Kirwin was founded in 1869. It was named for Col. John Kirwin, who commanded a stockade at the town site. Kirwin was incorporated as a city in 1880. Kirwin was located on the Missouri Pacific Railroad.
Geography
Kirwin is located at . According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of, of which is land and is water.
As of the census of 2010, there were 171 people, 87 households, and 42 families residing in the city. The population density was. There were 163 housing units at an average density of. The racial makeup of the city was 92.4% White, 0.6% African American, 4.1% Native American, 1.2% from other races, and 1.8% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.9% of the population. There were 87 households of which 18.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.2% were married couplesliving together, 5.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 2.3% had a male householder with no wife present, and 51.7% were non-families. 43.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 19.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.97 and the average family size was 2.69. The median age in the city was 46.8 years. 18.7% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.2% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 17.5% were from 25 to 44; 34.4% were from 45 to 64; and 21.1% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 52.0% male and 48.0% female.
2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 229 people, 96 households, and 60 families residing in the city. The population density was 241.5 people per square mile. There were 151 housing units at an average density of 159.2 per square mile. The racial makeup of the city was 96.94% White, 0.87% African American and 2.18% Native American. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.18% of the population. There were 96 households out of which 28.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.1% were married couples living together, 5.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.5% were non-families. 33.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 3.10. In the city, the population was spread out with 29.3% under the age of 18, 3.9% from 18 to 24, 26.6% from 25 to 44, 23.1% from 45 to 64, and 17.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 102.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.0 males. The median income for a household in the city was $26,563, and the median income for a family was $35,625. Males had a median income of $34,167 versus $16,875 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,744. About 6.6% of families and 12.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.5% of those under the age of eighteen and 14.6% of those sixty five or over.
