Waldo is a city in Waldo Township, Russell County, Kansas, United States.

History

The Union Town Company established the town of Waldo on October 1, 1888, having acquired 280 acres of land on a line of the Union Pacific Railroad. The community grew over the following decades, reaching a population of approximately 300 by 1915. A small business community, including a bank, stores, and three grain elevators, developed during the 1900s. The town served as an agricultural shipping and receiving point for the surrounding area. Waldo incorporated as a city in May 1911.

Since the 1930s, the population of the community has gradually declined. Waldo High School closed in 1964, followed by Waldo Grade School in 1979.

Located in the Smoky Hills region of the Great Plains, Waldo sits on the east bank of the West Fork of Wolf Creek, part of the Saline River watershed.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all land.

Demographics

2010 census

As of the 2010 census, there were 30 people, 15 households, and 7 families residing in the city. The population density was 75 people per square mile (29/km). There were 44 housing units at an average density of 110 per square mile (44/km). The racial makeup of the city was 100.0% White. Hispanics and Latinos of any race were 0.0% of the population.

There were 15 households, of which 20.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.7% were married couples living together, 0.0% had a male householder with no wife present, 0.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 53.3% were non-families. 53.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 60.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.00, and the average family size was 3.14. of 2000, there were 48 people, 27 households, and 15 families residing in the city. The population density was . There were 32 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 95.83% White, 2.08% Native American, and 2.08% from two or more races.

There were 27 households, out of which 14.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.1% were married couples living together, 3.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 44.4% were non-families. 44.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 18.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.78 and the average family size was 2.40.

In the city the population was spread out, with 12.5% under the age of 18, 12.5% from 18 to 24, 8.3% from 25 to 44, 29.2% from 45 to 64, and 37.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 62 years. For every 100 females, there were 108.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 121.1 males.

Economy

As of 2012, 37.0% of the population over the age of 16 was in the labor force. 0.0% was in the armed forces, and 37.0% was in the civilian labor force with 37.0% being employed and 0.0% unemployed. The composition, by occupation, of the employed civilian labor force was: 60.0% in management, business, science, and arts; 30.0% in sales and office occupations; 10.0% in natural resources, construction, and maintenance; 0.0% in production, transportation, and material moving; and 0.0% in service occupations. The three industries employing the largest percentages of the working civilian labor force were: agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting, and mining (40.0%); educational services, and health care and social assistance (30.0%); and retail trade (20.0%). As of 2012, the median home value in the city was $13,800, and the median selected monthly owner cost was $467 for housing units with a mortgage and $313 for those without.

Waldo lies within Kansas's 1st U.S. Congressional District. For the purposes of representation in the Kansas Legislature, the city is located in the 36th district of the Kansas Senate and the 109th district of the Kansas House of Representatives.

Waldo High School consolidated with Paradise High School in 1964. Paradise High School then consolidated with Natoma High School in 1974. The Waldo High School mascot was Waldo Warriors.

Infrastructure

Transportation

U.S. Route 281 and Kansas Highway 18 (K-18) run concurrently east–west through Waldo. Most residents use privately stored propane for heating fuel.

References

Further reading

  • Waldo - Directory of Public Officials
  • USD 399, local school district