Gardner, Kansas

History

Gardner was founded where the Santa Fe Trail and the Oregon/California Trails divided. The Santa Fe Trail sent travelers southwest through Santa Fe and Albuquerque toward Los Angeles and San Diego. The Oregon/California Trails bore west for a few miles before turning north toward the Kansas River valley, followed the Big Blue River into present-day Nebraska, followed the Platte River west, and ultimately split in present-day Wyoming, Idaho or Utah.

Gardner was founded as a Free-Stater settlement in 1857. Settled primarily by emigrants from Massachusetts, it was named for Henry Gardner, then governor of Massachusetts. Four years after its establishment, it became the first community in Johnson County—and perhaps the first in the state—to experience an attack by Confederate forces.

The first post office in Gardner was established in 1858.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 10.21 sqmi, of which 10.16 sqmi is land and 0.05 sqmi is water. The most notable body of water in Gardner is Gardner Lake, on the north side of town, off South Gardner Road and 151st Street. The headwaters of Kill Creek, which runs north joining with the Kansas River in De Soto, are also in Gardner.

Climate

The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Gardner has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.

| Jan record high F = 74 | Feb record high F = 81 | Mar record high F = 87 | Apr record high F = 92 | May record high F = 95 | Jun record high F = 104 | Jul record high F = 114 | Aug record high F = 111 | Sep record high F = 107 | Oct record high F = 96 | Nov record high F = 81 | Dec record high F = 74 | year record high F = | Jan avg record high F = 64.0 | Feb avg record high F = 67.9 | Mar avg record high F = 77.7 | Apr avg record high F = 84.3 | May avg record high F = 89.1 | Jun avg record high F = 94.7 | Jul avg record high F = 99.7 | Aug avg record high F = 99.8 | Sep avg record high F = 93.8 | Oct avg record high F = 86.0 | Nov avg record high F = 73.7 | Dec avg record high F = 65.1 | year avg record high F = 101.7 | Jan avg record low F = 0.0 | Feb avg record low F = 5.0 | Mar avg record low F = 14.1 | Apr avg record low F = 26.9 | May avg record low F = 39.9 | Jun avg record low F = 51.5 | Jul avg record low F = 58.5 | Aug avg record low F = 55.9 | Sep avg record low F = 43.5 | Oct avg record low F = 28.2 | Nov avg record low F = 17.0 | Dec avg record low F = 5.2 | year avg record low F = -3.6 | Jan record low F = -12 | Feb record low F = -15 | Mar record low F = -7 | Apr record low F = 18 | May record low F = 31 | Jun record low F = 43 | Jul record low F = 49 | Aug record low F = 47 | Sep record low F = 36 | Oct record low F = 23 | Nov record low F = 4 | Dec record low F = -11 | year record low F = |access-date = November 20, 2023}}{{cite web |access-date = November 20, 2023}}

Demographics

|align-fn = center 2010-2020

2020 census

The 2020 United States census counted 23,287 people, 8,005 households, and 5,938 families in Gardner. The racial makeup was 79.22% (18,449) white or European American (76.52% non-Hispanic white), 3.89% (907) black or African-American, 0.56% (130) Native American or Alaska Native, 1.78% (415) Asian, 0.14% (32) Pacific Islander or Native Hawaiian, 3.58% (834) from other races, and 10.82% (2,520) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race was 10.21% (2,378) of the population.

Of the 8,005 households, 47.7% had children under the age of 18; 56.1% were married couples living together; 21.6% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. 20.4% of households consisted of individuals and 6.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The percent of those with a bachelor's degree or higher was estimated to be 20.9% of the population.

32.1% of the population was under the age of 18, 7.6% from 18 to 24, 31.5% from 25 to 44, 20.3% from 45 to 64, and 8.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32.6 years. For every 100 females, there were 101.9 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older, there were 104.9 males.

The 2016-2020 5-year American Community Survey estimates show that the median household income was $78,193 (with a margin of error of +/- $4,899) and the median family income was $86,859 (+/- $4,392). Males had a median income of $49,402 (+/- $4,503) versus $30,995 (+/- $3,086) for females. The median income for those above 16 years old was $39,662 (+/- $2,267). Approximately, 4.3% of families and 6.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.6% of those under the age of 18 and 6.9% of those ages 65 or over.

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 19,123 people, 6,644 households, and 4,938 families living in the city. The population density was 1889.6 PD/sqmi. There were 7,300 housing units at an average density of 721.3 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 89.7% White, 3.0% African American, 0.5% Native American, 1.9% Asian, 1.8% from other races, and 3.0% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.2% of the population.

There were 6,644 households, of which 49.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.9% were married couples living together, 10.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.1% had a male householder with no wife present, and 25.7% were non-families. 20.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.85 and the average family size was 3.31.

The median age in the city was 30 years. 33.2% of residents were under the age of 18; 6.6% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 37.7% were from 25 to 44; 17.1% were from 45 to 64; and 5.3% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 49.9% male and 50.1% female.

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 9,396 people, 3,307 households, and 2,460 families living in the city. The population density was 1,898.5 PD/sqmi. There were 3,533 housing units at an average density of 713.8 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 94.13% White, 1.21% African American, 0.49% Native American, 1.05% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 1.26% from other races, and 1.85% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.99% of the population. 26.8% were of German, 18.2% American, 11.5% Irish and 5.6% English ancestry according to Census 2000.

There were 3,307 households, out of which 47.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.5% were married couples living together, 11.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.6% were non-families. 19.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 5.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.80 and the average family size was 3.23.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 33.1% under the age of 18, 8.4% from 18 to 24, 38.4% from 25 to 44, 13.7% from 45 to 64, and 6.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 29 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.7 males.

As of 2000 the median income for a household in the city was $50,807, and the median income for a family was $54,554. Males had a median income of $37,438 versus $27,553 for females. The per capita income for the city was $20,434. About 5.3% of families and 6.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.1% of those under age 18 and 9.2% of those age 65 or over.

Economy

BNSF Railway built a refueling plant and office in Edgerton which is 3 miles from western Gardner. It opened in May 2013 and employs about 200.

Top employers

According to the city's 2024 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report, Gardner's top employers are:

Government

The mayor of Gardner is Todd Winters, who was sworn in on December 6, 2021. The city council is made up of five (5) at-large members, each of whom serve rotating 4-year terms.

Law enforcement

The Gardner Police Department is the primary law enforcement agency for the City of Gardner. As of February of 2025 it employs 38 sworn officers. The Gardner Police Department provides patrol services for the city, investigations, and animal control services. The Gardner Police Department is contracted with USD 231 to provide school resource officer services.

Education

Gardner is part of the USD 231 school district. Located in Gardner are six out of the seven elementary schools (Edgerton Elementary is the only school in the district not located in Gardner). These include Gardner Elementary, Sunflower Elementary, Madison Elementary, Nike Elementary, Grand Star Elementary, and Moonlight Elementary. The district also has three middle schools, Wheatridge, Trail Ridge, and Pioneer Ridge, and one high school (Gardner-Edgerton High School) all located in Gardner.

Library

The Johnson County Library maintains a branch in Gardner.

Notable people

Notable individuals who were born in and/or have lived in Gardner include:

• Ray McIntire (1918–1996), engineer, inventor
• John Means (1993– ), baseball pitcher
• Bubba Starling (1992– ), baseball center fielder

References

References

1. "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau.
2. (July 1, 2024). "QuickFacts, Gardner city, Kansas". [[United States Census Bureau]].
3. United States Postal Service. (2012). "USPS - Look Up a ZIP Code".
4. {{GNIS. 485580
5. "Profile of Gardner, Kansas in 2020". United States Census Bureau.
6. Crease, Craig. "History of Gardner". City of Gardner.
7. Gannett, Henry. (1905). "The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States". Govt. Print. Off..
8. [https://gardnerhistoricalmuseum.com/gardner-history/ Gardner History] {{Webarchive. link. (August 21, 2018 , Gardner Historical Museum. Accessed 2018-08-21.)
9. "Kansas Post Offices, 1828-1961 (archived)". Kansas Historical Society.
10. "US Gazetteer files 2010". [[United States Census Bureau]].
11. [http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather-summary.php3?s=724462&cityname=Gardner%2C+Kansas%2C+United+States+of+America&units= Climate Summary for Gardner, Kansas]
12. "US Census Bureau, Table P16: HOUSEHOLD TYPE".
13. "US Census Bureau, Table DP1: PROFILE OF GENERAL POPULATION AND HOUSING CHARACTERISTICS".
14. "Gazetteer Files".
15. "US Census Bureau, Table P1: RACE".
16. "US Census Bureau, Table P2: HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE".
17. "US Census Bureau, Table S1501: EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT".
18. "US Census Bureau, Table S1903: MEDIAN INCOME IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS (IN 2020 INFLATION-ADJUSTED DOLLARS)".
19. "US Census Bureau, Table S2001: EARNINGS IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS (IN 2020 INFLATION-ADJUSTED DOLLARS)".
20. "US Census Bureau, Table S1701: POVERTY STATUS IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS".
21. "US Census Bureau, Table S1702: POVERTY STATUS IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS OF FAMILIES".
22. "U.S. Census website". [[United States Census Bureau]].
23. (April 2020}}{{cbignore). "2010 City Population and Housing Occupancy Status". U.S. Census Bureau.
24. "U.S. Census website". [[United States Census Bureau]].
25. "BNSF Timeline: Growing Together with Our Customers".
26. (June 6, 2025). "City of Gardner, Kansas, Annual Comprehensive Financial Report, For the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2024". Gardner, Kansas.
27. "Governing Body".
28. "Police Operations Division {{!}} Gardner, KS".
29. [http://www.jocolibrary.org Johnson County Library]
30. Thompson, D.. (2011-03-12). "Gardner Scientist Honored by State Project". The Gardner News.
31. "Bubba Starling".