Willis, Texas

Geography

Willis is located at 30°25′22″N 95°28′44″W (30.422640, -95.478829).

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.

History

Willis became a community when the Houston and 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 1870s and 1880s. 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 1980s, 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 census of 2000, there were 3,985 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.

Government and infrastructure

The United States Postal Service 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 in the Texas State Senate by Robert Nichols (R).

Public schools

Willis' public schools are operated by the Willis Independent School District 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 [1] in Unincorporated Montgomery County.

Portions of the city used to be zoned to Turner Elementary School [2] until the attendance zoned changed for the 2006–2007 school year, rezoning the portion to Hardy Elementary School [3].

Area private schools

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 System operates the R. F. Meador Branch at 709 West Montgomery Street.

Notable people