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{{Short description|City in Minnesota, United States}}{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}

factoids

|area_magnitude = |area_total_km2 = 40.35|area_land_km2 = 36.86|area_water_km2 = 3.50|area_total_sq_mi = 15.58|area_land_sq_mi = 14.23|area_water_sq_mi = 1.352020 United States census>2020|population_est = 21282|pop_est_as_of = 2022|pop_est_footnotes = |population_footnotes = |population_total = 21015|population_density_km2 = 570.21|population_density_sq_mi = 1476.81Central Time Zone>Central (CST)|utc_offset = –6|timezone_DST = CDT|utc_offset_DST = –5|elevation_footnotes = |elevation_m = 344|elevation_ft = 112945189526region:US-MN|display=inline,title}}|postal_code_type = ZIP Code|postal_code = 56201Area code 320>320Federal Information Processing Standard>FIPS code|blank_info = 27-70420Geographic Names Information System>GNIS feature ID2397323}}weblink|willmarmn.gov}}|footnote = }}Willmar ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|w|ɪ|l|m|ər}} {{respell|WIL|mər}})WEB,weblink Minnesota Pronunciation Guide, Associated Press, July 4, 2011, dead,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20110722194213weblink">weblink July 22, 2011, is a city in, and the county seat of, Kandiyohi County, Minnesota, United States.WEB,weblink June 7, 2011, Find a County, National Association of Counties, The population was 21,015 at the 2020 census.WEB, Explore Census Data,weblink United States Census Bureau, April 26, 2023,

History

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.BOOK, 1938, 1985, WPA Guide to Minnesota, Minnesota Historical Society, Saint Paul, Minnesota, 386, 0873517121, 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.BOOK, Fedo, Michael, Pocket Guide to Minnesota Place Names, Minnesota Historical Society Press, 2002, Canada, 97,weblink 0-87351-424-6, dead,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20090527153351weblink">weblink May 27, 2009, Willmar was established as the county seat in 1871 and was incorporated as a village in 1874 and as a city in 1901.BOOK, Upham, Warren, Minnesota Geographic Names: Their Origin and Historic Significance,weblink 1920, Minnesota Historical Society, 272, 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 ({{Inflation|index=US|value=70000|start_year=1930|r=-3|fmt=eq}}) and wounded three people.NEWS, May, Allan, George "Machine Gun" Kelly: The Bank Robber (ch. 5), CrimeLibrary.com,weblink January 29, 2008, dead,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20080204170324weblink">weblink February 4, 2008, 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. It is on the National Register of Historic Places.NEWS, The history, mystery and purpose of War Memorial Auditorium in downtown Willmar, Minn., comes to light, West Central Tribune, January 16, 2013,weblink August 10, 2022, live,weblink August 10, 2022, 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.The Wilmar 8 California NewsreelFile:2012-0821-Kandiyohi-WillmarHospital.jpg|thumb|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 PlacesNational Register of Historic PlacesThe 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.NEWS, Polta, Anne, Continuing Journey: Bradley Joseph sustains music career with songwriting, recording, West Central Tribune, February 8, 2007,weblink February 18, 2007, Willmar was home to the annual Sonshine Festival, a Christian music festival, from 1982 to 2014.WEB,weblink Sonshine leaving Willmar, relocating to Wis. In 2015,

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has an area of {{convert|15.95|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, of which {{convert|14.15|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is land and {{convert|1.80|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is water.WEB, US Gazetteer files 2010,weblink United States Census Bureau, November 13, 2012, dead,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20120702145235weblink">weblink July 2, 2012, The 45° latitude line passes just south of Willmar, placing it approximately halfway between the equator and the North Pole.

Climate

{{Weather box | single line = Y| location = Willmar, Minnesota, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1893–present|Jan record high F = 62|Feb record high F = 62|Mar record high F = 79|Apr record high F = 94|May record high F = 105|Jun record high F = 103|Jul record high F = 107|Aug record high F = 105|Sep record high F = 105|Oct record high F = 91|Nov record high F = 80|Dec record high F = 64|Jan avg record high F = 40.5|Feb avg record high F = 44.3|Mar avg record high F = 61.2|Apr avg record high F = 77.7|May avg record high F = 88.5|Jun avg record high F = 91.9|Jul avg record high F = 91.8|Aug avg record high F = 90.2|Sep avg record high F = 87.4|Oct avg record high F = 81.5|Nov avg record high F = 61.0|Dec avg record high F = 44.4|year avg record high F = 94.7| Jan high F =20.5| Feb high F =25.7| Mar high F =38.2| Apr high F =54.0| May high F =67.6| Jun high F =77.9| Jul high F =81.5| Aug high F =79.4| Sep high F =72.1| Oct high F =57.4| Nov high F =40.1| Dec high F =26.4| Jan mean F =11.7| Feb mean F =15.8| Mar mean F =29.1| Apr mean F =43.8| May mean F =57.4| Jun mean F =67.9| Jul mean F =71.7| Aug mean F =69.1| Sep mean F =61.1| Oct mean F =46.9| Nov mean F =31.8| Dec mean F =18.3| Jan low F =2.9| Feb low F =6.0| Mar low F =20.1| Apr low F =33.6| May low F =47.1| Jun low F =57.8| Jul low F =61.9| Aug low F =58.9| Sep low F =50.1| Oct low F =36.5| Nov low F =23.5| Dec low F =10.1|Jan avg record low F = -19.7|Feb avg record low F = -15.8|Mar avg record low F = -3.8|Apr avg record low F = 18.9|May avg record low F = 32.8|Jun avg record low F = 45.0|Jul avg record low F = 51.5|Aug avg record low F = 47.2|Sep avg record low F = 34.2|Oct avg record low F = 21.0|Nov avg record low F = 4.2|Dec avg record low F = -13.1|year avg record low F = -22.3|Jan record low F = -40|Feb record low F = -38|Mar record low F = -31|Apr record low F = -5|May record low F = 19|Jun record low F = 32|Jul record low F = 39|Aug record low F = 33|Sep record low F = 19|Oct record low F = -1|Nov record low F = -22|Dec record low F = -35| precipitation colour = green| Jan precipitation inch =0.68| Feb precipitation inch =0.67| Mar precipitation inch =1.39| Apr precipitation inch =2.63| May precipitation inch =3.33| Jun precipitation inch =4.79| Jul precipitation inch =3.99| Aug precipitation inch =3.89| Sep precipitation inch =2.64| Oct precipitation inch =2.40| Nov precipitation inch =1.42| Dec precipitation inch =0.84|unit precipitation days = 0.01 in|Jan precipitation days = 6.0|Feb precipitation days = 4.9|Mar precipitation days = 6.6|Apr precipitation days = 8.4|May precipitation days = 11.2|Jun precipitation days = 12.0|Jul precipitation days = 9.6|Aug precipitation days = 8.8|Sep precipitation days = 8.6|Oct precipitation days = 9.2|Nov precipitation days = 5.8|Dec precipitation days = 6.6| Jan snow inch =9.2| Feb snow inch =7.8| Mar snow inch =6.9| Apr snow inch =3.8| May snow inch =0.0| Jun snow inch =0.0| Jul snow inch =0.0| Aug snow inch =0.0| Sep snow inch =0.0| Oct snow inch =0.5| Nov snow inch =7.8| Dec snow inch =10.1|unit snow days = 0.1 in|Jan snow days = 5.8|Feb snow days = 4.4|Mar snow days = 4.1|Apr snow days = 1.3|May snow days = 0.0|Jun snow days = 0.0|Jul snow days = 0.0|Aug snow days = 0.0|Sep snow days = 0.0|Oct snow days = 0.4|Nov snow days = 3.4|Dec snow days = 5.7|source 1 = NOAAWEB,weblink National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, U.S. Climate Normals Quick Access – Station: Willmar WWTP, MN, March 6, 2023, |source 2 = NWS/XMACIS2WEB,weblink National Weather Service, NOAA Online Weather Data – NWS Minneapolis, March 6, 2023, WEB,weblink National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, xmACIS2, March 6, 2023, }}

Demographics

{{US Census population|1880= 1002|1890= 1825|1900= 3409|1910= 4135|1920= 5892|1930= 6173|1940= 7623|1950= 9410|1960= 10417|1970= 12869|1980= 15895|1990= 17531|2000= 18351|2010= 19610|2020= 21015|estyear=2022|estimate=21282TITLE=CITY AND TOWN POPULATION TOTALS: 2020-2022ACCESSDATE=JANUARY 17, 2024, |align-fn=centerAUTHOR=UNITED STATES CENSUS BUREAUACCESS-DATE=SEPTEMBER 11, 2013, 2020 Census}}

2010 census

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 {{convert|1385.9|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 8,123 housing units at an average density of {{convert|574.1|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. 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

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 {{convert|1,549.9|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 7,789 housing units at an average density of {{convert|657.8|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. 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

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.NEWS, Yuen, Laura, Willmar showing the way to a more diverse Minnesota,weblink March 21, 2019, Minnesota Public Radio, March 12, 2012, 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.WEB, NBC Nightly News - Willmar Immigration,weblinkweblink December 11, 2021, live, YouTube, {{cbignore}}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.NEWS, New York Times - President Trump, Come to Willmar,weblink New York Times, May 15, 2019, Friedman, Thomas L.,

Education

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 studentsWEB, About Ridgewater College,weblink Ridgewater, 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

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

{| class="wikitable"! scope="col" |Team! scope="col" |League! scope="col" |Venue! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal;" |Willmar Stingers|Northwoods League, Baseball|Bill Taunton Stadium! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal;" |Willmar WarHawks North American 3 Hockey League>NA3HL, Ice Hockey|Willmar Civic Center

Media

Newspapers

• West Central Tribune
• La Gran America (Trilingual newspaper)

Magazines

• Seasons of Minnesota

Television stations

• UHF-TV Inc.

WRAC TV - Regional Access Channel

Broadcast{| classwikitable style"text-align:center"

!style="background:#ccccff;" |Channel!style="background:#ccccff;" rowspan="2" |Callsign!style="background:#ccccff;" rowspan="2" |Affiliation!style="background:#ccccff;" rowspan="2" |Branding!style="background:#ccccff;" colspan="2" |Subchannels!style="background:#ccccff;" rowspan="2" |Owner!style="background:#ffcccc;" | (Virtual)!style="background:#ffcccc;" | Channel!style="background:#ffcccc" | Programming| 4.1WCCO-TV>WCCO Translator)| CBS| WCCO 4| 4.2 Start TV UHF Television, Inc.| 9.9KMSP-TV>KMSP Translator)Fox Broadcasting Company>FOX| FOX 9| 9.49.59.6 BuzzrTheGrioDecades (TV network)>Decades UHF Television, Inc.| 9.2| K36OL-D(WFTC Translator)| Ind.| FOX 9 Plus| 9.39.1 Movies!FOX UHF Television, Inc.| 10.1Pioneer Public TV>KWCM Translator)| PBS| Pioneer Public TV| 10.210.310.410.5 Create (TV network)Minnesota ChannelWorld (TV channel)>WorldPBS Kids UHF Television, Inc.| 11.1KARE (TV)>KARE Translator)| NBC| KARE 11| 11.211.311.4 Court TVTrue Crime NetworkQuest UHF Television, Inc.| 23.1| K14LF-D(WUCW Translator)The CW>CW| CW 23| 23.223.323.4 Comet (TV network)Charge! (TV network)>Charge!TBD UHF Television, Inc.| 28.1| K28IF-DTrinity Broadcasting Network>TBN| | 28.228.3 Hillsong ChannelJUCE TV UHF Television, Inc.| 34.1| K34HO-D| Reelz| | 5.45.634.234.3 Antenna TVThis TVKool-TVRetro TV UHF Television, Inc.| 35.1| K35NR-DHeartland (TV channel)>Heartland| | 35.235.335.4 Retro Television NetworkRev'nThe CBN Family Channel>Family UHF Television, Inc.| 41.1KPXM-TV>KPXM Translator)ION Media Networks>ION| ION| 41.241.341.4 41.541.6 QuboIon PlusION ShopQVCHSN UHF Television, Inc.| 42.1KSTP-TV>KSAX Translator)American Broadcasting Company>ABC| 5 Eyewitness News| 42.242.3 45TVMeTV UHF Television, Inc.

Pay television services

• Charter Communications
• DirecTV
• Dish Network

Radio stations{| class"wikitable"

!align="center" colspan="5"|AM radio stations!Frequency!Call sign!Name!Format!OwnerKWLM>Talk radio>News/TalkLakeland Broadcasting CompanyKDJS (AM)>KDJS Classic countryIowa City Broadcasting Company{| class="wikitable"!align="center" colspan="5"|FM radio stations!Frequency!Call sign!Name!Format!OwnerKKLW>Contemporary Christian music>ChristianEducational Media FoundationKBHZ>Christian radio>ChristianNorth Central UniversityKTIS-FM>K224DB(KTIS-FM Translator)Life 98.5Contemporary Christian music>|University of Northwestern - St. PaulKKLN>Classic rock>|Headwaters Media, Inc.KDJS-FM>KDJSK-95.3Country music>|Iowa City Broadcasting, Inc.KWLM>K242CF(KWLM Translator)>Talk radio>News/TalkLakeland Broadcasting CompanyKOLV>Country music>CountryBold Radio, Inc.KQIC>Hot Adult Contemporary>Hot ACLakeland Broadcasting CompanyKTIS (AM)>K277CC(KTIS (AM) Translator)>Christian talk and teaching>|University of Northwestern - St. PaulKDJS (AM)>K289CO(KDJS (AM) Translator)>Classic country>|Iowa City Broadcasting CompanyKLFN>Classic Hits>|Lakeland Broadcasting Company

Notable people

• Thomas K. Berg – politician and lawyer
• Wallace Gustafson – lawyer and politician
• Bonnie Henrickson – head women's college basketball coach at UC Santa Barbara
• Roy C. Jensen – farmer and politician
• Dean Johnson – politician
• Robert George Johnson – politician
• Carl O. Jorgenson – politician
• Bradley Joseph – composer and recording artist
• Pinky Nelson – astronaut
• Alec G. Olson – politician
• Earl B. Olson – founder of the Jennie-O Turkey company
• Kenneth L. Olson – United States Army soldier
• Jim Pederson (American football) - professional football player
• Henrik Shipstead – politician
• Curt Swan – illustrator of Superman comics from the 1950s to the 1980s
• Rick Swenson – dog musher and Iditarod participant
• Alan Welle – politician and businessman
• Henry G. Young – lawyer and politician

Sister cities

{{SisterCities|Willmar|two}}

• {{flagicon|Belgium}} Frameries, Belgium
• {{flagicon|Belarus}} Vileyka, Belarus

References

{{Reflist}}

External links

{{commons category|Willmar, Minnesota}}

• City of Willmar – Official Website
• The Official Willmar Lakes Area Community site
• The Official Willmar Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce
• Official website of the Willmar Public School District

{{Kandiyohi County, Minnesota}}{{Minnesota}}{{Minnesota county seats}}{{Authority control}}