Chapman, Kansas

Heavy tornado damage at Chapman High School on June 12, 2008 (NWS Topeka)

On the evening of June 11, 2008, a ½-mile wide tornado swept through Chapman. The tornado moved from the southwest side of town, through the central business district, and then on out of town. Many buildings and structures in the town suffered extensive damage; most of the downtown area was obliterated and over 60 homes were destroyed. At least one person was confirmed dead in early reports.[7] The American Red Cross estimated that seventy-five percent of homes suffered major damage and/or were destroyed. School buildings and churches suffered extensive damage and at least 200 people were displaced from the town.[8]

Sharon Watson, public affairs director for the Kansas Army National Guard, said the damage was "very reminiscent of Greensburg," a small city in southwestern Kansas that was similarly damaged during the May 2007 Tornado Outbreak.[8]

On January 23, 2009, Friday, in the episode "Tutwiler Family" (2009) of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, the show helped rebuild their lives and homes. In the episode, the show arrived to assist an Iraq War veteran, his wife and their four young children, who were among those left homeless by the tornado. In addition to rebuilding the Tutwiler home, a coalition of builders, volunteers, and crew of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition helped neighbors with furniture and some rebuilding, and they built the town's first community center that could also be used as a safe shelter for tornado protection.[9] By the end of 2009, the Tutwiler family had placed their house on the market, saying they wanted to leave the town of Chapman, citing "scrutiny and ill feelings" from several Chapman residents who claimed the family did not deserve the makeover had made residing in their new home extremely difficult. The Tutweilers have since relocated to an army base in Texas. Later that year the house was sold.[10][11]

EF4 damage to a well-constructed brick home near Chapman with destroyed farm machinery in the background.

On May 25, 2016, a large tornado tore southwest of Chapman, which was placed under a tornado emergency. The violent and long-lived wedge tornado was on the ground for 25.09 miles (40.38 km) and lasted for at least 90 minutes, producing at least mid-range EF4 damage at its most intense point.[12] While officially rated mid-range EF4, NWS Topeka damage surveyors noted that based on the damage that occurred in rural areas, an EF5 rating may have been necessary had the tornado hit any towns directly.[13][14] The tornado began to weaken as it passed south of Chapman, causing extensive tree damage and inflicting low-end EF3 damage to a large farm house. To the southeast of Chapman, a home was shifted off of its foundation at EF1 intensity before the tornado dissipated shortly after 8:30 p.m. The tornado reached a maximum width of one half-mile wide along its path, and damaged or destroyed roughly 20 homes in Dickinson County. No fatalities and eight minor injuries occurred as a result of this tornado.[15][16][17]

The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Chapman has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.[19]

As of the census[20] of 2010, there were 1,393 people, 529 households, and 374 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,619.8 inhabitants per square mile (625.4/km²). There were 572 housing units at an average density of 665.1 per square mile (256.8/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 95.3% White, 1.4% African American, 0.4% Native American, 0.4% Asian, 0.4% from other races, and 2.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.0% of the population.

There were 529 households, of which 36.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.1% were married couples living together, 11.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.7% had a male householder with no wife present, and 29.3% were non-families. 23.8% 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 2.54 and the average family size was 3.01.

The median age in the city was 38.4 years. 26.7% of residents were under the age of 18; 5.9% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 26.3% were from 25 to 44; 24.1% were from 45 to 64; and 16.9% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.5% male and 52.5% female.

As of the census[21] of 2000, there were 1,241 people, 488 households, and 348 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,627.4 inhabitants per square mile (628.3/km²). There were 534 housing units at an average density of 700.3 per square mile (270.4/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 94.76% White, 0.48% African American, 0.97% Native American, 0.40% Asian, 0.73% from other races, and 2.66% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.98% of the population.

There were 488 households, out of which 34.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.9% were married couples living together, 12.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.5% were non-families. 24.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 2.87.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 24.6% under the age of 18, 7.5% from 18 to 24, 27.6% from 25 to 44, 20.6% from 45 to 64, and 19.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.9 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $40,000, and the median income for a family was $44,063. Males had a median income of $30,536 versus $22,891 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,842. About 4.3% of families and 7.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.2% of those under age 18 and 6.5% of those age 65 or over.