Pinhook, Missouri

Pinhook is an inactive village in Mississippi County, Missouri, United States. The population was 30 at the 2010 census.

For the community in Iron County, see Pin Hook, Iron County, Missouri.

Pinhook, Missouri
Inactive Village
Location of Pinhook, Missouri
Coordinates: 36°44′21″N 89°16′4″W
Country	United States
State	Missouri
County	Mississippi
Incorporated	February 23, 1995[1]
Area [2]
• Total	0.14 sq mi (0.36 km^2)
• Land	0.14 sq mi (0.36 km^2)
• Water	0 sq mi (0 km^2)
Elevation	302 ft (92 m)
Population  (2010)[3]
• Total	30
• Estimate  (2012[4])	30
• Density	214.3/sq mi (82.7/km^2)
Time zone	UTC-6 (Central (CST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-5 (CDT)
FIPS code	29-57926[5]
GNIS feature ID	0741154[6]

It was settled in the 1920s by sharecroppers. The community takes its name from a nearby ridge of the same name which in turn was so named on account it having the form of a pinhook.[7] The community was flooded in May 2011 when the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers breached the Bird’s Point Levee to save the town of Cairo, Illinois. The government did not assist or provide help to evacuate Pinhook. The residents were left entirely on their own before the levee breach.[8] Afterwards, the former residents resettled in East Prairie and Sikeston.[9]

Geography

Pinhook is located at 36°44′21″N 89°16′4″W (36.739225, -89.267693).[10]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of 0.14 square miles (0.36 km²), all land.[2]

Demographics

Historical population
Census	Pop.		%±
2000	48		—
2010	30		−37.5%
U.S. Decennial Census[11]

2010 census

As of the census[3] of 2010, there were 30 people, 17 households, and 8 families residing in the village. The population density was 214.3 inhabitants per square mile (82.7/km²). There were 19 housing units at an average density of 135.7 per square mile (52.4/km²). The racial makeup of the village was 3.33% White and 96.67% Black or African American.

There were 17 households, of which 11.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 29.4% were married couples living together, 11.8% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.9% had a male householder with no wife present, and 52.9% were non-families. 52.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.76 and the average family size was 2.63.

The median age in the village was 54 years. 10% of residents were under the age of 18; 6.7% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 10% were from 25 to 44; 39.9% were from 45 to 64; and 33.3% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the village was 50.0% male and 50.0% female.

2000 census

As of the census[5] of 2000, there were 48 people, 20 households, and 15 families residing in the village. The population density was 336.1 people per square mile (132.4/km²). There were 21 housing units at an average density of 147.0 per square mile (57.9/km²). The racial makeup of the village was 10.42% White, 87.50% African American, and 2.08% from two or more races.

There were 20 households, out of which 35.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.0% were married couples living together, 35.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.0% were non-families. 25.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.40 and the average family size was 2.87.

In the village, the population was spread out, with 29.2% under the age of 18, 6.3% from 18 to 24, 29.2% from 25 to 44, 18.8% from 45 to 64, and 16.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 71.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 70.0 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $15,417, and the median income for a family was $16,250. Males had a median income of $23,750 versus $16,250 for females. The per capita income for the village was $10,114. There were 47.1% of families and 55.4% of the population living below the poverty line, including 50.0% of under eighteens and 83.3% of those over 64.

History

Mystery surrounds the founding of Pinhook. Many people believe that it was founded by sharecroppers in the 1930s. This largely African American colony expanded to nearly 250 people at its peak. During the summer of 2011 the Mississippi began to flood. Pinhook was destroyed on May 2, 2011 when the Birds Point-New Madrid levee was blown to save Cairo, Illinois from flooding. Everyone in Pinhook lost the homes that they had lived in for many years. Many were devastated because they loved living in a small community, knowing everyone. These people fled to family or apartments, until they could find a new home. There has been talk of relocating the community, but the funding is unavailable. In August 2015 the remaining buildings were bulldozed.[12]

References

1. https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/partnerships/bas/new_incs_1990-1999.txt
2. "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 20, 2011. Retrieved 2012-07-08.
3. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2012-07-08.
4. "Population Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 11, 2013. Retrieved 2013-05-30.
5. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
6. "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
7. "Mississippi County Place Names, 1928–1945". The State Historical Society of Missouri. Archived from the original on June 24, 2016. Retrieved November 6, 2016.
8. "The Resistance of Memories", David Todd Lawrence, CAS Spotlight, University of St. Thomas. December 8, 2014. Retrieved April 20, 1919.
9. Schuessler, Ryan. "One by one, Missouri’s black towns disappear" (Archive). Al Jazeera. April 5, 2014. Retrieved June 23, 2014.
10. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
11. United States Census Bureau. "Census of Population and Housing".
12. Graef, Tyle. "Former Pinhook residents watch as bulldozers level what's left of the town the 2011 flood destroyed". Southeast Missourian. August 7, 2015. Retrieved August 9, 2015.