History

Gardner was founded where the Santa Fe Trail and the Oregon/California Trails divided. The Santa Fe Trail sent travelers southwest through Santa Fe and Albuquerque toward Los Angeles and San Diego. The Oregon/California Trails bore west for a few miles before turning north toward the Kansas River valley, followed the Big Blue River into present-day Nebraska, followed the Platte River west, and ultimately split in present-day Wyoming, Idaho or Utah.

Gardner was founded as a Free-Stater settlement in 1857. Settled primarily by emigrants from Massachusetts, it was named for Henry Gardner, then governor of Massachusetts. Four years after its establishment, it became the first community in Johnson County—and perhaps the first in the state—to experience an attack by Confederate forces.

The first post office in Gardner was established in 1858.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 10.21 square miles (26.44 km²), of which 10.16 square miles (26.31 km²) is land and 0.05 square miles (0.13 km²) is water. The most notable body of water in Gardner is Gardner Lake on the north side of town off of S Gardner Road and 151st Street. Gardner is also the genesis point of Kill Creek which runs north joining with the Kansas River in De Soto.

Climate

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

Climate data for Gardner, Kansas (New Century AirCenter) (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1945–1970, 1997–present)
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Record high °F (°C)	74 (23)	81 (27)	87 (31)	92 (33)	95 (35)	104 (40)	114 (46)	111 (44)	107 (42)	96 (36)	81 (27)	74 (23)	114 (46)
Mean maximum °F (°C)	64.0 (17.8)	67.9 (19.9)	77.7 (25.4)	84.3 (29.1)	89.1 (31.7)	94.7 (34.8)	99.7 (37.6)	99.8 (37.7)	93.8 (34.3)	86.0 (30.0)	73.7 (23.2)	65.1 (18.4)	101.7 (38.7)
Mean daily maximum °F (°C)	39.4 (4.1)	44.1 (6.7)	56.0 (13.3)	66.0 (18.9)	75.4 (24.1)	84.7 (29.3)	89.4 (31.9)	88.2 (31.2)	79.7 (26.5)	67.5 (19.7)	54.0 (12.2)	43.0 (6.1)	65.6 (18.7)
Daily mean °F (°C)	29.8 (−1.2)	34.1 (1.2)	44.9 (7.2)	54.8 (12.7)	64.9 (18.3)	74.5 (23.6)	78.8 (26.0)	77.4 (25.2)	68.6 (20.3)	56.5 (13.6)	43.8 (6.6)	33.6 (0.9)	55.1 (12.8)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C)	20.1 (−6.6)	24.1 (−4.4)	33.8 (1.0)	43.6 (6.4)	54.4 (12.4)	64.3 (17.9)	68.2 (20.1)	66.5 (19.2)	57.5 (14.2)	45.5 (7.5)	33.6 (0.9)	24.2 (−4.3)	44.7 (7.1)
Mean minimum °F (°C)	0.0 (−17.8)	5.0 (−15.0)	14.1 (−9.9)	26.9 (−2.8)	39.9 (4.4)	51.5 (10.8)	58.5 (14.7)	55.9 (13.3)	43.5 (6.4)	28.2 (−2.1)	17.0 (−8.3)	5.2 (−14.9)	−3.6 (−19.8)
Record low °F (°C)	−12 (−24)	−15 (−26)	−7 (−22)	18 (−8)	31 (−1)	43 (6)	49 (9)	47 (8)	36 (2)	23 (−5)	4 (−16)	−11 (−24)	−15 (−26)
Average precipitation inches (mm)	1.05 (27)	1.50 (38)	2.31 (59)	3.76 (96)	5.08 (129)	5.26 (134)	4.21 (107)	3.95 (100)	3.74 (95)	3.27 (83)	1.91 (49)	1.50 (38)	37.54 (954)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in)	5.5	6.4	9.4	11.0	13.4	11.1	9.3	9.4	9.0	8.9	6.1	5.7	105.2
Source: NOAA

Demographics

Historical population
Census	Pop.	%±
1880	203	—
1890	515	153.7%
1900	475	−7.8%
1910	514	8.2%
1920	514	0.0%
1930	493	−4.1%
1940	510	3.4%
1950	676	32.5%
1960	1,619	139.5%
1970	1,839	13.6%
1980	2,392	30.1%
1990	3,191	33.4%
2000	9,396	194.5%
2010	19,123	103.5%
2020	23,287	21.8%
2021 (est.)	23,942	25.2%
U.S. Decennial Census 2010-2020

2020 census

The 2020 United States census counted 23,287 people, 8,005 households, and 5,938 families in Gardner. The population density was 1,996.8 per square mile (771.0/km²). There were 8,294 housing units at an average density of 711.2 per square mile (274.6/km²). The racial makeup was 79.22% (18,449) white or European American (76.52% non-Hispanic white), 3.89% (907) black or African-American, 0.56% (130) Native American or Alaska Native, 1.78% (415) Asian, 0.14% (32) Pacific Islander or Native Hawaiian, 3.58% (834) from other races, and 10.82% (2,520) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race was 10.21% (2,378) of the population.

Of the 8,005 households, 47.7% had children under the age of 18; 56.1% were married couples living together; 21.6% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. 20.4% of households consisted of individuals and 6.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.0 and the average family size was 3.3. The percent of those with a bachelor's degree or higher was estimated to be 20.9% of the population.

32.1% of the population was under the age of 18, 7.6% from 18 to 24, 31.5% from 25 to 44, 20.3% from 45 to 64, and 8.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32.6 years. For every 100 females, there were 101.9 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older, there were 104.9 males.

The 2016-2020 5-year American Community Survey estimates show that the median household income was $78,193 (with a margin of error of +/- $4,899) and the median family income was $86,859 (+/- $4,392). Males had a median income of $49,402 (+/- $4,503) versus $30,995 (+/- $3,086) for females. The median income for those above 16 years old was $39,662 (+/- $2,267). Approximately, 4.3% of families and 6.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.6% of those under the age of 18 and 6.9% of those ages 65 or over.

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 19,123 people, 6,644 households, and 4,938 families living in the city. The population density was 1,889.6 inhabitants per square mile (729.6/km²). There were 7,300 housing units at an average density of 721.3 per square mile (278.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 89.7% White, 3.0% African American, 0.5% Native American, 1.9% Asian, 1.8% from other races, and 3.0% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.2% of the population.

There were 6,644 households, of which 49.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.9% were married couples living together, 10.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.1% had a male householder with no wife present, and 25.7% were non-families. 20.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.85 and the average family size was 3.31.

The median age in the city was 30 years. 33.2% of residents were under the age of 18; 6.6% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 37.7% were from 25 to 44; 17.1% were from 45 to 64; and 5.3% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 49.9% male and 50.1% female.

Economy

BNSF Railway built a refueling plant and office in Edgerton which is 3 miles from western Gardner. It opened in May 2013 and employs about 200.

Largest employers

According to the city's 2015 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, the largest employers in the city are:

#	Employer	# of Employees
1	Unified School District No. 231	800
2	Walmart	250
3	Meadowbrook Rehabilitation Hospital	174
4	Epic Landscape Productions	172
5	Coleman	167
6	City of Gardner	135
7	TradeNet Publishing	130
8	Price Chopper	130
9	Medical Lodge of Gardner	102
10	D.O.T. Label, Inc (ITW)	87

Education

Gardner is part of the USD 231 school district. Located in Gardner are six out of the seven elementary schools (Edgerton Elementary is the only school in the district not located in Gardner). These include Gardner Elementary, Sunflower Elementary, Madison Elementary, Nike Elementary, Grand Star Elementary, and Moonlight Elementary. The district also has three middle schools, Wheatridge, Trail Ridge, and Pioneer Ridge, and one high school (Gardner-Edgerton High School) all located in Gardner.

Library

The Johnson County Library maintains a branch in Gardner.

Notable people

Notable individuals who were born in and/or have lived in Gardner include:

Ray McIntire (1918–1996), engineer, inventor
John Means (1993– ), baseball pitcher
Bubba Starling (1992– ), baseball center fielder

Gardner, Kansas facts for kids

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