Boonville, Missouri | |
|---|---|
| City of Boonville | |
.jpg) .jpg)  .jpg) .jpg) Clockwise, from top: Downtown Boonville,Kemper Military School,Missouri River from a hilltop,Cobblestone Street,Cooper County, Missouri courthouse, mural of anAmerican Civil War battle | |
 Interactive map of Boonville, Missouri | |
  Boonville, Missouri  Boonville, Missouri | |
| Coordinates:38°57′30″N92°44′49″W / 38.95833°N 92.74694°W /38.95833; -92.74694[1] | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Missouri |
| County | Cooper |
| Founded | 1817 |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Ned Beach |
| Area | |
• Total | 8.06 sq mi (20.88 km2) |
| • Land | 7.71 sq mi (19.98 km2) |
| • Water | 0.34 sq mi (0.89 km2) |
| Elevation | 679 ft (207 m) |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 7,964 |
• Estimate (2023) | 7,894 |
| • Density | 1,032.1/sq mi (398.51/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code | 65233 |
| Area code | 660 |
| FIPS code | 29-07318[3] |
| GNIS feature ID | 2394222[1] |
| Website | http://boonvillemo.org/ |
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Boonville is a city and thecounty seat ofCooper County, Missouri, United States.[4] The population was 7,964 at the 2020 census. The city was the site of a skirmish early in theCivil War, on July 17, 1861. Union forces defeated theMissouri State Guard in the firstBattle of Boonville. It is part of theColumbia, Missouri metropolitan area.
The community derives its name from Nathan and Daniel Morgan Boone, who were the sons ofDaniel Boone and established theirsalt business near the community in the early 1800s, delivering their product fromsalt licks to St. Louis. The area has been called "Boone's Lick" and the route from the lick to St. Charles/St. Louis, Missouri is called the Boone's Lick Trail. The eastern terminus near Boonville atFranklin, Missouri is considered the original start of theSanta Fe Trail.[5][6]
The first pioneers were Hannah and Stephen Cole, who settled in 1810. During skirmishes withNative Americans in theWar of 1812 they moved to a fort on the north side of theMissouri River (called on markers as "Hannah Cole Fort"). That fort subsequently became the first county seat ofHoward County, Missouri.[7]
After the war, the town was formally laid out in 1817 by Asa Morgan andCharles Lucas. Boonville was named the county seat in 1818.[8]
The community's position on the Santa Fe Trail and Missouri River led to many historically important residents during the era of westward expansion, including politiciansWilliam Ash (a former slave turned Virginia General Assemblyman),David Barton,George Graham Vest (famous for his "man’s best friend" closing argument in an 1869 trial), and self-taught artistGeorge Caleb Bingham.
The Cooper County Jail was built in 1848 and remained in place until 1979 with a claim that it was the longest-serving jail in Missouri history.[9]
In 1855, Thespian Hall opened, and today claims to be the oldest continuously running theatre west of the Allegheny Mountains.[9][10]
More than 400 buildings (most in 14 separate historical districts) are listed onNational Register of Historic Places listings in Cooper County, Missouri.
During theAmerican Civil War, the community was fought over and held by both Union and Confederate forces, beginning with theBattle of Boonville on June 17, 1861 (a month before theFirst Battle of Bull Run) which gave the Union control of the Missouri River. The Second Battle of Boonville occurred on September 13, 1861. The community would be captured bySterling Price in 1864 inPrice's Raid.[9]
The city was a strategic target because of its location on theMissouri Pacific Railroad. The track was subsequently taken over by theMissouri–Kansas–Texas Railroad. In the 1980s, the track section that traversed the town was converted into parkland, as part ofKaty Trail State Park. Today, the "Katy Trail" is the longestrails to trails system in the United States.[11]
In 2008,Anheuser-Busch InBev opened the Warm Springs Ranch east of Boonville as the primary breeding farm for theBudweiser Clydesdales.
According to theUnited States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 7.21 square miles (18.67 km2), of which 6.89 square miles (17.85 km2) is land and 0.32 square miles (0.83 km2) is water.[12]
| Climate data for Boonville, Missouri (1991–2020) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 38.2 (3.4) | 44.2 (6.8) | 55.2 (12.9) | 66.6 (19.2) | 75.9 (24.4) | 84.8 (29.3) | 88.9 (31.6) | 87.8 (31.0) | 80.2 (26.8) | 68.7 (20.4) | 54.5 (12.5) | 42.4 (5.8) | 65.6 (18.7) |
| Daily mean °F (°C) | 29.6 (−1.3) | 34.7 (1.5) | 44.8 (7.1) | 55.6 (13.1) | 65.8 (18.8) | 75.2 (24.0) | 79.3 (26.3) | 77.5 (25.3) | 69.2 (20.7) | 57.3 (14.1) | 44.9 (7.2) | 34.2 (1.2) | 55.7 (13.2) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 21.0 (−6.1) | 25.1 (−3.8) | 34.4 (1.3) | 44.7 (7.1) | 55.7 (13.2) | 65.6 (18.7) | 69.6 (20.9) | 67.1 (19.5) | 58.2 (14.6) | 45.9 (7.7) | 35.2 (1.8) | 25.9 (−3.4) | 45.7 (7.6) |
| Averageprecipitation inches (mm) | 1.84 (47) | 2.07 (53) | 3.22 (82) | 4.33 (110) | 5.04 (128) | 4.53 (115) | 4.38 (111) | 4.16 (106) | 3.90 (99) | 3.11 (79) | 2.80 (71) | 1.63 (41) | 41.01 (1,042) |
| Average snowfall inches (cm) | 6.2 (16) | 2.7 (6.9) | 1.1 (2.8) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.5 (1.3) | 2.8 (7.1) | 13.3 (34.1) |
| Source: NOAA[13] | |||||||||||||
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1850 | 2,326 | — | |
| 1860 | 2,596 | 11.6% | |
| 1870 | 3,506 | 35.1% | |
| 1880 | 3,854 | 9.9% | |
| 1890 | 4,141 | 7.4% | |
| 1900 | 4,377 | 5.7% | |
| 1910 | 4,252 | −2.9% | |
| 1920 | 4,665 | 9.7% | |
| 1930 | 6,435 | 37.9% | |
| 1940 | 6,089 | −5.4% | |
| 1950 | 6,686 | 9.8% | |
| 1960 | 7,090 | 6.0% | |
| 1970 | 7,514 | 6.0% | |
| 1980 | 6,959 | −7.4% | |
| 1990 | 7,095 | 2.0% | |
| 2000 | 8,202 | 15.6% | |
| 2010 | 8,319 | 1.4% | |
| 2020 | 7,964 | −4.3% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census[14] | |||
| Race | Num. | Perc. |
|---|---|---|
| White | 6,351 | 79.75% |
| Black or African American | 843 | 10.59% |
| Native American | 29 | 0.36% |
| Asian | 46 | 0.58% |
| Pacific Islander | 2 | 0.03% |
| Other/Mixed | 693 | 8.7% |
| Hispanic orLatino | 241 | 2.9% |
The2020 United States census[16] counted 7,964 people, 2,921 households, and 1,938 families in Boonville. The population density was 1,031.6 per square mile (398.6/km2). There were 3,438 housing units at an average density of 445.3 per square mile (172.1/km2). The racial makeup was 79.75% (6,351)white, 10.59% (843)black or African-American, 0.36% (29)Native American, 0.58% (46)Asian, 0.03% (2)Pacific Islander, 0.88% (70) fromother races, and 7.82% (623) from two or more races.Hispanic orLatino of any race was 2.9% (241) of the population.
Of the 2,921 households, 28.0% had children under the age of 18; 44.1% were married couples living together; 37.2% had a female householder with no husband present. Of all households, 29.6% consisted of individuals and 12.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.4 and the average family size was 2.8.
20.1% of the population was under the age of 18, 8.8% from 18 to 24, 32.2% from 25 to 44, 24.5% from 45 to 64, and 18.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37.7 years. For every 100 females, the population had 120.0 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older, there were 120.2 males.
The 2016-2020 5-yearAmerican Community Survey[17] estimates show that the median household income was $43,460 (with a margin of error of +/- $6,578) and the median family income was $53,367 (+/- $7,247). Males had a median income of $28,027 (+/- $4,135) versus $31,048 (+/- $5,148) for females. The median income for those above 16 years old was $29,348 (+/- $3,945). Approximately, 13.3% of families and 14.5% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 22.9% of those under the age of 18 and 7.3% of those ages 65 or over.
As of thecensus[18] of 2010, there were 8,319 people, 2,918 households, and 1,787 families living in the city. The population density was 1,207.4 inhabitants per square mile (466.2/km2). There were 3,294 housing units at an average density of 478.1 per square mile (184.6/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 83.1%White, 13.3%African American, 0.4%Native American, 0.6%Asian, 0.3% fromother races, and 2.2% from two or more races.Hispanic orLatino of any race were 1.9% of the population.
There were 2,918 households, of which 30.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.9% were married couples living together, 13.2% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.1% had a male householder with no wife present, and 38.8% were non-families. 32.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.35 and the average family size was 2.94.
The median age in the city was 34.6 years. 20.3% of residents were under the age of 18; 12.9% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 28.9% were from 25 to 44; 23.4% were from 45 to 64; and 14.6% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 55.2% male and 44.8% female.
As of thecensus[3] of 2000, there were 8,202 people, 2,667 households, and 1,696 families living in the city. The population density was 1,190.8 inhabitants per square mile (459.8/km2). There were 3,041 housing units at an average density of 441.5 per square mile (170.5/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 80.22%White, 16.84%African American, 0.51%Native American, 0.41%Asian, 0.04%Pacific Islander, 0.40% fromother races, and 1.57% from two or more races.Hispanic orLatino of any race were 1.23% of the population.
There were 2,667 households, out of which 30.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.5% were married couples living together, 11.8% had a female house holder with no husband present, and 36.4% were non-families. 31.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.33 and the average family size was 2.93.
In the city, the age distribution of the population shows 19.6% under the age of 18, 20.8% from 18 to 24, 27.4% from 25 to 44, 16.7% from 45 to 64, and 15.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 30 years. For every 100 females, there were 138.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 146.0 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $33,440, and the median income for a family was $40,294. Males had a median income of $28,498 versus $20,739 for females. Theper capita income for the city was $14,854. About 9.5% of families and 11.3% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 13.4% of those under age 18 and 6.7% of those age 65 or over.
Boonville is near the middle of theKaty Trail, a 225-mile state park enjoyed by cyclists and hikers.Missouri-Kansas-Texas Bridge in Boonville, which crosses the Missouri near the Isle of Capri Casino and Historic Selwyn Shoe Factory (which has been refurnished as apartments), has been subject of controversy. The Union Pacific Railroad had planned to remove sections of the bridge and reinstall them at Jefferson City, which would sever the route and possibly eliminate therailbank protections and allow the right of way to revert to adjacent property owners. However, Friends of Historic Boonville and others across the state oppose the idea. GovernorJay Nixon announced in 2010 that Union Pacific would transfer ownership of the bridge to the City of Boonville.
Annually, Boonville celebrates Boonville Heritage Days. This is a summer weekend event that focuses on heritage. Activities include a parade, craft booths, a carnival and much fun for people of all ages. On the last evening there is a fireworks show.
Other annual events include the Festival of the Leaves, which is held on the last Saturday in September, and The Festival of The Lights, which is held every Thursday night in September. Shops stay open late, and there are booths with food, free stuff, and games. The historicThespian Hall, located downtown, is used for concerts, art shows, and plays.
The annual Halloween parade features the award-winning Boonville Silver Pirate Band dressed up in a variety of fanciful maritime costumes.
Twillman Field in Harley Park is also a source of local pride, as it hosts several baseball tournaments every year, including state and regional championships, with ages ranging from 13 to 18. At one time in the late 1980s through 1990s, it was considered by some to be the third best baseball field in the state, trailing only theMajor League parks inSt. Louis andKansas City.
The Missouri Training School for Boys, a juvenile correctional facility of theMissouri Division of Youth Services, opened in 1889. By 1948 violent prisoners had killed two boys. As a result,GovernorPhil M. Donnelly removed 71 prisoners from the training school and relocated them to an adult prison. He dismissed the board of the State Board for Training Schools, the juvenile correctional authority.[19] It closed in 1983.[20] The facility is now the Boonville Correctional Center, a minimum security, adult institution for men in the Missouri Department of Corrections.[21]
TheBoonville R-1 School District has four schools. Hannah Cole Elementary, David Barton Elementary, Laura Speed Elliott (LSE) Middle School, and Boonville High School are all located in Boonville. The superintendent of schools is Mark Harvey and the school mascot is the Pirates.
There is also a parochial PreK-8th school Sts. Peter and Paul, which was established in the 1850s and has the Warriors as their mascot.
Boonville has apublic library, a branch of the Boonslick Regional Library.[22]
Boonville is served by one newspaper, theBoonville Daily News. Boonville also has a radio station,KWRT, which airs at 1370 kHz A.M. and 98.7 kHz F.M.
Municipalities and communities ofCooper County, Missouri,United States | ||
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| Unincorporated communities | ||
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