Salina's location is probably the single most important factor in its past, present and future.

Founded in 1858, Salina is positioned at the geographic center of the United States.  Settlers were attracted to the fertile soil and the Smoky Hill River, both resources for Salina's first major industry as a milling center.  Agriculture continues to be vital to Salina's economy. Salina's placement on every map is assured because of its strategic location on the interstate highway system.  Interstate 135 (North-South) has an interchange with Interstate 70 (East-West), providing direct access to Denver, Kansas City, Omaha and Oklahoma City, as well as, other points north, south, east and west.

Location was also a significant factor in the establishment of Camp Phillips Army Post and Smoky Hill Army Air Base in 1942.  After World War II, the Army post was closed and Smoky Hill Army Air Base became Schilling Air Force Base.  At one time, over 40,000 people were associated with military installations in Salina.  Schilling's closure in 1965 presented a considerable challenge to Salina.  It also left valuable resources that included land, buildings and an airport with one of the country's longest runways.  Communities chose to build on the closure of the base and developed the Salina Airport Industrial Area.  This area of 3,200 acres has become one of Salina's primary focus points for industrial development and is governed by the Salina Airport Authority.  Almost 50 different businesses and industries are located there, including Schwan’s Global Supply Chain, Salina's largest employer, and Hawker Beechcraft.

As a result of the benefit of having one of the country’s longest runways, the Salina Municipal Airport was chosen as the launch site for a historic aviation event – the first solo, nonrefueled, nonstop flight around the world.  Other reasons including its location near the geographic center of the United States, the excellent facilities available at the airport itself, the 12,300 foot long runway, and the superb cooperation of the Airport Authority, the City of Salina, Kansas State University-Salina and the Salina Area Chamber of Commerce.  As a result, Salina has been added to the list of sites, like Kitty Hawk, that are the settings for milestones in aviation history.

The unique facilities of the Airport Industrial Area were also factors in the decision by the Kansas National Guard to expand its Readiness Sustainment Maintenance Site to Salina.  The facilities allow the Guard to rebuild larger trucks and trailers and help maintain the military readiness.

Salina is the county seat for Saline County and has long been recognized as the regional center for north central Kansas.  A full-service private hospital with two campuses and over 330 beds, a Day Surgery Hospital, The Tammy Walker Cancer Center, numerous medical clinics and mental health services, and over 120 physicians provide comprehensive regional medical care.

Public and private education in Salina is strongly supported as evidenced by students consistently scoring above the state and national averages on the ACT and SRA standardized tests.  Many schools provide additional education opportunities; The Brown Mackie College of Salina, Kansas State University-Salina.  Kansas Wesleyan University is a four-year liberal arts college with an MBA degree program.

Conventions, trade shows, meetings and visitors bring over 500,000 people and contribute a significant inflow of dollars to the community each year.  Salina's 1,900 hotel rooms and the 7,500-seat Bicentennial Center add support to this important industry.

Salina's over 47,000 citizens enjoy a sophisticated selection of arts, entertainment and leisure opportunities.  Located downtown, the Salina Art Center, Stiefel Theatre for the Performing Arts, Smoky Hill Museum, Art Center Cinema, and Community Theater provide year-round stimulating programming for all ages.  The Salina Symphony and Municipal Band add to the cultural mix. 

In addition to the Smoky Hill Museum and the Yesteryear Museum, the Rolling Hills Wildlife Adventure located just six miles west of Salina, offers two unforgettable experiences.  Over eighty unique and rare animal species can be viewed in naturalistic environments.  In the new world-class wildlife museum you can take an interactive journey through seven world regions from the Arctic to the Rainforest.  State of the art animatronics bring to life faraway people and places.  The domed ADM Theater immerses you in a 360-degree virtual 3-D movie experience and the Children’s Education Center has hands-on interactive ways to explore and learn about our planet.

Once known as the "City of Parks," Salina's 24 public parks are well maintained and enjoyed by thousands.  Oakdale Park is the location of the annual, nationally recognized Smoky Hill River Festival.  The City's 18-hole public golf course featuring The First Tee, a 6 hole short course for junior players, beginners or golfers short on time, 9-hole par three public golf course, baseball diamonds, swimming pools and tennis courts are used extensively by local adults and children as well as attracting out-of-town people for tournament play.

Recently, Salina was ranked 27th out of 219 cities in the United States to live in by the Rating Guide to Life in America's Small Cities.   Included among many other attributes were low violent crime, availability of medical care and high per capita income.

Salina is the largest city nearest the geographic center of the United States, and is the fifth largest city in the state of Kansas.  Located in the heart of one of America's most prosperous regions, Salina offers a large share of the good things in life to those who make the city their home.  A healthful climate, ideal living conditions, and great prosperity are just a few of the many reasons why Salina has been awarded the title "All-America City" by the National Civic League.  Opportunities for commercial, industrial, and cultural growth continue to thrive.