Willard is a city in Huron County, Ohio, United States. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 6,806. Willard is served by the Willard Memorial Library.
Geography
Willard is located at 41°3′17″N 82°43′41″W / 41.05472°N 82.72806°W / 41.05472; -82.72806 (41.054649, -82.727982)[3].
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 3.5 square miles (9.0 km²), of which, 3.5 square miles (9.0 km²) of it is land and 0.04 square miles (0.1 km²) of it (0.86%) is water.
To the south of Willard are located the unincorporated communities of Celeryville and New Haven, plus the planned development of Holiday Lakes to the north.
Demographics
As of the census[2] of 2000, there were 6,806 people, 2,545 households, and 1,738 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,963.0 people per square mile (757.3/km²). There were 2,715 housing units at an average density of 783.1/sq mi (302.1/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 90.32% White, 1.54% African American, 0.19% Native American, 0.31% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 6.11% from other races, and 1.51% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 12.47% of the population.
There were 2,545 households out of which 38.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.1% were married couples living together, 14.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.7% were non-families. 27.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.63 and the average family size was 3.22.
In the city the population was spread out with 30.8% under the age of 18, 9.8% from 18 to 24, 27.8% from 25 to 44, 19.4% from 45 to 64, and 12.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females there were 90.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.7 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $28,911, and the median income for a family was $35,271. Males had a median income of $30,377 versus $22,702 for females. The per capita income for the city was $13,942. About 12.7% of families and 16.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.9% of those under age 18 and 9.5% of those age 65 or over.
History
The original name of Willard was Chicago Junction, named for the junction of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad's line to Sandusky (the Sandusky, Mansfield and Newark Railroad) and the branch west to Chicago (the Baltimore and Ohio and Chicago Railroad). Later the Akron and Chicago Junction Railroad was built east from the junction, providing a more direct route between the Northeast and Chicago. Chicago Junction was being confused by passengers for Chicago, so in 1917 the town changed its name to Willard, after the president of the B&O, Daniel Willard.
Economy
Several key businesses have a presence in Willard, they include: the Willard rail yard of CSX Transportation, Midwest Industries, RR Donnelley, Pepperidge Farm, the Corporate Headquarters of the East of Chicago Pizza Company, Drug Mart, and Wilcox.
In 1900, a 9 year old girl named Ethel Streeter owned and ran her own large dry goods store, according to the October 27, 1900 issue of Leslie's Weekly, which ran a picture of her.
Notable natives
References
External links
