Waldo, Kansas - Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Waldo, Kansas
Location within Russell County and Kansas
Location within Russell County and Kansas
KDOT map of Russell County (legend)
Coordinates: 39°7′13″N 98°47′52″W / 39.12028°N 98.79778°W / 39.12028; -98.79778[1]
CountryUnited States
StateKansas
CountyRussell
Founded1888
Incorporated1911
Area
 • Total0.38 sq mi (0.97 km2)
 • Land0.38 sq mi (0.97 km2)
 • Water0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation1,713 ft (522 m)
Population
 • Total30
 • Density79/sq mi (31/km2)
Time zoneUTC-6 (CST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code
67673
Area code785
FIPS code20-74575
GNIS ID472528 [1]

Waldo is a city in Russell County, Kansas, United States.[4] As of the 2020 census, the city population was 30.[3]

History[change | change source]

The Union Town Company created the town of Waldo on October 1, 1888. This is because they got 280 acres of land on a line of the Union Pacific Railroad. The community grew, having about 300 people by 1915. A small business community, including a bank, stores, and three grain elevators, developed during the 1900s.[5] The town was an agricultural shipping and receiving point for the area around it.[6] Waldo incorporated as a city in May 1911.[7]

Since the 1930s, the number of people in Waldo starting decreasing. Waldo High School closed in 1964, and Waldo Grade School closed in 1979.[7] In 1993, Union Pacific left its rail line through Waldo, ending rail service to the city.[5]

Geography[change | change source]

Waldo is at 39°7′13″N 98°47′52″W / 39.12028°N 98.79778°W / 39.12028; -98.79778 (39.120162, -98.797863).[8] It has an elevation of 1,713 feet (522 m).[9] The city is on U.S. Route 281 in north-central Kansas. It is 122 miles (196 km) northwest of Wichita, 224 miles (360 km) west of Kansas City, and 16 miles (26 km) north-northeast of Russell.[4][10][11]

It is in the Smoky Hills region of the Great Plains. Waldo is on the east bank of the West Fork of Wolf Creek, part of the Saline River watershed.[4][10]

The United States Census Bureau says that the city has a total area of 0.38 square miles (0.98 km2). All of it is land.[2]

People[change | change source]

Historical population
Census Pop.
1920246
193027913.4%
1940257−7.9%
1950216−16.0%
1960178−17.6%
1970123−30.9%
198075−39.0%
199057−24.0%
200048−15.8%
201030−37.5%
2020300.0%
U.S. Decennial Census

2020 census[change | change source]

The 2020 census says that there were 30 people, 18 households, and 11 families living in Waldo.[3][12]

2010 census[change | change source]

The 2010 census says that there were 30 people, 15 households, and 7 families living in Waldo.[13]

Infrastructure[change | change source]

Transportation[change | change source]

U.S. Route 281 and Kansas Highway 18 (K-18) go east-west through Waldo.[10]

Utilities[change | change source]

Western Electric gives electricity to the people. Gorham Telephone gives landline telephone service, and it offers cable television and internet access.[14] Most residents use privately stored propane for heating fuel.[15][14]

Media[change | change source]

Waldo is in the Wichita-Hutchinson, Kansas television market.[16]

References[change | change source]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 "Waldo, Kansas". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey.
  2. 2.0 2.1 "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 3, 2023.
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 "DP1: PROFILE OF GENERAL POPULATION AND HOUSING CHARACTERISTICS". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 3, 2023.
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 "2003-2004 Official Transportation Map" (PDF). Kansas Department of Transportation. 2003. Retrieved 2010-12-12.
  5. 5.0 5.1 Clow, Albert (2003-01-10). "History". City of Waldo, Kansas. Archived from the original on 2012-10-14. Retrieved 2011-08-15.
  6. Blackmar, Frank W., ed. (1912). "Waldo". Kansas: a cyclopedia of state history, embracing events, institutions, industries, counties, cities, towns, prominent persons, etc. Vol. 2. Chicago: Standard. p. 859. Archived from the original on 2013-11-03. Retrieved 2019-10-23.
  7. 7.0 7.1 Clow, Albert (2011-04-17). "City of Waldo, Kansas". City of Waldo, Kansas. Archived from the original on 2011-11-06. Retrieved 2011-08-15.
  8. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
  9. "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  10. 10.0 10.1 10.2 "General Highway Map - Russell County, Kansas" (PDF). Kansas Department of Transportation. 2010-10-01. Retrieved 2010-12-12.
  11. "City Distance Tool". Geobytes. Archived from the original on 2010-10-05. Retrieved 2010-10-23.
  12. "P16: HOUSEHOLD TYPE". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 2, 2024.
  13. "American FactFinder 2". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2011-08-08.
  14. 14.0 14.1 "Utilities". Russell County, Kansas Economic Development & CVB. Archived from the original on 2015-01-16. Retrieved 2014-09-11.
  15. "Waldo, Kansas". City-Data.com. Retrieved 2014-09-11.
  16. "Kansas". TV Market Maps. EchoStar Knowledge Base. Retrieved 2014-09-11.

Other websites[change | change source]

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