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Willard, Kansas
Location within Shawnee County and Kansas
Location within Shawnee County and Kansas
KDOT map of Wabaunsee County (legend)
Country United States
State Kansas
County Shawnee, Wabaunsee
Founded 1880s
Incorporated 1912
Government
 • Type Mayor–Council
Area
 • Total 0.11 sq mi (0.28 km2)
 • Land 0.11 sq mi (0.28 km2)
 • Water 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation
915 ft (279 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 74
 • Density 670/sq mi (264/km2)
Time zone UTC-6 (CST)
 • Summer (DST) UTC-5 (CDT)
Area code 785
FIPS code 20-79250
GNIS ID 2397313

Willard is a city in Shawnee and Wabaunsee counties in the State of Kansas in the United States. As of the 2020 census, the population of the city was 74.

History

Before 1883, Willard was a tiny community but when the Rock Island Railroad laid tracks through it, Willard became a typical railroad town.

In 1887, the Chicago, Kansas and Nebraska Railway built a main line from Topeka through Willard to Herington. The Chicago, Kansas and Nebraska Railway was foreclosed in 1891 and taken over by Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railway, which shut down in 1980 and reorganized as Oklahoma, Kansas and Texas Railroad, merged in 1988 with Missouri Pacific Railroad, merged in 1997 with Union Pacific Railroad. Most locals still refer to this railroad as the "Rock Island".

In the early 1920s, Willard boasted a population of over 300 and was a major cattle shipping point for this region. During the 1930s Great Depression many businesses closed, the railroad became less important. During the Great Flood of 1951, it destroyed much of the community and caused the roadway bridge over the Kansas River to collapse isolating it from Rossville until a new roadway bridge was built in 1955.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 0.11 square miles (0.28 km2), all of it land.

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, Willard has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop.
1920 134
1930 142 6.0%
1940 106 −25.4%
1950 95 −10.4%
1960 94 −1.1%
1970 124 31.9%
1980 128 3.2%
1990 110 −14.1%
2000 86 −21.8%
2010 92 7.0%
2020 74 −19.6%
U.S. Decennial Census

Willard is part of the Topeka, Kansas Metropolitan Statistical Area.

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 92 people, 34 households, and 26 families living in the city. The population density was 836.4 inhabitants per square mile (322.9/km2). There were 50 housing units at an average density of 454.5 per square mile (175.5/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 92.4% White, 2.2% Native American, and 5.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.5% of the population.

There were 34 households, of which 32.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.8% were married couples living together, 8.8% had a female householder with no husband present, 8.8% had a male householder with no wife present, and 23.5% were non-families. 17.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 2.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.71 and the average family size was 3.04.

The median age in the city was 35 years. 28.3% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.6% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 26% were from 25 to 44; 26% were from 45 to 64; and 10.9% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 46.7% male and 53.3% female.

Education

The community is served by Kaw Valley USD 321 public school district.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Willard (Kansas) para niños

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