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Willmar, Minnesota

Coordinates: 45°07′18″N 95°03′26″W / 45.12167°N 95.05722°W / 45.12167; -95.05722
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Willmar
City
Litchfield Avenue at 4th Street
Litchfield Avenue at 4th Street
Location of the city of Willmar within Kandiyohi County in the state of Minnesota
Location of the city of Willmar
within Kandiyohi County
in the state of Minnesota
Coordinates: 45°07′18″N 95°03′26″W / 45.12167°N 95.05722°W / 45.12167; -95.05722
CountryUnited States
StateMinnesota
CountyKandiyohi
Founded1871
Incorporated (village)1874
Incorporated (city)1901
Government
 • MayorDoug Reese
Area
[1]
 • Total15.58 sq mi (40.35 km2)
 • Land14.23 sq mi (36.86 km2)
 • Water1.35 sq mi (3.50 km2)
Elevation
[2]
1,129 ft (344 m)
Population
 (2020)[3]
 • Total21,015
 • Estimate 
(2022)[4]
21,282
 • Density1,476.81/sq mi (570.21/km2)
Time zoneUTC–6 (Central (CST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC–5 (CDT)
ZIP Code
56201
Area code320
FIPS code27-70420
GNIS feature ID2397323[2]
Websitewillmarmn.gov

Willmar (/ˈwɪlmər/ WIL-mər)[5] is a city in, and the county seat of, Kandiyohi County, Minnesota, United States.[6] The population was 21,015 at the 2020 census.[3]

History

[edit]
Kandiyohi County Museum

Agricultural expansion and the establishment of Willmar as a division point on the Great Northern Railway determined its growth. The first settlers arrived during the 1850s, attracted to the fertile land and an abundance of timber and game. The Dakota War of 1862 left the township abandoned for several years. The advent of the railroad in Kandiyohi County in 1869 brought new settlers.[7] Many were of Swedish and Norwegian origin; residents of Scandinavian heritage are still a majority. In 1870, Leon (Chadwick) Willmar, a Belgian acting as an agent for the European bondholder of the St. Paul and Pacific Railroad, purchased the title to Section 1 of Willmar Township.[8] Willmar was established as the county seat in 1871 and was incorporated as a village in 1874 and as a city in 1901.[9]

Willmar was the site of a bank robbery by the Machine Gun Kelly gang on July 15, 1930. They robbed the Bank of Willmar (later Otto Bremer Trust) of about $70,000 (equivalent to $1,277,000 in 2023) and wounded three people.[10]

The Willmar Memorial Auditorium, designed by architect William Ingemann, was the largest assembly hall within 70 miles when completed in 1938. It was funded by the city of Willmar and state and federal governments as a Depression-era works project. It contains several murals by Richard Haines commissioned by the Federal Art Project, and wood paneling in the oak doors by WPA artists.[7] It is on the National Register of Historic Places.[11]

From 1977 to 1979, Willmar was the site of the Willmar 8, a strike of female workers confronting sexual discrimination at a local bank. The story of the strike was reported in mainstream media and made into a documentary.[12]

The former state hospital campus is now the MinnWest Technology Campus and is one of several of the city's listings on the National Register of Historic Places.

The music of Willmar native Bradley Joseph draws inspiration from his childhood there, and his company, Robbins Island Music, is named after a Willmar city park.[13]

Willmar was home to the annual Sonshine Festival, a Christian music festival, from 1982 to 2014.[14]

Geography

[edit]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has an area of 15.95 square miles (41.31 km2), of which 14.15 square miles (36.65 km2) is land and 1.80 square miles (4.66 km2) is water.[15]

The 45° latitude line passes just south of Willmar, placing it approximately halfway between the equator and the North Pole.

Climate

[edit]
Climate data for Willmar, Minnesota, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1893–present
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °F (°C) 62
(17) 		62
(17) 		79
(26) 		94
(34) 		105
(41) 		103
(39) 		107
(42) 		105
(41) 		105
(41) 		91
(33) 		80
(27) 		64
(18) 		107
(42)
Mean maximum °F (°C) 40.5
(4.7) 		44.3
(6.8) 		61.2
(16.2) 		77.7
(25.4) 		88.5
(31.4) 		91.9
(33.3) 		91.8
(33.2) 		90.2
(32.3) 		87.4
(30.8) 		81.5
(27.5) 		61.0
(16.1) 		44.4
(6.9) 		94.7
(34.8)
Mean daily maximum °F (°C) 20.5
(−6.4) 		25.7
(−3.5) 		38.2
(3.4) 		54.0
(12.2) 		67.6
(19.8) 		77.9
(25.5) 		81.5
(27.5) 		79.4
(26.3) 		72.1
(22.3) 		57.4
(14.1) 		40.1
(4.5) 		26.4
(−3.1) 		53.4
(11.9)
Daily mean °F (°C) 11.7
(−11.3) 		15.8
(−9.0) 		29.1
(−1.6) 		43.8
(6.6) 		57.4
(14.1) 		67.9
(19.9) 		71.7
(22.1) 		69.1
(20.6) 		61.1
(16.2) 		46.9
(8.3) 		31.8
(−0.1) 		18.3
(−7.6) 		43.7
(6.5)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C) 2.9
(−16.2) 		6.0
(−14.4) 		20.1
(−6.6) 		33.6
(0.9) 		47.1
(8.4) 		57.8
(14.3) 		61.9
(16.6) 		58.9
(14.9) 		50.1
(10.1) 		36.5
(2.5) 		23.5
(−4.7) 		10.1
(−12.2) 		34.0
(1.1)
Mean minimum °F (°C) −19.7
(−28.7) 		−15.8
(−26.6) 		−3.8
(−19.9) 		18.9
(−7.3) 		32.8
(0.4) 		45.0
(7.2) 		51.5
(10.8) 		47.2
(8.4) 		34.2
(1.2) 		21.0
(−6.1) 		4.2
(−15.4) 		−13.1
(−25.1) 		−22.3
(−30.2)
Record low °F (°C) −40
(−40) 		−38
(−39) 		−31
(−35) 		−5
(−21) 		19
(−7) 		32
(0) 		39
(4) 		33
(1) 		19
(−7) 		−1
(−18) 		−22
(−30) 		−35
(−37) 		−40
(−40)
Average precipitation inches (mm) 0.68
(17) 		0.67
(17) 		1.39
(35) 		2.63
(67) 		3.33
(85) 		4.79
(122) 		3.99
(101) 		3.89
(99) 		2.64
(67) 		2.40
(61) 		1.42
(36) 		0.84
(21) 		28.67
(728)
Average snowfall inches (cm) 9.2
(23) 		7.8
(20) 		6.9
(18) 		3.8
(9.7) 		0.0
(0.0) 		0.0
(0.0) 		0.0
(0.0) 		0.0
(0.0) 		0.0
(0.0) 		0.5
(1.3) 		7.8
(20) 		10.1
(26) 		46.1
(118)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in) 6.0 4.9 6.6 8.4 11.2 12.0 9.6 8.8 8.6 9.2 5.8 6.6 97.7
Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 in) 5.8 4.4 4.1 1.3 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.4 3.4 5.7 25.1
Source 1: NOAA[16]
Source 2: NWS/XMACIS2[17][18]

Demographics

[edit]
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18801,002—
18901,82582.1%
19003,40986.8%
19104,13521.3%
19205,89242.5%
19306,1734.8%
19407,62323.5%
19509,41023.4%
196010,41710.7%
197012,86923.5%
198015,89523.5%
199017,53110.3%
200018,3514.7%
201019,6106.9%
202021,0157.2%
2022 (est.)21,282[4]1.3%
U.S. Decennial Census[19]
2020 Census[3]

2010 census

[edit]

As of the census of 2010, there were 19,610 people, 7,677 households, and 4,538 families living in the city. The population density was 1,385.9 inhabitants per square mile (535.1/km2). There were 8,123 housing units at an average density of 574.1 per square mile (221.7/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 86.9% White, 4.8% African American, 0.5% Native American, 0.6% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 5.4% from other races, and 1.8% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 20.9% of the population.

There were 7,677 households, of which 30.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.6% were married couples living together, 12.2% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.3% had a male householder with no wife present, and 40.9% were non-families. 32.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 3.10.

The median age in the city was 33.8 years. 25.2% of residents were under the age of 18; 12.7% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 24.1% were from 25 to 44; 22.2% were from 45 to 64; and 15.8% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.8% male and 51.2% female.

2000 census

[edit]

As of the census of 2000, there were 18,351 people, 7,302 households, and 4,461 families living in the city. The population density was 1,549.9 inhabitants per square mile (598.4/km2). There were 7,789 housing units at an average density of 657.8 per square mile (254.0/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 88.12% White, 0.90% African American, 0.46% Native American, 0.53% Asian, 0.11% Pacific Islander, 8.52% from other races, and 1.36% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 15.86% of the population.

There were 7,302 households, out of which 31.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.3% were married couples living together, 10.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.9% were non-families. 31.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 3.08.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 26.2% under the age of 18, 12.0% from 18 to 24, 26.4% from 25 to 44, 19.0% from 45 to 64, and 16.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.6 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $33,455, and the median income for a family was $45,415. Males had a median income of $31,575 versus $22,158 for females. The per capita income for the city was $18,515. About 8.4% of families and 13.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.2% of those under the age of 18 and 8.0% of those 65 and older.

Immigration

[edit]

Since 1989, Willmar has had a large influx of immigrants from Latin America and Northeast Africa, mostly due to the demand for labor at the Jennie-O poultry plant. In 2001, the city was recognized as an "All America City" by the National Civic League, in part for its success as growing numbers of immigrants became part of the community.[20]

In 2005, the city received attention from national media after several Somali-American high school students gave Willmar High School its first cross-country state championship in 20 years. The team won the state tournament and attended the Nike Nationals consecutively in 2005 and 2006. Following its success, the city gained attention from Sports Illustrated. Subsequently, NBC Nightly News ran a story on Willmar's changing complexion and its acceptance of its new citizens.[21]

More national attention was received when an opinion piece about immigration and Willmar by Thomas Friedman appeared in the New York Times on May 14, 2019.[22]

Education

[edit]
Willmar Public Library

Willmar is home to Ridgewater College, a community and technical college on the site of a former military base. It has a sister college in Hutchinson. Ridgewater enrolls over 5,500 students[23] and provides a moderate range of programs, in addition to providing access to some four-year programs through relationships with universities in the MnSCU system. It is also home to Willmar High School and Willmar Community Christian School.

Transportation

[edit]

U.S. Highways 12 and 71 and Minnesota State Highways 23 and 40 are four of the main routes in the city.

The development of Willmar benefited greatly from being situated at the junction of multiple railway lines. From Willmar, the Great Northern Railway had lines radiating east to Minneapolis and St. Paul, northwest to Fargo and Seattle, northeast to St. Cloud and Duluth, and southwest to Sioux Falls and Yankton. Willmar was served by numerous passenger trains over the years. The last passenger train left Willmar station in 1979.

Sports

[edit]
Main article: Sports in Minnesota
Team League Venue
Willmar Stingers Northwoods League, Baseball Bill Taunton Stadium
Willmar WarHawks NA3HL, Ice Hockey Willmar Civic Center

Media

[edit]

Newspapers

[edit]

Magazines

[edit]
  • Seasons of Minnesota

Television stations

[edit]
  • UHF-TV Inc.

WRAC TV - Regional Access Channel

Broadcast

[edit]
Channel Callsign Affiliation Branding Subchannels Owner
(Virtual) Channel Programming
4.1 K33OT-D
(WCCO Translator) 		CBS WCCO 4 4.2 Start TV UHF Television, Inc.
9.9 K30FZ-D
(KMSP Translator) 		FOX FOX 9 9.4
9.5
9.6 		Buzzr
Light TV
Decades 		UHF Television, Inc.
9.2 K36OL-D
(WFTC Translator) 		Ind. FOX 9 Plus 9.3
9.1 		Movies!
FOX 		UHF Television, Inc.
10.1 K22ND-D
(KWCM Translator) 		PBS Pioneer Public TV 10.2
10.3
10.4
10.5 		Create
Minnesota Channel
World
PBS Kids 		UHF Television, Inc.
11.1 K17FA-D
(KARE Translator) 		NBC KARE 11 11.2
11.3
11.4 		Court TV
True Crime Network
Quest 		UHF Television, Inc.
23.1 K14LF-D
(WUCW Translator) 		CW CW 23 23.2
23.3
23.4 		Comet
Charge!
TBD 		UHF Television, Inc.
28.1 K28IF-D TBN 28.2
28.3 		Hillsong Channel
JUCE TV 		UHF Television, Inc.
34.1 K34HO-D Reelz 5.4
5.6
34.2
34.3 		Antenna TV
This TV
Kool-TV
Retro TV 		UHF Television, Inc.
35.1 K35NR-D Heartland 35.2
35.3
35.4 		Retro TV
Rev'n
Family 		UHF Television, Inc.
41.1 K26NU-D
(KPXM Translator) 		ION ION 41.2
41.3
41.4
41.5
41.6 		Qubo
Ion Plus
ION Shop
QVC
HSN 		UHF Television, Inc.
42.1 K19IH-D
(KSAX Translator) 		ABC 5 Eyewitness News 42.2
42.3 		45TV
MeTV 		UHF Television, Inc.

Pay television services

[edit]

Radio stations

[edit]
AM radio stations
Frequency Call sign Name Format Owner
1340 KWLM News/Talk Lakeland Broadcasting Company
1590 KDJS Classic country Iowa City Broadcasting Company
FM radio stations
Frequency Call sign Name Format Owner
90.9 KKLW K-Love Christian Educational Media Foundation
91.9 KBHZ Praise Live Christian North Central University
92.7 K224DB
(KTIS-FM Translator)		 Life 98.5 Contemporary Christian University of Northwestern - St. Paul
94.1 KKLN 94.1 The Loon Classic rock Headwaters Media, Inc.
95.3 KDJS K-95.3 Country Iowa City Broadcasting, Inc.
96.3 K242CF
(KWLM-AM Translator)		 News/Talk Lakeland Broadcasting Company
100.1 KOLV Big Country 100.1 Country Bold Radio, Inc.
102.5 KQIC Q102 Hot AC Lakeland Broadcasting Company
103.3 K277CC
(KTIS-AM Translator)		 Faith 900 Christian talk and teaching University of Northwestern - St. Paul
105.7 K289CO
(KDJS-AM Translator)		 Classic country Iowa City Broadcasting Company
106.5 KLFN 106.5 The Train Classic Hits Lakeland Broadcasting Company

Notable people

[edit]

Sister cities

[edit]

Willmar has two sister cities, as designated by Sister Cities International:

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Willmar, Minnesota.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 24, 2022.
  2. ^ a b U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Willmar, Minnesota
  3. ^ a b c "Explore Census Data". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 26, 2023.
  4. ^ a b "City and Town Population Totals: 2020-2022". United States Census Bureau. January 17, 2024. Retrieved January 17, 2024.
  5. ^ "Minnesota Pronunciation Guide". Associated Press. Archived from the original on July 22, 2011. Retrieved July 4, 2011.
  6. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  7. ^ a b WPA Guide to Minnesota. Saint Paul, Minnesota: Minnesota Historical Society. 1985 [1938]. p. 386. ISBN 0873517121.
  8. ^ Fedo, Michael (2002). Pocket Guide to Minnesota Place Names. Canada: Minnesota Historical Society Press. p. 97. ISBN 0-87351-424-6. Archived from the original on May 27, 2009.
  9. ^ Upham, Warren (1920). Minnesota Geographic Names: Their Origin and Historic Significance. Minnesota Historical Society. p. 272.
  10. ^ May, Allan. "George "Machine Gun" Kelly: The Bank Robber (ch. 5)". CrimeLibrary.com. Archived from the original on February 4, 2008. Retrieved January 29, 2008.
  11. ^ "The history, mystery and purpose of War Memorial Auditorium in downtown Willmar, Minn., comes to light". West Central Tribune. January 16, 2013. Archived from the original on August 10, 2022. Retrieved August 10, 2022.
  12. ^ The Wilmar 8 California Newsreel
  13. ^ Polta, Anne (February 8, 2007). "Continuing Journey: Bradley Joseph sustains music career with songwriting, recording". West Central Tribune. Retrieved February 18, 2007.
  14. ^ "Sonshine leaving Willmar, relocating to Wis. In 2015".
  15. ^ "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on July 2, 2012. Retrieved November 13, 2012.
  16. ^ "U.S. Climate Normals Quick Access – Station: Willmar WWTP, MN". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved March 6, 2023.
  17. ^ "NOAA Online Weather Data – NWS Minneapolis". National Weather Service. Retrieved March 6, 2023.
  18. ^ "xmACIS2". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved March 6, 2023.
  19. ^ United States Census Bureau. "Census of Population and Housing". Retrieved September 11, 2013.
  20. ^ Yuen, Laura (March 12, 2012). "Willmar showing the way to a more diverse Minnesota". Minnesota Public Radio. Retrieved March 21, 2019.
  21. ^ "NBC Nightly News - Willmar Immigration". YouTube. Archived from the original on December 11, 2021.
  22. ^ Friedman, Thomas L. (May 15, 2019). "New York Times - President Trump, Come to Willmar". New York Times.
  23. ^ "About Ridgewater College". Ridgewater.
[edit]
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