Poplar Bluff, Missouri | |
|---|---|
City | |
| Nicknames: Gateway to the Ozarks, The Bluff, PB | |
| Motto: A Community of Opportunity | |
  Poplar Bluff Location in Missouri Show map of Missouri Poplar Bluff Location in the United States Show map of the United States | |
| Coordinates:36°45′17″N90°23′45″W / 36.75472°N 90.39583°W /36.75472; -90.39583 | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Missouri |
| County | Butler |
| Government | |
| • Type | Council-Manager |
| • Mayor | Shane Cornman[1] |
| • Mayor Pro tem | Lisa Armes-Parson |
| • City Manager | Matt Winters[2] |
| Area | |
• Total | 13.21 sq mi (34.22 km2) |
| • Land | 13.14 sq mi (34.03 km2) |
| • Water | 0.073 sq mi (0.19 km2) |
| Elevation | 348 ft (106 m) |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 16,225 |
| • Density | 1,234.9/sq mi (476.78/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (CDT) |
| ZIP Codes | 63901–63902 |
| Area code | 573 |
| FIPS code | 29-59096[5] |
| GNIS feature ID | 2396252[4] |
| Website | www |
Poplar Bluff is a city in and thecounty seat ofButler County,Missouri, United States,[6] that is known as "The Gateway to theOzarks" among other names. The population was 16,225 at the2020 census.[7] The Poplar BluffMicropolitan Statistical Area consists of all of Butler County. The city is at the crossroads ofU.S. Route 60 andU.S. Route 67.
The French were the first Europeans to assert any territorial rights over the Poplar Bluff area. The French held the area until 1771 when it was ceded by treaty to Spain. Spain held the area until 1802 when it was returned to France. The area that would become Poplar Bluff and Butler County had no permanent European settlement until 1819, when the first white family moved into the area. It was reported[by whom?] that about 300Native Americans resided in the area at that time.
The earliest permanent settlements in what is now Butler County occurred in the early 19th century along the Natchitoches Trail, an old Native American trail west of what is now Poplar Bluff on Ten Mile Creek and Cane Creek. Butler County was organized in 1849 and Poplar Bluff was chosen as the county seat. In 1855 the first courthouse was built and the town grew.
Atornado leveled most of the city, especially the original business district along Main and Broadway streets, onMay 9, 1927.[8] The tornado killed 98 people, tying it as the seventeenth deadliest tornado in U.S. history.[9] On March 15, 2025,a low end EF3 tornado hit the western and north western part of town, killing one person and damaging many structures.[10]
Several buildings in Poplar Bluff are listed on theNational Register of Historic Places, including theButler County Courthouse,Cynthia-Kinzer Historic District,Alfred W. Greer House,Hargrove Pivot Bridge,Mark Twain School,J. Herbert Moore House,Thomas Moore House,Moore-Dalton House,North Main Street Historic District,John Archibald Phillips House,Poplar Bluff Commercial Historic District,Poplar Bluff Public Library,Rodgers Theatre Building,South Sixth Street Historic District,St. Louis, Iron Mountain and Southern Railroad Depot,St. Louis-San Francisco Railroad Depot,Wheatley Public School,Williams-Gierth House,Williamson-Kennedy School,Wright-Dalton-Bell-Anchor Department Store Building, andZehe Building.[11][12][13][14]
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1880 | 791 | — | |
| 1890 | 2,187 | 176.5% | |
| 1900 | 4,321 | 97.6% | |
| 1910 | 6,916 | 60.1% | |
| 1920 | 8,042 | 16.3% | |
| 1930 | 7,551 | −6.1% | |
| 1940 | 11,163 | 47.8% | |
| 1950 | 15,064 | 34.9% | |
| 1960 | 15,926 | 5.7% | |
| 1970 | 16,653 | 4.6% | |
| 1980 | 17,139 | 2.9% | |
| 1990 | 16,996 | −0.8% | |
| 2000 | 16,651 | −2.0% | |
| 2010 | 17,023 | 2.2% | |
| 2020 | 16,225 | −4.7% | |
| source:[15] | |||
The2020 United States census[16] counted 16,225 people, 6,566 households, and 3,665 families in Poplar Bluff. The population density was 1,234.8 per square mile (476.8/km2). There were 8,076 housing units at an average density of 614.6 per square mile (237.3/km2). The racial makeup was 77.37% (12,553)white, 11.57% (1,878)black or African-American, 0.52% (84)Native American, 0.89% (144)Asian, 0.06% (9)Pacific Islander, 1.19% (193) fromother races, and 8.41% (1,364) from two or more races.Hispanic orLatino of any race was 2.5% (425) of the population.
Of the 6,566 households, 24.2% had children under the age of 18; 34.3% were married couples living together; 39.3% had a female householder with no husband present. Of all households, 38.3% consisted of individuals and 16.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.5 and the average family size was 3.2.
25.5% of the population was under the age of 18, 8.6% from 18 to 24, 27.2% from 25 to 44, 23.3% from 45 to 64, and 20.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36.2 years. For every 100 females, the population had 91.2 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older, there were 90.7 males.
The 2016-2020 5-yearAmerican Community Survey[17] estimates show that the median household income was $35,603 (with a margin of error of +/- $5,999) and the median family income was $46,845 (+/- $4,821). Males had a median income of $23,477 (+/- $3,135) versus $19,077 (+/- $4,343) for females. The median income for those above 16 years old was $21,308 (+/- $1,457). Approximately, 18.7% of families and 26.6% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 35.2% of those under the age of 18 and 13.2% of those ages 65 or over.
As of thecensus[18] of 2010, there were 17,023 people, 7,181 households, and 4,154 families residing in the city. Thepopulation density was 1,318.6 inhabitants per square mile (509.1/km2). There were 8,038 housing units at an average density of 622.6 per square mile (240.4/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 84.79%White, 9.97%Black orAfrican American, 0.53%Native American, 0.89%Asian, 0.06%Native Hawaiian orPacific Islander, 0.90% fromother races, and 2.84% from two or more races.Hispanic orLatino of any race were 2.21% of the population.
There were 7,181 households, of which 30.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 35.1% weremarried couples living together, 17.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.2% had a male householder with no wife present, and 42.2% were non-families. 36.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.28 and the average family size was 2.94.
The median age in the city was 38.4 years. 24.2% of residents were under the age of 18; 9.6% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 23.6% were from 25 to 44; 24.6% were from 45 to 64; and 18.2% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 45.9% male and 54.1% female.
According to the 2000 U.S. Census, there were 16,651 people, 7,077 households, and 4,295 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,438.9 inhabitants per square mile (555.6/km2). There were 7,871 housing units at an average density of 680.2 per square mile (262.6/km2).
The racial makeup of the city was 87.04%Caucasian, 9.71%African American, 0.55%Native American, 0.52%Asian, 0.48% fromother races, and 1.71% from two or more races.Hispanic orLatino of any race were 1.35% of the population.
There were 7,870 households, out of which 52.7% were married couples living together, 20.28% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.3% were non-families. 34.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.27 and the average family size was 2.9.
In the city the population was spread out, with 24.3% under the age of 18, 8.8% from 18 to 24, 25.5% from 25 to 44, 21.5% from 45 to 64, and 19.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38.7 years. For every 100 females, there were 83.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 78.5 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $22,068, and the median income for a family was $28,744. Theper capita income for the city was $13,996. About 19.3% of families and 24.4% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 34.4% of those under age 18 and 17.6% of those age 65 or over.
Poplar Bluff is located along theBlack River.[19] According to theUnited States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 12.98 square miles (33.62 km2), of which 12.91 square miles (33.44 km2) is land and 0.07 square miles (0.18 km2) is water.[20]
Poplar Bluff takes its name from a bluff that overlooks the Black River. When first settled, the bluff was covered withtulip poplar trees in one of their few abundant populations west of theMississippi River. The Butler County Courthouse and the offices of the city'sDaily American Republic newspaper sit on this site. Poplar Bluff lies along anescarpment separating the foothills of theOzarks from theMississippi embayment of southeastern Missouri. The foothills lie to the north and west and the embayment is to the south and east. The surrounding area is commonly known as the "Three Rivers" with many local organizations and businesses using the name. The three rivers—Current River, Black River, andSt. Francis River—are 40 miles apart with Poplar Bluff located in the center on the Black River.
Poplar Bluff has a humid subtropical climate (Cfa). Winters are cool with occasional snowfalls while summers are hot and humid. Rain is abundant year round, but especially in spring and fall. The coldest month is January with a mean of 34.9 °F (1.6 °C) and the hottest month, July, has a mean of 80.5 °F (26.9 °C).[21] On average, 58 days exceed 90 °F (32 °C) and 2 exceed 100 °F (38 °C).[21] In the winter, an average of 10.6 days fail to exceed freezing, while there are 83 days where lows dip below freezing on average.[21] The hottest temperature on record is 112 °F (44 °C), recorded 3 times in 1901 on July 12, 22, and 23.[22] The lowest temperature ever recorded was −25 °F (−32 °C) on February 13, 1899.[22]
| Climate data for Poplar Bluff, Missouri (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1893–present) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °F (°C) | 78 (26) | 83 (28) | 92 (33) | 94 (34) | 100 (38) | 110 (43) | 112 (44) | 112 (44) | 108 (42) | 96 (36) | 85 (29) | 79 (26) | 112 (44) |
| Mean maximum °F (°C) | 64.5 (18.1) | 70.1 (21.2) | 77.3 (25.2) | 84.5 (29.2) | 90.6 (32.6) | 96.5 (35.8) | 99.0 (37.2) | 98.6 (37.0) | 93.6 (34.2) | 86.5 (30.3) | 75.4 (24.1) | 65.3 (18.5) | 101.0 (38.3) |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 44.0 (6.7) | 49.3 (9.6) | 59.0 (15.0) | 69.9 (21.1) | 78.9 (26.1) | 87.5 (30.8) | 90.5 (32.5) | 89.5 (31.9) | 82.8 (28.2) | 71.9 (22.2) | 57.8 (14.3) | 47.1 (8.4) | 69.0 (20.6) |
| Daily mean °F (°C) | 34.9 (1.6) | 39.4 (4.1) | 48.5 (9.2) | 58.7 (14.8) | 68.3 (20.2) | 77.3 (25.2) | 80.5 (26.9) | 79.0 (26.1) | 71.7 (22.1) | 59.8 (15.4) | 47.7 (8.7) | 38.2 (3.4) | 58.7 (14.8) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 25.8 (−3.4) | 29.5 (−1.4) | 38.1 (3.4) | 47.4 (8.6) | 57.6 (14.2) | 67.0 (19.4) | 70.6 (21.4) | 68.5 (20.3) | 60.6 (15.9) | 47.7 (8.7) | 37.5 (3.1) | 29.3 (−1.5) | 48.3 (9.1) |
| Mean minimum °F (°C) | 9.2 (−12.7) | 14.1 (−9.9) | 22.2 (−5.4) | 33.7 (0.9) | 43.6 (6.4) | 56.4 (13.6) | 62.6 (17.0) | 60.0 (15.6) | 46.6 (8.1) | 34.0 (1.1) | 23.7 (−4.6) | 14.7 (−9.6) | 5.7 (−14.6) |
| Record low °F (°C) | −23 (−31) | −25 (−32) | 0 (−18) | 23 (−5) | 28 (−2) | 41 (5) | 48 (9) | 44 (7) | 31 (−1) | 17 (−8) | 4 (−16) | −10 (−23) | −25 (−32) |
| Averageprecipitation inches (mm) | 3.46 (88) | 3.63 (92) | 4.77 (121) | 5.94 (151) | 5.37 (136) | 4.29 (109) | 4.70 (119) | 3.65 (93) | 3.29 (84) | 4.07 (103) | 4.80 (122) | 4.27 (108) | 52.24 (1,327) |
| Average snowfall inches (cm) | 0.6 (1.5) | 1.6 (4.1) | 1.3 (3.3) | 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) | 0.2 (0.51) | 1.7 (4.3) | 5.4 (14) |
| Average precipitation days(≥ 0.01 in) | 8.7 | 7.5 | 10.9 | 10.4 | 11.4 | 8.7 | 8.4 | 7.6 | 6.8 | 7.8 | 9.2 | 8.7 | 106.1 |
| Average snowy days(≥ 0.1 in) | 0.5 | 0.6 | 0.4 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.1 | 0.4 | 1.8 |
| Source:NOAA[22][21] | |||||||||||||
Poplar Bluff operates under acouncil–manager form of government. Thecity manager appoints heads of various city departments and agencies including Airport Director, Art Museum Director, Black River Coliseum Director, Finance, Personnel, Collections Director, Fire Department Chief, City Planner, Police Chief, and Street Superintendent.[citation needed]
The largest USnail manufacturer, Mid-Continent Steel and Wire, is located in Poplar Bluff.[23] It is one of 15 nail companies in the US, and accounted for half of US nail production as of June 2018.[24] At its peak, the Mexican-owned firm employed about five hundred workers in the area, but as of 2018 uncertainty over steel tariffs threatens the plant's future.[25] On April 3, 2019, Mid-Continent Steel and Wire received a steel tariff exemption, allowing them to maintain their workforce and increase production.[26]
The Poplar Bluff R-1 School District serves the educational needs of most of the residents of Poplar Bluff and the surrounding area. There are seven elementary schools, one junior high and one senior high school in the school district.[27] During the 2022–2023 school year, there were 5,204 students and 609 total staff members enrolled in the Poplar Bluff R-1 School District.[28] The school colors are maroon and white and its mascot is the mule. Athletics offered in the school district include boys' and girls' basketball, soccer, track, cross country, tennis, golf, band, wrestling and swimming; boys' baseball and football; and girls' softball, volleyball, cheerleading, and pom squad.
Elementary schools
Secondary schools
Three Rivers College is acommunity college located in Poplar Bluff. It provides college courses along with career and technical programs. Three Rivers offers freshman and sophomore level classes similar to many four-year public universities. The school colors are gold and black and its mascot is Rocky Raider. Three Rivers Basketball Coach Gene Bess has been recognized as theNational Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) "all time most winning Junior College coach".[29]
TheDaily American Republic newspaper is the local news of record for Poplar Bluff. It has a daily print edition and a website which provides news.[30] Poplar Bluff is located in theCape Girardeau–Paducah–Harrisburg–Carbondale media market and is served by the television stations covering that market, which include:
Poplar Bluff has a lending library, thePoplar Bluff Public Library.[31]
Amtrak provides passenger train service from thePoplar Bluff station.
Bluff Area Transit Service provides Poplar Bluff residents with deviated fixed route public transit service. The service operates 4 routes from 8am to 4pm Monday through Friday.[32]
The city is at the crossroads ofU.S. Route 60 andU.S. Route 67.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
Municipalities and communities ofButler County, Missouri,United States | ||
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| Other communities | ||
| Ghost town | ||
| Footnotes | ‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties | |
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| National | |
| Geographic | |
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