Lebanon, Kansas

The 2020 United States census[8] counted 178 people, 120 households, and 77 families in Lebanon. The population density was 556.2 inhabitants per square mile (214.8/km²). There were 183 housing units at an average density of 571.9 per square mile (220.8/km²). The racial makeup was 93.26% (166) white, 1.69% (3) black or African-American, 0.56% (1) Native American, 0.0% (0) Asian, 0.0% (0) Pacific Islander, 0.0% (0) from other races, and 4.49% (8) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race was 8.0% (20) of the population.

Of the 120 households, 13.3% had children under the age of 18; 54.2% were married couples living together; 18.3% had a female householder with no husband present. 30.8% of households consisted of individuals and 12.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.1 and the average family size was 2.5.

20.8% of the population was under the age of 18, 6.7% from 18 to 24, 23.6% from 25 to 44, 50.6% from 45 to 64, and 38.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 52.9 years. For every 100 females, the population had 104.9 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older, there were 119.6 males.

The Census Bureau's 2020 5-year American Community Survey[9] showed that the median household income was $33,333 (with a margin of error of +/- $9,864) and the median family income $46,250 (+/- $21,160). Males had a median income of $31,406 (+/- $9,257) versus $28,750 (+/- $4,818) for females. The median income for those above 16 years old was $30,313 (+/- $3,703). Approximately, 9.1% of families and 17.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 60.6% of those under the age of 18 and 7.2% of those ages 65 or over.

As of the census[10] of 2010, there were 218 people, 118 households, and 60 families residing in the city. The population density was 681.3 inhabitants per square mile (263.1/km²). There were 183 housing units at an average density of 571.9 per square mile (220.8/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 95.9% White, 0.5% Native American, 0.5% Asian, and 3.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.2% of the population.

There were 118 households, of which 16.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.4% were married couples living together, 4.2% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.2% had a male householder with no wife present, and 49.2% were non-families. 46.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 22.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.85 and the average family size was 2.62.

The median age in the city was 51.3 years. 17.4% of residents were under 18; 2.8% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 14.8% were from 25 to 44; 40.8% were from 45 to 64; and 24.3% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.2% male and 51.8% female.

As of the census[11] of 2000, there were 303 people, 151 households, and 91 families residing in the city. The population density was 955.5 inhabitants per square mile (368.9/km²). There were 204 housing units at an average density of 643.3 per square mile (248.4/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 99.01% White, 0.33% Native American, and 0.66% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.32% of the population.

There were 151 households, out of which 15.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.3% were married couples living together, 3.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.1% were non-families. 35.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 19.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.01 and the average family size was 2.57.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 15.8% under 18, 6.3% from 18 to 24, 21.5% from 25 to 44, 22.8% from 45 to 64, and 33.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 52 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 102.4 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $23,056, and the median income for a family was $28,846. Males had a median income of $22,750 versus $13,250 for females. The per capita income was $12,245. About 13.2% of families and 22.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 33.3% of those under the age of eighteen and 5.5% of those 65 or over.

Tornado damage in late May 2013

On October 2, 2006, Lebanon was the focus of a study of rural flight, as local farmer Randall Warner was featured in a New York Times story about the problems faced by communities such as Lebanon.[12]

Lebanon is featured as an important plot point in the Neil Gaimon fantasy book, American Gods.

The documentary The Return of the Buffalo: Restoring the Great American Prairie details the story and history of Lebanon amongst other great plains villages.[17]

During Super Bowl LV, Jeep aired an ad featuring Bruce Springsteen lighting a candle at a chapel in Lebanon.[18]

Lebanon is featured prominently in Seasons 8-15 of The CW's long-running fantasy series Supernatural, introduced as the location of a secret Men of Letters bunker that Sam and Dean Winchester begin using as their primary base of operations. It is implied that the bunker was built in Lebanon due to the town's proximity to the geographic center of the contiguous United States.