Willis, Texas
Encyclopedia
Willis is a city in Montgomery County
, Texas
, United States
, located on the Missouri Pacific Railroad eight miles north of Conroe in north central Montgomery County.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 3.3 square miles (8.5 km²), all of it land.
Since the 1980's, Willis has seen its economic base change from agriculture to services, retail, and manufacturing. It is the gateway to Lake Conroe. Interstate 45 bisects the community. One mile east, U.S. Highway 75 and the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe rail services run parallel to Interstate 45. The George Bush Intercontinental Airport is 35 miles south of Willis. The Montgomery County Airport is 10 miles east of Willis.
Willis has a highly rated school district which has about 400 high school graduates each year. The school district currently has an enrollment of approximately 4000 students. For more information, please visit the Willis Independent School District site at http://wisd.willis.k12.tx.us.
Willis is also a central location for many places of recreational interest in Southeast Texas. Lake Conroe, the Sam Houston National Forest, Huntsville State Park, and golf courses are only some of the attractions.
of 2000, there were 2,654 people, 1,265 households, and 972 families residing in the city. The population density
was 1,210.9 people per square mile (467.7/km²). There were 1,374 housing units at an average density of 417.5/sq mi (161.2/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 61.28% White, 21.15% African American, 0.68% Native American, 0.48% Asian, 14.40% from other races
, and 2.01% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 27.23% of the population.
There were 1,265 households out of which 46.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.5% were married couples
living together, 22.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.1% were non-families. 18.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.11 and the average family size was 3.51.
In the city the population was spread out with 33.6% under the age of 18, 12.0% from 18 to 24, 31.3% from 25 to 44, 15.8% from 45 to 64, and 7.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 27 years. For every 100 females there were 102.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.3 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $28,260, and the median income for a family was $30,985. Males had a median income of $27,049 versus $20,954 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $11,122. About 17.8% of families and 20.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.2% of those under age 18 and 9.5% of those age 65 or over.
Willis Post Office is located at 609 North Campbell Street. Willis is represented in the United States House of Representatives by Kevin Brady (R).
and Responsive Education Solutions.
Five elementary schools, all of which are in Willis, serve portions of Willis:
Two middle schools serve portions of Willis:
All of the city is zoned to Willis High School http://www.willisisd.org/Default.aspx?tabid=141 in Unincorporated Montgomery County.
Portions of the city used to be zoned to Turner Elementary School http://www.willisisd.org/Default.aspx?tabid=566 until the attendance zoned changed for the 2006–2007 school year, rezoning the portion to Hardy Elementary School http://www.willisisd.org/Default.aspx?tabid=568.
operates the R. F. Meador Branch at 709 West Montgomery Street.
About Willis Independent School District
Montgomery County, Texas
Montgomery County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas within the Houston–Sugar Land–Baytown metropolitan area. The county was created by an act of the Congress of the Republic of Texas on December 14, 1837. The county was named for the town of Montgomery, Texas. In 2000, its...
, Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, located on the Missouri Pacific Railroad eight miles north of Conroe in north central Montgomery County.
Geography
Willis is located at 30°25′22"N 95°28′44"W (30.422640, -95.478829).According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 3.3 square miles (8.5 km²), all of it land.
History
Willis became a community when the Great Northern Railroad decided to run a track from Houston to Chicago, and the Willis brothers donated their land in 1870 to the railroad. Willis grew in population after the trains began to travel through the town. There were hotels, dry good stores, and many other successful businesses in the 1870's and 1880's. The tobacco industry played a vital role in Willis' growth and development during that time. Other cash crops of cotton, watermelons, and tomatoes were an important part of the economy through the years. The timber industry, which still plays a role in Willis' economic growth, has been its most stable economic engine for over one hundred years.Since the 1980's, Willis has seen its economic base change from agriculture to services, retail, and manufacturing. It is the gateway to Lake Conroe. Interstate 45 bisects the community. One mile east, U.S. Highway 75 and the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe rail services run parallel to Interstate 45. The George Bush Intercontinental Airport is 35 miles south of Willis. The Montgomery County Airport is 10 miles east of Willis.
Willis has a highly rated school district which has about 400 high school graduates each year. The school district currently has an enrollment of approximately 4000 students. For more information, please visit the Willis Independent School District site at http://wisd.willis.k12.tx.us.
Willis is also a central location for many places of recreational interest in Southeast Texas. Lake Conroe, the Sam Houston National Forest, Huntsville State Park, and golf courses are only some of the attractions.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 2,654 people, 1,265 households, and 972 families residing in the city. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 1,210.9 people per square mile (467.7/km²). There were 1,374 housing units at an average density of 417.5/sq mi (161.2/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 61.28% White, 21.15% African American, 0.68% Native American, 0.48% Asian, 14.40% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 2.01% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 27.23% of the population.
There were 1,265 households out of which 46.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.5% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 22.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.1% were non-families. 18.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.11 and the average family size was 3.51.
In the city the population was spread out with 33.6% under the age of 18, 12.0% from 18 to 24, 31.3% from 25 to 44, 15.8% from 45 to 64, and 7.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 27 years. For every 100 females there were 102.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.3 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $28,260, and the median income for a family was $30,985. Males had a median income of $27,049 versus $20,954 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the city was $11,122. About 17.8% of families and 20.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.2% of those under age 18 and 9.5% of those age 65 or over.
Government and infrastructure
The United States Postal ServiceUnited States Postal Service
The United States Postal Service is an independent agency of the United States government responsible for providing postal service in the United States...
Willis Post Office is located at 609 North Campbell Street. Willis is represented in the United States House of Representatives by Kevin Brady (R).
Public schools
Willis' public schools are operated by the Willis Independent School DistrictWillis Independent School District
Willis Independent School District is a public school district based in Willis, Texas .Located in Montgomery County, the district extends into a portion of San Jacinto County...
and Responsive Education Solutions.
Five elementary schools, all of which are in Willis, serve portions of Willis:
- Edward B. Cannan Elementary School (Grades prek-5th)
- C. C. Hardy Elementary School (Grades prek- 5th)
- Mel Parmley Elementary School (Grades prek- 5th)
- A.R. Turner Elementary School (Grades prek-5th)
- William Lloyd Meador Elementary School (Grades prek-5th)
- Vista Academy of Willis (Grades k-8)
Two middle schools serve portions of Willis:
- Robert P. Brabham Middle School (Grades 6-8) (Unincorporated Montgomery County)
- Lynn Lucas Middle School (Grades 6-8) (Willis)
- Vista Academy of Willis (Grades k-8)
All of the city is zoned to Willis High School http://www.willisisd.org/Default.aspx?tabid=141 in Unincorporated Montgomery County.
Portions of the city used to be zoned to Turner Elementary School http://www.willisisd.org/Default.aspx?tabid=566 until the attendance zoned changed for the 2006–2007 school year, rezoning the portion to Hardy Elementary School http://www.willisisd.org/Default.aspx?tabid=568.
Colleges and universities
Lone Star College (originally the North Harris Montgomery Community College District) serves the community. The territory in Willis ISD joined the community college district in 1996. The system operates the Fairbanks Center in unincorporated Harris County; Fairbanks Center is a part of Lone Star College–CyFair.Public libraries
Montgomery County Memorial Library SystemMontgomery County Memorial Library System
Montgomery County Memorial Library System is a public library system in Montgomery County, Texas, United States.The system operates libraries in several Montgomery County cities and areas.-History:...
operates the R. F. Meador Branch at 709 West Montgomery Street.
Notable residents
- Michael Bishop, professional football player with the Winnipeg Blue BombersWinnipeg Blue BombersThe Winnipeg Blue Bombers are a Canadian football team based in Winnipeg, Manitoba. They are currently members of the East Division of the Canadian Football League . They play their home games at Canad Inns Stadium, and plan to move to a new stadium for the 2012 season.The Blue Bombers were founded...
- Cliff YoungCliff Young (baseball)Clifford Raphael Young was a Major League Baseball pitcher. He pitched parts of three seasons in the majors between and . The Indians released him at the end of the 1993 season. Shortly thereafter, Young was killed in a car accident when the car he was driving went off the road and hit a tree,...
(1964-1993), professional baseball player
External links
http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/WW/hjw12.htmlAbout Willis Independent School District