas Wesleyan University people}}

Notable individuals who were born in or have lived in Salina include former White House press secretary Marlin Fitzwater, dancer and war correspondent Betty Knox of the variety act Wilson, Keppel and Betty,{{cite web |author=McKernan |first=Luke |date=2007 |title=The Wilson, Keppel and Betty Story |url=http://lukemckernan.com/wp-content/uploads/wilsonkeppelbetty1.pdf}} astronaut Steven Hawley,{{cite web |date=November 5, 2010 |title=Hall of Fame |url=https://www.305centralhigh.com/our_school/hall_of_fame |access-date=November 9, 2010 |publisher=Salina Central High School}} former Governors of Kansas John W. Carlin{{cite web|title=John W. Carlin|work=Kansas Memory|publisher=Kansas Historical Society|url=http://www.kansasmemory.org/JohnCarlin|access-date=February 6, 2014}} and Bill Graves, radio broadcaster Paul Harvey,{{cite news|title=A look back|author=Salina Journal staff|newspaper=The Salina Journal|date=January 9, 2012|at=Neighbors section, page 5|quote=Most of the talks were nostalgic remembrances of Salina of the 1930s when Paul Harvey worked for a local radio station.}} inventor of Lee Jeans Harry Lee, and US Women's National Soccer Team goalkeeper Adrianna Franch.{{Cite web |title=Adrianna Franch - 2012 - Women's Soccer |url=https://okstate.com/sports/womens-soccer/roster/adrianna-franch/2351 |access-date=January 8, 2021 |website=Oklahoma State University Athletics}}

{{Portal|Kansas}}

• National Register of Historic Places listings in Saline County, Kansas
• Christ Cathedral
• Fox-Watson Theater Building
• Masonic Temple
• Whiteford (Price) Archeological Site - former site of Native American village around 1000-1350 AD

{{Reflist|refs=

{{cite web|last=Lawson|first=Rob|title=June 11th, EF-3 Tornado and Extremely Large Hail Slam Central Kansas|work=Wichita National Weather Service News Archives|publisher=National Weather Service Wichita KS|access-date=March 13, 2010|date=June 12, 2008|url=http://www.crh.noaa.gov/ict/scripts/viewstory.php?STORY_NUMBER=2008061206}}

{{cite web|last=Phillips Lighting|title=An energy saving solution for government facilities...|publisher=Phillips Lighting|access-date=March 13, 2010|date=June 2009|url=http://www.search.philips.com/search/jsp/clickout.jsp?clicklocation=1&type=searchhit&text=Salina,%20Kansas§ion=lighting&locale=us_en&url=http://www.lighting.philips.com/us_en/browseliterature/download/p-6018.pdf}}{{dead link|date=April 2020|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}

{{cite web|last=The Schwan Food Company|title=Communities of Operation|publisher=The Schwan Food Company|work=theschwanfoodcompany.com|access-date=March 13, 2010|year=2007|url=http://www.theschwanfoodcompany.com/about_comm.cfm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080409173224/http://www.theschwanfoodcompany.com/about_comm.cfm|archive-date=April 9, 2008}}

{{cite web|last=Exide Technologies|title=Exide's Worldwide Facilities|work=exide.com|publisher=Exide Technologies|access-date=March 17, 2010|url=http://www.exide.com/portal/server.pt/community/locations_community/214|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100312040442/http://www.exide.com/portal/server.pt/community/locations_community/214|archive-date=March 12, 2010|url-status=dead}}

{{cite web|last=Great Plains Manufacturing|title=Great Plains Contact Information|work=greatplainsmfg.com|publisher=Great Plains Manufacturing|access-date=March 17, 2010|url=http://www.greatplainsmfg.com/contactus/contactus.html}}

{{cite web|last=Web Creations and Consulting|title=About the Company|work=enconline.com|publisher=ElDorado National|access-date=March 17, 2010|year=2006|url=http://www.enconline.com/company.cfm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120305051813/http://www.enconline.com/company.cfm|archive-date=March 5, 2012|url-status=dead}}

}}

{{Kansas books}}

{{See also|Saline County, Kansas#Further reading|l1=List of books about Saline County, Kansas}}

• Salina: 1858–2008 (Images of America); Salina History Book Committee; Arcadia Publishing; 2008; {{ISBN|0-7385-6181-9}}
• Salina: Mart of the Middle West; Salina Commercial Club, Padgett's Printing House; 1908. {{small|[https://archive.org/details/salinamartofmidd00sali (Various formats eBook)]}}
• Illustrated Salina: The Forest City; Frederick A. Loomis, S. E. Rankin Publisher, 1892. {{small|[https://archive.org/details/illustratedsalin00loom (Various formats eBook)]}}

{{Commons category|Salina, Kansas}}

• {{Official website|http://www.salina-ks.gov/}}
• [https://www.lkm.org/members/Default.asp?id=38842878 Salina - Directory of Public Officials]
• [https://www.salinakansas.org/ Salina - Chamber of Commerce]
• [https://www.smokyhillmuseum.org/ Smoky Hill Museum]
• {{webarchive| url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928051242/http://spencer.lib.ku.edu/exhibits/25th/special_collections.html | date=September 28, 2011 | title=Special Collections: A gift of William A. Phillips, the founder of Salina}}

{{Saline County, Kansas}}

{{Kansas}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:Populated places established in 1858

Category:Cities in Kansas

Category:County seats in Kansas

Category:Cities in Saline County, Kansas

Category:1858 establishments in Kansas Territory