Population:                    15,557 (2007) 
Climate:                        January- 30°F, April – 56°F. July – 81°F, October – 59°F 
Annual Precipitation:       25 inches 
Altitude:                        1,849 feet
Churches:                      41 
Schools:                        7 public, 1 private, 1 parochial 
Top Employers:              USD 428 School District 
                                     Barton County Community College 
                                     Fuller Brush Company 
                                     CPI Qualified Plan Consultants