Ellinwood is a city in the southeast corner of Barton County, Kansas, United States.

In 1803, most of modern Kansas was secured by the United States as part of the Louisiana Purchase.

The first claim at Ellinwood was staked in 1871[4] when it was certain the Santa Fe railroad would be completed nearby.

[9] The line was leased and operated by the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway.

[10] In 1992, the line from Marion to McPherson was sold to Central Kansas Railway.

In 1993, after heavy flood damage, the line from Marion to McPherson was abandoned.

The original branch line connected Florence, Marion, Canada, Hillsboro, Lehigh, Canton, Galva, McPherson, Conway, Windom, Little River, Mitchell, Lyons, Chase, Ellinwood.

In 1973, the rock band Kansas rented the Ellinwood Opera House as a 'tryout show' for New York record executive Wally Gold, using free beer as a marketing tool, and charged a USD $0.25 entry fee to help cover some of their expenses.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.14 square miles (2.95 km2), all land.

[12] The city is situated along the path of the historic Santa Fe Trail.

The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters.

[13] The 2020 United States census counted 2,011 people, 862 households, and 548 families in Ellinwood.

33.1% of households consisted of individuals and 16.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

The community is served by Ellinwood USD 355 public school district.