Goddard is a city in Sedgwick County, Kansas, United States,[1] and a west suburb of Wichita.

[4][5] In 1883, Ezekiel Wilder purchased farmland on the planned railway of the Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe Railway south of Blendon, Kansas, approximately 10 miles (16 km) west of Wichita.

Several buildings were relocated from Blendon, including the town hall and the planned Methodist church.

[9] In recent decades as Wichita has expanded westward, a growing number of commuters have settled in Goddard, transforming it from a rural agricultural community into a suburb.

[1] Goddard lies on U.S. Route 54 in south-central Kansas immediately west of Wichita.

[10] The community lies approximately 12 miles (19 km) southwest of the Arkansas River and 8 miles (13 km) north-northeast of the Ninnescah River in the Wellington-McPherson Lowlands region of the Great Plains.

[12] Goddard is part of the Wichita, KS Metropolitan Statistical Area.

The 2020 United States census counted 5,084 people, 1,662 households, and 1,313 families in Goddard.

[24][25] As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 4,344 people, 1,442 households, and 1,124 families residing in the city.

18.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 5.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

17.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 5.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

The three industries employing the largest percentages of the working civilian labor force were: manufacturing (22.7%); educational services, health care, and social assistance (20.9%); and retail trade (12.4%).

[26] Goddard is a city of the second class with a hybrid Council-Manager form of government.

The land for this building was donated to the city by the Goddard School District.

This caused a six-week mandatory shutdown, and the library began offering virtual programming.

Because of the tireless efforts of staff throughout the pandemic, the library increased its patronage.

The Goddard Public Mobile Library went into service in October 2022, increasing access to library services, programs, and information within the 65 square miles of the school district and other parts of West Wichita.

[40][41] Goddard's Chamber of Commerce, Lions Clubs International Lions Club, Goddard Public Library, and the City of Goddard organize and promote many community events throughout the year, including a Lions Club Car show/Easter Egg Hunt, Neighbors United, Garage Sale Day, Independence Day Firework Display, National Night Out, Fall Festival, Goddard Community Gatherings, Community Thanksgiving Feast, StoryTime with Santa, and Christmas on Main Street.

[46] Tanganyika Wildlife Park, a privately owned zoo specializing in the breeding of endangered species.

[48] Blast Off Bay Water Park, located next to the Genesis Sports Complex and Hampton Inn.