It’s the same old story: Small town population is aging, the average age is creeping upward, and young people are moving out.
It’s a story heard all over Kansas – except where it is not.
Today, in the second of our series about Tampa, Kansas, we’ll learn about this remarkable community that is seeing an influx of young couples and youth.
Last week, we met Dave Mueller, a Marion County farmer who purchased and renovated several buildings in Tampa. Those buildings now house the Santa Fe Trail Café, the Tampa Trail Stop grocery store, a hair salon, community room and fitness center.
Mueller’s cousin is Gary Fike, director of K-State Research and Extension’s office in Riley County. Fike said Mueller revitalized Tampa by working with others to create the grocery store, café, and more.
All the while, Mueller has seen Tampa’s demographics change. “Over the past 10 years, we have had a lot of young families in their 20s and 30s move in here,” he said. “Our average age has dropped dramatically.”
