Willard, Utah

Willard(Shoshoni:Sogo-timp-bow ya)is a city inBox Elder County,Utah,United States. The population was 1,978 at the2020 census.

Willard, Utah
City
City of Willard, withWillard Bayand thePromontory Mountainsin the background
Location inBox Elder Countyand the state ofUtah
Location of Utah in the United States
Coordinates:41°24′53″N112°02′41″W
Country	United States
State	Utah
County	Box Elder
Settled	1851
Incorporated	1870
Named for	Willard Richards
Area
• Total	7.08 sq mi (18.35 km2)
• Land	5.62 sq mi (14.55 km2)
• Water	1.47 sq mi (3.80 km2)
Elevation	4,288 ft (1,307 m)
Population (2020)
• Total	1,978
• Density	348.58/sq mi (134.58/km2)
Time zone	UTC-7(Mountain (MST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-6(MDT)
ZIP code	84340
Area code	435
FIPS code	49-84710
GNISfeature ID	2412265
Website	www.willardcity

Geography

Willard is located in southeastern Box Elder County and is bordered by the city ofPerryto the north and the unincorporated community ofSouth Willardto the south. The east edge of the city is bordered byCache National Forestin theWasatch Range,and the west side extends intoWillard Bay,a freshwater reservoir built out of theGreat Salt Lake.Willard Bay State Park is located within the city limits along the shore of Willard Bay.

Interstate highways15and84pass through the western side of the city, with access from Exit 357.U.S. Route 89is the city's Main Street.

According to theUnited States Census Bureau,the city has a total area of 7.2 square miles (18.6 km²), of which 5.7 square miles (14.7 km²) is land and 1.5 square miles (3.9 km²), or 21.16%, is water.

History

In 1851, several companies ofMormon settlerswere sent north fromSalt Lake Cityto a northern bay of theGreat Salt Lakecalled Bear River Bay. In 1957 the US Corps of Engineers built a fresh water lake which is now calledWillard Bay.A company of nineteen located on North Willow Creek, 7 miles (11 km) south of the site whereBrigham Citywould be established. Two years later, the infant community relocated two miles further south, and a fort wall was built due to the possibility of attacks by the Shohone and their allies. Willard's first settlers were mostly of Welsh, English, Scottish and Dutch descent. Most were farmers, but some were merchants, carpenters, blacksmiths and school teachers. Historically, the economy of Willard centered on agriculture, with fruit crops being the major product. Gravel excavation and worked stone have also been a significant source of income.

Henry G. Sherwood surveyed North Willow Creek in 1851. The community was renamed Willard in honor ofWillard Richards(1804-1854,a recently deceasedApostleof theLDS Churchand counselor toBrigham Young,in 1859. Willard received its charter as a city in 1870.

Gifted stonemason Shadrack Jones took advantage of local rock cliffs and the alluvial fan exposed as ancientLake Bonnevillereceded.Between 1862 and 1883, he mined the local stone and built single-family homes. Over thirty still stand and many are listed on theNational Register of Historic Placesas contributing buildings in theWillard Historic District.Other early structures included a brick yard, the firstgrist millin Box Elder County, and a number ofmolassesmills.

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1870	552		—
1880	412		−25.4%
1890	492		19.4%
1900	580		17.9%
1910	577		−0.5%
1920	651		12.8%
1930	561		−13.8%
1940	541		−3.6%
1950	548		1.3%
1960	814		48.5%
1970	1,045		28.4%
1980	1,241		18.8%
1990	1,298		4.6%
2000	1,630		25.6%
2010	1,772		8.7%
2020	1,978		11.6%
U.S. Decennial Census

As of thecensusof 2010, there were 1,772 people, 600 households, and 485 families residing in the city. Thepopulation densitywas 310.9 people per square mile (120.5/km²). There were 633 housing units at an average density of 111.1 per square mile (43.1/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 95.4%White,0.1%African American,0.3%Native American,0.8%Asian,0.1%Pacific Islander,1.2% fromother races,and 2.1% from two or more races.HispanicorLatinoof any race were 3.9% of the population.

There were 600 households, out of which 35.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 68.3% weremarried couplesliving together, 7.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 19.2% were non-families. 15.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.95 and the average family size was 3.31.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 28.9% under the age of 18, 8.1% from 18 to 24, 23.8% from 25 to 44, 27.2% from 45 to 64, and 12% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34.3 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.7 males.

In 2000the median income for a household in the city was $52,150, and the median income for a family was $57,841. Males had a median income of $40,625 versus $26,364 for females. Theper capita incomefor the city was $17,592. About 5.1% of families and 7.2% of the population were below thepoverty line,including 7.9% of those under age 18 and 4.7% of those age 65 or over.

Notable people

• Anson Vasco Call II,first mayor ofAfton, Wyoming(served nine terms)
• William E. Cole,Major general during both World Wars
• Melba Rae,actress
• Evan Stephens,Mormon Tabernacle Choirdirector

See also

• List of cities and towns in Utah

External links

• Official website